["\u201cThere\tis\tno\tneed\tfor\tyou\tto\ttalk,\tMademoiselle.\tI\twill\tdo\tall\tthe\ttalking.\tI was\tinterested\tat\tAssuan\tin\tthe\trelations\texisting\tbetween\tyou.\tI\tsaw\tat\tonce that,\tin\tspite\tof\tyour\tcarefully\tstudied\tunfilial\tremarks,\tyou\twere\tin\treality passionately\tprotecting\ther\tfrom\tsomething.\tI\tvery\tsoon\tknew\twhat\tthat something\twas.\tI\tknew\tit\tlong\tbefore\tI\tencountered\tyour\tmother\tone\tmorning\tin an\tunmistakable\tstate\tof\tintoxication.\tMoreover,\ther\tcase,\tI\tcould\tsee,\twas\tone of\tsecret\tbouts\tof\tdrinking\u2014by\tfar\tthe\tmost\tdifficult\tkind\tof\tcase\twith\twhich\tto deal.\tYou\twere\tcoping\twith\tit\tmanfully.\tNevertheless,\tshe\thad\tall\tthe\tsecret drunkard\u2019s\tcunning.\tShe\tmanaged\tto\tget\thold\tof\ta\tsecret\tsupply\tof\tspirits\tand\tto keep\tit\tsuccessfully\thidden\tfrom\tyou.\tI\tshould\tnot\tbe\tsurprised\tif\tyou\tdiscovered its\thiding\tplace\tonly\tyesterday.\tAccordingly,\tlast\tnight,\tas\tsoon\tas\tyour\tmother was\treally\tsoundly\tasleep,\tyou\tstole\tout\twith\tthe\tcontents\tof\tthe\tcache,\twent round\tto\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tboat\t(since\tyour\town\tside\twas\tup\tagainst\tthe\tbank) and\tcast\tit\toverboard\tinto\tthe\tNile.\u201d He\tpaused. \u201cI\tam\tright,\tam\tI\tnot?\u201d \u201cYes\u2014you\u2019re\tquite\tright.\u201d\tRosalie\tspoke\twith\tsudden\tpassion.\t\u201cI\twas\ta\tfool not\tto\tsay\tso,\tI\tsuppose!\tBut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\teveryone\tto\tknow.\tIt\twould\tgo\tall over\tthe\tboat.\tAnd\tit\tseemed\tso\u2014so\tsilly\u2014I\tmean\u2014that\tI\u2014\u201d Poirot\tfinished\tthe\tsentence\tfor\ther. \u201cSo\tsilly\tthat\tyou\tshould\tbe\tsuspected\tof\tcommitting\ta\tmurder?\u201d Rosalie\tnodded. Then\tshe\tburst\tout\tagain:\t\u201cI\u2019ve\ttried\tso\thard\tto\u2014keep\teveryone\tfrom knowing\u2026It\tisn\u2019t\treally\ther\tfault.\tShe\tgot\tdiscouraged.\tHer\tbooks\tdidn\u2019t\tsell anymore.\tPeople\tare\ttired\tof\tall\tthat\tcheap\tsex\tstuff\u2026It\thurt\ther\u2014it\thurt\ther dreadfully.\tAnd\tso\tshe\tbegan\tto\u2014to\tdrink.\tFor\ta\tlong\ttime\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy she\twas\tso\tqueer.\tThen,\twhen\tI\tfound\tout,\tI\ttried\tto\u2014to\tstop\tit.\tShe\u2019d\tbe\tall right\tfor\ta\tbit,\tand\tthen,\tsuddenly,\tshe\u2019d\tstart,\tand\tthere\twould\tbe\tdreadful quarrels\tand\trows\twith\tpeople.\tIt\twas\tawful.\u201d\tShe\tshuddered.\t\u201cI\thad\talways\tto be\ton\tthe\twatch\u2014to\tget\ther\taway\u2026.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthen\u2014she\tbegan\tto\tdislike\tme\tfor\tit.\tShe\u2014she\u2019s\tturned\tright\tagainst me.\tI\tthink\tshe\talmost\thates\tme\tsometimes.\u201d \u201cPauvre\tpetite,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot. She\tturned\ton\thim\tvehemently. \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tsorry\tfor\tme.\tDon\u2019t\tbe\tkind.\tIt\u2019s\teasier\tif\tyou\u2019re\tnot.\u201d\tShe\tsighed \u2014a\tlong\theartrending\tsigh.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tso\ttired\u2026I\u2019m\tso\tdeadly,\tdeadly\ttired.\u201d \u201cI\tknow,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot. \u201cPeople\tthink\tI\u2019m\tawful.\tStuck-up\tand\tcross\tand\tbad-tempered.\tI\tcan\u2019t\thelp it.\tI\u2019ve\tforgotten\thow\tto\tbe\u2014to\tbe\tnice.\u201d \u201cThat\tis\twhat\tI\tsaid\tto\tyou;\tyou\thave\tcarried\tyour\tburden\tby\tyourself\ttoo","\u201cThat\tis\twhat\tI\tsaid\tto\tyou;\tyou\thave\tcarried\tyour\tburden\tby\tyourself\ttoo long.\u201d Rosalie\tsaid\tslowly.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\trelief\u2014to\ttalk\tabout\tit.\tYou\u2014you\u2019ve\talways been\tkind\tto\tme,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tI\u2019m\tafraid\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\trude\tto\tyou\toften.\u201d \u201cLa\tpolitesse,\tit\tis\tnot\tnecessary\tbetween\tfriends.\u201d The\tsuspicion\tcame\tback\tto\ther\tface\tsuddenly. \u201cAre\tyou\u2014are\tyou\tgoing\tto\ttell\teveryone?\tI\tsuppose\tyou\tmust,\tbecause\tof those\tdamned\tbottles\tI\tthrew\toverboard.\u201d \u201cNo,\tno,\tit\tis\tnot\tnecessary.\tJust\ttell\tme\twhat\tI\twant\tto\tknow.\tAt\twhat\ttime was\tthis?\tTen\tminutes\tpast\tone?\u201d \u201cAbout\tthat,\tI\tshould\tthink.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tremember\texactly.\u201d \u201cNow\ttell\tme,\tMademoiselle.\tMademoiselle\tVan\tSchuyler\tsaw\tyou,\tdid\tyou see\ther?\u201d Rosalie\tshook\ther\thead. \u201cNo,\tI\tdidn\u2019t.\u201d \u201cShe\tsays\tthat\tshe\tlooked\tout\tof\tthe\tdoor\tof\ther\tcabin.\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tI\tshould\thave\tseen\ther.\tI\tjust\tlooked\talong\tthe\tdeck\tand\tthen out\tto\tthe\triver.\u201d Poirot\tnodded. \u201cAnd\tdid\tyou\tsee\tanyone\u2014anyone\tat\tall,\twhen\tyou\tlooked\tdown\tthe\tdeck?\u201d There\twas\ta\tpause\u2014quite\ta\tlong\tpause.\tRosalie\twas\tfrowning.\tShe\tseemed to\tbe\tthinking\tearnestly. At\tlast\tshe\tshook\ther\thead\tquite\tdecisively. \u201cNo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tsaw\tnobody.\u201d Hercule\tPoirot\tslowly\tnodded\this\thead.\tBut\this\teyes\twere\tgrave.","Twenty People\tcrept\tinto\tthe\tdining\tsaloon\tby\tones\tand\ttwos\tin\ta\tvery\tsubdued\tmanner. There\tseemed\ta\tgeneral\tfeeling\tthat\tto\tsit\tdown\teagerly\tto\tfood\tdisplayed\tan unfortunate\theartlessness.\tIt\twas\twith\tan\talmost\tapologetic\tair\tthat\tone\tpassenger after\tanother\tcame\tand\tsat\tdown\tat\ttheir\ttables. Tim\tAllerton\tarrived\tsome\tfew\tminutes\tafter\this\tmother\thad\ttaken\ther\tseat. He\twas\tlooking\tin\ta\tthoroughly\tbad\ttemper. \u201cI\twish\twe\u2019d\tnever\tcome\ton\tthis\tblasted\ttrip,\u201d\the\tgrowled. Mrs.\tAllerton\tshook\ther\thead\tsadly. \u201cOh,\tmy\tdear,\tso\tdo\tI.\tThat\tbeautiful\tgirl!\tIt\tall\tseems\tsuch\ta\twaste.\tTo\tthink that\tanyone\tcould\tshoot\ther\tin\tcold\tblood.\tIt\tseems\tawful\tto\tme\tthat\tanyone could\tdo\tsuch\ta\tthing.\tAnd\tthat\tother\tpoor\tchild.\u201d \u201cJacqueline?\u201d \u201cYes;\tmy\theart\taches\tfor\ther.\tShe\tlooks\tso\tdreadfully\tunhappy.\u201d \u201cTeach\ther\tnot\tto\tgo\tround\tloosing\toff\ttoy\tfirearms,\u201d\tsaid\tTim\tunfeelingly\tas he\thelped\thimself\tto\tbutter. \u201cI\texpect\tshe\twas\tbadly\tbrought\tup.\u201d \u201cOh,\tfor\tGod\u2019s\tsake,\tMother,\tdon\u2019t\tgo\tall\tmaternal\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tin\ta\tshocking\tbad\ttemper,\tTim.\u201d \u201cYes\tI\tam.\tWho\twouldn\u2019t\tbe?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\twhat\tthere\tis\tto\tbe\tcross\tabout.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\tfrightfully\tsad.\u201d Tim\tsaid\tcrossly:\t\u201cYou\u2019re\ttaking\tthe\tromantic\tpoint\tof\tview!\tWhat\tyou\tdon\u2019t seem\tto\trealize\tis\tthat\tit\u2019s\tno\tjoke\tbeing\tmixed\tup\tin\ta\tmurder\tcase.\u201d Mrs.\tAllerton\tlooked\ta\tlittle\tstartled. \u201cBut\tsurely\u2014\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tjust\tit.\tThere\u2019s\tno\t\u2018But\tsurely\u2019\tabout\tit.\tEveryone\ton\tthis\tdamned boat\tis\tunder\tsuspicion\u2014you\tand\tI\tas\twell\tas\tthe\trest\tof\tthem.\u201d Mrs.\tAllerton\tdemurred.\t\u201cTechnically\twe\tare,\tI\tsuppose\u2014but\tactually\tit\u2019s ridiculous!\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tnothing\tridiculous\twhere\tmurder\u2019s\tconcerned!\tYou\tmay\tsit\tthere, darling,\tjust\texuding\tvirtue\tand\tconscious\trectitude,\tbut\ta\tlot\tof\tunpleasant policeman\tat\tShellal\tor\tAssuan\twon\u2019t\ttake\tyou\tat\tyour\tface\tvalue.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tthe\ttruth\twill\tbe\tknown\tbefore\tthen.\u201d","\u201cPerhaps\tthe\ttruth\twill\tbe\tknown\tbefore\tthen.\u201d \u201cWhy\tshould\tit\tbe?\u201d \u201cMonsieur\tPoirot\tmay\tfind\tout.\u201d \u201cThat\told\tmountebank?\tHe\twon\u2019t\tfind\tout\tanything.\tHe\u2019s\tall\ttalk\tand moustaches.\u201d \u201cWell,\tTim,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tAllerton.\t\u201cI\tdare\tsay\teverything\tyou\tsay\tis\ttrue,\tbut, even\tif\tit\tis,\twe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tgo\tthrough\twith\tit,\tso\twe\tmight\tas\twell\tmake\tup\tour minds\tto\tit\tand\tgo\tthrough\twith\tit\tas\tcheerfully\tas\twe\tcan.\u201d But\ther\tson\tshowed\tno\tabatement\tof\tgloom. \u201cThere\u2019s\tthis\tblasted\tbusiness\tof\tthe\tpearls\tbeing\tmissing,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cLinnet\u2019s\tpearls?\u201d \u201cYes.\tIt\tseems\tsomebody\tmust\thave\tpinched\t\u2019em.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose\tthat\twas\tthe\tmotive\tfor\tthe\tcrime,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tAllerton. \u201cWhy\tshould\tit\tbe?\tYou\u2019re\tmixing\tup\ttwo\tperfectly\tdifferent\tthings.\u201d \u201cWho\ttold\tyou\tthat\tthey\twere\tmissing?\u201d \u201cFerguson.\tHe\tgot\tit\tfrom\this\ttough\tfriend\tin\tthe\tengine\troom,\twho\tgot\tit from\tthe\tmaid.\u201d \u201cThey\twere\tlovely\tpearls,\u201d\tdeclared\tMrs.\tAllerton. Poirot\tsat\tdown\tat\tthe\ttable,\tbowing\tto\tMrs.\tAllerton. \u201cI\tam\ta\tlittle\tlate,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cI\texpect\tyou\thave\tbeen\tbusy,\u201d\tMrs.\tAllerton\treplied. \u201cYes,\tI\thave\tbeen\tmuch\toccupied.\u201d He\tordered\ta\tfresh\tbottle\tof\twine\tfrom\tthe\twaiter. \u201cWe\u2019re\tvery\tcatholic\tin\tour\ttastes,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tAllerton.\t\u201cYou\tdrink\twine always;\tTim\tdrinks\twhisky\tand\tsoda,\tand\tI\ttry\tall\tthe\tdifferent\tbrands\tof\tmineral water\tin\tturn.\u201d \u201cTiens!\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\tHe\tstared\tat\ther\tfor\ta\tmoment.\tHe\tmurmured\tto himself:\t\u201cIt\tis\tan\tidea,\tthat\u2026.\u201d Then,\twith\tan\timpatient\tshrug\tof\this\tshoulders,\the\tdismissed\tthe\tsudden preoccupation\tthat\thad\tdistracted\thim\tand\tbegan\tto\tchat\tlightly\tof\tother\tmatters. \u201cIs\tMr.\tDoyle\tbadly\thurt?\u201d\tasked\tMrs.\tAllerton. \u201cYes,\tit\tis\ta\tfairly\tserious\tinjury.\tDr.\tBessner\tis\tanxious\tto\treach\tAssuan\tso that\this\tleg\tcan\tbe\tX-rayed\tand\tthe\tbullet\tremoved.\tBut\the\thopes\tthere\twill\tbe\tno permanent\tlameness.\u201d \u201cPoor\tSimon,\u201d\tsaid\tMrs.\tAllerton.\t\u201cOnly\tyesterday\the\tlooked\tsuch\ta\thappy boy,\twith\teverything\tin\tthe\tworld\the\twanted.\tAnd\tnow\this\tbeautiful\twife\tkilled and\the\thimself\tlaid\tup\tand\thelpless.\tI\tdo\thope,\tthough\u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\thope,\tMadame?\u201d\tasked\tPoirot\tas\tMrs.\tAllerton\tpaused. \u201cI\thope\the\u2019s\tnot\ttoo\tangry\twith\tthat\tpoor\tchild.\u201d \u201cWith\tMademoiselle\tJacqueline?\tQuite\tthe\tcontrary.\tHe\twas\tfull\tof\tanxiety","\u201cWith\tMademoiselle\tJacqueline?\tQuite\tthe\tcontrary.\tHe\twas\tfull\tof\tanxiety on\ther\tbehalf.\u201d He\tturned\tto\tTim. \u201cYou\tknow,\tit\tis\ta\tpretty\tlittle\tproblem\tof\tpsychology,\tthat.\tAll\tthe\ttime\tthat Mademoiselle\tJacqueline\twas\tfollowing\tthem\tfrom\tplace\tto\tplace,\the\twas absolutely\tfurious;\tbut\tnow,\twhen\tshe\thas\tactually\tshot\thim,\tand\twounded\thim dangerously\u2014perhaps\tmade\thim\tlame\tfor\tlife\u2014all\this\tanger\tseems\tto\thave evaporated.\tCan\tyou\tunderstand\tthat?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tsaid\tTim\tthoughtfully,\t\u201cI\tthink\tI\tcan.\tThe\tfirst\tthing\tmade\thim\tfeel\ta fool\u2014\u201d Poirot\tnodded.\t\u201cYou\tare\tright.\tIt\toffended\this\tmale\tdignity.\u201d \u201cBut\tnow\u2014if\tyou\tlook\tat\tit\ta\tcertain\tway,\tit\u2019s\tshe\twho\u2019s\tmade\ta\tfool\tof herself.\tEveryone\u2019s\tdown\ton\ther,\tand\tso\u2014\u201d \u201cHe\tcan\tbe\tgenerously\tforgiving,\u201d\tfinished\tMrs.\tAllerton.\t\u201cWhat\tchildren men\tare!\u201d \u201cA\tprofoundly\tuntrue\tstatement\tthat\twomen\talways\tmake,\u201d\tmurmured\tTim. Poirot\tsmiled.\tThen\the\tsaid\tto\tTim:\t\u201cTell\tme,\tMadame\tDoyle\u2019s\tcousin,\tMiss Joanna\tSouthwood,\tdid\tshe\tresemble\tMadame\tDoyle?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ve\tgot\tit\ta\tlittle\twrong,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tShe\twas\tour\tcousin\tand Linnet\u2019s\tfriend.\u201d \u201cAh,\tpardon\u2014I\twas\tconfused.\tShe\tis\ta\tyoung\tlady\tmuch\tin\tthe\tnews,\tthat.\tI have\tbeen\tinterested\tin\ther\tfor\tsome\ttime.\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\tasked\tTim\tsharply. Poirot\thalf\trose\tto\tbow\tto\tJacqueline\tde\tBellefort,\twho\thad\tjust\tcome\tin\tand passed\ttheir\ttable\ton\tthe\tway\tto\ther\town.\tHer\tcheeks\twere\tflushed\tand\ther\teyes bright,\tand\ther\tbreath\tcame\ta\tlittle\tunevenly.\tAs\the\tresumed\this\tseat\tPoirot seemed\tto\thave\tforgotten\tTim\u2019s\tquestion.\tHe\tmurmured\tvaguely:\t\u201cI\twonder\tif all\tyoung\tladies\twith\tvaluable\tjewels\tare\tas\tcareless\tas\tMadame\tDoyle\twas?\u201d \u201cIt\tis\ttrue,\tthen,\tthat\tthey\twere\tstolen?\u201d\tasked\tMrs.\tAllerton. \u201cWho\ttold\tyou\tso,\tMadame?\u201d \u201cFerguson\tsaid\tso,\u201d\tTim\tvolunteered. Poirot\tnodded\tgravely. \u201cIt\tis\tquite\ttrue.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose,\u201d\tMrs.\tAllerton\tnervously,\t\u201cthat\tthis\twill\tmean\ta\tlot\tof unpleasantness\tfor\tall\tof\tus.\tTim\tsays\tit\twill.\u201d Her\tson\tscowled,\tbut\tPoirot\thad\tturned\tto\thim. \u201cAh!\tYou\thave\thad\tprevious\texperience,\tperhaps?\tYou\thave\tbeen\tin\ta\thouse where\tthere\twas\ta\trobbery?\u201d \u201cNever,\u201d\tsaid\tTim. \u201cOh,\tyes,\tdarling,\tyou\twere\tat\tthe\tPortarlingtons\u2019\tthat\ttime\u2014when\tthat","\u201cOh,\tyes,\tdarling,\tyou\twere\tat\tthe\tPortarlingtons\u2019\tthat\ttime\u2014when\tthat awful\twoman\u2019s\tdiamonds\twere\tstolen.\u201d \u201cYou\talways\tget\tthings\thopelessly\twrong,\tMother.\tI\twas\tthere\twhen\tit\twas discovered\tthat\tthe\tdiamonds\tshe\twas\twearing\tround\ther\tfat\tneck\twere\tonly paste!\tThe\tactual\tsubstitution\twas\tprobably\tdone\tmonths\tearlier.\tAs\ta\tmatter\tof fact,\tof\tlot\tof\tpeople\tsaid\tshe\u2019d\thad\tit\tdone\therself!\u201d \u201cJoanna\tsaid\tso,\tI\texpect.\u201d \u201cJoanna\twasn\u2019t\tthere.\u201d \u201cBut\tshe\tknew\tthem\tquite\twell.\tAnd\tit\u2019s\tvery\tlike\ther\tto\tmake\tthat\tkind\tof suggestion.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\talways\tdown\ton\tJoanna,\tMother.\u201d Poirot\thastily\tchanged\tthe\tsubject.\tHe\thad\tit\tin\tmind\tto\tmake\ta\treally\tbig purchase\tat\tone\tof\tthe\tAssuanshops.\tSome\tvery\tattractive\tpurple\tand\tgold material\tat\tone\tof\tthe\tIndian\tmerchants.\tThere\twould,\tof\tcourse,\tbe\tthe\tduty\tto pay,\tbut\u2014 \u201cThey\ttell\tme\tthat\tthey\tcan\u2014how\tdo\tyou\tsay\u2014expedite\tit\tfor\tme.\tAnd\tthat the\tcharges\twill\tnot\tbe\ttoo\thigh.\tHow\tthink\tyou,\twill\tit\tarrive\tall\tright?\u201d Mrs.\tAllerton\tsaid\tthat\tmany\tpeople,\tso\tshe\thad\theard,\thad\thad\tthings\tsent straight\tto\tEngland\tfrom\tthe\tshops\tin\tquestion\tand\tthat\teverything\thad\tarrived safely. \u201cBien.\tThen\tI\twill\tdo\tthat.\tBut\tthe\ttrouble\tone\thas,\twhen\tone\tis\tabroad,\tif\ta parcel\tcomes\tout\tfrom\tEngland!\tHave\tyou\thad\texperience\tof\tthat?\tHave\tyou\thad any\tparcels\tarrive\tsince\tyou\thave\tbeen\ton\tyour\ttravels?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\twe\thave,\thave\twe,\tTim?\tYou\tget\tbooks\tsometimes,\tbut\tof course\tthere\tis\tnever\tany\ttrouble\tabout\tthem.\u201d \u201cAh,\tno,\tbooks\tare\tdifferent.\u201d Dessert\thad\tbeen\tserved.\tNow,\twithout\tany\tprevious\twarning,\tColonel\tRace stood\tup\tand\tmade\this\tspeech. He\ttouched\ton\tthe\tcircumstances\tof\tthe\tcrime\tand\tannounced\tthe\ttheft\tof\tthe pearls.\tA\tsearch\tof\tthe\tboat\twas\tabout\tto\tbe\tinstituted,\tand\the\twould\tbe\tobliged if\tall\tthe\tpassengers\twould\tremain\tin\tthe\tsaloon\tuntil\tthis\twas\tcompleted.\tThen, after\tthat,\tif\tthe\tpassengers\tagreed,\tas\the\twas\tsure\tthey\twould,\tthey\tthemselves would\tbe\tkind\tenough\tto\tsubmit\tto\ta\tsearch. Poirot\tslipped\tnimbly\talong\tto\this\tside.\tThere\twas\ta\tlittle\tbuzz\tand\thum\tall round\tthem.\tVoices\tdoubtful,\tindignant,\texcited\u2026. Poirot\treached\tRace\u2019s\tside\tand\tmurmured\tsomething\tin\this\tear\tjust\tas\tthe latter\twas\tabout\tto\tleave\tthe\tdining\tsaloon. Race\tlistened,\tnodded\tassent,\tand\tbeckoned\ta\tsteward.\tHe\tsaid\ta\tfew\tbrief words\tto\thim;\tthen,\ttogether\twith\tPoirot,\the\tpassed\tout\ton\tto\tthe\tdeck,\tclosing the\tdoor\tbehind\thim.","the\tdoor\tbehind\thim. They\tstood\tfor\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo\tby\tthe\trail.\tRace\tlit\ta\tcigarette. \u201cNot\ta\tbad\tidea\tof\tyours,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWe\u2019ll\tsoon\tsee\tif\tthere\u2019s\tanything\tin\tit. I\u2019ll\tgive\t\u2019em\tthree\tminutes.\u201d The\tdoor\tof\tthe\tdining\tsaloon\topened\tand\tthe\tsame\tsteward\tto\twhom\tthey had\tspoken\tcame\tout.\tHe\tsaluted\tRace\tand\tsaid:\t\u201cQuite\tright,\tsir.\tThere\u2019s\ta\tlady who\tsays\tit\u2019s\turgent\tshe\tshould\tspeak\tto\tyou\tat\tonce\twithout\tdelay.\u201d \u201cAh!\u201d\tRace\u2019s\tface\tshowed\tsatisfaction. \u201cWho\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cMiss\tBowers,\tsir,\tthe\thospital\tnurse\tlady.\u201d A\tslight\tshade\tof\tsurprise\tshowed\ton\tRace\u2019s\tface.