Hercule Poirot's Casebook (hercule poirot) Read online

  I gazed at him, impressed, but utterly uncomprehending.

  'We must begin again, Hastings. Yes, we must begin again. But this time we shall not err.'

  He was interrupted by the entrance of a hamlaome middle-aged lady. She carried some bouaehold books in hex hand. Poirot bowed to her.

  'Do I understand, sir, that you are a friend of- er - Miss Saintclair's?'

  'I come from a friend of hers, madame.'

  'Oh, I see. I thought perhaps -'

  Poirot suddenly waved brusquely at the window.

  'Your blinds were not pulled down last night?'

  'No - I suppose that is why Miss Saintclair saw the light so plainly.'

  'There was moonlight last night. I wonder that you did not see Mademoiselle Saintclair from your seat here facing the windows?'

  'I suppose we were engrossed with our game. Nothing like this has ever happened before to us.'

  'I can quite believe that, madame. And I will put your mind at rest. Mademoiselle Saintclair is leaving tomorrow.'

  'Oh!' The good lady's face cleared.

  'And I will wish you good morning, madame.'

  A servant was cleaning the steps as we went out of the front door. Poirot addressed her.

  'Was it you who cleaned the shoes of the young lady upstairs?'

  The maid shook her head. 'No, sir. I don't think they've been cleaned.'

  'Who cleaned them, then?' I inquired of Poirot, as we walked down the road.

  'Nobody. They did not need cleaning.'

  'I grant that walking on the mud or path on a fine night would not soil them. But surely after going through the long grass of the garden, they would have been soiled and stained.'

  'Yes,' said Poirot with a curious smile. 'In that case, I agree, they would have been stained.'

  'But - '

  'Have patience a little half-hour, my friend. We are going back to Mon Desir.'

  The butler looked surprised at our reappearance, but offered no objection to our returning to the library.

  'Ii, that's the wrong window, Poirot,' I cried as he made for one overlooking the carriage-drive.

  'I think not, my friend. See here.' He pointed to the marble lion's head. On it was a faint discoloured smear. He shifted his pounds er and pointed to a similar suface on the polished floor.

  'Someone struck Reedbum a blow with his clenched fist le, then slipped to the floor. Afterwards, he was gaUSs the floor to the other window, and laid there instead, but nC quite at the same angle, as the Doctor's evidence told us.'

  'But why? It seems utterly unnecessary.'

  'On the contras, it was essential. Also, it is the key to the murderer's identity - though, by the way, he had no intention of killing Reedbum, and so it is hardly permissible to call him a murderer. He must be a very strong man?'

  'Because of having dragged the body across the floor?'

  'Not altogether. It has been an intcresting case. I nearly made an imbecile of myself, though.'

  'Do you mean to say it is over, that you know everything?'

  'Yes.'

  A remembrance smote me. 'No,' I cried. 'There is one thing you do not know!'

  'And that?'

  'You do not know where the missing king of clubs is!'

  'Eh? Oh, that is droll! That is very droll, my friend.'

  'Why?'

  'Because it is in my pocket!' He drew it forth with a flourish.

  'Oh!' I said, rather crestfallen. 'Where did you find it? Here?'

  'There was nothing sensational about it. It had simply not been taken out with the other cards, it was in the box.'

  'H'm! All the same, it gave you an idea, didn't it?'

  'Yes, my friend. I present my respects to His Majesty.'

  'And to Madame Zsra!'

  'Ah, yes - to the lady also.'

  'Well, what are we going to do now?'

  'We are going to return to town. But I must have s few words with a certain lady at Daisymead first.'

  The same little maid opened the door to us.

  'They're all at lunch now, sir - unless it's Miss Saintclair you want to see, and she's resting.'

  'It will do if I can see Mrs Oglapnder for a few minutes. Will you tell her?'

  We were led into the ch-awing-room to wait. I had a glimpse of the family in the dining-room as we passed, now reinforced by the presence of two heavy, solid-looking men, one with a moustache, the other with a beard also.

  In a few minutes Mrs Oglander came into the room, looking inquiringly at Poirot, who bowed.

  'Madame, we, in our country, have a great tenderness, a great respect for the mother. The nre de famille, she is everything!'

  Mrs Oglander looked rather astonished at this opening.

