Poirot Investigates - Agatha Christie - 1

The Audio Partner's Publishing Corporation is pleased to present Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie,
read by David Suchet. This collection of eleven mysteries is complete and unabridged,
an audio edition's Mystery Master the disappearance of mister Davenheim. Quaro and I were
expecting our old friend, Inspector Jack of Scotland yat tea. We were sitting
round the tea table waiting his arrival. Twiro had just finished carefully straightening the
cups and sources, which our landlady was in the habit of throwing rather than
placing on the table. He had also breathed heavily on the metal teapot and
polished it with a silk handkerchief. The kettle was on the boil, and
a small enamel saucepan decided contained some thick sweet chocolate, which was more to
Poirot's palette than what he described as your English poison. A sharp rat tat
sounded below, and a few minutes afterwards Jap entered briskly. Hope I'm not
late, he said, as he greeted us. To tell the truth,
I was yawning with Miller, the man who was in charge of the Daveennheim
case. I pricked up my ears. For the last three days the papers
had been full of the strange disappearance of mister Davenheim, senior partner of Dapenheim
and Salmon, the well known bankers and financiers. On Saturday last he had
walked out of his house and had never been seen since. I looked forward
to extracting some interesting details from Jap. Look, I should have thought,
I remarked that it would be almost impossible for any one to disappear. Now,
Quiro moved a plate of bread and butter the eighth of an inch and
said, sharply, be exact, my friend, what do you mean by
disappearance? To Which class of disappearance are your referring? Are disappearances classified and
labeled? Then I laughed. Jap smiled also Quiro frowned of both of us.
But suddenly they are. They fall into three categories, first and most
common, the voluntary disappearance, Second, the much abused loss of memory case
rare but occasionally genuine, third murder, and the more or less successful disposal
of the body. Do you refer to all three as impossible of execution well,
very nearly. So I should think you might lose your own memory,
but someone would be sure to recognize you, especially in the case of a
well known man like Dabenheim. Then bodies can't be made to vanish into thin
air. Sooner or later they turn up concealed in lonely places or in trunks.
Murder will out in the same way. The absconding clerk or the domestic
defaulter is bound to be run down. In these days of wireless telegraphy.
He can be headed off from foreign countries, ports and railway stations are watched,
and as for concealment in this country, his features and appearance will be
known to everyone who reads a daily newspaper. He's up against civilization. Ah
Nonemi said Poirot, you make one error. You do not allow for the
fact that the man who had decided to make away with another man, or
with himself in a figurative sense, might be that rare machine, A man
of method. He might bring intelligence, talent, a coffert calculation of detail
to the task. And then I do not see why he should not be
successful in baffling the false. Ah, but not you. I suppose,
said Jap good humoredly, winking at me. He couldn't baffle you, Ah,
monsieur Poaro, Puaro endeavored, with a marked lack of success, to
look modest me. Also, why not it is true that I approach such
problems with an exact science and mathematical precision, which seems aless only too rare
in the new generation of detectives. Jap grinned more widely. Oh I don't
know, he said Miller. The man who's on this case is a smart
chap. You may be very sure he won't overlook a footprint, or a
cigar ash or a crumb. Even he's got eyes that see everything. So
Munomi said, Puero has the London sparrow, but or the same. I
should not ask the little brown bird to solve the problem of mister Dabenheim.
Come now, monsieur, you are not going to run down the value of
details as clues. Albo means. These things are all good in their way.
The danger is they may assume undue importance. Most details are insignificant,
one or two are vital. It is the brain, the little gray cells,
he tapped his forehead, on which one must rely the senses, mislead.
One must seek the truth within, not without. Now you don't mean
to say, Monsieur Poirot, that you would undertake the solar case without moving
from your chair, do you? That is exactly what I do mean.
Granted the facts were placed before me. I regard myself as a consulting specialist.