\tHe\tsaid,\t\u201cBring\ther\tto\tthe smoking\troom.\tDon\u2019t\tlet\tanyone\telse\tleave.\u201d \u201cNo,\tsir\u2014the\tother\tsteward\twill\tattend\tto\tthat.\u201d He\twent\tback\tinto\tthe\tdining\troom.\tPoirot\tand\tRace\twent\tto\tthe\tsmoking room. \u201cBowers,\teh?\u201d\tmuttered\tRace. They\thad\thardly\tgot\tinside\tthe\tsmoking\troom\tbefore\tthe\tsteward\treappeared with\tMiss\tBowers.\tHe\tushered\ther\tin\tand\tleft,\tshutting\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\thim. \u201cWell,\tMiss\tBowers?\u201d\tColonel\tRace\tlooked\tat\ther\tinquiringly.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tall this?\u201d Miss\tBowers\tlooked\ther\tusual\tcomposed,\tunhurried\tself.\tShe\tdisplayed\tno particular\temotion. \u201cYou\u2019ll\texcuse\tme,\tColonel\tRace,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cbut\tunder\tthe\tcircumstances\tI thought\tthe\tbest\tthing\tto\tdo\twould\tbe\tto\tspeak\tto\tyou\tat\tonce\u201d\u2014she\topened\ther neat\tblack\thandbag\u2014\u201cand\tto\treturn\tyou\tthese.\u201d She\ttook\tout\ta\tstring\tof\tpearls\tand\tlaid\tthem\ton\tthe\ttable.","Twenty-One If\tMiss\tBowers\thad\tbeen\tthe\tkind\tof\twoman\twho\tenjoyed\tcreating\ta\tsensation, she\twould\thave\tbeen\trichly\trepaid\tby\tthe\tresult\tof\ther\taction. A\tlook\tof\tutter\tastonishment\tpassed\tover\tColonel\tRace\u2019s\tface\tas\the\tpicked up\tthe\tpearls\tfrom\tthe\ttable. \u201cThis\tis\tmost\textraordinary,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWill\tyou\tkindly\texplain,\tMiss Bowers?\u201d \u201cOf\tcourse.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tI\u2019ve\tcome\tto\tdo.\u201d\tMiss\tBowers\tsettled\therself comfortably\tin\ta\tchair.\t\u201cNaturally\tit\twas\ta\tlittle\tdifficult\tfor\tme\tto\tdecide\twhat\tit was\tbest\tfor\tme\tto\tdo.\tThe\tfamily\twould\tnaturally\tbe\taverse\tto\tscandal\tof\tany kind,\tand\tthey\ttrusted\tmy\tdiscretion,\tbut\tthe\tcircumstances\tare\tso\tvery\tunusual that\tit\treally\tleaves\tme\tno\tchoice.\tOf\tcourse,\twhen\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tfind\tanything\tin the\tcabins,\tyour\tnext\tmove\twould\tbe\ta\tsearch\tof\tthe\tpassengers,\tand,\tif\tthe pearls\twere\tthen\tfound\tin\tmy\tpossession,\tit\twould\tbe\trather\tan\tawkward situation\tand\tthe\ttruth\twould\tcome\tout\tjust\tthe\tsame.\u201d \u201cAnd\tjust\twhat\tis\tthe\ttruth?\tDid\tyou\ttake\tthese\tpearls\tfrom\tMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s cabin?\u201d \u201cOh,\tno,\tColonel\tRace,\tof\tcourse\tnot.\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tdid.\u201d \u201cMiss\tVan\tSchuyler?\u201d \u201cYes.\tShe\tcan\u2019t\thelp\tit,\tyou\tknow,\tbut\tshe\tdoes\u2014er\u2014take\tthings.\tEspecially jewellery.\tThat\u2019s\treally\twhy\tI\u2019m\talways\twith\ther.\tIt\u2019s\tnot\ther\thealth\tat\tall;\tit\u2019s this\tlittle\tidiosyncrasy.\tI\tkeep\ton\tthe\talert,\tand\tfortunately\tthere\u2019s\tnever\tbeen\tany trouble\tsince\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\twith\ther.\tIt\tjust\tmeans\tbeing\twatchful,\tyou\tknow.\tAnd she\talways\thides\tthe\tthings\tshe\ttakes\tin\tthe\tsame\tplace\u2014rolled\tup\tin\ta\tpair\tof stockings\u2014so\tthat\tit\tmakes\tit\tvery\tsimple.\tI\tlook\teach\tmorning.\tOf\tcourse\tI\u2019m\ta light\tsleeper,\tand\tI\talways\tsleep\tnext\tdoor\tto\ther,\tand\twith\tthe\tcommunicating door\topen\tif\tit\u2019s\tin\ta\thotel,\tso\tthat\tI\tusually\thear.\tThen\tI\tgo\tafter\ther\tand persuade\ther\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tbed.\tOf\tcourse\tit\u2019s\tbeen\trather\tmore\tdifficult\ton\ta boat.\tBut\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tusually\tdo\tit\tat\tnight.\tIt\u2019s\tmore\tjust\tpicking\tup\tthings\tthat she\tsees\tleft\tabout.\tOf\tcourse,\tpearls\thave\ta\tgreat\tattraction\tfor\ther\talways.\u201d Miss\tBowers\tceased\tspeaking. Race\tasked:\t\u201cHow\tdid\tyou\tdiscover\tthey\thad\tbeen\ttaken?\u201d","\u201cThey\twere\tin\ther\tstockings\tthis\tmorning.\tI\tknew\twhose\tthey\twere,\tof course.\tI\u2019ve\toften\tnoticed\tthem.\tI\twent\talong\tto\tput\tthem\tback,\thoping\tthat\tMrs. Doyle\twasn\u2019t\tup\tyet\tand\thadn\u2019t\tdiscovered\ther\tloss.\tBut\tthere\twas\ta\tsteward standing\tthere,\tand\the\ttold\tme\tabout\tthe\tmurder\tand\tthat\tno\tone\tcould\tgo\tin.\tSo then,\tyou\tsee,\tI\twas\tin\ta\tregular\tquandary.\tBut\tI\tstill\thoped\tto\tslip\tthem\tback\tin the\tcabin\tlater,\tbefore\ttheir\tabsence\thad\tbeen\tnoticed.\tI\tcan\tassure\tyou\tI\u2019ve passed\ta\tvery\tunpleasant\tmorning\twondering\twhat\twas\tthe\tbest\tthing\tto\tdo.\tYou see,\tthe\tVan\tSchuyler\tfamily\tis\tso\tvery\tparticular\tand\texclusive.\tIt\twould\tnever do\tif\tthis\tgot\tinto\tthe\tnewspapers.\tBut\tthat\twon\u2019t\tbe\tnecessary,\twill\tit?\u201d Miss\tBowers\treally\tlooked\tworried. \u201cThat\tdepends\ton\tcircumstances,\u201d\tsaid\tColonel\tRace\tcautiously. \u201cBut\twe\tshall\tdo\tour\tbest\tfor\tyou,\tof\tcourse.\tWhat\tdoes\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler say\tto\tthis?\u201d \u201cOh,\tshe\u2019ll\tdeny\tit,\tof\tcourse.\tShe\talways\tdoes.\tSays\tsome\twicked\tperson has\tput\tit\tthere.\tShe\tnever\tadmits\ttaking\tanything.\tThat\u2019s\twhy\tif\tyou\tcatch\ther\tin time\tshe\tgoes\tback\tto\tbed\tlike\ta\tlamb.\tSays\tshe\tjust\twent\tout\tto\tlook\tat\tthe moon.\tSomething\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cDoes\tMiss\tRobson\tknow\tabout\tthis\u2014er\u2014failing?\u201d \u201cNo,\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t.\tHer\tmother\tknows,\tbut\tshe\u2019s\ta\tvery\tsimple\tkind\tof\tgirl\tand her\tmother\tthought\tit\tbest\tshe\tshould\tknow\tnothing\tabout\tit.\tI\twas\tquite\tequal\tto dealing\twith\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler,\u201d\tadded\tthe\tcompetent\tMiss\tBowers. \u201cWe\thave\tto\tthank\tyou,\tMademoiselle,\tfor\tcoming\tto\tus\tso\tpromptly,\u201d\tsaid Poirot. Miss\tBowers\tstood\tup. \u201cI\u2019m\tsure\tI\thope\tI\tacted\tfor\tthe\tbest.\u201d \u201cBe\tassured\tthat\tyou\thave.\u201d \u201cYou\tsee,\twhat\twith\tthere\tbeing\ta\tmurder\tas\twell\u2014\u201d Colonel\tRace\tinterrupted\ther.\tHis\tvoice\twas\tgrave. \u201cMiss\tBowers,\tI\tam\tgoing\tto\task\tyou\ta\tquestion,\tand\tI\twant\tto\timpress\tupon you\tthat\tit\thas\tgot\tto\tbe\tanswered\ttruthfully.\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tis\tunhinged mentally\tto\tthe\textent\tof\tbeing\ta\tkleptomaniac.\tHas\tshe\talso\ta\ttendency\tto homicidal\tmania?\u201d Miss\tBowers\u2019\tanswer\tcame\timmediately:\t\u201cOh,\tdear\tme,\tno!\tNothing\tof\tthat kind.\tYou\tcan\ttake\tmy\tword\tfor\tit\tabsolutely.\tThe\told\tlady\twouldn\u2019t\thurt\ta\tfly.\u201d The\treply\tcame\twith\tsuch\tpositive\tassurance\tthat\tthere\tseemed\tnothing\tmore to\tbe\tsaid.\tNevertheless\tPoirot\tdid\tinterpolate\tone\tmild\tinquiry. \u201cDoes\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tsuffer\tat\tall\tfrom\tdeafness?\u201d \u201cAs\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact\tshe\tdoes,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tNot\tso\tthat\tyou\u2019d\tnotice\tin any\tway,\tnot\tif\tyou\twere\tspeaking\tto\ther,\tI\tmean.\tBut\tquite\toften\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t hear\tyou\twhen\tyou\tcome\tinto\ta\troom.\tThings\tlike\tthat.\u201d","hear\tyou\twhen\tyou\tcome\tinto\ta\troom.\tThings\tlike\tthat.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\tthink\tshe\twould\thave\theard\tanyone\tmoving\tabout\tin\tMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s cabin,\twhich\tis\tnext\tdoor\tto\ther\town?\u201d \u201cOh,\tI\tshouldn\u2019t\tthink\tso\u2014not\tfor\ta\tminute.\tYou\tsee,\tthe\tbunk\tis\tthe\tother side\tof\tthe\tcabin,\tnot\teven\tagainst\tthe\tpartition\twall.\tNo,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\twould have\theard\tanything.\u201d \u201cThank\tyou,\tMiss\tBowers.\u201d Race\tsaid:\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\twill\tnow\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tdining\tsaloon\tand\twait\twith the\tothers?\u201d He\topened\tthe\tdoor\tfor\ther\tand\twatched\ther\tgo\tdown\tthe\tstaircase\tand\tenter the\tsaloon.\tThen\the\tshut\tthe\tdoor\tand\tcame\tback\tto\tthe\ttable.\tPoirot\thad\tpicked up\tthe\tpearls. \u201cWell,\u201d\tsaid\tRace\tgrimly,\t\u201cthat\treaction\tcame\tpretty\tquickly.\tThat\u2019s\ta\tvery coolheaded\tand\tastute\tyoung\twoman\u2014perfectly\tcapable\tof\tholding\tout\ton\tus and\tstill\tfurther\tif\tshe\tthinks\tit\tsuits\ther\tbook.\tWhat\tabout\tMiss\tMarie\tVan Schuyler\tnow?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\twe\tcan\teliminate\ther\tfrom\tthe\tpossible\tsuspects. You\tknow,\tshe\tmight\thave\tcommitted\tmurder\tto\tget\thold\tof\tthose\tjewels.\tWe can\u2019t\ttake\tthe\tnurse\u2019s\tword\tfor\tit.\tShe\u2019s\tall\tout\tto\tdo\tthe\tbest\tfor\tthe\tfamily.\u201d Poirot\tnodded\tin\tagreement.\tHe\twas\tvery\tbusy\twith\tthe\tpearls,\trunning\tthem through\this\tfingers,\tholding\tthem\tup\tto\this\teyes. He\tsaid:\t\u201cWe\tmay\ttake\tit,\tI\tthink,\tthat\tpart\tof\tthe\told\tlady\u2019s\tstory\tto\tus\tis true.\tShe\tdid\tlook\tout\tof\ther\tcabin\tand\tshe\tdid\tsee\tRosalie\tOtterbourne.\tBut\tI don\u2019t\tthink\tshe\theard\tanything\tor\tanyone\tin\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin.\tI\tthink\tshe was\tjust\tpeering\tout\tfrom\ther\tcabin\tpreparatory\tto\tslipping\talong\tand\tpurloining the\tpearls.\u201d \u201cThe\tOtterbourne\tgirl\twas\tthere,\tthen?\u201d \u201cYes.\tThrowing\ther\tmother\u2019s\tsecret\tcache\tof\tdrink\toverboard.\u201d Colonel\tRace\tshook\this\thead\tsympathetically. \u201cSo\tthat\u2019s\tit!\tTough\ton\ta\tyoung\t\u2019un.\u201d \u201cYes,\ther\tlife\thas\tnot\tbeen\tvery\tgay,\tcette\tpauvre\tpetite\tRosalie.\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\u2019m\tglad\tthat\u2019s\tbeen\tcleared\tup.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tor\thear\tanything?\u201d \u201cI\tasked\ther\tthat.\tShe\tresponded\u2014after\ta\tlapse\tof\tquite\ttwenty\tseconds\u2014 that\tshe\tsaw\tnobody.\u201d \u201cOh?\u201d\tRace\tlooked\talert. \u201cYes,\tit\tis\tsuggestive,\tthat.\u201d Race\tsaid\tslowly:\t\u201cIf\tLinnet\tDoyle\twas\tshot\tround\tabout\tten\tminutes\tpast one,\tor\tindeed\tany\ttime\tafter\tthe\tboat\thad\tquieted\tdown,\tit\thas\tseemed\tamazing to\tme\tthat\tno\tone\theard\tthe\tshot.\tI\tgrant\tyou\tthat\ta\tlittle\tpistol\tlike\tthat\twouldn\u2019t make\tmuch\tnoise,\tbut\tall\tthe\tsame\tthe\tboat\twould\tbe\tdeadly\tquiet,\tand\tany noise,\teven\ta\tlittle\tpop,\tshould\thave\tbeen\theard.\tBut\tI\tbegin\tto\tunderstand\tbetter","noise,\teven\ta\tlittle\tpop,\tshould\thave\tbeen\theard.\tBut\tI\tbegin\tto\tunderstand\tbetter now.\tThe\tcabin\ton\tthe\tforward\tside\tof\thers\twas\tunoccupied\u2014since\ther\thusband was\tin\tDr.\tBessner\u2019s\tcabin.\tThe\tone\taft\twas\toccupied\tby\tthe\tVan\tSchuyler woman,\twho\twas\tdeaf.\tThat\tleaves\tonly\u2014\u201d He\tpaused\tand\tlooked\texpectantly\tat\tPoirot,\twho\tnodded. \u201cThe\tcabin\tnext\tto\ther\ton\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tboat.\tIn\tother\twords\u2014 Pennington.\tWe\talways\tseem\tto\tcome\tback\tto\tPennington.\u201d \u201cWe\twill\tcome\tback\tto\thim\tpresently\twith\tthe\tkid\tgloves\tremoved!\tAh,\tyes, I\tam\tpromising\tmyself\tthat\tpleasure.\u201d \u201cIn\tthe\tmeantime\twe\u2019d\tbetter\tget\ton\twith\tour\tsearch\tof\tthe\tboat.\tThe\tpearls still\tmake\ta\tconvenient\texcuse,\teven\tthough\tthey\thave\tbeen\treturned\u2014but\tMiss Bowers\tis\tnot\tlikely\tto\tadvertise\tthe\tfact.\u201d \u201cAh,\tthese\tpearls!\u201d\tPoirot\theld\tthem\tup\tagainst\tthe\tlight\tonce\tmore.\tHe stuck\tout\this\ttongue\tand\tlicked\tthem;\the\teven\tgingerly\ttried\tone\tof\tthem between\this\tteeth.\tThen,\twith\ta\tsigh,\the\tthrew\tthem\tdown\ton\tthe\ttable. \u201cHere\tare\tmore\tcomplications,\tmy\tfriend,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tam\tnot\tan\texpert\ton precious\tstones,\tbut\tI\thave\thad\ta\tgood\tdeal\tto\tdo\twith\tthem\tin\tmy\ttime\tand\tI\tam fairly\tcertain\tof\twhat\tI\tsay.\tThese\tpearls\tare\tonly\ta\tclever\timitation.\u201d","Twenty-Two Colonel\tRace\tswore\thastily. \u201cThis\tdamned\tcase\tgets\tmore\tand\tmore\tinvolved.\u201d\tHe\tpicked\tup\tthe\tpearls. \u201cI\tsuppose\tyou\u2019ve\tnot\tmade\ta\tmistake?\tThey\tlook\tall\tright\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cThey\tare\ta\tvery\tgood\timitation\u2014yes.\u201d \u201cNow\twhere\tdoes\tthat\tlead\tus?\tI\tsuppose\tLinnet\tDoyle\tdidn\u2019t\tdeliberately have\tan\timitation\tmade\tand\tbring\tit\taboard\twith\ther\tfor\tsafety.\tMany\twomen do.\u201d \u201cI\tthink,\tif\tthat\twere\tso,\ther\thusband\twould\tknow\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cShe\tmay\tnot\thave\ttold\thim.\u201d Poirot\tshook\this\thead\tin\ta\tdissatisfied\tmanner. \u201cNo,\tI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tthat\tis\tso.\tI\twas\tadmiring\tMadame\tDoyle\u2019s\tpearls\tthe first\tevening\ton\tthe\tboat\u2014their\twonderful\tsheen\tand\tlustre.\tI\tam\tsure\tthat\tshe was\twearing\tthe\tgenuine\tones\tthen.\u201d \u201cThat\tbrings\tus\tup\tagainst\ttwo\tpossibilities.\tFirst,\tthat\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler only\tstole\tthe\timitation\tstring\tafter\tthe\treal\tones\thad\tbeen\tstolen\tby\tsomeone else.\tSecond,\tthat\tthe\twhole\tkleptomaniac\tstory\tis\ta\tfabrication.\tEither\tMiss Bowers\tis\ta\tthief,\tand\tquickly\tinvented\tthe\tstory\tand\tallayed\tsuspicion\tby handing\tover\tthe\tfalse\tpearls,\tor\telse\tthat\twhole\tparty\tis\tin\tit\ttogether.\tThat\tis\tto say,\tthey\tare\ta\tgang\tof\tclever\tjewel\tthieves\tmasquerading\tas\tan\texclusive American\tfamily.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\tPoirot\tmurmured.\t\u201cIt\tis\tdifficult\tto\tsay.\tBut\tI\twill\tpoint\tout\tto\tyou one\tthing\u2014to\tmake\ta\tperfect\tand\texact\tcopy\tof\tthe\tpearls,\tclasp\tand\tall,\tgood enough\tto\tstand\ta\tchance\tof\tdeceiving\tMadame\tDoyle,\tis\ta\thighly\tskilled technical\tperformance.\tIt\tcould\tnot\tbe\tdone\tin\ta\thurry.\tWhoever\tcopied\tthose pearls\tmust\thave\thad\ta\tgood\topportunity\tof\tstudying\tthe\toriginal.\u201d Race\trose\tto\this\tfeet. \u201cUseless\tto\tspeculate\tabout\tit\tany\tfurther\tnow.\tLet\u2019s\tget\ton\twith\tthe\tjob. We\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tfind\tthe\treal\tpearls.\tAnd\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\twe\u2019ll\tkeep\tour\teyes open.\u201d They\tdisposed\tof\tthe\tcabins\toccupied\ton\tthe\tlower\tdeck.\tThat\tof\tSignor Richetti\tcontained\tvarious\tarchaeological\tworks\tin\tdifferent\tlanguages,\ta\tvaried assortment\tof\tclothing,\thair\tlotions\tof\ta\thighly\tscented\tkind\tand\ttwo\tpersonal","assortment\tof\tclothing,\thair\tlotions\tof\ta\thighly\tscented\tkind\tand\ttwo\tpersonal letters\u2014one\tfrom\tan\tarchaeological\texpedition\tin\tSyria,\tand\tone\tfrom, apparently,\ta\tsister\tin\tRome.\tHis\thandkerchiefs\twere\tall\tof\tcoloured\tsilk. They\tpassed\ton\tto\tFerguson\u2019s\tcabin. There\twas\ta\tsprinkling\tof\tcommunistic\tliterature,\ta\tgood\tmany\tsnapshots, Samuel\tButler\u2019s\tErewhon\tand\ta\tcheap\tedition\tof\tPepys\u2019\tDiary.\tHis\tpersonal possessions\twere\tnot\tmany.\tMost\tof\twhat\touter\tclothing\tthere\twas\twas\ttorn\tand dirty;\tthe\tunderclothing,\ton\tthe\tother\thand,\twas\tof\treally\tgood\tquality.\tThe handkerchiefs\twere\texpensive\tlinen\tones. \u201cSome\tinteresting\tdiscrepancies,\u201d\tmurmured\tPoirot. Race\tnodded.\t\u201cRather\todd\tthat\tthere\tare\tabsolutely\tno\tpersonal\tpapers, letters,\tetc.\u201d \u201cYes;\tthat\tgives\tone\tto\tthink.\tAn\todd\tyoung\tman,\tMonsieur\tFerguson.\u201d\tHe looked\tthoughtfully\tat\ta\tsignet\tring\the\theld\tin\this\thand,\tbefore\treplacing\tit\tin\tthe drawer\twhere\the\thad\tfound\tit. They\twent\talong\tto\tthe\tcabin\toccupied\tby\tLouise\tBourget.\tThe\tmaid\thad\ther meals\tafter\tthe\tother\tpassengers,\tbut\tRace\thad\tsent\tword\tthat\tshe\twas\tto\tbe\ttaken to\tjoin\tthe\tothers.\tA\tcabin\tsteward\tmet\tthem. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\tsir,\u201d\the\tapologized,\t\u201cbut\tI\u2019ve\tnot\tbeen\table\tto\tfind\tthe\tyoung woman\tanywhere.\tI\tcan\u2019t\tthink\twhere\tshe\tcan\thave\tgot\tto.\u201d Race\tglanced\tinside\tthe\tcabin.\tIt\twas\tempty. They\twent\tup\tto\tthe\tpromenade\tdeck\tand\tstarted\ton\tthe\tstarboard\tside.\tThe first\tcabin\twas\tthat\toccupied\tby\tJames\tFanthorp.\tHere\tall\twas\tin\tmeticulous order.\tMr.\tFanthorp\ttravelled\tlight,\tbut\tall\tthat\the\thad\twas\tof\tgood\tquality. \u201cNo\tletters,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot\tthoughtfully.\t\u201cHe\tis\tcareful,\tour\tMr.\tFanthorp,\tto destroy\this\tcorrespondence.\u201d They\tpassed\ton\tto\tTim\tAllerton\u2019s\tcabin,\tnext\tdoor. There\twere\tevidences\there\tof\tan\tAnglo-Catholic\tturn\tof\tmind\u2014an\texquisite little\ttriptych,\tand\ta\tbig\trosary\tof\tintricately\tcarved\twood.\tBesides\tpersonal clothing,\tthere\twas\ta\thalf\tcompleted\tmanuscript,\ta\tgood\tdeal\tannotated\tand scribbled\tover,\tand\ta\tgood\tcollection\tof\tbooks,\tmost\tof\tthem\trecently\tpublished. There\twere\talso\ta\tquantity\tof\tletters\tthrown\tcarelessly\tinto\ta\tdrawer.\tPoirot, never\tin\tthe\tleast\tscrupulous\tabout\treading\tother\tpeople\u2019s\tcorrespondence, glanced\tthrough\tthem.