  'It is for that reason that I have come - to allay a mother's anxiety. The murderer of Mr Reedbum will not be discovered.

  Have no fear. I, Hercule Poirot, tell you so. I am right, am I not? Or is it a wife that I must reassure?'

  There was a moment's pause. Mrs Oglander seemed searching Poirot with her eyes. At last she said quietly: 'I don't know how you know - but yes, you are right.'

  Poirot nodded gravely. 'That is all, madame. But do not be uneasy. Your English policemen have not the eyes of Hercuie Poirot.' He tapped the family portrait on the wall with his fingernail.

  'You had another daughter once. She is dead, madame?'

  Again there was a pause, as she searched him with her eyes.

  Then she answered: 'Yes, she is dead.'

  'Ah!' said Poirot briskly. 'Well, we must return to town. You permit that I return the king of clubs to the psck? It was your only slip. You understand, to have played bridge for an hour or so, with only fifty-one cards - well, no one who knows anything of the game would credit it for a minute! Bonjour!'

  'And now, my friend,' said Poirot as we stepped towards the station, 'you see it all!'

  'I see nothing! Who killed Reedburn?'

  'John Oglander, Junior. I was not quite sure if it was the father or the son, but I fixed on the son as being the stronger and younger of the two. It had to be one of them, because of the ,Tere were four exits from the library - two doors, two evidently only one would do. Three exits gave .on ..Mows; but .. -r ,,oodv had to occur in w,,. -'

  Ctl¥or mo, lrcc'uy. · -,- --=-a , : the front, dire.

  ,o it annear that Valcric came to Daisyme Y '

  ad John Oglander carried her across over his shoulders. That is why I said he must be a strong man.'

  'Did they go there together, then?'

  'Y es. You remember Valerie' s hesitation when I asked her if . i afraid to go alone John Oglander went with her - lshcw, as ,n.i , :---ore Reecibum's temper, I fa.cy.. ,Tbe. Y- which dian t mF .

  , the bridge '

  But why ' - -'---ers A simple thing like that 'Bridge presupposes roux pa,·

  ·alot of conviction. Who would have supposed .tha-tere carnes · --;- :.- that room all the evenmge had been onty truce pcot,-. , I was s611 puzzled.

  'There's one thing I don't understand. aat have the Oglanders to do with the dancer Valerie Saintclair?'

  'Ah, that I wonder you did not see. And yet you looked long Oglander's other daughter may. oe.-:-ur,, wrld knows her as Valerie saintclatr:

  'Wtt?'

  'Did you not see the resemblance the moment you w the to sister together?'

  'No,' I confessed. 'I only thought how e. xtordinarily dissimilar they we ·

  'That is because your mind is so open to external romantic impressions, my dear -Iating. The features re almost identical. So is the olouring. The interesting thing ia tlt Valerie is ashamed of her family, and her family is aah-m of her. Nevertheless, in a moment of peril, she turned to her brother for help, and when things went wrong, they all hung together in a remarkable way. Family strength is a marvellous thing. They can all act, that family. That is where Valerie gets her histrionic talent from. I, like Prince Paul, believe in heredity! They deceived me! But for a lucky accident, and test question to
Mrs Oglander by which I got her to contradict her daughter's account of how they were sitting, the Oglander family would have put a defeat on Hercule Poirot.'

  'What shall you tell the Prince?'

  'That Valerie could not possibly have committed the crime, and that I doubt if that tramp will ever be found. Also, to convey my compliments to Zara. A curious coincidence, that!

  I think I shall call this little affair the Adventure of the King of Clubs. What do you think, my friend?'

  THE ADVENTURE OF THE CLAPHAM COOK

  At the time that I was sharing rooms with my friend Hercule Poirot, it was my custom to read aloud to him the headlines in the morning newspaper, the Daily Blare.

  The Daily Blare was a paper that made the most of any opportunity for sensationalism. Robberies and murders did not lurk obscurely in its back pages. Instead they hit you in the eye in large type on the front page.

  ABSCONDING BANK CLERK DISAPPEARS WITH FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS' WORTH OF NEGOTIABLE SECURITIES. I read.

  HUSBAND PUTS HIS HEAD IN GAS-OVEN. UNHAPPY HOME LIFE. MISSING TYPIST. PRETTY GIRL OF TWENTY-ONE. WHERE IS EDNA FIELD?