Jap slapped his knee well hanged. If I don't take you your word,
bet you a fiver. You can't lay a hand, or rather tell
me where to lay my and on. Mister Davenheim dead or alive before a
week is out, quiro considered em I accept laspur. It is the passion
of you English. Now the facts. On Saturday last, as is his
usual custom, mister Davenheim took the twelve forty train from Victoria to Chingside,
where his palatial country seat, the Cedars, is situated. After lunch,
he strolled round the grounds and gave various directions to the gardeners. Now everybody
agrees that his manner was absolutely normal, and as usual, after tea,
he put his head into his wife's boudohile, saying that he was going to
stroll down to the village and post some letters. He added that he was
expecting a mister Loewen on business. If he should come before he himself returned,
he was to be shown into the study and asked to wait. Mister
Davenheim then left the house by the front door, leisurely down the drive and
out at the gate, and was never seen again from that hour. He
vanished completely. Hmm, pretty, very pretty altogether a chumming little problem,
murmured Quiro proceed, my good friend. About a quarter of an hour later,
a tall, dark man with a thick black mustache rang the front doorbell
and explained that he had an appointment with mister Davenheim. He gave the name
of Loewen, and, in accordance with the banker's instructions, was shown into
the study. Nearly an hour passed, mister Davenheim did not return. Finally,
mister Lowan rang the bell and explained that he was unable to wait any
longer as he must catch his train back to town. Missus Davenheim apologized for
her husband's absence, which seemed unaccountable, as she knew him to have been
expecting the visitor. Mister Lowen reiterated his regrets and his departure well as everyone
knows, mister Davernheim did not return early on Sunday morning. The police were
communicated with, but could make neither head nor tail of the matter. Mister
Davenheim seemed literally to have vanished into thin air. He had not been to
the post office, nor had he been seen passing through the village at the
station. They were positive he had not departed by any train. His own
motor had not left the garage. If he had hired a car to meet
him in some lonely spot, it seems almost certain that by this time,
in view of the large reward offered for information, the driver of it would
have come forward to tell what he knew not true. There was a small
race meeting at Entfield, five miles away, and if he had walked to
that station he might have passed unnoticed in the crowd. But since then his
photograph and a full description of him have been circulated at every newspaper, and
nobody's been able to give any news of him. Now we have of course
received many letters from all over England, but each clue so far has ended
in disappointment. On Monday morning, a further sensational discovery came to light behind
a portiere in mister Davenheim's study stands as safe, and that safe had been
broken into and rifled. The windows were fastened securely on the inside, which
seems to put an ordinary burglary out of court, unless, of course,
an accomplice within the house fastened them again afterwards. On the other hand,
Sunday having intervened, and the household being an a state of chaos, it's
likely that the burglary was committed on the Saturday and remained undetected until Monday.
Ah Presissimond said Quiro dryly, Well, is he arrested superfort Monsieur lewen Jap
grinned, Oh, not yet, but he's under pretty close supervision. Quiro
nodded. What was taken from us? Say, have you any idea?
We've been going into that with the junior partner of the firm and Missus Davenheim.
Apparently there was a considerable amount in bearer bonds and a very large sum
in notes, owing to some large transaction having been just carried through. There
was also a small fortune in jury. All Missus Davenheim's jewels were kept in
the safe. The purchasing of them had been a passion with her husband of
late years, and hardly a month passed that he didn't make her a present
of some rare and costly gem. Altogether a good hole, said Poirot thoughtfully,
n'am what about Loeen? Is it non? What his business was with
Davenheim that evening? Well, the two men were apparently not on very good
terms. Loewen is a speculator in quite a small way. Nevertheless, he's
been able once or twice to score a coup off Dabenheim in the market,
though it seems they seldom or never actually met. It was a matter concerning
some South American shares which led the banker to make his appointment. Had Devonheim
interests in South America? Then, I believe so. Missus Davenheim happened to
mention that he spent all last autumn in Buenos Aires. Any trouble in his
own life, where he was a husband and wife on good terms, Well,
I should say his domestic life was quite peaceful and uneventful. Missus Davenheim
is a pleasant, rather unintelligent woman, or quite a nonentity, I think.
Oh, then we must not look for the solution of the mystery there.
Had he any enemies. Oh, he had plenty of financial rivals,
and no doubt there are many people whom he has got the better of,
who bear him no particular good will. But there was no one likely to
make away with him. And if they had, well, where's his body?
Exactly as Estin says, But he's are abbit of coming to light with
fatal persistency. Oh, by the way, one of the gardeners says he
saw a figure going around to the side of the house towards the rose garden.
The long French window of the study opens onto the rose garden, and
mister Davenheim frequently entered and left the house that way. But the gardener was
a good way off at work on some cucumber frames, and cannot even say
whether it was the figure of his master or not. Also he cannot fix
the time with any accuracy. It must have been before sakes, as the
gardeners cease to work at that time, and mister Devernam left the ouse all
about halpast five or thereabouts. What lies beyond the rose garden a lake with
a boathouse. Yes, a couple of punts are kept there. I suppose
you're thinking a suicide, Monsieur Quiro, Well, I don't mind telling you
that Miller's going down tomorrow expressly to see that piece of water dragged. Or
that's the kind of man he is. Quaro smiled faintly and turned to me,
hastings at bray, you hand me that copy of Delly megaphund if I
remember Radley, there is an unusually clear photograph there of the missing man.
I rose and found the sheet required, and Quarro studied the features attentively.
Hm. He murmured, where's his hair? Rather long and waving, full
mustache and pointed beard and bushy eyebrows, eyes dark yes, hair and beard
turning gray. The detective nodded, well, monsieur Quaro, what have you
got to say to it? All and clear as daylight? I am,
on the contrary, most obscure. The Scotland yard man looked pleased, which
gives me a great ups of serving it, finished Quiro placidly. Aye.