\tHe\tnoted\tthat\tamongst\tthem\tthere\twere\tno\tletters\tfrom Joanna\tSouthwood.\tHe\tpicked\tup\ta\ttube\tof\tSeccotine,\tfingered\tit\tabsently\tfor\ta minute\tor\ttwo,\tthen\tsaid:\t\u201cLet\tus\tpass\ton.\u201d \u201cNo\tWoolworth\thandkerchiefs,\u201d\treported\tRace,\trapidly\treplacing\tthe contents\tof\ta\tdrawer. Mrs.\tAllerton\u2019s\tcabin\twas\tthe\tnext.\tIt\twas\texquisitely\tneat,\tand\ta\tfaint\told- fashioned\tsmell\tof\tlavender\thung\tabout\tit.\tThe\ttwo\tmen\u2019s\tsearch\twas\tsoon\tover.","fashioned\tsmell\tof\tlavender\thung\tabout\tit.\tThe\ttwo\tmen\u2019s\tsearch\twas\tsoon\tover. Race\tremarked\tas\tthey\tleft\tit:\t\u201cNice\twoman,\tthat.\u201d The\tnext\tcabin\twas\tthat\twhich\thad\tbeen\tused\tas\ta\tdressing\troom\tby\tSimon Doyle.\tHis\timmediate\tnecessities\u2014pyjamas,\ttoilet\tthings,\tetc.\u2014had\tbeen\tmoved to\tBessner\u2019s\tcabin,\tbut\tthe\tremainder\tof\this\tpossessions\twere\tstill\tthere\u2014two good-sized\tleather\tsuitcases\tand\ta\tkitbag.\tThere\twere\talso\tsome\tclothes\tin\tthe wardrobe. \u201cWe\twill\tlook\tcarefully\there,\tmy\tfriend,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot,\t\u201cfor\tit\tis\tpossible\tthat the\tthief\thid\tthe\tpearls\there.\u201d \u201cYou\tthink\tit\tis\tlikely?\u201d \u201cBut\tyes,\tindeed.\tConsider!\tThe\tthief,\twhoever\the\tor\tshe\tmay\tbe,\tmust\tknow that\tsooner\tor\tlater\ta\tsearch\twill\tbe\tmade,\tand\ttherefore\ta\thiding\tplace\tin\this\tor her\town\tcabin\twould\tbe\tinjudicious\tin\tthe\textreme.\tThe\tpublic\trooms\tpresent other\tdifficulties.\tBut\there\tis\ta\tcabin\tbelonging\tto\ta\tman\twho\tcannot\tpossibly visit\tit\thimself\tso\tthat,\tif\tthe\tpearls\tare\tfound\there,\tit\ttells\tus\tnothing\tat\tall.\u201d\tBut the\tmost\tmeticulous\tsearch\tfailed\tto\treveal\tany\ttrace\tof\tthe\tmissing\tnecklace. Poirot\tmurmured\t\u201cZut!\u201d\tto\thimself\tand\tthey\temerged\tonce\tmore\ton\tthe deck. Linnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin\thad\tbeen\tlocked\tafter\tthe\tbody\twas\tremoved,\tbut\tRace had\tthe\tkey\twith\thim.\tHe\tunlocked\tthe\tdoor\tand\tthe\ttwo\tmen\tstepped\tinside. Except\tfor\tthe\tremoval\tof\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tbody,\tthe\tcabin\twas\texactly\tas\tit\thad been\tthat\tmorning. \u201cPoirot,\u201d\tsaid\tRace,\t\u201cif\tthere\u2019s\tanything\tto\tbe\tfound\there,\tfor\tGod\u2019s\tsake\tgo ahead\tand\tfind\tit.\tYou\tcan\tif\tanyone\tcan\u2014I\tknow\tthat.\u201d \u201cThis\ttime\tyou\tdo\tnot\tmean\tthe\tpearls,\tmon\tami?\u201d \u201cNo.\tThe\tmurder\u2019s\tthe\tmain\tthing.\tThere\tmay\tbe\tsomething\tI\toverlooked this\tmorning.\u201d Quietly,\tdeftly,\tPoirot\twent\tabout\this\tsearch.\tHe\twent\tdown\ton\this\tknees\tand scrutinized\tthe\tfloor\tinch\tby\tinch.\tHe\texamined\tthe\tbed.\tHe\twent\trapidly through\tthe\twardrobe\tand\tchest\tof\tdrawers.\tHe\twent\tthrough\tthe\twardrobe\ttrunk and\tthe\ttwo\tcostly\tsuitcases.\tHe\tlooked\tthrough\tthe\texpensive\tgold-fitted dressing-case.\tFinally\the\tturned\this\tattention\tto\tthe\twashstand.\tThere\twere various\tcreams,\tpowders,\tface\tlotions.\tBut\tthe\tonly\tthing\tthat\tseemed\tto\tinterest Poirot\twere\ttwo\tlittle\tbottles\tlabelled\tNailex.\tHe\tpicked\tthem\tup\tat\tlast\tand brought\tthem\tto\tthe\tdressing\ttable.\tOne,\twhich\tbore\tthe\tinscription\tNailex\tRose, was\tempty\tbut\tfor\ta\tdrop\tor\ttwo\tof\tdark\tred\tfluid\tat\tthe\tbottom.\tThe\tother,\tthe same\tsize,\tbut\tlabelled\tNailex\tCardinal,\twas\tnearly\tfull.\tPoirot\tuncorked\tfirst\tthe empty,\tthen\tthe\tfull\tone,\tand\tsniffed\tthem\tboth\tdelicately. An\todour\tof\tpeardrops\tbillowed\tinto\tthe\troom.\tWith\ta\tslight\tgrimace\the recorked\tthem.","recorked\tthem. \u201cGet\tanything?\u201d\tasked\tRace. Poirot\treplied\tby\ta\tFrench\tproverb:\t\u201cOn\tne\tprend\tpas\tles\tmouches\tavec\tle vinaigre.\u201d\tThen\the\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh:\t\u201cMy\tfriend,\twe\thave\tnot\tbeen\tfortunate. The\tmurderer\thas\tnot\tbeen\tobliging.\tHe\thas\tnot\tdropped\tfor\tus\tthe\tcuff\tlink,\tthe cigarette\tend,\tthe\tcigar\tash\u2014or,\tin\tthe\tcase\tof\tthe\twoman,\tthe\thandkerchief,\tthe lipstick,\tor\tthe\thair\tslide.\u201d \u201cOnly\tthe\tbottle\tof\tnail\tpolish?\u201d Poirot\tshrugged\this\tshoulders.\t\u201cI\tmust\task\tthe\tmaid.\tThere\tis\tsomething\u2014 yes\u2014a\tlittle\tcurious\tthere.\u201d \u201cI\twonder\twhere\tthe\tdevil\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tgot\tto?\u201d\tsaid\tRace. They\tleft\tthe\tcabin,\tlocking\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\tthem,\tand\tpassed\ton\tto\tthat\tof Miss\tVan\tSchuyler. Here\tagain\twere\tall\tthe\tappurtenances\tof\twealth\u2014expensive\ttoilet\tfittings, good\tluggage,\ta\tcertain\tnumber\tof\tprivate\tletters\tand\tpapers\tall\tperfectly\tin order. The\tnext\tcabin\twas\tthe\tdouble\tone\toccupied\tby\tPoirot,\tand\tbeyond\tit\tthat\tof Race.\t\u201cHardly\tlike\tto\thide\t\u2019em\tin\teither\tof\tthese,\u201d\tsaid\tthe\tColonel. Poirot\tdemurred.\t\u201cIt\tmight\tbe.\tOnce,\ton\tthe\tOrient\tExpress,\tI\tinvestigated\ta murder.\tThere\twas\ta\tlittle\tmatter\tof\ta\tscarlet\tkimono.\tIt\thad\tdisappeared,\tand\tyet it\tmust\tbe\ton\tthe\ttrain.\tI\tfound\tit\u2014where\tdo\tyou\tthink?\tIn\tmy\town\tlocked suitcase!\tAh!\tIt\twas\tan\timpertinence,\tthat!\u201d \u201cWell,\tlet\u2019s\tsee\tif\tanybody\thas\tbeen\timpertinent\twith\tyou\tor\tme\tthis\ttime.\u201d But\tthe\tthief\tof\tthe\tpearls\thad\tnot\tbeen\timpertinent\twith\tHercule\tPoirot\tor with\tColonel\tRace. Rounding\tthe\tstern\tthey\tmade\ta\tvery\tcareful\tsearch\tof\tMiss\tBowers\u2019\tcabin but\tcould\tfind\tnothing\tof\ta\tsuspicious\tnature.\tHer\thandkerchiefs\twere\tof\tplain linen\twith\tan\tinitial. The\tOtterbournes\u2019\tcabin\tcame\tnext.\tHere,\tagain,\tPoirot\tmade\ta\tvery meticulous\tsearch,\tbut\twith\tno\tresult. The\tnext\tcabin\twas\tBessner\u2019s.\tSimon\tDoyle\tlay\twith\tan\tuntasted\ttray\tof food\tbeside\thim. \u201cOff\tmy\tfeed,\u201d\the\tsaid\tapologetically. He\twas\tlooking\tfeverish\tand\tvery\tmuch\tworse\tthan\tearlier\tin\tthe\tday.\tPoirot appreciated\tBessner\u2019s\tanxiety\tto\tget\thim\tas\tswiftly\tas\tpossible\tto\thospital\tand skilled\tappliances.\tThe\tlittle\tBelgian\texplained\twhat\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem\twere\tdoing, and\tSimon\tnodded\tapproval.\tOn\tlearning\tthat\tthe\tpearls\thad\tbeen\trestored\tby Miss\tBowers,\tbut\tproved\tto\tbe\tmerely\timitation,\the\texpressed\tthe\tmost\tcomplete astonishment. \u201cYou\tare\tquite\tsure,\tMonsieur\tDoyle,\tthat\tyour\twife\tdid\tnot\thave\tan","\u201cYou\tare\tquite\tsure,\tMonsieur\tDoyle,\tthat\tyour\twife\tdid\tnot\thave\tan imitation\tstring\twhich\tshe\tbrought\taboard\twith\ther\tinstead\tof\tthe\treal\tones?\u201d Simon\tshook\this\thead\tdecisively. \u201cOh,\tno.\tI\u2019m\tquite\tsure\tof\tthat.\tLinnet\tloved\tthose\tpearls\tand\tshe\twore\t\u2019em everywhere.\tThey\twere\tinsured\tagainst\tevery\tpossible\trisk,\tso\tI\tthink\tthat\tmade her\ta\tbit\tcareless.\u201d \u201cThen\twe\tmust\tcontinue\tour\tsearch.\u201d He\tstarted\topening\tdrawers.\tRace\tattacked\ta\tsuitcase. Simon\tstared.\t\u201cLook\there,\tyou\tsurely\tdon\u2019t\tsuspect\told\tBessner\tpinched them?\u201d Poirot\tshrugged\this\tshoulders. \u201cIt\tmight\tbe\tso.\tAfter\tall,\twhat\tdo\twe\tknow\tof\tDr.\tBessner?\tOnly\twhat\the himself\tgives\tout.\u201d \u201cBut\the\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\thidden\tthem\tin\there\twithout\tmy\tseeing\thim.\u201d \u201cHe\tcould\tnot\thave\thidden\tanything\ttoday\twithout\tyour\thaving\tseen\thim. But\twe\tdo\tnot\tknow\twhen\tthe\tsubstitution\ttook\tplace.\tHe\tmay\thave\teffected\tthe exchange\tsome\tdays\tago.\u201d \u201cI\tnever\tthought\tof\tthat.\u201d But\tthe\tsearch\twas\tunavailing. The\tnext\tcabin\twas\tPennington\u2019s.\tThe\ttwo\tmen\tspent\tsome\ttime\tin\ttheir search.\tIn\tparticular,\tPoirot\tand\tRace\texamined\tcarefully\ta\tcase\tfull\tof\tlegal\tand business\tdocuments,\tmost\tof\tthem\trequiring\tLinnet\u2019s\tsignature. Poirot\tshook\this\thead\tgloomily.\t\u201cThese\tseem\tall\tsquare\tand\taboveboard. You\tagree?\u201d \u201cAbsolutely.\tStill,\tthe\tman\tisn\u2019t\ta\tborn\tfool.\tIf\tthere\thad\tbeen\ta compromising\tdocument\tthere\u2014a\tpower\tof\tattorney\tor\tsomething\tof\tthat\tkind\u2014 he\u2019d\tbe\tpretty\tsure\tto\thave\tdestroyed\tit\tfirst\tthing.\u201d \u201cThat\tis\tso,\tyes.\u201d Poirot\tlifted\ta\theavy\tColt\trevolver\tout\tof\tthe\ttop\tdrawer\tof\tthe\tchest\tof drawers,\tlooked\tat\tit\tand\tput\tit\tback. \u201cSo\tit\tseems\tthere\tare\tstill\tsome\tpeople\twho\ttravel\twith\trevolvers,\u201d\the murmured. \u201cYes,\ta\tlittle\tsuggestive,\tperhaps.\tStill,\tLinnet\tDoyle\twasn\u2019t\tshot\twith\ta thing\tthat\tsize.\u201d\tRace\tpaused\tand\tthen\tsaid:\t\u201cYou\tknow,\tI\u2019ve\tthought\tof\ta possible\tanswer\tto\tyour\tpoint\tabout\tthe\tpistol\tbeing\tthrown\toverboard. Supposing\tthat\tthe\tactual\tmurderer\tdid\tleave\tit\tin\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin,\tand\tthat someone\telse\u2014some\tsecond\tperson\u2014took\tit\taway\tand\tthrew\tit\tinto\tthe\triver?\u201d \u201cYes,\tthat\tis\tpossible.\tI\thave\tthought\tof\tit.\tBut\tit\topens\tup\ta\twhole\tstring\tof questions.\tWho\twas\tthat\tsecond\tperson?\tWhat\tinterest\thad\tthey\tin\tendeavouring","to\tshield\tJacqueline\tde\tBellefort\tby\ttaking\taway\tthe\tpistol?\tWhat\twas\tthe\tsecond person\tdoing\tthere?\tThe\tonly\tother\tperson\twe\tknow\tof\twho\twent\tinto\tthe\tcabin was\tMademoiselle\tVan\tSchuyler.\tWas\tit\tconceivably\tMademoiselle\tVan Schuyler\twho\tremoved\tit?\tWhy\tshould\tshe\twish\tto\tshield\tJacqueline\tde Bellefort?\tAnd\tyet\u2014what\tother\treason\tcan\tthere\tbe\tfor\tthe\tremoval\tof\tthe pistol?\u201d Race\tsuggested,\t\u201cShe\tmay\thave\trecognized\tthe\tstole\tas\thers,\tgot\tthe\twind up,\tand\tthrown\tthe\twhole\tbag\tof\ttricks\tover\ton\tthat\taccount.\u201d \u201cThe\tstole,\tperhaps,\tbut\twould\tshe\thave\tgot\trid\tof\tthe\tpistol,\ttoo?\tStill,\tI agree\tthat\tit\tis\ta\tpossible\tsolution.\tBut\tit\tis\talways\u2014bon\tDieu!\tIt\tis\tclumsy.\tAnd you\tstill\thave\tnot\tappreciated\tone\tpoint\tabout\tthe\tstole\u2014\u201d As\tthey\temerged\tfrom\tPennington\u2019s\tcabin\tPoirot\tsuggested\tthat\tRace\tshould search\tthe\tremaining\tcabins,\tthose\toccupied\tby\tJacqueline,\tCornelia,\tand\ttwo empty\tones\tat\tthe\tend,\twhile\the\thimself\thad\ta\tfew\twords\twith\tSimon\tDoyle. Accordingly\the\tretraced\this\tsteps\talong\tthe\tdeck\tand\tre-entered\tBessner\u2019s\tcabin. Simon\tsaid:\t\u201cLook\there,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthinking.\tI\u2019m\tperfectly\tsure\tthat\tthose pearls\twere\tall\tright\tyesterday.\u201d \u201cWhy\tis\tthat,\tMonsieur\tDoyle?\u201d \u201cBecause\tLinnet\u201d\u2014he\twinced\tas\the\tuttered\this\twife\u2019s\tname\u2014\u201cwas\tpassing them\tthrough\ther\thands\tjust\tbefore\tdinner\tand\ttalking\tabout\tthem.\tShe\tknew something\tabout\tpearls.\tI\tfeel\tcertain\tshe\u2019d\thave\tknown\tif\tthey\twere\ta\tfake.\u201d \u201cThey\twere\ta\tvery\tgood\timitation,\tthough.\tTell\tme,\twas\tMadame\tDoyle\tin the\thabit\tof\tletting\tthose\tpearls\tout\tof\ther\thands?\tDid\tshe\tever\tlend\tthem\tto\ta friend\tfor\tinstance?\u201d Simon\tflushed\twith\tslight\tembarrassment. \u201cYou\tsee,\tMonsieur\tPoirot,\tit\u2019s\tdifficult\tfor\tme\tto\tsay\u2026I\u2014I\u2014well,\tyou\tsee, I\thadn\u2019t\tknown\tLinnet\tvery\tlong.\u201d \u201cAh,\tno,\tit\twas\ta\tquick\tromance\u2014yours.\u201d Simon\twent\ton.\t\u201cAnd\tso\u2014really\u2014I\tshouldn\u2019t\tknow\ta\tthing\tlike\tthat.\tBut Linnet\twas\tawfully\tgenerous\twith\ther\tthings.\tI\tshould\tthink\tshe\tmight\thave done.\u201d \u201cShe\tnever,\tfor\tinstance\u201d\u2014Poirot\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tvery\tsmooth\u2014\u201cshe\tnever,\tfor instance,\tlent\tthem\tto\tMademoiselle\tde\tBellefort?\u201d \u201cWhat\td\u2019you\tmean?\u201d\tSimon\tflushed\tbrick-red,\ttried\tto\tsit\tup\tand,\twincing, fell\tback.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tgetting\tat?\tThat\tJackie\tstole\tthe\tpearls?\tShe\tdidn\u2019t.\tI\u2019ll swear\tshe\tdidn\u2019t.\tJackie\u2019s\tas\tstraight\tas\ta\tdie.\tThe\tmere\tidea\tof\ther\tbeing\ta\tthief is\tridiculous\u2014absolutely\tridiculous.\u201d Poirot\tlooked\tat\thim\twith\tgently\ttwinkling\teyes.\t\u201cOh,\tla!\tla!\tla!\u201d\the\tsaid unexpectedly.\t\u201cThat\tsuggestion\tof\tmine,\tit\thas\tindeed\tstirred\tup\tthe\tnest\tof hornets.\u201d","hornets.\u201d Simon\trepeated\tdoggedly,\tunmoved\tby\tPoirot\u2019s\tlighter\tnote,\t\u201cJackie\u2019s straight!\u201d Poirot\tremembered\ta\tgirl\u2019s\tvoice\tby\tthe\tNile\tin\tAssuan\tsaying,\t\u201cI\tlove Simon\u2014and\the\tloves\tme\u2026.\u201d He\thad\twondered\twhich\tof\tthe\tthree\tstatements\the\thad\theard\tthat\tnight\twas the\ttrue\tone.\tIt\tseemed\tto\thim\tthat\tit\thad\tturned\tout\tto\tbe\tJacqueline\twho\thad come\tclosest\tto\tthe\ttruth. The\tdoor\topened\tand\tRace\tcame\tin. \u201cNothing,\u201d\the\tsaid\tbrusquely.\t\u201cWell,\twe\tdidn\u2019t\texpect\tit.\tI\tsee\tthe\tstewards coming\talong\twith\ttheir\treport\tas\tto\tthe\tsearching\tof\tthe\tpassengers.\u201d A\tsteward\tand\tstewardess\tappeared\tin\tthe\tdoorway.\tThe\tformer\tspoke\tfirst. \u201cNothing,\tsir.\u201d \u201cAny\tof\tthe\tgentlemen\tmake\tany\tfuss?\u201d \u201cOnly\tthe\tItalian\tgentleman,\tsir.\tHe\tcarried\ton\ta\tgood\tdeal.\tSaid\tit\twas\ta dishonour\u2014something\tof\tthat\tkind.\tHe\u2019d\tgot\ta\tgun\ton\thim,\ttoo.\u201d \u201cWhat\tkind\tof\ta\tgun?\u201d \u201cMauser\tautomatic\ttwenty-five,\tsir.\u201d \u201cItalians\tare\tpretty\thot-tempered,\u201d\tsaid\tSimon.\t\u201cRichetti\tgot\tin\tno\tend\tof\ta stew\tat\tWadi\tHalfa\tjust\tbecause\tof\ta\tmistake\tover\ta\ttelegram.\tHe\twas\tdarned rude\tto\tLinnet\tover\tit.\u201d Race\tturned\tto\tthe\tstewardess.\tShe\twas\ta\tbig\thandsome-looking\twoman. \u201cNothing\ton\tany\tof\tthe\tladies,\tsir.\tThey\tmade\ta\tgood\tdeal\tof\tfuss\u2014except for\tMrs.\tAllerton,\twho\twas\tas\tnice\tas\tnice\tcould\tbe.\tNot\ta\tsign\tof\tthe\tpearls.\tBy the\tway,\tthe\tyoung\tlady,\tMiss\tRosalie\tOtterbourne,\thad\ta\tlittle\tpistol\tin\ther handbag.\u201d \u201cWhat\tkind?\u201d \u201cIt\twas\ta\tvery\tsmall\tone,\tsir,\twith\ta\tpearl\thandle.\tA\tkind\tof\ttoy.\u201d Race\tstared.\t\u201cDevil\ttake\tthis\tcase,\u201d\the\tmuttered.\t\u201cI\tthought\twe\u2019d\tgot\ther cleared\tof\tsuspicion,\tand\tnow\u2014Does\tevery\tgirl\ton\tthis\tblinking\tboat\tcarry around\tpearl-handled\ttoy\tpistols?\u201d He\tshot\ta\tquestion\tat\tthe\tstewardess.\t\u201cDid\tshe\tshow\tany\tfeeling\tover\tyour finding\tit?\u201d The\twoman\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\tnoticed.\tI\thad\tmy\tback\tturned whilst\tI\twas\tgoing\tthrough\tthe\thandbag.\u201d \u201cStill,\tshe\tmust\thave\tknown\tyou\u2019d\tcome\tacross\tit.\tOh,\twell,\tit\tbeats\tme. What\tabout\tthe\tmaid?\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ve\tlooked\tall\tover\tthe\tboat,\tsir.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\tfind\ther\tanywhere.\u201d \u201cWhat\u2019s\tthis?\u201d\tasked\tSimon. \u201cMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s\tmaid\u2014Louise\tBourget.\tShe\u2019s\tdisappeared.\u201d","\u201cMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s\tmaid\u2014Louise\tBourget.\tShe\u2019s\tdisappeared.\u201d \u201cDisappeared?\u201d Race\tsaid\tthoughtfully:\t\u201cShe\tmight\thave\tstolen\tthe\tpearls.\tShe\tis\tthe\tone person\twho\thad\tample\topportunity\tto\tget\ta\treplica\tmade.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthen,\twhen\tshe\tfound\ta\tsearch\twas\tbeing\tinstituted,\tshe\tthrew\therself overboard?\u201d\tSimon\tsuggested. \u201cNonsense,\u201d\treplied\tRace,\tirritably.\t\u201cA\twoman\tcan\u2019t\tthrow\therself overboard\tin\tbroad\tdaylight,\tfrom\ta\tboat\tlike\tthis,\twithout\tsomebody\trealizing the\tfact.\tShe\u2019s\tbound\tto\tbe\tsomewhere\ton\tboard.\u201d\tHe\taddressed\tthe\tstewardess once\tmore.\t\u201cWhen\twas\tshe\tlast\tseen?\u201d \u201cAbout\thalf\tan\thour\tbefore\tthe\tbell\twent\tfor\tlunch,\tsir.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019ll\thave\ta\tlook\tat\ther\tcabin\tanyway,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cThat\tmay\ttell\tus something.\u201d He\tled\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\tdeck\tbelow.\tPoirot\tfollowed\thim.\tThey\tunlocked\tthe door\tof\tthe\tcabin\tand\tpassed\tinside. Louise\tBourget,\twhose\ttrade\tit\twas\tto\tkeep\tother\tpeople\u2019s\tbelongings\tin order,\thad\ttaken\ta\tholiday\twhere\ther\town\twere\tconcerned.\tOdds\tand\tends littered\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tchest\tof\tdrawers;\ta\tsuitcase\tgaped\topen,\twith\tclothes hanging\tout\tof\tthe\tside\tof\tit\tand\tpreventing\tit\tshutting;\tunderclothing\thung limply\tover\tthe\tsides\tof\tthe\tchairs. As\tPoirot,\twith\tswift\tneat\tfingers,\topened\tthe\tdrawers\tof\tthe\tdressing-chest, Race\texamined\tthe\tsuitcase. Louise\u2019s\tshoes\twere\tlined\talong\tby\tthe\tbed.\tOne\tof\tthem,\ta\tblack\tpatent leather,\tseemed\tto\tbe\tresting\tat\tan\textraordinary\tangle,\talmost\tunsupported.\tThe appearance\tof\tit\twas\tso\todd\tthat\tit\tattracted\tRace\u2019s\tattention. He\tclosed\tthe\tsuitcase\tand\tbent\tover\tthe\tline\tof\tshoes.