  'There you are, Poirot, plenty to choose from. An absconding bank clerk, a mysterious suicide, a missing typist - which will you have?'

  My friend was in a placid mood. He quietly shook his head.

  'I am not greatly attracted to any of them, mon ami. Today I feel inclined for the life of ease. It would have to be a very interesting problem to tempt me from my chair. See you, I have affairs of importance of my own to attend m.'

  'Such as?'

  'My wardrobe, Hastings. If I mistake not, there is on my new grey suit the spot of grease - only the unique spot, but it is sufficient to trouble me. Then there is my winter overcoat I must lay him aside in the powder of Keatin. And I think yes, I think - the moment is ripe for the trimmings of my moustaches - and afterwards I must apply the pomade.'

  'Well,' I said, strolling to the window, 'I doubt if you'll be able to carry out this delirious programme. That was a ring at the bell. You have a client.'

  'Unless the affair is one of national importance, not,' declared Poirot with dignity.

  I touch it A moment later our privacy was invaded by a stout lady who panted audibly as a result of her ran:J aced stairs.

  ,pau aSCent of the 'You're M. Poirot?' she demanded, as she sank into chair.

  'I am Hercule Poirot, yes, madame., a '.You.'.re not a bit lie whatI thought,,,., ,.-, .

  eyem-g him with some disfavour ,,A."."-u--°? S.d the paper saying what a clever ---' · ",,u ly tot the bit in it in themselves?'

  ,-, u=tccuve you were, or did they 'Madame!' said Poirot, drawing himself up.

  'I'm sorry, I'm sure, but you know what these papers are nowadays. You begin reading a nice micle "What a bride Said to he.r plain unmarried friend", and it's al/about- :

  you buy at the chemist's arid sl, a .npie but puff. But no offence taken I hope? I'll tell you what I want you to do for me. I want you to f'md my cook.'

  Poirot stared at her; for once his ready tongue failed him. I turned aside to hide the broadening smile I could not control.

  'It's all this wicked dole,'

  continued the lady. 'Putting ideas into servants' heads, wanting to be typists and what nots. Stop the dole, that's what I say. I'd li e to know what my sen'ants have to complain of - afternoon and evening off a week, alternate Sundays, washing put out, same food as we have - and never a bit of margarine in the house, nothing but the very best butter.'

  She paused for want of breath and Poirot seized his opportunity. He spoke in his haughtiest manner, rising to his feet as he did so. .

  'I fear you are making a mistake, madame. I am not holding an inquiry into the conditions of domestic service. I am a private detective.'

  'I know that,' said our visitor. 'Didn't I tell you I wanted you to find my cook for me?

  Walked out of the house on Wednesday, without so much as a word to me, and never came back.'

  'I am sorry, madame, but I do not touch this particular find of business. I wish you good morning.'

  Our visitor snorted with indignation.

  'That's it, is it, my frae fellow? Too proud, eh? Only deal with Government secrets and countesses' jewels? Let mee tell you a servant's every bit as important as a tiara to a woro. am in my position. We can't all be fine ladies going out in our motors with our diamonds and our pearls. A good cook's a good ook - and when you lose her, it's as much to you as her pearl are to some time lady.'

  For a moment or two it appeared to be a toss up bet,,een Poirot's dignity and his sense of humour. Finally he laughed and sat down again.

  'Madame, you are in the right, and I am in the wrong. ?srour remarks are just and intelligent. This case will be a novelty.

  Never yet have I hunted a missing domestic. Truly here i- s the .problem of national importance that I was demanding of fate just before your arrival. En avant! You say this jewelofa cook went out on Wednesday and did not return. That is the day before yesterday.'

  'Yes, it was her day out.'

  'But probably, madame, she has met with some acciient.

  Have you inquired at any of the hospitals?'

  'That's exactly what I thought yesterday, but this motoring, if you please, she sent for her box. And not so much as a Ii-ne to me! If I'd been at home, I'd not have let it go - treating m-e like that! But I'd just stepped out to the butcher.'

  'Will you describe her to me?'

  'She was middle.-aged, stout, black hair turning grey - most respectable. She'd been ten years in her last place. Eliza lunn, her name was.'

  'And you had had - no disagreement with her oz' the Wednesday?'