Ah, I find it a good sign when the case is obscure. If
a thing is clear as daylight, ha ha ebieu mistrusted some one has made
it so, Chap shook his head almost pityingly. Well, each to their
fancy, but it's not a bad thing to see your way clear ahead.
I do not see, murmured Puio. I shut my eyes and think.
Chap sighed, well, you've got a clear week to think him, and
you will bring me any fresh developments at horizon, the results of the labors
of the hard working and Lynx i'd inspector Millaire for instance. Certainly that's in
the bargain. Seems a shame, doesn't it? Said Jap to me,
as I accompanied him to the door. Is like Robin a child. I
could not help agreeing with a smile. I was still smiling as I re
entered the room. He Pierre said, Pio, immediately you make fun of
Papa poo. Is it not so? He shook his finger at me.
You do not trust his gray cells. Ah, and do not be confused.
Let us discuss his little problem incomplete as yet, I admit, but
already showing one or two points of interest. The lake, I said,
significantly, and even mother of the lake, the bothous. I looked sideways
at Quiro. He was smiling in his most inscrutable fashion. I felt that
for the moment it would be quite useless to question him further. We heard
nothing of Chap until the following evening, when he walked in about nine o'clock.
I saw at once by his expression that he was bursting with news of
some kind. Ibier my friend remarked, Quaro, all goes well, Uh,
but do not tell me that you have discovered the body of mister Duvnheim
in your lake, because I shall not believe you. Ah. No,
we haven't found the body, but we did find his clothes, the identical
clothes he was wearing back day. And what do you say, tout in
he has are clothes missing from the house. No, his valet was quite
positive on that point. The rest of his wardrobe is intact. There's more.
We've arrested Loeen. One of the maids whose business it is to fasten
the bedroom windows, declares that she saw lowin coming towards the study through the
rose garden about a quarter past six. That would be about ten minutes before
he left the house. And what does he himself said, or that denied
first of all that he'd ever left the study. But the maid was positive,
and he pretended afterwards that he'd forgotten, just stepping out of the window
to examine an unusual species of rose. It's rather a weak story, and
there's fresh evidence against him has come to light. Mister Davenheim always wore a
thick gold ring set with a solitaire diamond on the little finger of his right
hand. Well, that ring was pawned in London on Saturday night by a
man called Billy Kellett. Now he's already known to the police. Did three
months last Ortumn for lifting an old gentleman's watch. Now it seems he tried
to pawn the ring at no less than five different places, succeeded at the
last one, got gloriously drunk on the proceeds, assaulted a policeman and was
running in consequence. I went to bow Street with Miller and saw him be
sober enough now, and I don't mind admitting we pretty well frighten the life
out of him, hinting he might be charged with murder. This is his
yarn, and a very queer one it is. He was at Entfield Races
on Saturday, though I dare say scarf pins was his line of business rather
than betting. Anyway, he had a bad day and was down on his
luck. He was tramping along the road to Ching said and sat down in
a ditch to rest, just before he got into the village. A few
minutes later, he noticed a man coming along the road to the village,
dark complexion, gent with a big mustache. One of them city tops is
his description of the man call. It was half concealed from the road by
a heap of stones, and just before he got abreast of him, the
man looked quickly up and down the road, and, seeing it apparently deserted,
he took a small object from his pocket and threw it over the hedge.
Then he went on towards the station. Now the object he'd thrown over
the hedge had fallen with a slight chink, which aroused the curiosity of the
human derelict in the ditch. He investigated, and after a short search,
discovered the ring. That's Kellith's story. Now it's only fair to say that
Lowen denies it utterly, And of course the word of a man like Kellid
can't be relied upon in the slightest. It's within the bounds of possibility that
he met Davenheim in the lane and robbed and murdered him. Quarrow shook his
head. HM very improbable, Monemi. He had no means of disposing of
the body. It would have been found by now. Secondly, the open
way in which he pond the ring makes it unlikely that he did murder to
get it. Thirdly, your sneak thief is rarely a murderer. Foth Lyn.
As he has been in prison since Saturday, it would be too much
of a coincidence that he is able to give so accurate a description of Loewen
jap nodded. Why I don't say you're not right, but all the same,
you won't get a jury to take much note of a jail bird's evidence.
What seems odd to me is that Loan couldn't and a cleverer way of
disposing of the ring. Quaro shrugged his shoulders. Well, after all,
if it were found in the neighborhood, it might be argued that Debenheim himself
ad erupted. Is well, why remove it from the body at all?
I cried, Well, there might be a reason for that, said Jack.