\tThen\the\tuttered\ta sharp\texclamation. \u201cQu\u2019est-ce\tqu\u2019il\ty\ta?\u201d Race\tsaid\tgrimly:\t\u201cShe\thasn\u2019t\tdisappeared.\tShe\u2019s\there\u2014under\tthe\tbed\u2026.\u201d","Twenty-Three The\tbody\tof\tthe\tdead\twoman,\twho\tin\tlife\thad\tbeen\tLouise\tBourget,\tlay\ton\tthe floor\tof\ther\tcabin.\tThe\ttwo\tmen\tbent\tover\tit. Race\tstraightened\thimself\tfirst. \u201cBeen\tdead\tclose\ton\tan\thour,\tI\tshould\tsay.\tWe\u2019ll\tget\tBessner\ton\tto\tit. Stabbed\tto\tthe\theart.\tDeath\tpretty\twell\tinstantaneous,\tI\tshould\timagine.\tShe doesn\u2019t\tlook\tpretty,\tdoes\tshe?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d Poirot\tshook\this\thead\twith\ta\tslight\tshudder. The\tdark\tfeline\tface\twas\tconvulsed,\tas\tthough\twith\tsurprise\tand\tfury,\tthe lips\tdrawn\tback\tfrom\tthe\tteeth. Poirot\tbent\tagain\tgently\tand\tpicked\tup\tthe\tright\thand.\tSomething\tjust showed\twithin\tthe\tfingers.\tHe\tdetached\tit\tand\theld\tit\tout\tto\tRace,\ta\tlittle\tsliver\tof flimsy\tpaper\tcoloured\ta\tpale\tmauvish\tpink. \u201cYou\tsee\twhat\tit\tis?\u201d \u201cMoney,\u201d\tsaid\tRace. \u201cThe\tcorner\tof\ta\tthousand-franc\tnote,\tI\tfancy.\u201d \u201cWell,\tit\u2019s\tclear\twhat\thappened,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cShe\tknew\tsomething\u2014and\tshe was\tblackmailing\tthe\tmurderer\twith\ther\tknowledge.\tWe\tthought\tshe\twasn\u2019t being\tquite\tstraight\tthis\tmorning.\u201d Poirot\tcried\tout:\t\u201cWe\thave\tbeen\tidiots\u2014fools!\tWe\tshould\thave\tknown\u2014 then.\tWhat\tdid\tshe\tsay?\t\u2018What\tcould\tI\thave\tseen\tor\theard?\tI\twas\ton\tthe\tdeck below.\tNaturally,\tif\tI\thad\tbeen\tunable\tto\tsleep,\tif\tI\thad\tmounted\tthe\tstairs,\tthen perhaps\tI\tmight\thave\tseen\tthis\tassassin,\tthis\tmonster,\tenter\tor\tleave\tMadame\u2019s cabin,\tbut\tas\tit\tis\u2014\u2019\tOf\tcourse,\tthat\tis\twhat\tdid\thappen!\tShe\tdid\tcome\tup.\tShe did\tsee\tsomeone\tgliding\tinto\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin\u2014or\tcoming\tout\tof\tit.\tAnd, because\tof\ther\tgreed,\ther\tinsensate\tgreed,\tshe\tlies\there\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\twe\tare\tno\tnearer\tto\tknowing\twho\tkilled\ther,\u201d\tfinished\tRace disgustedly. Poirot\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNo,\tno.\tWe\tknow\tmuch\tmore\tnow.\tWe\tknow\u2014we know\talmost\teverything.\tOnly\twhat\twe\tknow\tseems\tincredible\u2026Yet\tit\tmust\tbe so.\tOnly\tI\tdo\tnot\tsee.\tPah!\tWhat\ta\tfool\tI\twas\tthis\tmorning!\tWe\tfelt\u2014both\tof\tus felt\u2014that\tshe\twas\tkeeping\tsomething\tback,\tand\tyet\twe\tnever\trealized\tthat","felt\u2014that\tshe\twas\tkeeping\tsomething\tback,\tand\tyet\twe\tnever\trealized\tthat logical\treason,\tblackmail.\u201d \u201cShe\tmust\thave\tdemanded\thush\tmoney\tstraight\taway,\u201d\tsaid\tRace. \u201cDemanded\tit\twith\tthreats.\tThe\tmurderer\twas\tforced\tto\taccede\tto\tthat\trequest and\tpaid\ther\tin\tFrench\tnotes.\tAnything\tthere?\u201d Poirot\tshook\this\thead\tthoughtfully.\t\u201cI\thardly\tthink\tso.\tMany\tpeople\ttake\ta reserve\tof\tmoney\twith\tthem\twhen\ttravelling\u2014sometimes\tfive-pound\tnotes, sometimes\tdollars,\tbut\tvery\toften\tFrench\tnotes\tas\twell.\tPossibly\tthe\tmurderer paid\ther\tall\the\thad\tin\ta\tmixture\tof\tcurrencies.\tLet\tus\tcontinue\tour reconstruction.\u201d \u201cThe\tmurderer\tcomes\tto\ther\tcabin,\tgives\ther\tthe\tmoney,\tand\tthen\u2014\u201d \u201cAnd\tthen,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot,\t\u201cshe\tcounts\tit.\tOh,\tyes,\tI\tknow\tthat\tclass.\tShe\twould count\tthe\tmoney,\tand\twhile\tshe\tcounted\tit\tshe\twas\tcompletely\toff\ther\tguard.\tThe murderer\tstruck.\tHaving\tdone\tso\tsuccessfully,\the\tgathered\tup\tthe\tmoney\tand fled\u2014not\tnoticing\tthat\tthe\tcorner\tof\tone\tof\tthe\tnotes\twas\ttorn.\u201d \u201cWe\tmay\tget\thim\tthat\tway,\u201d\tsuggested\tRace\tdoubtfully. \u201cI\tdoubt\tit,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\t\u201cHe\twill\texamine\tthose\tnotes,\tand\twill\tprobably notice\tthe\ttear.\tOf\tcourse\tif\the\twere\tof\ta\tparsimonious\tdisposition\the\twould\tnot be\table\tto\tbring\thimself\tto\tdestroy\ta\tmille\tnote\u2014but\tI\tvery\tmuch\tfear\tthat\this temperament\tis\tjust\tthe\topposite.\u201d \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\tmake\tthat\tout?\u201d \u201cBoth\tthis\tcrime\tand\tthe\tmurder\tof\tMadame\tDoyle\tdemanded\tcertain qualities\u2014courage,\taudacity,\tbold\texecution,\tlightning\taction;\tthose\tqualities\tdo not\taccord\twith\ta\tsaving,\tprudent\tdisposition.\u201d Race\tshook\this\thead\tsadly.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tbetter\tget\tBessner\tdown,\u201d\the\tsaid. The\tstout\tdoctor\u2019s\texamination\tdid\tnot\ttake\tlong.\tAccompanied\tby\ta\tgood many\tAch\u2019s\tand\tSo\u2019s,\the\twent\tto\twork. \u201cShe\thas\tbeen\tdead\tnot\tmore\tthan\tan\thour,\u201d\the\tannounced.\t\u201cDeath\tit\twas very\tquick\u2014at\tonce.\u201d \u201cAnd\twhat\tweapon\tdo\tyou\tthink\twas\tused?\u201d \u201cAch,\tit\tis\tinteresting\tthat.\tIt\twas\tsomething\tvery\tsharp,\tvery\tthin,\tvery delicate.\tI\tcould\tshow\tyou\tthe\tkind\tof\tthing.\u201d Back\tagain\tin\this\tcabin\the\topened\ta\tcase\tand\textracted\ta\tlong,\tdelicate, surgical\tknife. \u201cIt\twas\tsomething\tlike\tthat,\tmy\tfriend;\tit\twas\tnot\ta\tcommon\ttable\tknife.\u201d \u201cI\tsuppose,\u201d\tsuggested\tRace\tsmoothly,\t\u201cthat\tnone\tof\tyour\town\tknives\tare\u2014 er\u2014missing,\tDoctor?\u201d Bessner\tstared\tat\thim;\tthen\this\tface\tgrew\tred\twith\tindignation. \u201cWhat\tis\tthat\tyou\tsay?\tDo\tyou\tthink\tI\u2014I,\tCarl\tBessner\u2014who\tis\tso\twell-","known\tall\tover\tAustria\u2014I\twith\tmy\tclients,\tmy\thighly\tborn\tpatients\u2014I\thave killed\ta\tmiserable\tlittle\tfemme\tde\tchambre?\tAh,\tbut\tit\tis\tridiculous\u2014absurd, what\tyou\tsay!\tNone\tof\tmy\tknives\tare\tmissing\u2014not\tone,\tI\ttell\tyou.\tThey\tare\tall here,\tcorrect,\tin\ttheir\tplaces.\tYou\tcan\tsee\tfor\tyourself.\tAnd\tthis\tinsult\tto\tmy profession\tI\twill\tnot\tforget.\u201d Dr.\tBessner\tclosed\this\tcase\twith\ta\tsnap,\tflung\tit\tdown,\tand\tstamped\tout\ton to\tthe\tdeck. \u201cWhew!\u201d\tsaid\tSimon.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tput\tthe\told\tboy\u2019s\tback\tup.\u201d Poirot\tshrugged\this\tshoulders.\t\u201cIt\tis\tregrettable.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\ton\tthe\twrong\ttack.\tOld\tBessner\u2019s\tone\tof\tthe\tbest,\teven\tthough\the\tis a\tkind\tof\tBoche.\u201d Dr.\tBessner\treappeared\tsuddenly. \u201cWill\tyou\tbe\tso\tkind\tas\tto\tleave\tme\tnow\tmy\tcabin?\tI\thave\tto\tdo\tthe\tdressing of\tmy\tpatient\u2019s\tleg.\u201d Miss\tBowers\thad\tentered\twith\thim\tand\tstood,\tbrisk\tand\tprofessional, waiting\tfor\tthe\tothers\tto\tgo. Race\tand\tPoirot\tcrept\tout\tmeekly.\tRace\tmuttered\tsomething\tand\twent\toff. Poirot\tturned\tto\this\tleft.\tHe\theard\tscraps\tof\tgirlish\tconversation,\ta\tlittle\tlaugh. Jacqueline\tand\tRosalie\twere\ttogether\tin\tthe\tlatter\u2019s\tcabin. The\tdoor\twas\topen\tand\tthe\ttwo\tgirls\twere\tstanding\tnear\tit.\tAs\this\tshadow fell\ton\tthem\tthey\tlooked\tup.\tHe\tsaw\tRosalie\tOtterbourne\tsmile\tat\thim\tfor\tthe first\ttime\u2014a\tshy\twelcoming\tsmile\u2014a\tlittle\tuncertain\tin\tits\tlines,\tas\tof\tone\twho does\ta\tnew\tand\tunfamiliar\tthing. \u201cYou\ttalk\tthe\tscandal,\tMesdemoiselles?\u201d\the\taccused\tthem. \u201cNo,\tindeed,\u201d\tsaid\tRosalie.\t\u201cAs\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact\twe\twere\tjust\tcomparing lipsticks.\u201d Poirot\tsmiled.\t\u201cLes\tchiffons\td\u2019aujourd\u2019hui,\u201d\the\tmurmured. But\tthere\twas\tsomething\ta\tlittle\tmechanical\tabout\this\tsmile,\tand\tJacqueline de\tBellefort,\tquicker\tand\tmore\tobservant\tthan\tRosalie,\tsaw\tit.\tShe\tdropped\tthe lipstick\tshe\twas\tholding\tand\tcame\tout\tupon\tthe\tdeck. \u201cHas\tsomething\u2014what\thas\thappened\tnow?\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tas\tyou\tguess,\tMademoiselle;\tsomething\thas\thappened.\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\tRosalie\tcame\tout\ttoo. \u201cAnother\tdeath,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot. Rosalie\tcaught\ther\tbreath\tsharply.\tPoirot\twas\twatching\ther\tnarrowly.\tHe saw\talarm\tand\tsomething\tmore\u2014consternation\u2014show\tfor\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo\tin her\teyes. \u201cMadame\tDoyle\u2019s\tmaid\thas\tbeen\tkilled,\u201d\the\ttold\tthem\tbluntly. \u201cKilled?\u201d\tcried\tJacqueline.\t\u201cKilled,\tdo\tyou\tsay?\u201d","\u201cYes,\tthat\tis\twhat\tI\tsaid.\u201d\tThough\this\tanswer\twas\tnominally\tto\ther,\tit\twas Rosalie\twhom\the\twatched.\tIt\twas\tRosalie\tto\twhom\the\tspoke\tas\the\twent\ton: \u201cYou\tsee,\tthis\tmaid\tshe\tsaw\tsomething\tshe\twas\tnot\tintended\tto\tsee.\tAnd\tso\u2014 she\twas\tsilenced,\tin\tcase\tshe\tshould\tnot\thold\ther\ttongue.\u201d \u201cWhat\twas\tit\tshe\tsaw?\u201d Again\tit\twas\tJacqueline\twho\tasked,\tand\tagain\tPoirot\u2019s\tanswer\twas\tto Rosalie.\tIt\twas\tan\todd\tlittle\tthree-cornered\tscene. \u201cThere\tis,\tI\tthink,\tvery\tlittle\tdoubt\twhat\tit\twas\tshe\tsaw,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\t\u201cShe saw\tsomeone\tenter\tand\tleave\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin\ton\tthat\tfatal\tnight.\u201d His\tears\twere\tquick.\tHe\theard\tthe\tsharp\tintake\tof\tbreath\tand\tsaw\tthe\teyelids flicker.\tRosalie\tOtterbourne\thad\treacted\tjust\tas\the\tintended\tshe\tshould. \u201cDid\tshe\tsay\twho\tit\twas\tshe\tsaw?\u201d\tRosalie\tasked. Gently\u2014regretfully\u2014Poirot\tshook\this\thead. Footsteps\tpattered\tup\tthe\tdeck.\tIt\twas\tCornelia\tRobson,\ther\teyes\twide\tand startled. \u201cOh,\tJacqueline,\u201d\tshe\tcried,\t\u201csomething\tawful\thas\thappened!\tAnother dreadful\tthing!\u201d Jacqueline\tturned\tto\ther.\tThe\ttwo\tmoved\ta\tfew\tsteps\tforward.\tAlmost unconsciously\tPoirot\tand\tRosalie\tOtterbourne\tmoved\tin\tthe\tother\tdirection. Rosalie\tsaid\tsharply:\t\u201cWhy\tdo\tyou\tlook\tat\tme?\tWhat\thave\tyou\tgot\tin\tyour mind?\u201d \u201cThat\tis\ttwo\tquestions\tyou\task\tme.\tI\twill\task\tyou\tonly\tone\tin\treturn.\tWhy\tdo you\tnot\ttell\tme\tall\tthe\ttruth,\tMademoiselle?\u201d \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tyou\tmean.\tI\ttold\tyou\u2014everything\u2014this\tmorning.\u201d \u201cNo,\tthere\twere\tthings\tyou\tdid\tnot\ttell\tme.\tYou\tdid\tnot\ttell\tme\tthat\tyou carry\tabout\tin\tyour\thandbag\ta\tsmall-calibre\tpistol\twith\ta\tpearl\thandle.\tYou\tdid not\ttell\tme\tall\tthat\tyou\tsaw\tlast\tnight.\u201d She\tflushed.\tThen\tshe\tsaid\tsharply:\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tquite\tuntrue.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tgot\ta revolver.\u201d \u201cI\tdid\tnot\tsay\ta\trevolver.\tI\tsaid\ta\tsmall\tpistol\tthat\tyou\tcarry\tabout\tin\tyour handbag.\u201d She\twheeled\tround,\tdarted\tinto\ther\tcabin\tand\tout\tagain\tand\tthrust\ther\tgrey leather\thandbag\tinto\this\thands. \u201cYou\u2019re\ttalking\tnonsense.\tLook\tfor\tyourself\tif\tyou\tlike.\u201d Poirot\topened\tthe\tbag.\tThere\twas\tno\tpistol\tinside. He\thanded\tthe\tbag\tback\tto\ther,\tmeeting\ther\tscornful\ttriumphant\tglance. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid\tpleasantly.\t\u201cIt\tis\tnot\tthere.\u201d \u201cYou\tsee.\tYou\u2019re\tnot\talways\tright,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\twrong about\tthat\tother\tridiculous\tthing\tyou\tsaid.\u201d \u201cNo,\tI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tso.\u201d","\u201cNo,\tI\tdo\tnot\tthink\tso.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tinfuriating!\u201d\tShe\tstamped\tan\tangry\tfoot. \u201cYou\tget\tan\tidea\tinto\tyour\thead,\tand\tyou\tgo\ton\tand\ton\tand\ton\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cBecause\tI\twant\tyou\tto\ttell\tme\tthe\ttruth.\u201d \u201cWhat\tis\tthe\ttruth?\tYou\tseem\tto\tknow\tit\tbetter\tthan\tI\tdo.\u201d Poirot\tsaid:\t\u201cYou\twant\tme\tto\ttell\twhat\tit\twas\tyou\tsaw?\tIf\tI\tam\tright,\twill you\tadmit\tthat\tI\tam\tright?\tI\twill\ttell\tyou\tmy\tlittle\tidea.\tI\tthink\tthat\twhen\tyou came\tround\tthe\tstern\tof\tthe\tboat\tyou\tstopped\tinvoluntarily\tbecause\tyou\tsaw\ta man\tcome\tout\tof\ta\tcabin\tabout\thalfway\tdown\tthe\tdeck\u2014Linnet\tDoyle\u2019s\tcabin, as\tyou\trealized\tnext\tday.\tYou\tsaw\thim\tcome\tout,\tclose\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\thim,\tand walk\taway\tfrom\tyou\tdown\tthe\tdeck\tand\u2014perhaps\u2014enter\tone\tof\tthe\ttwo\tend cabins.\tNow,\tthen,\tam\tI\tright,\tMademoiselle?\u201d She\tdid\tnot\tanswer. Poirot\tsaid:\t\u201cPerhaps\tyou\tthink\tit\tis\twiser\tnot\tto\tspeak.\tPerhaps\tyou\tare afraid\tthat,\tif\tyou\tdo,\tyou\ttoo\twill\tbe\tkilled.\u201d For\ta\tmoment\the\tthought\tshe\thad\trisen\tto\tthe\teasy\tbait,\tthat\tthe\taccusation against\ther\tcourage\twould\tsucceed\twhere\tmore\tsubtle\targuments\twould\thave failed. Her\tlips\topened\u2014trembled\u2014then,\t\u201cI\tsaw\tno\tone,\u201d\tsaid\tRosalie\tOtterbourne.","Twenty-Four Miss\tBowers\tcame\tout\tof\tDr.\tBessner\u2019s\tcabin,\tsmoothing\ther\tcuffs\tover\ther wrists. Jacqueline\tleft\tCornelia\tabruptly\tand\taccosted\tthe\thospital\tnurse. \u201cHow\tis\the?\u201d\tshe\tdemanded. Poirot\tcame\tup\tin\ttime\tto\thear\tthe\tanswer.\tMiss\tBowers\twas\tlooking\trather worried. \u201cThings\taren\u2019t\tgoing\ttoo\tbadly,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Jacqueline\tcried:\t\u201cYou\tmean,\the\u2019s\tworse?\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tmust\tsay\tI\tshall\tbe\trelieved\twhen\twe\tget\tin\tand\tcan\tget\ta\tproper\tX- ray\tdone\tand\tthe\twhole\tthing\tcleaned\tup\tunder\tan\tanaesthetic.\tWhen\tdo\tyou think\twe\tshall\tget\tto\tShellal,\tMonsieur\tPoirot?\u201d \u201cTomorrow\tmorning.\u201d Miss\tBowers\tpursed\ther\tlips\tand\tshook\ther\thead. \u201cIt\u2019s\tvery\tfortunate.\tWe\tare\tdoing\tall\twe\tcan,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\talways\tsuch\ta danger\tof\tseptic\u00e6mia.\u201d Jacqueline\tcaught\tMiss\tBowers\u2019\tarm\tand\tshook\tit. \u201cIs\the\tgoing\tto\tdie?\tIs\the\tgoing\tto\tdie?\u201d \u201cDear\tme,\tno,\tMiss\tde\tBellefort.\tThat\tis,\tI\thope\tnot,\tI\u2019m\tsure.\tThe\twound\tin itself\tisn\u2019t\tdangerous,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\tno\tdoubt\tit\tought\tto\tbe\tX-rayed\tas\tsoon\tas possible.\tAnd\tthen,\tof\tcourse\tpoor\tMr.\tDoyle\tought\tto\thave\tbeen\tkept\tabsolutely quiet\ttoday.\tHe\u2019s\thad\tfar\ttoo\tmuch\tworry\tand\texcitement.\tNo\twonder\this temperature\tis\trising.\tWhat\twith\tthe\tshock\tof\this\twife\u2019s\tdeath,\tand\tone\tthing\tand another\u2014\u201d Jacqueline\trelinquished\ther\tgrasp\tof\tthe\tnurse\u2019s\tarm\tand\tturned\taway.\tShe stood\tleaning\tover\tthe\tside,\ther\tback\tto\tthe\tother\ttwo. \u201cWhat\tI\tsay\tis,\twe\u2019ve\tgot\tto\thope\tfor\tthe\tbest\talways,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tBowers. \u201cOf\tcourse\tMr.\tDoyle\thas\ta\tvery\tstrong\tconstitution\u2014one\tcan\tsee\tthat\u2014 probably\tnever\thad\ta\tday\u2019s\tillness\tin\this\tlife.\tSo\tthat\u2019s\tin\this\tfavour.\tBut\tthere\u2019s no\tdenying\tthat\tthis\trise\tin\ttemperature\tis\ta\tnasty\tsign\tand\u2014\u201d She\tshook\ther\thead,\tadjusted\ther\tcuffs\tonce\tmore,\tand\tmoved\tbriskly\taway. Jacqueline\tturned\tand\twalked\tgropingly,\tblinded\tby\ttears,\ttowards\ther\tcabin. A\thand\tbelow\ther\telbow\tsteadied\tand\tguided\ther.\tShe\tlooked\tup\tthrough\tthe","A\thand\tbelow\ther\telbow\tsteadied\tand\tguided\ther.\tShe\tlooked\tup\tthrough\tthe tears\tto\tfind\tPoirot\tby\ther\tside.\tShe\tleaned\ton\thim\ta\tlittle\tand\the\tguided\ther through\tthe\tcabin\tdoor. She\tsank\tdown\ton\tthe\tbed\tand\tthe\ttears\tcame\tmore\tfreely,\tpunctuated\tby great\tshuddering\tsobs. \u201cHe\u2019ll\tdie!\tHe\u2019ll\tdie!\tI\tknow\the\u2019ll\tdie\u2026And\tI\tshall\thave\tkilled\thim.\tYes,\tI shall\thave\tkilled\thim\u2026.\u201d Poirot\tshrugged\this\tshoulders.\tHe\tshook\this\thead\ta\tlittle,\tsadly. \u201cMademoiselle,\twhat\tis\tdone\tis\tdone.\tOne\tcannot\ttake\tback\tthe\taccomplished action.\tIt\tis\ttoo\tlate\tto\tregret.\u201d She\tcried\tout\tmore\tvehemently:\t\u201cI\tshall\thave\tkilled\thim!\tAnd\tI\tlove\thim so\u2026I\tlove\thim\tso.\u201d Poirot\tsighed.\t\u201cToo\tmuch\u2026.\u201d It\thad\tbeen\this\tthought\tlong\tago\tin\tthe\trestaurant\tof\tM.\tBlondin.\tIt\twas\this thought\tagain\tnow. He\tsaid,\thesitating\ta\tlittle:\t\u201cDo\tnot,\tat\tall\tevents,\tgo\tby\twhat\tMiss\tBowers says.\tHospital\tnurses,\tme,\tI\tfind\tthem\talways\tgloomy!\tThe\tnight\tnurse,\talways, she\tis\tastonished\tto\tfind\ther\tpatient\talive\tin\tthe\tevening;\tthe\tday\tnurse,\talways, she\tis\tsurprised\tto\tfind\thim\talive\tin\tthe\tmorning!\tThey\tknow\ttoo\tmuch,\tyou\tsee, of\tthe\tpossibilities\tthat\tmay\tarise.\tWhen\tone\tis\tmotoring\tone\tmight\teasily\tsay\tto oneself:\t\u2018If\ta\tcar\tcame\tout\tfrom\tthat\tcrossroad\u2014or\tif\tthat\tlorry\tbacked\tsuddenly \u2014or\tif\tthe\twheel\tcame\toff\tthe\tcar\tthat\tis\tapproaching\u2014or\tif\ta\tdog\tjumped\toff the\thedge\ton\tto\tmy\tdriving\tarm\u2014eh\tbien,\tI\tshould\tprobably\tbe\tkilled!