  'None whatsoever. That's what makes it all so queer.'

  'How many servants do you keep, madame?'

  'Two. The house-parlourmaid, Annie, is a very nice -irl. A bit forgetful and her head full of young men, but a good servant if you keep her up to her work.'

  'Did'she and the cook get on well logether?'

  'They had their ups and downs, of course - but on t'r:

  very well.'

  'And the girl can throw no light on the mystery?'

  'She says not o but you know what servants are - they 11

  hang together.'

  'Well, well, we must look into this. Where did you say you resided, madame?'

  'At Clapham; 88 Prince Albert Road.'

  'B/m, madame, I will wish you good morning, and you may could upon seeing me at your residence during the course of the day.'

  Mrs Todd, for such was our new friend's name, then her departure. Poirot looked at me somewhat ruefully.

  'Well, well, Hastings, this is a novel affair that we have here, The Disappearance of the Clapham Cook! Never, never, must our friend Inspector Japp get to hear of this!'

  He then proceeded to heat an iron ava carefully remove¢i grease spot from his grey suit by means of a piece of blomag-paper.

  His moustaches he regretfully postpov, ed to another day, and we set out for Clapham.

  Prince Albert Road proved to be a street of small prim houses, all exactly alike, with neat lace curtains re'fling the windows, and well-polished brass knockers on the doors.

  We rang the bell at No. 88, and the door was opened by a neat maid with a pretty face. Mrs Todd crone out in the hall to greet us.

  'Don't go, Annie,' she cried. 'This genflenmn's a detective and he'll want to ask you some questions.' '

  Annie's face displayed a struggle between alarm and a 'leasurable excitement.

  'I thank you, madame,' said Poirot bowing. 'I would like to question your maid now - and to see her alone, if I may.'

  We were shown into a small drawing-room, and when Mrs Todd, with obvious reluctance, had left the room, Poirot commenced his cross-examination.

  'Voyons, MademoiSelle Ann/e, all that you shall tell us will be im trance. You alone can shed any light on the fthe greatest po v.- . assistance 1 am u, ,.,,------.

  case. Wtt Y c ---
,,, oirl's face and the pleasuramc The alarm vamsn excitement became more strongly marked.

  'I'm sure, sir,' she said 'I'll tell you anything I can.'

  'That is good.' Poirot beamed approval on her. 'Now, first of all what is your own idea? You are a girl of remarkable telligence. That can be seen at once! What is your own explanation of FAi's disappearance?'

  Thus encouraged, Annie fairly flowed into excited speech.

  'White slavers, sir, I've said so all alongt Cook was always warning me against them. "Don't you sniff no scent, or est any sweets - no matter how gentlemanly the fellow!" Those were her words to me. And now they've got her! I'm sure of it. As likely as not, she's been shipped to Turkey or one of them Eastern places where I've heard they like them fat?

  Poirot preserved an admirable gravity.

  'But in that case - and it is indeed an idea! - would she have sent roi her trunk?'

  'Well, I don't know, sir. She'd want her things - even in those foreign places.'

  'Who came for the mmic - a man?'

  'It was Carter Paterson, sir.'

  'Did you pack it?'

  'Nb, sir, it was already packed and corded.'

  'Ah! That's interesting. That shows that when she left the house on Wednesday, she had already determined not to return. You see that do you not?'

  'Yes, sir.' Annie looked slightly taken aback. 'I hadn't thought of that. But it might still have been white slaver, mighm't it, sir? she added wistfully.

  'Undoubtedly? said Poirot gravely. He went on: 'Did you both occupy the same bedroom?'

  'No, sir, we had separate rooms.'

  'And had Eliza expressed any dissatisfaction with her present post to you at all? Were you both happy here?'

  'She'd never mentioned leaving. The place is all right -' The girl hesitated. 255

  'Speak freely,' said Poirot kindly. 'I shall not our StSS.'

  'Well, of course, sir, she's a caution, .Missus is. But t ocl's good. Plenty of it, and no stinting. Something hot for su:per, good outings, and as much frying-fat as you like. And anyway, if Eliza did want to make a change, she'd never have gone off this way, I'm sure. She'd have stayed her month. Why, Missus could have a month's wages out of her for doing this!'

  'And the work, it is not too hard?'