\u2019\tBut\tone assumes,\tand\tusually\trightly,\tthat\tnone\tof\tthese\tthings\twill\thappen,\tand\tthat\tone will\tget\tto\tone\u2019s\tjourney\u2019s\tend.\tBut\tif,\tof\tcourse,\tone\thas\tbeen\tin\tan\taccident,\tor seen\tone\tor\tmore\taccidents,\tthen\tone\tis\tinclined\tto\ttake\tthe\topposite\tpoint\tof view.\u201d Jacqueline\tasked,\thalf\tsmiling\tthrough\ther\ttears:\t\u201cAre\tyou\ttrying\tto\tconsole me,\tMonsieur\tPoirot?\u201d \u201cThe\tbon\tDieu\tknows\twhat\tI\tam\ttrying\tto\tdo!\tYou\tshould\tnot\thave\tcome\ton this\tjourney.\u201d \u201cNo\u2014I\twish\tI\thadn\u2019t.\tIt\u2019s\tbeen\u2014so\tawful.\tBut\u2014it\twill\tbe\tsoon\tover\tnow.\u201d \u201cMais\toui\u2014mais\toui.\u201d \u201cAnd\tSimon\twill\tgo\tto\tthe\thospital,\tand\tthey\u2019ll\tgive\tthe\tproper\ttreatment\tand everything\twill\tbe\tall\tright.\u201d \u201cYou\tspeak\tlike\tthe\tchild!\t\u2018And\tthey\tlived\thappily\tever\tafterward.\u2019\tThat\tis it,\tis\tit\tnot?\u201d She\tflushed\tsuddenly\tscarlet. \u201cMonsieur\tPoirot,\tI\tnever\tmeant\u2014never\u2014\u201d","\u201cIt\tis\ttoo\tsoon\tto\tthink\tof\tsuch\ta\tthing!\tThat\tis\tthe\tproper\thypocritical\tthing to\tsay,\tis\tit\tnot?\tBut\tyou\tare\tpartly\ta\tLatin,\tMademoiselle\tJacqueline.\tYou should\tbe\table\tto\tadmit\tfacts\teven\tif\tthey\tdo\tnot\tsound\tvery\tdecorous.\tLe\troi\test mort\u2014vive\tle\troi!\tThe\tsun\thas\tgone\tand\tthe\tmoon\trises.\tThat\tis\tso,\tis\tit\tnot?\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\tHe\u2019s\tjust\tsorry\tfor\tme\u2014awfully\tsorry\tfor\tme, because\the\tknows\thow\tterrible\tit\tis\tfor\tme\tto\tknow\tI\u2019ve\thurt\thim\tso\tbadly.\u201d \u201cAh,\twell,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\t\u201cThe\tpure\tpity,\tit\tis\ta\tvery\tlofty\tsentiment.\u201d He\tlooked\tat\ther\thalf\tmockingly,\thalf\twith\tsome\tother\temotion. He\tmurmured\tsoftly\tunder\this\tbreath\twords\tin\tFrench: \u201cLa\tvie\test\tvaine. Un\tpeu\td\u2019amour, Un\tpeu\tde\thaine, Et\tpuis\tbonjour. La\tvie\test\tbr\u00e8ve. Un\tpeu\td\u2019espoir, Un\tpeu\tde\tr\u00eave, Et\tpuis\tbonsoir.\u201d He\twent\tout\tagain\ton\tto\tthe\tdeck.\tColonel\tRace\twas\tstriding\talong\tthe\tdeck and\thailed\thim\tat\tonce. \u201cPoirot.\tGood\tman!\tI\twant\tyou.\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tan\tidea.\u201d Thrusting\this\tarm\tthrough\tPoirot\u2019s\the\twalked\thim\tup\tthe\tdeck. \u201cJust\ta\tchance\tremark\tof\tDoyle\u2019s.\tI\thardly\tnoticed\tit\tat\tthe\ttime.\tSomething about\ta\ttelegram.\u201d \u201cTiens\u2014c\u2019est\tvrai.\u201d \u201cNothing\tin\tit,\tperhaps,\tbut\tone\tcan\u2019t\tleave\tany\tavenue\tunexplored.\tDamn\tit all,\tman,\ttwo\tmurders,\tand\twe\u2019re\tstill\tin\tthe\tdark.\u201d Poirot\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cNo,\tnot\tin\tthe\tdark.\tIn\tthe\tlight.\u201d Race\tlooked\tat\thim\tcuriously.\t\u201cYou\thave\tan\tidea?\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tmore\tthan\tan\tidea\tnow.\tI\tam\tsure.\u201d \u201cSince\u2014when?\u201d \u201cSince\tthe\tdeath\tof\tthe\tmaid,\tLouise\tBourget.\u201d \u201cDamned\tif\tI\tsee\tit!\u201d \u201cMy\tfriend,\tit\tis\tso\tclear\u2014so\tclear.\tOnly\tthere\tare\tdifficulties\u2014 embarrassments\u2014impediments!\tSee\tyou,\taround\ta\tperson\tlike\tLinnet\tDoyle there\tis\tso\tmuch\u2014so\tmany\tconflicting\thates\tand\tjealousies\tand\tenvies\tand","there\tis\tso\tmuch\u2014so\tmany\tconflicting\thates\tand\tjealousies\tand\tenvies\tand meannesses.\tIt\tis\tlike\ta\tcloud\tof\tflies,\tbuzzing,\tbuzzing\u2026.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\tthink\tyou\tknow?\u201d\tThe\tother\tlooked\tat\thim\tcuriously.\t\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t\tsay\tso\tunless\tyou\twere\tsure.\tCan\u2019t\tsay\tI\u2019ve\tany\treal\tlight,\tmyself.\tI\u2019ve suspicions,\tof\tcourse\u2026.\u201d Poirot\tstopped.\tHe\tlaid\tan\timpressive\thand\ton\tRace\u2019s\tarm. \u201cYou\tare\ta\tgreat\tman,\tmon\tColonel\u2026\tYou\tdo\tnot\tsay:\t\u2018Tell\tme.\tWhat\tis\tit that\tyou\tthink?\u2019\tYou\tknow\tthat\tif\tI\tcould\tspeak\tnow\tI\twould.\tBut\tthere\tis\tmuch to\tbe\tcleared\taway\tfirst.\tBut\tthink,\tthink\tfor\ta\tmoment\talong\tthe\tlines\tthat\tI\tshall indicate.\tThere\tare\tcertain\tpoints\u2026There\tis\tthe\tstatement\tof\tMademoiselle\tde Bellefort\tthat\tsomeone\toverheard\tour\tconversation\tthat\tnight\tin\tthe\tgarden\tat Assuan.\tThere\tis\tthe\tstatement\tof\tMonsieur\tTim\tAllerton\tas\tto\twhat\the\theard and\tdid\ton\tthe\tnight\tof\tthe\tcrime.\tThere\tare\tLouise\tBourget\u2019s\tsignificant\tanswers to\tour\tquestions\tthis\tmorning.\tThere\tis\tthe\tfact\tthat\tMadame\tAllerton\tdrinks water,\tthat\ther\tson\tdrinks\twhisky\tand\tsoda\tand\tthat\tI\tdrink\twine.\tAdd\tto\tthat\tthe fact\tof\ttwo\tbottles\tof\tnail\tpolish\tand\tthe\tproverb\tI\tquoted.\tAnd\tfinally\twe\tcome to\tthe\tcrux\tof\tthe\twhole\tbusiness,\tthe\tfact\tthat\tthe\tpistol\twas\twrapped\tup\tin\ta cheap\thandkerchief\tand\ta\tvelvet\tstole\tand\tthrown\toverboard\u2026.\u201d Race\twas\tsilent\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo,\tthen\the\tshook\this\thead. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tit.\tMind,\tI\u2019ve\tgot\ta\tfaint\tidea\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tdriving at,\tbut\tas\tfar\tas\tI\tcan\tsee,\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\twork.\u201d \u201cBut\tyes\u2026but\tyes.\tYou\tare\tseeing\tonly\thalf\tthe\ttruth.\tAnd\tremember\tthis\u2014 we\tmust\tstart\tagain\tfrom\tthe\tbeginning,\tsince\tour\tfirst\tconception\twas\tentirely wrong.\u201d Race\tmade\ta\tslight\tgrimace. \u201cI\u2019m\tused\tto\tthat.\tIt\toften\tseems\tto\tme\tthat\u2019s\tall\tdetective\twork\tis,\twiping out\tyour\tfalse\tstarts\tand\tbeginning\tagain.\u201d \u201cYes,\tit\tis\tvery\ttrue,\tthat.\tAnd\tit\tis\tjust\twhat\tsome\tpeople\twill\tnot\tdo.\tThey conceive\ta\tcertain\ttheory,\tand\teverything\thas\tto\tfit\tinto\tthat\ttheory.\tIf\tone\tlittle fact\twill\tnot\tfit\tit,\tthey\tthrow\tit\taside.\tBut\tit\tis\talways\tthe\tfacts\tthat\twill\tnot\tfit\tin that\tare\tsignificant.\tAll\talong\tI\thave\trealized\tthe\tsignificance\tof\tthat\tpistol\tbeing removed\tfrom\tthe\tscene\tof\tthe\tcrime.\tI\tknew\tthat\tit\tmeant\tsomething,\tbut\twhat that\tsomething\twas\tI\tonly\trealized\tone\tlittle\thalf\thour\tago.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\tstill\tdon\u2019t\tsee\tit!\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\twill!\tOnly\treflect\talong\tthe\tlines\tI\tindicated.\tAnd\tnow\tlet\tus\tclear up\tthis\tmatter\tof\ta\ttelegram.\tThat\tis,\tif\tthe\tHerr\tDoktor\twill\tadmit\tus.\u201d Dr.\tBessner\twas\tstill\tin\ta\tvery\tbad\thumour.\tIn\tanswer\tto\ttheir\tknock\the disclosed\ta\tscowling\tface. \u201cWhat\tis\tit?\tOnce\tmore\tyou\twish\tto\tsee\tmy\tpatient?\tBut\tI\ttell\tyou\tit\tis\tnot wise.\tHe\thas\tfever.\tHe\thas\thad\tmore\tthan\tenough\texcitement\ttoday.\u201d \u201cJust\tone\tquestion,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cNothing\tmore,\tI\tassure\tyou.\u201d","\u201cJust\tone\tquestion,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cNothing\tmore,\tI\tassure\tyou.\u201d With\tan\tunwilling\tgrunt\tthe\tdoctor\tmoved\taside\tand\tthe\ttwo\tmen\tentered\tthe cabin.\tDr.\tBessner,\tgrowling\tto\thimself,\tpushed\tpast\tthem. \u201cI\treturn\tin\tthree\tminutes,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tthen\u2014positively\u2014you\tgo!\u201d They\theard\thim\tstumping\tdown\tthe\tdeck. Simon\tDoyle\tlooked\tfrom\tone\tto\tthe\tother\tof\tthem\tinquiringly. \u201cYes,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cwhat\tis\tit?\u201d \u201cA\tvery\tlittle\tthing,\u201d\tRace\treplied.\t\u201cJust\tnow,\twhen\tthe\tstewards\twere reporting\tto\tme,\tthey\tmentioned\tthat\tSignor\tRichetti\thad\tbeen\tparticularly troublesome.\tYou\tsaid\tthat\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tsurprise\tyou,\tas\tyou\tknew\the\thad\ta\tbad temper,\tand\tthat\the\thad\tbeen\trude\tto\tyour\twife\tover\tsome\tmatter\tof\ta\ttelegram. Now\tcan\tyou\ttell\tme\tabout\tthe\tincident?\u201d \u201cEasily.\tIt\twas\tat\tWadi\tHalfa.\tWe\u2019d\tjust\tcome\tback\tfrom\tthe\tSecond Cataract.\tLinnet\tthought\tshe\tsaw\ta\ttelegram\tfor\ther\tsticking\tup\ton\tthe\tboard. She\u2019d\tforgotten,\tyou\tsee,\tthat\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tcalled\tRidgeway\tany\tlonger,\tand Richetti\tand\tRidgeway\tdo\tlook\trather\talike\twhen\twritten\tin\tan\tatrocious handwriting.\tSo\tshe\ttore\tit\topen,\tcouldn\u2019t\tmake\thead\tor\ttail\tof\tit,\tand\twas puzzling\tover\tit\twhen\tthis\tfellow\tRichetti\tcame\talong,\tfairly\ttore\tit\tout\tof\ther hand\tand\tgibbered\twith\trage.\tShe\twent\tafter\thim\tto\tapologize\tand\the\twas frightfully\trude\tto\ther\tabout\tit.\u201d Race\tdrew\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\t\u201cAnd\tdo\tyou\tknow\tat\tall,\tMr.\tDoyle,\twhat\twas\tin that\ttelegram?\u201d \u201cYes.\tLinnet\tread\tpart\tof\tit\tout\taloud.\tIt\tsaid\u2014\u201d He\tpaused.\tThere\twas\ta\tcommotion\toutside.\tA\thigh-pitched\tvoice\twas rapidly\tapproaching. \u201cWhere\tare\tMonsieur\tPoirot\tand\tColonel\tRace?\tI\tmust\tsee\tthem immediately!\tIt\tis\tmost\timportant.\tI\thave\tvital\tinformation.\tI\u2014Are\tthey\twith\tMr. Doyle?\u201d Bessner\thad\tnot\tclosed\tthe\tdoor.\tOnly\tthe\tcurtain\thung\tacross\tthe\topen doorway.\tMrs.\tOtterbourne\tswept\tit\tto\tone\tside\tand\tentered\tlike\ta\ttornado.\tHer face\twas\tsuffused\twith\tcolour,\ther\tgait\tslightly\tunsteady,\ther\tcommand\tof\twords not\tquite\tunder\ther\tcontrol. \u201cMr.\tDoyle,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tdramatically,\t\u201cI\tknow\twho\tkilled\tyour\twife!\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d Simon\tstared\tat\ther.\tSo\tdid\tthe\tother\ttwo. Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tswept\tall\tthree\tof\tthem\twith\ta\ttriumphant\tglance.\tShe\twas happy\u2014superbly\thappy. \u201cYes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cMy\ttheories\tare\tcompletely\tvindicated.\tThe\tdeep, primeval,\tprimordial\turges\u2014it\tmay\tappear\timpossible\u2014fantastic\u2014but\tit\tis\tthe truth!\u201d","truth!\u201d Race\tsaid\tsharply:\t\u201cDo\tI\tunderstand\tthat\tyou\thave\tevidence\tin\tyour possession\tto\tshow\twho\tkilled\tMrs.\tDoyle?\u201d Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tsat\tdown\tin\ta\tchair\tand\tleaned\tforward,\tnodding\ther\thead vigorously. \u201cCertainly\tI\thave.\tYou\twill\tagree,\twill\tyou\tnot,\tthat\twhoever\tkilled\tLouise Bourget\talso\tkilled\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2014that\tthe\ttwo\tcrimes\twere\tcommitted\tby\tone and\tthe\tsame\thand?\u201d \u201cYes,\tyes,\u201d\tsaid\tSimon\timpatiently.\t\u201cOf\tcourse.\tThat\tstands\tto\treason.\tGo on.\u201d \u201cThen\tmy\tassertion\tholds.\tI\tknow\twho\tkilled\tLouise\tBourget;\ttherefore\tI know\twho\tkilled\tLinnet\tDoyle.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean,\tyou\thave\ta\ttheory\tas\tto\twho\tkilled\tLouise\tBourget,\u201d\tsuggested Race\tsceptically. Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tturned\ton\thim\tlike\ta\ttiger. \u201cNo,\tI\thave\texact\tknowledge.\tI\tsaw\tthe\tperson\twith\tmy\town\teyes.\u201d Simon,\tfevered,\tshouted\tout:\t\u201cFor\tGod\u2019s\tsake,\tstart\tat\tthe\tbeginning.\tYou know\tthe\tperson\twho\tkilled\tLouise\tBourget,\tyou\tsay.\u201d Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tnodded. \u201cI\twill\ttell\tyou\texactly\twhat\toccurred.\u201d Yes,\tshe\twas\tvery\thappy\u2014no\tdoubt\tof\tit!\tThis\twas\ther\tmoment,\ther triumph!\tWhat\tof\tit\tif\ther\tbooks\twere\tfailing\tto\tsell,\tif\tthe\tstupid\tpublic\tthat\tonce had\tbought\tthem\tand\tdevoured\tthem\tvoraciously\tnow\tturned\tto\tnewer favourites?\tSalome\tOtterbourne\twould\tonce\tagain\tbe\tnotorious.\tHer\tname\twould be\tin\tall\tthe\tpapers.\tShe\twould\tbe\tprincipal\twitness\tfor\tthe\tprosecution\tat\tthe trial. She\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand\topened\ther\tmouth. \u201cIt\twas\twhen\tI\twent\tdown\tto\tlunch.\tI\thardly\tfelt\tlike\teating\u2014all\tthe\thorror of\tthe\trecent\ttragedy\u2014Well,\tI\tneedn\u2019t\tgo\tinto\tthat.\tHalfway\tdown\tI\tremembered that\tI\thad\u2014er\u2014left\tsomething\tin\tmy\tcabin.\tI\ttold\tRosalie\tto\tgo\ton\twithout\tme. She\tdid.\u201d Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tpaused\ta\tminute. The\tcurtain\tacross\tthe\tdoor\tmoved\tslightly\tas\tthough\tlifted\tby\tthe\twind,\tbut none\tof\tthe\tthree\tmen\tnoticed\tit. \u201cI\u2014er\u2014\u201d\tMrs.\tOtterbourne\tpaused.\tThin\tice\tto\tskate\tover\there,\tbut\tit\tmust be\tdone\tsomehow.\t\u201cI\u2014er\u2014had\tan\tarrangement\twith\tone\tof\tthe\u2014er\u2014personnel of\tthe\tship.\tHe\twas\tto\u2014er\u2014get\tme\tsomething\tI\tneeded,\tbut\tI\tdid\tnot\twish\tmy daughter\tto\tknow\tof\tit.\tShe\tis\tinclined\tto\tbe\ttiresome\tin\tcertain\tways\u2014\u201d Not\ttoo\tgood,\tthis,\tbut\tshe\tcould\tthink\tof\tsomething\tthat\tsounded\tbetter before\tit\tcame\tto\ttelling\tthe\tstory\tin\tcourt.","before\tit\tcame\tto\ttelling\tthe\tstory\tin\tcourt. Race\u2019s\teyebrows\tlifted\tas\this\teyes\tasked\ta\tquestion\tof\tPoirot. Poirot\tgave\tan\tinfinitesimal\tnod.\tHis\tlips\tformed\tthe\tword:\t\u201cDrink.\u201d The\tcurtain\tacross\tthe\tdoor\tmoved\tagain.\tBetween\tit\tand\tthe\tdoor\titself something\tshowed\twith\ta\tfaint\tsteel-blue\tgleam. Mrs.\tOtterbourne\tcontinued:\t\u201cThe\tarrangement\twas\tthat\tI\tshould\tgo\tround\tto the\tstern\ton\tthe\tdeck\tbelow\tthis,\tand\tthere\tI\tshould\tfind\tthe\tman\twaiting\tfor\tme. As\tI\twent\talong\tthe\tdeck\ta\tcabin\tdoor\topened\tand\tsomebody\tlooked\tout.\tIt\twas this\tgirl\u2014Louise\tBourget,\tor\twhatever\ther\tname\tis.\tShe\tseemed\tto\tbe\texpecting someone.\tWhen\tshe\tsaw\tit\twas\tme,\tshe\tlooked\tdisappointed\tand\twent\tabruptly inside\tagain.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tanything\tof\tit,\tof\tcourse.\tI\twent\talong\tjust\tas\tI\thad said\tI\twould\tand\tgot\tthe\u2014the\tstuff\tfrom\tthe\tman.\tI\tpaid\thim\tand\u2014er\u2014just\thad\ta word\twith\thim.\tThen\tI\tstarted\tback.\tJust\tas\tI\tcame\taround\tthe\tcorner\tI\tsaw someone\tknock\ton\tthe\tmaid\u2019s\tdoor\tand\tgo\tinto\tthe\tcabin.\u201d Race\tsaid,\t\u201cAnd\tthat\tperson\twas\u2014?\u201d Bang! The\tnoise\tof\tthe\texplosion\tfilled\tthe\tcabin.\tThere\twas\tan\tacrid\tsour\tsmell\tof smoke.\tMrs.\tOtterbourne\tturned\tslowly\tsideways,\tas\tthough\tin\tsupreme\tinquiry, then\ther\tbody\tslumped\tforward\tand\tshe\tfell\tto\tthe\tground\twith\ta\tcrash.\tFrom\tjust behind\ther\tear\tthe\tblood\tflowed\tfrom\ta\tround\tneat\thole. There\twas\ta\tmoment\u2019s\tstupefied\tsilence.\tThen\tboth\tthe\table-bodied\tmen jumped\tto\ttheir\tfeet.\tThe\twoman\u2019s\tbody\thindered\ttheir\tmovements\ta\tlittle.\tRace bent\tover\ther\twhile\tPoirot\tmade\ta\tcatlike\tjump\tfor\tthe\tdoor\tand\tthe\tdeck. The\tdeck\twas\tempty.\tOn\tthe\tground\tjust\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\tsill\tlay\ta\tbig\tColt revolver. Poirot\tglanced\tin\tboth\tdirections.\tThe\tdeck\twas\tempty.\tHe\tthen\tsprinted towards\tthe\tstern.\tAs\the\trounded\tthe\tcorner\the\tran\tinto\tTim\tAllerton,\twho\twas coming\tfull\ttilt\tfrom\tthe\topposite\tdirection. \u201cWhat\tthe\tdevil\twas\tthat?\u201d\tcried\tTim\tbreathlessly. Poirot\tsaid\tsharply:\t\u201cDid\tyou\tmeet\tanyone\ton\tyour\tway\there?\u201d \u201cMeet\tanyone?\tNo.\u201d \u201cThen\tcome\twith\tme.\u201d\tHe\ttook\tthe\tyoung\tman\tby\tthe\tarm\tand\tretraced\this steps.\tA\tlittle\tcrowd\thad\tassembled\tby\tnow.\tRosalie,\tJacqueline,\tand\tCornelia had\trushed\tout\tof\ttheir\tcabins.\tMore\tpeople\twere\tcoming\talong\tthe\tdeck\tfrom the\tsaloon\u2014Ferguson,\tJim\tFanthorp,\tand\tMrs.\tAllerton. Race\tstood\tby\tthe\trevolver.\tPoirot\tturned\this\thead\tand\tsaid\tsharply\tto\tTim Allerton:\t\u201cGot\tany\tgloves\tin\tyour\tpocket?\u201d Tim\tfumbled. \u201cYes,\tI\thave.\u201d Poirot\tseized\tthem\tfrom\thim,\tput\tthem\ton,\tand\tbent\tto\texamine\tthe\trevolver.","Poirot\tseized\tthem\tfrom\thim,\tput\tthem\ton,\tand\tbent\tto\texamine\tthe\trevolver. Race\tdid\tthe\tsame.\tThe\tothers\twatched\tbreathlessly. Race\tsaid:\t\u201cHe\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tthe\tother\tway.\tFanthorp\tand\tFerguson\twere\tsitting on\tthis\tdeck\tlounge;\tthey\u2019d\thave\tseen\thim.\u201d Poirot\tresponded,\t\u201cAnd\tMr.\tAllerton\twould\thave\tmet\thim\tif\the\u2019d\tgone\taft.\u201d Race\tsaid,\tpointing\tto\tthe\trevolver:\t\u201cRather\tfancy\twe\u2019ve\tseen\tthis\tnot\tso very\tlong\tago.\tMust\tmake\tsure,\tthough.\u201d He\tknocked\ton\tthe\tdoor\tof\tPennington\u2019s\tcabin.\tThere\twas\tno\tanswer.\tThe cabin\twas\tempty.\tRace\tstrode\tto\tthe\tright-hand\tdrawer\tof\tthe\tchest\tand\tjerked\tit open.\tThe\trevolver\twas\tgone. \u201cSettles\tthat,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cNow\tthen,\twhere\u2019s\tPennington\thimself?\u201d They\twent\tout\tagain\ton\tdeck.\tMrs.\tAllerton\thad\tjoined\tthe\tgroup.\tPoirot moved\tswiftly\tover\tto\ther. \u201cMadame,\ttake\tMiss\tOtterbourne\twith\tyou\tand\tlook\tafter\ther.\tHer\tmother has\tbeen\u201d\u2014he\tconsulted\tRace\twith\tan\teye\tand\tRace\tnodded\u2014\u201ckilled.\u201d Dr.\tBessner\tcame\tbustling\talong. \u201cGott\tim\tHimmel!\tWhat\tis\tthere\tnow?\u201d They\tmade\tway\tfor\thim.\tRace\tindicated\tthe\tcabin.\tRessner\twent\tinside. \u201cFind\tPennington,\u201d\tsaid\tRace.\t\u201cAny\tfingerprints\ton\tthat\trevolver?\u201d \u201cNone,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot. They\tfound\tPennington\ton\tthe\tdeck\tbelow.\tHe\twas\tsitting\tin\tthe\tlittle drawing\troom\twriting\tletters.\tHe\tlifted\ta\thandsome,\tclean-shaven\tface. \u201cAnything\tnew?\u201d\the\tasked. \u201cDidn\u2019t\tyou\thear\ta\tshot?\u201d \u201cWhy\u2014now\tyou\tmention\tit\u2014I\tbelieve\tI\tdid\thear\ta\tkind\tof\ta\tbang.\tBut\tI never\tdreamed\u2014Who\u2019s\tbeen\tshot?\u201d \u201cMrs.\tOtterbourne.\u201d \u201cMrs.\tOtterbourne?\u201d\tPennington\tsounded\tquite\tastounded.\t\u201cWell,\tyou\tdo surprise\tme.\tMrs.\tOtterbourne.\u201d\tHe\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tsee\tthat\tat\tall.\u201d\tHe lowered\this\tvoice.\t\u201cStrikes\tme,\tgentlemen,\twe\u2019ve\tgot\ta\thomicidal\tmaniac aboard.\tWe\tought\tto\torganize\ta\tdefence\tsystem.\u201d \u201cMr.\tPennington,\u201d\tsaid\tRace,\t\u201chow\tlong\thave\tyou\tbeen\tin\tthis\troom?\u201d \u201cWhy,\tlet\tme\tsee.\u201d\tMr.\tPennington\tgently\trubbed\this\tchin.\t\u201cI\tshould\tsay\ta matter\tof\ttwenty\tminutes\tor\tso.\u201d \u201cAnd\tyou\thaven\u2019t\tleft\tit?\u201d \u201cWhy\tno\u2014certainly\tnot.\u201d He\tlooked\tinquiringly\tat\tthe\ttwo\tmen. \u201cYou\tsee,\tMr.\tPennington,\u201d\tsaid\tRace,\t\u201cMrs.\tOtterbourne\twas\tshot\twith your\trevolver.\u201d","Twenty-Five Mr.\tPennington\twas\tshocked.\tMr.\tPennington\tcould\thardly\tbelieve\tit. \u201cWhy,\tgentlemen,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cthis\tis\ta\tvery\tserious\tmatter.\tVery\tserious indeed.\u201d \u201cExtremely\tserious\tfor\tyou,\tMr.\tPennington.\u201d \u201cFor\tme?\u201d\tPennington\u2019s\teyebrows\trose\tin\tstartled\tsurprise.\t\u201cBut,\tmy\tdear sir,\tI\twas\tsitting\tquietly\twriting\tin\there\twhen\tthat\tshot\twas\tfired.\u201d \u201cYou\thave,\tperhaps,\ta\twitness\tto\tprove\tthat?\u201d Pennington\tshook\this\thead. \u201cWhy,\tno\u2014I\twouldn\u2019t\tsay\tthat.\tBut\tit\u2019s\tclearly\timpossible\tthat\tI\tshould\thave gone\tto\tthe\tdeck\tabove,\tshot\tthis\tpoor\twoman\t(and\twhy\tshould\tI\tshoot\ther anyway?)\tand\tcome\tdown\tagain\twith\tno\tone\tseeing\tme.\tThere\tare\talways\tplenty of\tpeople\ton\tthe\tdeck\tlounge\tthis\ttime\tof\tday.\u201d \u201cHow\tdo\tyou\taccount\tfor\tyour\tpistol\tbeing\tused?\u201d \u201cWell\u2014I\u2019m\tafraid\tI\tmay\tbe\tto\tblame\tthere.\tQuite\tsoon\tafter\tgetting\taboard there\twas\ta\tconversation\tin\tthe\tsaloon\tone\tevening,\tI\tremember,\tabout\tfirearms, and\tI\tmentioned\tthen\tthat\tI\talways\tcarried\ta\trevolver\twith\tme\twhen\tI\ttravel.\u201d \u201cWho\twas\tthere?\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\tcan\u2019t\tremember\texactly.\tMost\tpeople,\tI\tthink.\tQuite\ta\tcrowd, anyway.\u201d He\tshook\this\thead\tgently. \u201cWhy,\tyes,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tam\tcertainly\tto\tblame\tthere.\u201d He\twent\ton:\t\u201cFirst\tLinnet,\tthen\tLinnet\u2019s\tmaid,\tand\tnow\tMrs.\tOtterbourne. There\tseems\tno\treason\tin\tit\tall!\u201d \u201cThere\twas\treason,\u201d\tsaid\tRace. \u201cThere\twas?\u201d \u201cYes.\tMrs.\tOtterbourne\twas\ton\tthe\tpoint\tof\ttelling\tus\tthat\tshe\thad\tseen\ta certain\tperson\tgo\tinto\tLouise\u2019s\tcabin.\tBefore\tshe\tcould\tname\tthat\tperson\tshe was\tshot\tdead.\u201d Andrew\tPennington\tpassed\ta\tfine\tsilk\thandkerchief\tover\this\tbrow. \u201cAll\tthis\tis\tterrible,\u201d\the\tmurmured. Poirot\tsaid:\t\u201cMonsieur\tPennington,\tI\twould\tlike\tto\tdiscuss\tcertain\taspects\tof the\tcase\twith\tyou.\tWill\tyou\tcome\tto\tmy\tcabin\tin\thalf\tan\thour\u2019s\ttime?\u201d","the\tcase\twith\tyou.\tWill\tyou\tcome\tto\tmy\tcabin\tin\thalf\tan\thour\u2019s\ttime?\u201d \u201cI\tshould\tbe\tdelighted.\u201d Pennington\tdid\tnot\tsound\tdelighted.\tHe\tdid\tnot\tlook\tdelighted\teither.\tRace and\tPoirot\texchanged\tglances\tand\tthen\tabruptly\tleft\tthe\troom. \u201cCunning\told\tdevil,\u201d\tsaid\tRace,\t\u201cbut\the\u2019s\tafraid.\tEh?\u201d Poirot\tnodded.\t\u201cYes,\the\tis\tnot\thappy,\tour\tMonsieur\tPennington.\u201d As\tthey\treached\tthe\tpromenade\tdeck\tagain,\tMrs.\tAllerton\tcame\tout\tof\ther cabin\tand,\tseeing\tPoirot,\tbeckoned\thim\timperiously. \u201cMadame?\u201d \u201cThat\tpoor\tchild!\tTell\tme,\tMonsieur\tPoirot,\tis\tthere\ta\tdouble\tcabin somewhere\tthat\tI\tcould\tshare\twith\ther?\tShe\toughtn\u2019t\tto\tgo\tback\tto\tthe\tone\tshe shared\twith\ther\tmother,\tand\tmine\tis\tonly\ta\tsingle\tone.\u201d \u201cThat\tcan\tbe\tarranged,\tMadame.\tIt\tis\tvery\tgood\tof\tyou.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tmere\tdecency.\tBesides,\tI\u2019m\tvery\tfond\tof\tthe\tgirl.\tI\u2019ve\talways\tliked her.\u201d \u201cIs\tshe\tvery\tupset?\u201d \u201cTerribly.\tShe\tseems\tto\thave\tbeen\tabsolutely\tdevoted\tto\tthat\todious\twoman. That\tis\twhat\tis\tso\tpathetic\tabout\tit\tall.\tTim\tsays\the\tbelieves\tshe\tdrank.\tIs\tthat true?\u201d Poirot\tnodded. \u201cOh,\twell,\tpoor\twoman,\tone\tmust\tnot\tjudge\ther,\tI\tsuppose;\tbut\tthat\tgirl\tmust have\thad\ta\tterrible\tlife.\u201d \u201cShe\tdid,\tMadame.\tShe\tis\tvery\tproud\tand\tshe\twas\tvery\tloyal.\u201d \u201cYes,\tI\tlike\tthat\u2014loyalty,\tI\tmean.\tIt\u2019s\tout\tof\tfashion\tnowadays.\tShe\u2019s\tan odd\tcharacter,\tthat\tgirl\u2014proud,\treserved,\tstubborn,\tand\tterribly\twarm-hearted underneath,\tI\tfancy.\u201d \u201cI\tsee\tthat\tI\thave\tgiven\ther\tinto\tgood\thands,\tMadame.\u201d \u201cYes,\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\tI\u2019ll\tlook\tafter\ther.\tShe\u2019s\tinclined\tto\tcling\tto\tme\tin\tthe most\tpathetic\tfashion.\u201d Mrs.\tAllerton\twent\tback\tinto\tthe\tcabin.\tPoirot\treturned\tto\tthe\tscene\tof\tthe tragedy. Cornelia\twas\tstill\tstanding\ton\tthe\tdeck,\ther\teyes\twide.\tShe\tsaid:\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t understand,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tHow\tdid\tthe\tperson\twho\tshot\ther\tget\taway\twithout our\tseeing\thim?\u201d \u201cYes,\thow?\u201d\techoed\tJacqueline. \u201cAh,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot,\t\u201cit\twas\tnot\tquite\tsuch\ta\tdisappearing\ttrick\tas\tyou\tthink, Mademoiselle.\tThere\twere\tthree\tdistinct\tways\tthe\tmurderer\tmight\thave\tgone.\u201d Jacqueline\tlooked\tpuzzled.\tShe\tsaid,\t\u201cThree?\u201d \u201cHe\tmight\thave\tgone\tto\tthe\tright,\tor\the\tmight\thave\tgone\tto\tthe\tleft,\tbut\tI don\u2019t\tsee\tany\tother\tway,\u201d\tpuzzled\tCornelia.","don\u2019t\tsee\tany\tother\tway,\u201d\tpuzzled\tCornelia. Jacqueline\ttoo\tfrowned.\tThen\ther\tbrow\tcleared. She\tsaid:\t\u201cOf\tcourse.\tHe\tcould\tmove\tin\ttwo\tdirections\ton\tone\tplane,\tbut\the could\tgo\tat\tright\tangles\tto\tthat\tplane\ttoo.\tThat\tis,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tgo\tup\tvery\twell, but\the\tcould\tgo\tdown.\u201d Poirot\tsmiled.\t\u201cYou\thave\tbrains,\tMademoiselle.\u201d Cornelia\tsaid:\t\u201cI\tknow\tI\u2019m\tjust\ta\tplain\tmutt,\tbut\tI\tstill\tdon\u2019t\tsee.\u201d Jacqueline\tsaid:\t\u201cMonsieur\tPoirot\tmeans,\tdarling,\tthat\the\tcould\tswing himself\tover\tthe\trail\tand\tdown\ton\tto\tthe\tdeck\tbelow.\u201d \u201cMy!\u201d\tgasped\tCornelia.\t\u201cI\tnever\tthought\tof\tthat.\tHe\u2019d\thave\tto\tbe\tmighty quick\tabout\tit,\tthough.\tI\tsuppose\the\tcould\tjust\tdo\tit?\u201d \u201cHe\tcould\tdo\tit\teasily\tenough,\u201d\tsaid\tTim\tAllerton.\t\u201cRemember,\tthere\u2019s always\ta\tminute\tof\tshock\tafter\ta\tthing\tlike\tthis.\tOne\thears\ta\tshot\tand\tone\u2019s\ttoo paralysed\tto\tmove\tfor\ta\tsecond\tor\ttwo.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tyour\texperience,\tMonsieur\tAllerton?\u201d \u201cYes,\tit\twas.\tI\tjust\tstood\tlike\ta\tdummy\tfor\tquite\tfive\tseconds.\tThen\tI\tfairly sprinted\tround\tthe\tdeck.\u201d Race\tcame\tout\tof\tBessner\u2019s\tcabin\tand\tsaid\tauthoritatively:\t\u201cWould\tyou mind\tall\tclearing\toff?\tWe\twant\tto\tbring\tout\tthe\tbody.\u201d Everyone\tmoved\taway\tobediently.\tPoirot\twent\twith\tthem.\tCornelia\tsaid\tto him\twith\tsad\tearnestness:\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tnever\tforget\tthis\ttrip\tas\tlong\tas\tI\tlive.\tThree deaths\u2026It\u2019s\tjust\tlike\tliving\tin\ta\tnightmare.\u201d Ferguson\toverheard\ther.\tHe\tsaid\taggressively:\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tover- civilized.\tYou\tshould\tlook\ton\tdeath\tas\tthe\tOriental\tdoes.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tmere\tincident\u2014 hardly\tnoticeable.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tall\tvery\twell,\u201d\tCornelia\tsaid. \u201cThey\u2019re\tnot\teducated,\tpoor\tcreatures.\u201d \u201cNo,\tand\ta\tgood\tthing\ttoo.\tEducation\thas\tdevitalized\tthe\twhite\traces.\tLook at\tAmerica\u2014goes\tin\tfor\tan\torgy\tof\tculture.\tSimply\tdisgusting.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tyou\u2019re\ttalking\tnonsense,\u201d\tsaid\tCornelia,\tflushing.\t\u201cI\tattend\tlectures every\twinter\ton\tGreek\tArt\tand\tthe\tRenaissance,\tand\tI\twent\tto\tsome\ton\tfamous Women\tof\tHistory.\u201d Mr.\tFerguson\tgroaned\tin\tagony:\t\u201cGreek\tArt;\tRenaissance!\tFamous\tWomen of\tHistory!\tIt\tmakes\tme\tquite\tsick\tto\thear\tyou.\tIt\u2019s\tthe\tfuture\tthat\tmatters, woman,\tnot\tthe\tpast.\tThree\twomen\tare\tdead\ton\tthis\tboat.\tWell,\twhat\tof\tit? They\u2019re\tno\tloss!\tLinnet\tDoyle\tand\ther\tmoney!\tThe\tFrench\tmaid\u2014a\tdomestic parasite.\tMrs.\tOtterbourne\u2014a\tuseless\tfool\tof\ta\twoman.\tDo\tyou\tthink\tanyone really\tcares\twhether\tthey\u2019re\tdead\tor\tnot?\tI\tdon\u2019t.\tI\tthink\tit\u2019s\ta\tdamned\tgood thing!\u201d","\u201cThen\tyou\u2019re\twrong!\u201d\tCornelia\tblazed\tout\tat\thim.\t\u201cAnd\tit\tmakes\tme\tsick\tto hear\tyou\ttalk\tand\ttalk,\tas\tthough\tnobody\tmattered\tbut\tyou.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tMrs. Otterbourne\tmuch,\tbut\ther\tdaughter\twas\tever\tso\tfond\tof\ther,\tand\tshe\u2019s\tall\tbroken up\tover\ther\tmother\u2019s\tdeath.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tmuch\tabout\tthe\tFrench\tmaid,\tbut\tI expect\tsomebody\twas\tfond\tof\ther\tsomewhere;\tand\tas\tfor\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2014well, apart\tfrom\teverything\telse,\tshe\twas\tjust\tlovely!\tShe\twas\tso\tbeautiful\twhen\tshe came\tinto\ta\troom\tthat\tit\tmade\ta\tlump\tcome\tin\tyour\tthroat.\tI\u2019m\thomely\tmyself, and\tthat\tmakes\tme\tappreciate\tbeauty\ta\tlot\tmore.\tShe\twas\tas\tbeautiful\u2014just\tas\ta woman\u2014as\tanything\tin\tGreek\tArt.\tAnd\twhen\tanything\tbeautiful\u2019s\tdead,\tit\u2019s\ta loss\tto\tthe\tworld.\tSo\tthere!\u201d Mr.\tFerguson\tstepped\tback\ta\tpace.\tHe\tcaught\thold\tof\this\thair\twith\tboth hands\tand\ttugged\tat\tit\tvehemently. \u201cI\tgive\tit\tup,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tunbelievable.\tJust\thaven\u2019t\tgot\ta\tbit\tof\tnatural female\tspite\tin\tyou\tanywhere.\u201d\tHe\tturned\tto\tPoirot.\t\u201cDo\tyou\tknow,\tsir,\tthat Cornelia\u2019s\tfather\twas\tpractically\truined\tby\tLinnet\tRidgeway\u2019s\told\tman?\tBut does\tthe\tgirl\tgnash\ther\tteeth\twhen\tshe\tsees\tthe\theiress\tsailing\tabout\tin\tpearls\tand Paris\tmodels?\tNo,\tshe\tjust\tbleats\tout:\t\u2018Isn\u2019t\tshe\tbeautiful?\u2019\tlike\ta\tblessed\tBaa Lamb.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tshe\teven\tfelt\tsore\tat\ther.\u201d Cornelia\tflushed.\t\u201cI\tdid\u2014just\tfor\ta\tminute.\tPoppa\tkind\tof\tdied\tof discouragement,\tyou\tknow,\tbecause\the\thadn\u2019t\tmade\tgood.\u201d \u201cFelt\tsore\tfor\ta\tminute!\tI\task\tyou.\u201d Cornelia\tflashed\tround\ton\thim. \u201cWell,\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\tsay\tjust\tnow\tit\twas\tthe\tfuture\tthat\tmattered,\tnot\tthe\tpast? All\tthat\twas\tin\tthe\tpast,\twasn\u2019t\tit?\tIt\u2019s\tover.\u201d \u201cGot\tme\tthere,\u201d\tsaid\tFerguson.\t\u201cCornelia\tRobson,\tyou\u2019re\tthe\tonly\tnice woman\tI\u2019ve\tever\tcome\tacross.\tWill\tyou\tmarry\tme?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\tabsurd.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tgenuine\tproposal\u2014even\tif\tit\tis\tmade\tin\tthe\tpresence\tof\tOld\tMan Sleuth.\tAnyway,\tyou\u2019re\ta\twitness,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tI\u2019ve\tdeliberately\toffered marriage\tto\tthis\tfemale\u2014against\tall\tmy\tprinciples,\tbecause\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tin legal\tcontracts\tbetween\tthe\tsexes;\tbut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\u2019d\tstand\tfor\tanything\telse, so\tmarriage\tit\tshall\tbe.\tCome\ton,\tCornelia,\tsay\tyes.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tutterly\tridiculous,\u201d\tsaid\tCornelia,\tflushing. \u201cWhy\twon\u2019t\tyou\tmarry\tme?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tserious,\u201d\tsaid\tCornelia. \u201cDo\tyou\tmean\tnot\tserious\tin\tproposing\tor\tdo\tyou\tmean\tnot\tserious\tin character?\u201d \u201cBoth,\tbut\tI\treally\tmeant\tcharacter.\tYou\tlaugh\tat\tall\tsorts\tof\tserious\tthings. Education\tand\tCulture\u2014and\u2014and\tDeath.\tYou\twouldn\u2019t\tbe\treliable.\u201d She\tbroke\toff,\tflushed\tagain,\tand\thurried\talong\tinto\ther\tcabin.","She\tbroke\toff,\tflushed\tagain,\tand\thurried\talong\tinto\ther\tcabin. Ferguson\tstared\tafter\ther.\t\u201cDamn\tthe\tgirl!\tI\tbelieve\tshe\treally\tmeans\tit.\tShe wants\ta\tman\tto\tbe\treliable.\tReliable\u2014ye\tgods!\u201d\tHe\tpaused\tand\tthen\tsaid curiously:\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tmatter\twith\tyou,\tMonsieur\tPoirot?\tYou\tseem\tvery\tdeep in\tthought.\u201d Poirot\troused\thimself\twith\ta\tstart. \u201cI\treflect,\tthat\tis\tall.\tI\treflect.\u201d \u201cMeditation\ton\tDeath.\tDeath,\tthe\tRecurring\tDecimal,\tby\tHercule\tPoirot. One\tof\this\twell-known\tmonographs.\u201d \u201cMonsieur\tFerguson,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot,\t\u201cyou\tare\ta\tvery\timpertinent\tyoung\tman.\u201d \u201cYou\tmust\texcuse\tme.\tI\tlike\tattacking\testablished\tinstitutions.\u201d \u201cAnd\tI\tam\tan\testablished\tinstitution?\u201d \u201cPrecisely.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tof\tthat\tgirl?\u201d \u201cOf\tMiss\tRobson?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tthat\tshe\thas\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tof\tcharacter.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tright.\tShe\u2019s\tgot\tspirit.\tShe\tlooks\tmeek,\tbut\tshe\tisn\u2019t.\tShe\u2019s\tgot\tguts. She\u2019s\u2014oh,\tdamn\tit,\tI\twant\tthat\tgirl.\tIt\tmightn\u2019t\tbe\ta\tbad\tmove\tif\tI\ttackled\tthe old\tlady.\tIf\tI\tcould\tonce\tget\ther\tthoroughly\tagainst\tme,\tit\tmight\tcut\tsome\tice with\tCornelia.\u201d He\twheeled\tand\twent\tinto\tthe\tobservation\tsaloon.\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\twas seated\tin\ther\tusual\tcorner.\tShe\tlooked\teven\tmore\tarrogant\tthan\tusual.\tShe\twas knitting.\tFerguson\tstrode\tup\tto\ther.\tHercule\tPoirot,\tentering\tunobtrusively,\ttook a\tseat\ta\tdiscreet\tdistance\taway\tand\tappeared\tto\tbe\tabsorbed\tin\ta\tmagazine. \u201cGood\tafternoon,\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler.\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\traised\ther\teyes\tfor\ta\tbare\tsecond,\tdropped\tthem\tagain and\tmurmured\tfrigidly,\t\u201cEr\u2014good\tafternoon.\u201d \u201cLook\there,\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler,\tI\twant\tto\ttalk\tto\tyou\tabout\tsomething\tpretty important.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\tthis.\tI\twant\tto\tmarry\tyour\tcousin.\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\u2019s\tball\tof\twool\tdropped\ton\tto\tthe\tground\tand\tran\twildly across\tthe\tsaloon. She\tsaid\tin\ta\tvenomous\ttone:\t\u201cYou\tmust\tbe\tout\tof\tyour\tsenses,\tyoung\tman.\u201d \u201cNot\tat\tall.\tI\u2019m\tdetermined\tto\tmarry\ther.\tI\u2019ve\tasked\ther\tto\tmarry\tme!\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\tsurveyed\thim\tcoldly,\twith\tthe\tkind\tof\tspeculative\tinterest she\tmight\thave\taccorded\tto\tan\todd\tsort\tof\tbeetle. \u201cIndeed?\tAnd\tI\tpresume\tshe\tsent\tyou\tabout\tyour\tbusiness.\u201d \u201cShe\trefused\tme.\u201d \u201cNaturally.\u201d \u201cNot\t\u2018naturally\u2019\tat\tall.\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tgo\ton\tasking\ther\ttill\tshe\tagrees.\u201d \u201cI\tcan\tassure\tyou,\tsir,\tthat\tI\tshall\ttake\tsteps\tto\tsee\tthat\tmy\tyoung\tcousin\tis","\u201cI\tcan\tassure\tyou,\tsir,\tthat\tI\tshall\ttake\tsteps\tto\tsee\tthat\tmy\tyoung\tcousin\tis not\tsubjected\tto\tany\tsuch\tpersecution,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tin\ta\tbiting\ttone. \u201cWhat\thave\tyou\tgot\tagainst\tme?\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\tmerely\traised\ther\teyebrows\tand\tgave\ta\tvehement\ttug\tto her\twool,\tpreparatory\tto\tregaining\tit\tand\tclosing\tthe\tinterview. \u201cCome\tnow,\u201d\tpersisted\tMr.\tFerguson,\t\u201cwhat\thave\tyou\tgot\tagainst\tme?\u201d \u201cI\tshould\tthink\tthat\twas\tquite\tobvious,\tMr\u2014er\u2014I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tyour\tname.\u201d \u201cFerguson.\u201d \u201cMr.\tFerguson.\u201d\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tuttered\tthe\tname\twith\tdefinite\tdistaste. \u201cAny\tsuch\tidea\tis\tquite\tout\tof\tthe\tquestion.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean,\u201d\tsaid\tFerguson,\t\u201cthat\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgood\tenough\tfor\ther?\u201d \u201cI\tshould\tthink\tthat\twould\thave\tbeen\tobvious\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cIn\twhat\tway\tam\tI\tnot\tgood\tenough?\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\tagain\tdid\tnot\tanswer. \u201cI\u2019ve\tgot\ttwo\tlegs,\ttwo\tarms,\tgood\thealth,\tand\tquite\treasonable\tbrains. What\u2019s\twrong\twith\tthat?\u201d \u201cThere\tis\tsuch\ta\tthing\tas\tsocial\tposition,\tMr.\tFerguson.\u201d \u201cSocial\tposition\tis\tbunk!\u201d The\tdoor\tswung\topen\tand\tCornelia\tcame\tin.\tShe\tstopped\tdead\ton\tseeing\ther redoubtable\tCousin\tMarie\tin\tconversation\twith\ther\twould-be\tsuitor. The\toutrageous\tMr.\tFerguson\tturned\this\thead,\tgrinned\tbroadly\tand\tcalled out:\t\u201cCome\talong,\tCornelia.\tI\u2019m\tasking\tfor\tyour\thand\tin\tmarriage\tin\tthe\tbest conventional\tmanner.\u201d \u201cCornelia,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler,\tand\ther\tvoice\twas\ttruly\tawful\tin quality,\t\u201chave\tyou\tencouraged\tthis\tyoung\tman?\u201d \u201cI\u2014no,\tof\tcourse\tnot\u2014at\tleast\u2014not\texactly\u2014I\tmean\u2014\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d \u201cShe\thasn\u2019t\tencouraged\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tMr.\tFerguson\thelpfully.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tdone\tit\tall. She\thasn\u2019t\tactually\tpushed\tme\tin\tthe\tface,\tbecause\tshe\u2019s\tgot\ttoo\tkind\ta\theart. Cornelia,\tyour\tcousin\tsays\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgood\tenough\tfor\tyou.\tThat,\tof\tcourse,\tis\ttrue, but\tnot\tin\tthe\tway\tshe\tmeans\tit.\tMy\tmoral\tnature\tcertainly\tdoesn\u2019t\tequal\tyours, but\ther\tpoint\tis\tthat\tI\u2019m\thopelessly\tbelow\tyou\tsocially.\u201d \u201cThat\tI\tthink,\tis\tequally\tobvious\tto\tCornelia,\u201d\tsaid\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler. \u201cIs\tit?\u201d\tMr.\tFerguson\tlooked\tat\ther\tsearchingly.\t\u201cIs\tthat\twhy\tyou\twon\u2019t marry\tme?\u201d \u201cNo,\tit\tisn\u2019t.\u201d\tCornelia\tflushed.\t\u201cIf\u2014if\tI\tliked\tyou,\tI\u2019d\tmarry\tyou\tno\tmatter who\tyou\twere.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tme?\u201d \u201cI\u2014I\tthink\tyou\u2019re\tjust\toutrageous.\tThe\tway\tyou\tsay\tthings\u2026The\tthings\tyou","say\u2026I\u2014I\u2019ve\tnever\tmet\tanyone\tthe\tleast\tlike\tyou.\tI\u2014\u201d Tears\tthreatened\tto\tovercome\ther.\tShe\trushed\tfrom\tthe\troom. \u201cOn\tthe\twhole,\u201d\tsaid\tMr.\tFerguson,\t\u201cthat\u2019s\tnot\ttoo\tbad\tfor\ta\tstart.\u201d\tHe leaned\tback\tin\this\tchair,\tgazed\tat\tthe\tceiling,\twhistled,\tcrossed\this\tdisreputable knees\tand\tremarked:\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tbe\tcalling\tyou\tCousin\tyet.\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler\ttrembled\twith\trage.\t\u201cLeave\tthis\troom\tat\tonce,\tsir,\tor\tI\u2019ll ring\tfor\tthe\tsteward.\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\tpaid\tfor\tmy\tticket,\u201d\tsaid\tMr.\tFerguson.\t\u201cThey\tcan\u2019t\tpossibly\tturn\tme out\tof\tthe\tpublic\tlounge.\tBut\tI\u2019ll\thumour\tyou.\u201d\tHe\tsang\tsoftly,\t\u201cYo\tho\tho,\tand\ta bottle\tof\trum.\u201d\tRising,\the\tsauntered\tnonchalantly\tto\tthe\tdoor\tand\tpassed\tout. Choking\twith\tanger\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\tstruggled\tto\ther\tfeet.\tPoirot, discreetly\temerging\tfrom\tretirement\tbehind\this\tmagazine,\tsprang\tup\tand retrieved\tthe\tball\tof\twool. \u201cThank\tyou,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tIf\tyou\twould\tsend\tMiss\tBowers\tto\tme\u2014I\tfeel quite\tupset\u2014that\tinsolent\tyoung\tman.\u201d \u201cRather\teccentric,\tI\u2019m\tafraid,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\t\u201cMost\tof\tthat\tfamily\tare.\tSpoilt, of\tcourse.\tAlways\tinclined\tto\ttilt\tat\twindmills.\u201d\tHe\tadded\tcarelessly,\t\u201cYou recognized\thim,\tI\tsuppose?\u201d \u201cRecognized\thim?\u201d \u201cCalls\thimself\tFerguson\tand\twon\u2019t\tuse\this\ttitle\tbecause\tof\this\tadvanced ideas.\u201d \u201cHis\ttitle?\u201d\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\u2019s\ttone\twas\tsharp. \u201cYes,\tthat\u2019s\tyoung\tLord\tDawlish.\tRolling\tin\tmoney,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\the became\ta\tcommunist\twhen\the\twas\tat\tOxford.\u201d Miss\tVan\tSchuyler,\ther\tface\ta\tbattleground\tof\tcontradictory\temotions,\tsaid: \u201cHow\tlong\thave\tyou\tknown\tthis,\tMonsieur\tPoirot?\u201d Poirot\tshrugged\this\tshoulders. \u201cThere\twas\ta\tpicture\tin\tone\tof\tthese\tpapers\u2014I\tnoticed\tthe\tresemblance. Then\tI\tfound\ta\tsignet\tring\twith\ta\tcoat\tof\tarms\ton\tit.\tOh,\tthere\u2019s\tno\tdoubt\tabout it,\tI\tassure\tyou.\u201d He\tquite\tenjoyed\treading\tthe\tconflicting\texpressions\tthat\tsucceeded\teach other\ton\tMiss\tVan\tSchuyler\u2019s\tface.\tFinally,\twith\ta\tgracious\tinclination\tof\tthe head,\tshe\tsaid,\t\u201cI\tam\tvery\tmuch\tobliged\tto\tyou,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\u201d Poirot\tlooked\tafter\ther\tand\tsmiled\tas\tshe\twent\tout\tof\tthe\tsaloon.\tThen\the\tsat down\tand\this\tface\tgrew\tgrave\tonce\tmore.\tHe\twas\tfollowing\tout\ta\ttrain\tof thought\tin\this\tmind.\tFrom\ttime\tto\ttime\the\tnodded\this\thead. \u201cMais\toui,\u201d\the\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u201cIt\tall\tfits\tin.\u201d","Twenty-Six Race\tfound\thim\tstill\tsitting\tthere. \u201cWell,\tPoirot,\twhat\tabout\tit?\tPennington\u2019s\tdue\tin\tten\tminutes.\tI\u2019m\tleaving this\tin\tyour\thands.\u201d Poirot\trose\tquickly\tto\this\tfeet.\t\u201cFirst,\tget\thold\tof\tyoung\tFanthorp.\u201d \u201cFanthorp?\u201d\tRace\tlooked\tsurprised. \u201cYes.\tBring\thim\tto\tmy\tcabin.\u201d Race\tnodded\tand\twent\toff.\tPoirot\twent\talong\tto\this\tcabin.\tRace\tarrived\twith young\tFanthorp\ta\tminute\tor\ttwo\tafterward. Poirot\tindicated\tchairs\tand\toffered\tcigarettes. \u201cNow,\tMonsieur\tFanthorp,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201cto\tour\tbusiness!\tI\tperceive\tthat\tyou wear\tthe\tsame\ttie\tthat\tmy\tfriend\tHastings\twears.\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\tlooked\tdown\tat\this\tneckwear\twith\tsome\tbewilderment. \u201cIt\u2019s\tan\tO.E.\ttie,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cExactly.\tYou\tmust\tunderstand\tthat,\tthough\tI\tam\ta\tforeigner,\tI\tknow something\tof\tthe\tEnglish\tpoint\tof\tview.\tI\tknow,\tfor\tinstance,\tthat\tthere\tare \u2018things\twhich\tare\tdone\u2019\tand\t\u2018things\twhich\tare\tnot\tdone.\u2019\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\tgrinned. \u201cWe\tdon\u2019t\tsay\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing\tmuch\tnowadays,\tsir.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\tnot,\tbut\tthe\tcustom,\tit\tstill\tremains.\tThe\tOld\tSchool\tTie\tis\tthe\tOld School\tTie,\tand\tthere\tare\tcertain\tthings\t(I\tknow\tthis\tfrom\texperience)\tthat\tthe Old\tSchool\tTie\tdoes\tnot\tdo!\tOne\tof\tthose\tthings,\tMonsieur\tFanthorp,\tis\tto\tbutt into\ta\tprivate\tconversation\tunasked\twhen\tone\tdoes\tnot\tknow\tthe\tpeople\twho\tare conducting\tit.\u201d Fanthorp\tstared. Poirot\twent\ton:\t\u201cBut\tthe\tother\tday,\tMonsieur\tFanthorp,\tthat\tis\texactly\twhat you\tdid\tdo.\tCertain\tpersons\twere\tquietly\ttransacting\tsome\tprivate\tbusiness\tin\tthe observation\tsaloon.\tYou\tstrolled\tnear\tthem,\tobviously\tin\torder\tto\toverhear\twhat it\twas\tthat\twas\tin\tprogress,\tand\tpresently\tyou\tactually\tturned\tround\tand congratulated\ta\tlady\u2014Madame\tSimon\tDoyle\u2014on\tthe\tsoundness\tof\ther\tbusiness methods.\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\u2019s\tface\tgot\tvery\tred.\tPoirot\tswept\ton,\tnot\twaiting\tfor\ta comment.","comment. \u201cNow\tthat,\tMonsieur\tFanthorp,\twas\tnot\tat\tall\tthe\tbehaviour\tof\tone\twho wears\ta\ttie\tsimilar\tto\tthat\tworn\tby\tmy\tfriend\tHastings!\tHastings\tis\tall\tdelicacy, would\tdie\tof\tshame\tbefore\the\tdid\tsuch\ta\tthing!\tTherefore,\ttaking\tthat\taction\tof yours\tin\tconjunction\twith\tthe\tfact\tthat\tyou\tare\ta\tvery\tyoung\tman\tto\tbe\table\tto afford\tan\texpensive\tholiday,\tthat\tyou\tare\ta\tmember\tof\ta\tcountry\tsolicitor\u2019s\tfirm, and\ttherefore\tprobably\tnot\textravagantly\twell\toff,\tand\tthat\tyou\tshow\tno\tsigns\tof recent\tillness\tsuch\tas\tmight\tnecessitate\ta\tprolonged\tvisit\tabroad,\tI\task\tmyself\u2014 and\tam\tnow\tasking\tyou\u2014what\tis\tthe\treason\tfor\tyour\tpresence\ton\tthis\tboat?\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\tjerked\this\thead\tback. \u201cI\tdecline\tto\tgive\tyou\tany\tinformation\twhatever,\tMonsieur\tPoirot.\tI\treally think\tyou\tmust\tbe\tmad.\u201d \u201cI\tam\tnot\tmad.\tI\tam\tvery,\tvery\tsane.\tWhere\tis\tyour\tfirm?\tIn\tNorthampton; that\tis\tnot\tvery\tfar\tfrom\tWode\tHall.\tWhat\tconversation\tdid\tyou\ttry\tto\toverhear? One\tconcerning\tlegal\tdocuments.\tWhat\twas\tthe\tobject\tof\tyour\tremark\u2014a remark\twhich\tyou\tuttered\twith\tobvious\tembarrassment\tand\tmalaise?\tYour object\twas\tto\tprevent\tMadame\tDoyle\tfrom\tsigning\tany\tdocument\tunread.\u201d He\tpaused. \u201cOn\tthis\tboat\twe\thave\thad\ta\tmurder,\tand\tfollowing\tthat\tmurder\ttwo\tother murders\tin\trapid\tsuccession.\tIf\tI\tfurther\tgive\tyou\tthe\tinformation\tthat\tthe weapon\twhich\tkilled\tMadame\tOtterbourne\twas\ta\trevolver\towned\tby\tMonsieur Andrew\tPennington,\tthen\tperhaps\tyou\twill\trealize\tthat\tit\tis\tactually\tyour\tduty\tto tell\tus\tall\tyou\tcan.\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\twas\tsilent\tfor\tsome\tminutes.\tAt\tlast\the\tsaid:\t\u201cYou\thave\trather an\todd\tway\tof\tgoing\tabout\tthings,\tMonsieur\tPoirot,\tbut\tI\tappreciate\tthe\tpoints you\thave\tmade.\tThe\ttrouble\tis\tthat\tI\thave\tno\texact\tinformation\tto\tlay\tbefore you.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tthat\tit\tis\ta\tcase,\tmerely,\tof\tsuspicion.\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cAnd\ttherefore\tyou\tthink\tit\tinjudicious\tto\tspeak?\tThat\tmay\tbe\ttrue,\tlegally speaking.\tBut\tthis\tis\tnot\ta\tcourt\tof\tlaw.\tColonel\tRace\tand\tmyself\tare endeavouring\tto\ttrack\tdown\ta\tmurderer.\tAnything\tthat\tcan\thelp\tus\tto\tdo\tso\tmay be\tvaluable.\u201d Again\tJim\tFanthorp\treflected.\tThen\the\tsaid:\t\u201cVery\twell.\tWhat\tis\tit\tyou\twant to\tknow?\u201d \u201cWhy\tdid\tyou\tcome\ton\tthis\ttrip?\u201d \u201cMy\tuncle,\tMr.\tCarmichael,\tMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s\tEnglish\tsolicitor,\tsent\tme.\tHe handled\ta\tgood\tmany\tof\ther\taffairs.\tIn\tthis\tway,\the\twas\toften\tin\tcorrespondence with\tMr.\tAndrew\tPennington,\twho\twas\tMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s\tAmerican\ttrustee.\tSeveral small\tincidents\t(I\tcannot\tenumerate\tthem\tall)\tmade\tmy\tuncle\tsuspicious\tthat\tall","small\tincidents\t(I\tcannot\tenumerate\tthem\tall)\tmade\tmy\tuncle\tsuspicious\tthat\tall was\tnot\tquite\tas\tit\tshould\tbe.\u201d \u201cIn\tplain\tlanguage,\u201d\tsaid\tRace,\t\u201cyour\tuncle\tsuspected\tthat\tPennington\twas\ta crook?\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\tnodded,\ta\tfaint\tsmile\ton\this\tface. \u201cYou\tput\tit\trather\tmore\tbluntly\tthan\tI\tshould,\tbut\tthe\tmain\tidea\tis\tcorrect. Various\texcuses\tmade\tby\tPennington,\tcertain\tplausible\texplanations\tof\tthe disposal\tof\tfunds,\taroused\tmy\tuncle\u2019s\tdistrust. \u201cWhile\tthese\tsuspicions\tof\this\twere\tstill\tnebulous,\tMiss\tRidgeway\tmarried unexpectedly\tand\twent\toff\ton\ther\thoneymoon\tto\tEgypt.\tHer\tmarriage\trelieved my\tuncle\u2019s\tmind,\tas\the\tknew\tthat\ton\ther\treturn\tto\tEngland\tthe\testate\twould\thave to\tbe\tformally\tsettled\tand\thanded\tover. \u201cHowever,\tin\ta\tletter\tshe\twrote\thim\tfrom\tCairo,\tshe\tmentioned\tcasually\tthat she\thad\tunexpectedly\trun\tacross\tAndrew\tPennington.\tMy\tuncle\u2019s\tsuspicions became\tacute.\tHe\tfelt\tsure\tthat\tPennington,\tperhaps\tby\tnow\tin\ta\tdesperate position,\twas\tgoing\tto\ttry\tand\tobtain\tsignatures\tfrom\ther\twhich\twould\tcover\this own\tdefalcations.\tSince\tmy\tuncle\thad\tno\tdefinite\tevidence\tto\tlay\tbefore\ther,\the was\tin\ta\tmost\tdifficult\tposition.\tThe\tonly\tthing\the\tcould\tthink\tof\twas\tto\tsend\tme out\there,\ttravelling\tby\tair,\twith\tinstruction\tto\tdiscover\twhat\twas\tin\tthe\twind.\tI was\tto\tkeep\tmy\teyes\topen\tand\tact\tsummarily\tif\tnecessary\u2014a\tmost\tunpleasant mission,\tI\tcan\tassure\tyou.\tAs\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact,\ton\tthe\toccasion\tyou\tmention\tI\thad to\tbehave\tmore\tor\tless\tas\ta\tcad!\tIt\twas\tawkward,\tbut\ton\tthe\twhole\tI\twas\tsatisfied with\tthe\tresult.\u201d \u201cYou\tmean\tyou\tput\tMadame\tDoyle\ton\ther\tguard?\u201d\tasked\tRace. \u201cNot\tso\tmuch\tthat,\tbut\tI\tthink\tI\tput\tthe\twind\tup\tPennington.\tI\tfelt\tconvinced he\twouldn\u2019t\ttry\tanymore\tfunny\tbusiness\tfor\tsome\ttime,\tand\tby\tthen\tI\thoped\tto have\tgot\tintimate\tenough\twith\tMr.\tand\tMrs.\tDoyle\tto\tconvey\tsome\tkind\tof\ta warning.\tAs\ta\tmatter\tof\tfact\tI\thoped\tto\tdo\tso\tthrough\tDoyle.\tMrs.\tDoyle\twas\tso attached\tto\tMr.\tPennington\tthat\tit\twould\thave\tbeen\ta\tbit\tawkward\tto\tsuggest things\tto\ther\tabout\thim.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\teasier\tfor\tme\tto\tapproach\tthe husband.\u201d Race\tnodded. Poirot\tasked:\t\u201cWill\tyou\tgive\tme\ta\tcandid\topinion\ton\tone\tpoint,\tMonsieur Fanthorp?\tIf\tyou\twere\tengaged\tin\tputting\ta\tswindle\tover,\twould\tyou\tchoose Madame\tDoyle\tor\tMonsieur\tDoyle\tas\ta\tvictim?\u201d Fanthorp\tsmiled\tfaintly. \u201cMr.\tDoyle,\tevery\ttime.\tLinnet\tDoyle\twas\tvery\tshrewd\tin\tbusiness\tmatters. Her\thusband,\tI\tshould\tfancy,\tis\tone\tof\tthose\ttrustful\tfellows\twho\tknow\tnothing of\tbusiness\tand\tare\talways\tready\tto\t\u2018sign\ton\tthe\tdotted\tline\u2019\tas\the\thimself\tput it.\u201d","it.\u201d \u201cI\tagree,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\tHe\tlooked\tat\tRace.\t\u201cAnd\tthere\u2019s\tyour\tmotive.\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\tsaid:\t\u201cBut\tthis\tis\tall\tpure\tconjecture.\tIt\tisn\u2019t\tevidence.\u201d Poirot\treplied,\teasily:\t\u201cAh,\tbah!\twe\twill\tget\tevidence!\u201d \u201cHow?\u201d \u201cPossibly\tfrom\tMr.\tPennington\thimself.\u201d Fanthorp\tlooked\tdoubtful. \u201cI\twonder.\tI\tvery\tmuch\twonder.\u201d Race\tglanced\tat\this\twatch.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\tabout\tdue\tnow.\u201d Jim\tFanthorp\twas\tquick\tto\ttake\tthe\thint.\tHe\tleft\tthem. Two\tminutes\tlater\tAndrew\tPennington\tmade\this\tappearance.\tHis\tmanner was\tall\tsmiling\turbanity.\tOnly\tthe\ttaut\tline\tof\this\tjaw\tand\tthe\twariness\tof\this eyes\tbetrayed\tthe\tfact\tthat\ta\tthoroughly\texperienced\tfighter\twas\ton\this\tguard. \u201cWell,\tgentlemen,\u201d\the\tsaid,\t\u201chere\tI\tam.\u201d He\tsat\tdown\tand\tlooked\tat\tthem\tinquiringly. \u201cWe\tasked\tyou\tto\tcome\there,\tMonsieur\tPennington,\u201d\tbegan\tPoirot,\t\u201cbecause it\tis\tfairly\tobvious\tthat\tyou\thave\ta\tvery\tspecial\tand\timmediate\tinterest\tin\tthe case.\u201d Pennington\traised\this\teyebrows\tslightly. \u201cIs\tthat\tso?\u201d Poirot\tsaid\tgently:\t\u201cSurely.\tYou\thave\tknown\tLinnet\tRidgeway,\tI\tunderstand, since\tshe\twas\tquite\ta\tchild.\u201d \u201cOh!\tthat\u2014\u201d\tHis\tface\taltered,\tbecame\tless\talert.\t\u201cI\tbeg\tpardon,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tquite get\tyou.\tYes,\tas\tI\ttold\tyou\tthis\tmorning,\tI\u2019ve\tknown\tLinnet\tsince\tshe\twas\ta\tcute little\tthing\tin\tpinafores.\u201d \u201cYou\twere\ton\tterms\tof\tclose\tintimacy\twith\ther\tfather?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tso.\tMelhuish\tRidgeway\tand\tI\twere\tvery\tclose\u2014very\tclose.\u201d \u201cYou\twere\tso\tintimately\tassociated\tthat\ton\this\tdeath\the\tappointed\tyou business\tguardian\tto\this\tdaughter\tand\ttrustee\tto\tthe\tvast\tfortune\tshe\tinherited?\u201d \u201cWhy,\troughly,\tthat\tis\tso.\u201d\tThe\twariness\twas\tback\tagain.\tThe\tnote\twas\tmore cautious.\t\u201cI\twas\tnot\tthe\tonly\ttrustee,\tnaturally;\tothers\twere\tassociated\twith\tme.\u201d \u201cWho\thave\tsince\tdied?\u201d \u201cTwo\tof\tthem\tare\tdead.\tThe\tother,\tMr.\tSterndale\tRockford,\tis\talive.\u201d \u201cYour\tpartner?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cMademoiselle\tRidgeway,\tI\tunderstand,\twas\tnot\tyet\tof\tage\twhen\tshe married?\u201d \u201cShe\twould\thave\tbeen\ttwenty-one\tnext\tJuly.\u201d \u201cAnd\tin\tthe\tnormal\tcourse\tof\tevents\tshe\twould\thave\tcome\tinto\tcontrol\tof\ther fortune\tthen?\u201d","fortune\tthen?\u201d \u201cYes.\u201d \u201cBut\ther\tmarriage\tprecipitated\tmatters?\u201d Pennington\u2019s\tjaw\thardened.\tHe\tshot\tout\this\tchin\tat\tthem\taggressively. \u201cYou\u2019ll\tpardon\tme,\tgentlemen,\tbut\twhat\texact\tbusiness\tis\tall\tthis\tof\tyours?\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\tdislike\tanswering\tthe\tquestion\u2014\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s\tno\tdislike\tabout\tit.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tmind\twhat\tyou\task\tme.\tBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsee the\trelevance\tof\tall\tthis.\u201d \u201cOh,\tbut\tsurely,\tMonsieur\tPennington\u201d\u2014Poirot\tleaned\tforward,\this\teyes green\tand\tcatlike\u2014\u201cthere\tis\tthe\tquestion\tof\tmotive.\tIn\tconsidering\tthat,\tfinancial considerations\tmust\talways\tbe\ttaken\tinto\taccount.\u201d Pennington\tsaid\tsullenly:\t\u201cBy\tRidgeway\u2019s\twill,\tLinnet\tgot\tcontrol\tof\ther dough\twhen\tshe\twas\ttwenty-one\tor\twhen\tshe\tmarried.\u201d \u201cNo\tconditions\tof\tany\tkind?\u201d \u201cNo\tconditions.\u201d \u201cAnd\tit\tis\ta\tmatter,\tI\tam\tcredibly\tassured,\tof\tmillions.\u201d \u201cMillions\tit\tis.\u201d Poirot\tsaid\tsoftly:\t\u201cYour\tresponsibility,\tMr.\tPennington,\tand\tthat\tof\tyour partner,\thas\tbeen\ta\tvery\tgrave\tone.\u201d Pennington\treplied\tcurtly:\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tused\tto\tresponsibility.\tDoesn\u2019t\tworry\tus any.\u201d \u201cI\twonder.\u201d Something\tin\this\ttone\tflicked\tthe\tother\tman\ton\tthe\traw.\tHe\tasked\tangrily: \u201cWhat\tthe\tdevil\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u201d Poirot\treplied\twith\tan\tair\tof\tengaging\tfrankness:\t\u201cI\twas\twondering,\tMr. Pennington,\twhether\tLinnet\tRidgeway\u2019s\tsudden\tmarriage\tcaused\tany\u2014 consternation,\tin\tyour\toffice?\u201d \u201cConsternation?\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tthe\tword\tI\tused.\u201d \u201cWhat\tthe\thell\tare\tyou\tdriving\tat?\u201d \u201cSomething\tquite\tsimple.\tAre\tLinnet\tDoyle\u2019s\taffairs\tin\tthe\tperfect\torder\tthey should\tbe?\u201d Pennington\trose\tto\this\tfeet. \u201cThat\u2019s\tenough.\tI\u2019m\tthrough.\u201d\tHe\tmade\tfor\tthe\tdoor. \u201cBut\tyou\twill\tanswer\tmy\tquestion\tfirst?\u201d Pennington\tsnapped:\t\u201cThey\u2019re\tin\tperfect\torder.\u201d \u201cYou\twere\tnot\tso\talarmed\twhen\tthe\tnews\tof\tLinnet\tRidgeway\u2019s\tmarriage reached\tyou\tthat\tyou\trushed\tover\tto\tEurope\tby\tthe\tfirst\tboat\tand\tstaged\tan apparently\tfortuitous\tmeeting\tin\tEgypt?\u201d Pennington\tcame\tback\ttowards\tthem.\tHe\thad\thimself\tunder\tcontrol\tonce","Pennington\tcame\tback\ttowards\tthem.\tHe\thad\thimself\tunder\tcontrol\tonce more. \u201cWhat\tyou\tare\tsaying\tis\tabsolute\tbalderdash!\tI\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tknow\tthat\tLinnet was\tmarried\ttill\tI\tmet\ther\tin\tCairo.\tI\twas\tutterly\tastonished.\tHer\tletter\tmust\thave missed\tme\tby\ta\tday\tin\tNew\tYork.\tIt\twas\tforwarded\tand\tI\tgot\tit\tabout\ta\tweek later.\u201d \u201cYou\tcame\tover\tby\tthe\tCarmanic,\tI\tthink\tyou\tsaid.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tright.\u201d \u201cAnd\tthe\tletter\treached\tNew\tYork\tafter\tthe\tCarmanic\tsailed?\u201d \u201cHow\tmany\ttimes\thave\tI\tgot\tto\trepeat\tit?\u201d \u201cIt\tis\tstrange,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot. \u201cWhat\u2019s\tstrange?\u201d \u201cThat\ton\tyour\tluggage\tthere\tare\tno\tlabels\tof\tthe\tCarmanic.\tThe\tonly\trecent labels\tof\ttransatlantic\tsailing\tare\tthe\tNormandie.\tThe\tNormandie,\tI\tremember, sailed\ttwo\tdays\tafter\tthe\tCarmanic.\u201d For\ta\tmoment\tthe\tother\twas\tat\ta\tloss.\tHis\teyes\twavered. Colonel\tRace\tweighed\tin\twith\ttelling\teffect. \u201cCome\tnow,\tMr.\tPennington,\u201d\the\tsaid.\t\u201cWe\u2019ve\tseveral\treasons\tfor\tbelieving that\tyou\tcame\tover\ton\tthe\tNormandie\tand\tnot\tby\tthe\tCarmanic,\tas\tyou\tsaid.\tIn that\tcase,\tyou\treceived\tMrs.\tDoyle\u2019s\tletter\tbefore\tyou\tleft\tNew\tYork.\tIt\u2019s\tno good\tdenying\tit,\tfor\tit\u2019s\tthe\teasiest\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld\tto\tcheck\tup\tthe\tsteamship companies.\u201d Andrew\tPennington\tfelt\tabsentmindedly\tfor\ta\tchair\tand\tsat\tdown.\tHis\tface was\timpassive\u2014a\tpoker\tface.\tBehind\tthat\tmask\this\tagile\tbrain\tlooked\tahead\tto the\tnext\tmove. \u201cI\u2019ll\thave\tto\thand\tit\tto\tyou,\tgentlemen.\tYou\u2019ve\tbeen\ttoo\tsmart\tfor\tme.\tBut\tI had\tmy\treasons\tfor\tacting\tas\tI\tdid.\u201d \u201cNo\tdoubt.\u201d\tRace\u2019s\ttone\twas\tcurt. \u201cIf\tI\tgive\tthem\tto\tyou,\tit\tmust\tbe\tunderstood\tI\tdo\tso\tin\tconfidence.\u201d \u201cI\tthink\tyou\tcan\ttrust\tus\tto\tbehave\tfittingly.\tNaturally\tI\tcannot\tgive assurances\tblindly.\u201d \u201cWell\u2014\u201d\tPennington\tsighed.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\tcome\tclean.\tThere\twas\tsome\tmonkey business\tgoing\ton\tin\tEngland.\tIt\tworried\tme.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdo\tmuch\tabout\tit\tby letter.\tThe\tonly\tthing\twas\tto\tcome\tover\tand\tsee\tfor\tmyself.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tmean\tby\tmonkey\tbusiness?\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\tgood\treason\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tLinnet\twas\tbeing\tswindled.\u201d \u201cBy\twhom?\u201d \u201cHer\tBritish\tlawyer.\tNow\tthat\u2019s\tnot\tthe\tkind\tof\taccusation\tyou\tcan\tfling around\tanyhow.\tI\tmade\tup\tmy\tmind\tto\tcome\tover\tright\taway\tand\tsee\tinto matters\tmyself.\u201d","matters\tmyself.\u201d \u201cThat\tdoes\tgreat\tcredit\tto\tyour\tvigilance,\tI\tam\tsure.\tBut\twhy\tthe\tlittle deception\tabout\tnot\thaving\treceived\tthe\tletter?\u201d \u201cWell,\tI\task\tyou\u2014\u201d\tPennington\tspread\tout\this\thands.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tbutt\tin\ton\ta honeymoon\tcouple\twithout\tmore\tor\tless\tcoming\tdown\tto\tbrass\ttacks\tand\tgiving your\treasons.\tI\tthought\tit\tbest\tto\tmake\tthe\tmeeting\taccidental.\tBesides,\tI\tdidn\u2019t know\tanything\tabout\tthe\thusband.\tHe\tmight\thave\tbeen\tmixed\tup\tin\tthe\tracket for\tall\tI\tknew.\u201d \u201cIn\tfact\tall\tyour\tactions\twere\tactuated\tby\tpure\tdisinterestedness,\u201d\tsaid Colonel\tRace\tdryly. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tsaid\tit,\tColonel.\u201d There\twas\ta\tpause.\tRace\tglanced\tat\tPoirot.\tThe\tlittle\tman\tleant\tforward. \u201cMonsieur\tPennington,\twe\tdo\tnot\tbelieve\ta\tword\tof\tyour\tstory.\u201d \u201cThe\thell\tyou\tdon\u2019t!\tAnd\twhat\tthe\thell\tdo\tyou\tbelieve?\u201d \u201cWe\tbelieve\tthat\tLinnet\tRidgeway\u2019s\tunexpected\tmarriage\tput\tyou\tin\ta financial\tquandary.\tThat\tyou\tcame\tover\tposthaste\tto\ttry\tand\tfind\tsome\tway\tout of\tthe\tmess\tyou\twere\tin\u2014that\tis\tto\tsay,\tsome\tway\tof\tgaining\ttime.\tThat,\twith that\tend\tin\tview,\tyou\tendeavoured\tto\tobtain\tMadame\tDoyle\u2019s\tsignature\tto certain\tdocuments\tand\tfailed.\tThat\ton\tthe\tjourney\tup\tthe\tNile,\twhen\twalking along\tthe\tcliff\ttop\tat\tAbu\tSimbel,\tyou\tdislodged\ta\tboulder\twhich\tfell\tand\tonly very\tnarrowly\tmissed\tits\tobject\u2014\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tcrazy.\u201d \u201cWe\tbelieve\tthat\tthe\tsame\tkind\tof\tcircumstances\toccurred\ton\tthe\treturn journey.\tThat\tis\tto\tsay,\tan\topportunity\tpresented\titself\tof\tputting\tMadame\tDoyle out\tof\tthe\tway\tat\ta\tmoment\twhen\ther\tdeath\twould\tbe\talmost\tcertainly\tascribed to\tthe\taction\tof\tanother\tperson.\tWe\tnot\tonly\tbelieve,\tbut\tknow,\tthat\tit\twas\tyour revolver\twhich\tkilled\ta\twoman\twho\twas\tabout\tto\treveal\tto\tus\tthe\tname\tof\tthe person\twho\tshe\thad\treason\tto\tbelieve\tkilled\tboth\tLinnet\tDoyle\tand\tthe\tmaid Louise\u2014\u201d \u201cHell!\u201d\tThe\tforcible\tejaculation\tbroke\tforth\tand\tinterrupted\tPoirot\u2019s\tstream of\teloquence.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tgetting\tat?\tAre\tyou\tcrazy?\tWhat\tmotive\thad\tI\tto kill\tLinnet?\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tget\ther\tmoney;\tthat\tgoes\tto\ther\thusband.\tWhy\tdon\u2019t\tyou pick\ton\thim?\tHe\u2019s\tthe\tone\tto\tbenefit\u2014not\tme.\u201d Race\tsaid\tcoldly:\t\u201cDoyle\tnever\tleft\tthe\tlounge\ton\tthe\tnight\tof\tthe\ttragedy\ttill he\twas\tshot\tat\tand\twounded\tin\tthe\tleg.\tThe\timpossibility\tof\this\twalking\ta\tstep after\tthat\tis\tattested\tto\tby\ta\tdoctor\tand\ta\tnurse\u2014both\tindependent\tand\treliable witnesses.\tSimon\tDoyle\tcould\tnot\thave\tkilled\this\twife.\tHe\tcould\tnot\thave\tkilled Louise\tBourget.\tHe\tmost\tdefinitely\tdid\tnot\tkill\tMrs.\tOtterbourne.\tYou\tknow\tthat as\twell\tas\twe\tdo.\u201d \u201cI\tknow\the\tdidn\u2019t\tkill\ther.\u201d\tPennington\tsounded\ta\tlittle\tcalmer.\t\u201cAll\tI\tsay\tis, why\tpick\ton\tme\twhen\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbenefit\tby\ther\tdeath?\u201d","why\tpick\ton\tme\twhen\tI\tdon\u2019t\tbenefit\tby\ther\tdeath?\u201d \u201cBut,\tmy\tdear\tsir,\u201d\tPoirot\u2019s\tvoice\tcame\tsoft\tas\ta\tpurring\tcat,\t\u201cthat\tis\trather\ta matter\tof\topinion.\tMadame\tDoyle\twas\ta\tkeen\twoman\tof\tbusiness,\tfully conversant\twith\ther\town\taffairs\tand\tvery\tquick\tto\tspot\tany\tirregularity.\tAs\tsoon as\tshe\ttook\tup\tthe\tcontrol\tof\ther\tproperty,\twhich\tshe\twould\thave\tdone\ton\ther return\tto\tEngland,\ther\tsuspicions\twere\tbound\tto\tbe\taroused.\tBut\tnow\tthat\tshe\tis dead\tand\tthat\ther\thusband,\tas\tyou\thave\tjust\tpointed\tout,\tinherits,\tthe\twhole\tthing is\tdifferent.\tSimon\tDoyle\tknows\tnothing\twhatever\tof\this\twife\u2019s\taffairs\texcept that\tshe\twas\ta\trich\twoman.\tHe\tis\tof\ta\tsimple,\ttrusting\tdisposition.\tYou\twill\tfind it\teasy\tto\tplace\tcomplicated\tstatements\tbefore\thim,\tto\tinvolve\tthe\treal\tissue\tin\ta net\tof\tfigures,\tand\tto\tdelay\tsettlement\twith\tpleas\tof\tlegal\tformalities\tand\tthe recent\tdepression.\tI\tthink\tthat\tit\tmakes\ta\tvery\tconsiderable\tdifference\tto\tyou whether\tyou\tdeal\twith\tthe\thusband\tor\tthe\twife.\u201d Pennington\tshrugged\this\tshoulders. \u201cYour\tideas\tare\u2014fantastic.\u201d \u201cTime\twill\tshow.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tsay?\u201d \u201cI\tsaid,\t\u2018Time\twill\tshow!\u2019\tThis\tis\ta\tmatter\tof\tthree\tdeaths\u2014three\tmurders. The\tlaw\twill\tdemand\tthe\tmost\tsearching\tinvestigation\tinto\tthe\tcondition\tof Madame\tDoyle\u2019s\testate.\u201d He\tsaw\tthe\tsudden\tsag\tin\tthe\tother\u2019s\tshoulders\tand\tknew\tthat\the\thad\twon. Jim\tFanthorp\u2019s\tsuspicions\twere\twell\tfounded. Poirot\twent\ton:\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tplayed\u2014and\tlost.\tUseless\tto\tgo\ton\tbluffing.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand,\u201d\tPennington\tmuttered.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tall\tsquare\tenough\treally. It\u2019s\tbeen\tthis\tdamned\tslump\u2014Wall\tStreet\u2019s\tbeen\tcrazy.\tBut\tI\u2019d\tstaged\ta comeback.\tWith\tluck\teverything\twill\tbe\tO.K.\tby\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tJune.\u201d With\tshaking\thands\the\ttook\ta\tcigarette,\ttried\tto\tlight\tit,\tfailed. \u201cI\tsuppose,\u201d\tmused\tPoirot,\t\u201cthat\tthe\tboulder\twas\ta\tsudden\ttemptation.\tYou thought\tnobody\tsaw\tyou.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\tan\taccident.\tI\tswear\tit\twas\tan\taccident!\u201d\tThe\tman\tleant\tforward, his\tface\tworking,\this\teyes\tterrified.\t\u201cI\tstumbled\tand\tfell\tagainst\tit.\tI\tswear\tit\twas an\taccident\u2026.\u201d The\ttwo\tmen\tsaid\tnothing. Pennington\tsuddenly\tpulled\thimself\ttogether.\tHe\twas\tstill\ta\twreck\tof\ta\tman, but\this\tfighting\tspirit\thad\treturned\tin\ta\tcertain\tmeasure.\tHe\tmoved\ttowards\tthe door. \u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tpin\tthat\ton\tme,\tgentlemen.\tIt\twas\tan\taccident.\tAnd\tit\twasn\u2019t\tI who\tshot\ther.\tD\u2019you\thear?\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tpin\tthat\ton\tme\teither\u2014and\tyou\tnever will.\u201d He\twent\tout.","He\twent\tout.","Twenty-Seven As\tthe\tdoor\tclosed\tbehind\thim,\tRace\tgave\ta\tdeep\tsigh. \u201cWe\tgot\tmore\tthan\tI\tthought\twe\tshould.\tAdmission\tof\tfraud.\tAdmission\tof attempted\tmurder.\tFurther\tthan\tthat\tit\u2019s\timpossible\tto\tgo.\tA\tman\twill\tconfess, more\tor\tless,\tto\tattempted\tmurder,\tbut\tyou\twon\u2019t\tget\thim\tto\tconfess\tto\tthe\treal thing.\u201d \u201cSometimes\tit\tcan\tbe\tdone,\u201d\tsaid\tPoirot.\tHis\teyes\twere\tdreamy\u2014catlike. Race\tlooked\tat\thim\tcuriously. \u201cGot\ta\tplan?\u201d Poirot\tnodded.\tThen\the\tsaid,\tticking\toff\tthe\titems\ton\this\tfingers:\t\u201cThe garden\tat\tAssuan.\tMr.\tAllerton\u2019s\tstatement.\tThe\ttwo\tbottles\tof\tnail\tpolish.\tMy bottle\tof\twine.\tThe\tvelvet\tstole.\tThe\tstained\thandkerchief.\tThe\tpistol\tthat\twas left\ton\tthe\tscene\tof\tthe\tcrime.\tThe\tdeath\tof\tLouise.\tThe\tdeath\tof\tMadame Otterbourne.\tYes,\tit\u2019s\tall\tthere.\tPennington\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tit,\tRace!\u201d \u201cWhat?\u201d\tRace\twas\tstartled. \u201cPennington\tdidn\u2019t\tdo\tit.\tHe\thad\tthe\tmotive,\tyes.\tHe\thad\tthe\twill\tto\tdo\tit, yes.\tHe\tgot\tas\tfar\tas\tattempting\tto\tdo\tit.\tMais\tc\u2019est\ttout.\tFor\tthis\tcrime, something\twas\twanted\tthat\tPennington\thadn\u2019t\tgot!\tThis\tis\ta\tcrime\tthat\tneeded audacity,\tswift\tand\tfaultless\texecution,\tcourage,\tindifference\tto\tdanger,\tand\ta resourceful,\tcalculating\tbrain.\tPennington\thasn\u2019t\tgot\tthose\tattributes.\tHe couldn\u2019t\tdo\ta\tcrime\tunless\the\tknew\tit\tto\tbe\tsafe.\tThis\tcrime\twasn\u2019t\tsafe!\tIt\thung on\ta\trazor\tedge.\tIt\tneeded\tboldness.\tPennington\tisn\u2019t\tbold.\tHe\u2019s\tonly\tastute.\u201d Race\tlooked\tat\thim\twith\tthe\trespect\tone\table\tman\tgives\tto\tanother. \u201cYou\u2019ve\tgot\tit\tall\twell\ttaped,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cI\tthink\tso,\tyes.\tThere\tare\tone\tor\ttwo\tthings\u2014that\ttelegram\tfor\tinstance,\tthat Linnet\tDoyle\tread.\tI\tshould\tlike\tto\tget\tthat\tcleared\tup.\u201d \u201cBy\tJove,\twe\tforgot\tto\task\tDoyle.\tHe\twas\ttelling\tus\twhen\tpoor\told\tMa Otterbourne\tcame\talong.\tWe\u2019ll\task\thim\tagain.\u201d \u201cPresently.\tFirst,\tI\thave\tsomeone\telse\tto\twhom\tI\twish\tto\tspeak.\u201d \u201cWho\u2019s\tthat?\u201d \u201cTim\tAllerton.\u201d Race\traised\this\teyebrows. \u201cAllerton?\tWell,\twe\u2019ll\tget\thim\there.\u201d","\u201cAllerton?\tWell,\twe\u2019ll\tget\thim\there.\u201d He\tpressed\ta\tbell\tand\tsent\tthe\tsteward\twith\ta\tmessage. Tim\tAllerton\tentered\twith\ta\tquestioning\tlook. \u201cSteward\tsaid\tyou\twanted\tto\tsee\tme?\u201d \u201cThat\tis\tright,\tMonsieur\tAllerton.\tSit\tdown.\u201d Tim\tsat.\tHis\tface\twas\tattentive\tbut\tvery\tslightly\tbored. \u201cAnything\tI\tcan\tdo?\u201d\tHis\ttone\twas\tpolite\tbut\tnot\tenthusiastic. Poirot\tsaid:\t\u201cIn\ta\tsense,\tperhaps.\tWhat\tI\treally\trequire\tis\tfor\tyou\tto\tlisten.\u201d Tim\u2019s\teyebrows\trose\tin\tpolite\tsurprise. \u201cCertainly.\tI\u2019m\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tbest\tlistener.\tCan\tbe\trelied\ton\tto\tsay\t\u2018Ooer!\u2019\tat the\tright\tmoments.\u201d \u201cThat\tis\tvery\tsatisfactory.\t\u2018Oo-er!\u2019\twill\tbe\tvery\texpressive.\tEh\tbien,\tlet\tus commence.\tWhen\tI\tmet\tyou\tand\tyour\tmother\tat\tAssuan,\tMonsieur\tAllerton,\tI was\tattracted\tto\tyour\tcompany\tvery\tstrongly.\tTo\tbegin\twith,\tI\tthought\tyour mother\twas\tone\tof\tthe\tmost\tcharming\tpeople\tI\thad\tever\tmet\u2014\u201d The\tweary\tface\tflickered\tfor\ta\tmoment;\ta\tshade\tof\texpression\tcame\tinto\tit. \u201cShe\tis\u2014unique,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cBut\tthe\tsecond\tthing\tthat\tinterested\tme\twas\tyour\tmention\tof\ta\tcertain\tlady.\u201d \u201cReally?\u201d \u201cYes,\ta\tMademoiselle\tJoanna\tSouthwood.\tYou\tsee,\tI\thad\trecently\tbeen hearing\tthat\tname.\u201d He\tpaused\tand\twent\ton:\t\u201cFor\tthe\tlast\tthree\tyears\tthere\thave\tbeen\tcertain jewel\trobberies\tthat\thave\tbeen\tworrying\tScotland\tYard\ta\tgood\tdeal.\tThey\tare what\tmay\tbe\tdescribed\tas\tSociety\trobberies.\tThe\tmethod\tis\tusually\tthe\tsame\u2014 the\tsubstitution\tof\tan\timitation\tpiece\tof\tjewellery\tfor\tan\toriginal.\tMy\tfriend, Chief\tInspector\tJapp,\tcame\tto\tthe\tconclusion\tthat\tthe\trobberies\twere\tnot\tthe work\tof\tone\tperson,\tbut\tof\ttwo\tpeople\tworking\tin\twith\teach\tother\tvery\tcleverly. He\twas\tconvinced,\tfrom\tthe\tconsiderable\tinside\tknowledge\tdisplayed,\tthat\tthe robberies\twere\tthe\twork\tof\tpeople\tin\ta\tgood\tsocial\tposition.\tAnd\tfinally\this attention\tbecame\triveted\ton\tMademoiselle\tJoanna\tSouthwood. \u201cEvery\tone\tof\tthe\tvictims\thad\tbeen\teither\ta\tfriend\tor\tacquaintance\tof\thers, and\tin\teach\tcase\tshe\thad\teither\thandled\tor\tbeen\tlent\tthe\tpiece\tof\tjewellery\tin question.\tAlso,\ther\tstyle\tof\tliving\twas\tfar\tin\texcess\tof\ther\tincome.\tOn\tthe\tother hand\tit\twas\tquite\tclear\tthat\tthe\tactual\trobbery\u2014that\tis\tto\tsay\tthe\tsubstitution\u2014 had\tnot\tbeen\taccomplished\tby\ther.\tIn\tsome\tcases\tshe\thad\tbeen\tout\tof\tEngland during\tthe\tperiod\twhen\tthe\tjewellery\tmust\thave\tbeen\treplaced. \u201cSo\tgradually\ta\tlittle\tpicture\tgrew\tup\tin\tChief\tInspector\tJapp\u2019s\tmind. Mademoiselle\tSouthwood\twas\tat\tone\ttime\tassociated\twith\ta\tGuild\tof\tModern Jewellery.\tHe\tsuspected\tthat\tshe\thandled\tthe\tjewels\tin\tquestion,\tmade\taccurate drawings\tof\tthem,\tgot\tthem\tcopied\tby\tsome\thumble\tbut\tdishonest\tworking"]
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