Do you know that just beyond the lake a little gate leads out onto
the hill, and not three minutes walk brings you to uh what are you
thinking? A lime kiln? Good heavens, I cried, You mean that
the lime which destroyed the body would be powerless to effect the metal of the
ring exactly, it seems to me. I said that that explains everything.
What a horrible crime by common consent. We both turned and looked to Quiro.
He seemed lost in reflection, his brow knitted, as though with some
supreme mental effort. I felt at last his keen intellect was asserting itself.
What would his first words be? We were not long left in doubt.
With a sigh, the tension of his attitude relaxed, and turning to Jap,
he asked, have you any idea, my friend, whether mister and
missus Davenhan occupied the same bedroom? But the question seemed so ludicrously inappropriate that
for a moment we both stared in silence. Then Jap burst into a laugh.
Oh good lord, Monsieur Paro, I thought you were coming out with
something startling as to your question, dear, I'm sure I don't know you
could find out, asked Puio with curious persistence. But oh so certainly,
if you really want to know, Monsieur mon Ami, I should be obliged
if you would make a point of it. Jap stared at him a few
minutes longer, but Poido seemed to have forgotten us. Both. The detective
shook his head sadly at me and murmuring, poor old fellow, War's been
too much for him. Gently withdrew from the room, as Puiro seemed sunk
in a daydream. I took a sheet of paper and amused myself by scribbling
notes upon it. My friend's voice aroused me. He had come out of
his reverie and was looking brisk and alert. Cofete u lad man nemi.
I was jotting down what occurred to me as the main points of interest in
this affair. A you become meta di coulette, last, said Puiro,
approvingly. I concealed my pleasure. Shall I read them to you? Oh?
By all means, I cleared my throat. One. All the evidence
points to Loewen having been the man who forced the safe. Two, he
had a grudge against Avnheim. Three he lied in his first statement that he
had never left the study. For if you accept Billy Kelled's story is true,
Loewen is unmistakably implicated. I paused well, I asked for I felt
that I put my finger on all the vital facts. Quaro looked at me
pityingly, shaking his head very gently. Oh, mump me, But it
is that you have not a gift the important detail you appreciate him never.
Oh so your reasoning is false. How let me take your four points.
One, Mister Lowan could not possibly know that he would have a chance to
open the safe he came for a business interview. He could not know beforehand
that mister davernhim would be absent posting a letter, and that he would consequently
be alone in the study. Well, he might have seized the opportunity I
suggested, And the tools City gentlemen do not carry around housebreaker's tools on the
off chance, and one could not cut into that safe with a penknife.
Well what about number two? You say Loewen had a grudge against mister davernhim.
What you mean is that he had once or twice got the better of
him, and presumably these transactions were entered into with a view of benefiting himself.
In any case, you do not at a rule bear a grudge against
a man you have got the better of. It is more likely to be
the other way about. Whatever grudge there might have been would have been on
mister Davenheim's side. Well, you can't deny that he lied about never having
left the study. No, but he may have been frightened. Remember the
missing man's clothes had just been discovered in the lake. Of course, as
usual, he would have done better to speak the truth. And the fourth
point, No, I grant you that if Kelled's story is true, Leewen
is undeniably implicated. That is what makes the affairs so very interesting. But
then I did appreciate one vital fact. M Perhaps, but you have entirely
overlooked the two most important points, the ones which undoubtedly hold the clue to
all matter. And pray, what are they? One the passion which has
grown upon mister Davnaim in the last few years for buying jewelery. Two his
trip to Buenos Aire's last autumn. Quiro, you are joking. No,
I am serious, Ah sacred thunder, But I hope Jap will not forget
my little commission. But the detective, entering into the spirits of the joke,
had remembered it so well that a telegram was handed to Quiro about eleven
o'clock the next day, at his request. I opened it and read it
out. Husband and wife have occupied separate rooms since last winter, A cried
Quio, and now we are in mid June. Ah all is solved.
I stared at him. You have no monies in the Bank of Devenheim,
and salmon mon ami no, I said, wondering why, because I should
advise you to withdraw it before it is too late. For why would you
expect? I expect a big smash in a few days, perhaps sooner,
which reminds me we will return to compliment of a depeche to jab at pencil,
a preyu and deform volap. Advise you to withdraw any money deposited with
firm in question that will intrigue him the good Japan. His eyes will open
wide wide. He will not comprehend in the lightest until tomorrow or the next
day. I remained skeptical, but the morrow forced me to render tribute to
my friend's remarkable powers. In every paper was a huge headline telling of the
sensational failure of the Davenheim Bank. The disappearance of the famous financier took on
a totally different aspect in the light of the revelation of the financial affairs of
the bank. Before we were half way through breakfast, the door flew open
and jap rushed him. In his left hand was a paper. In his
right was Quio's telegram, which he banged down on the table in front of
my friend. How did you know, Monsieur Poirot, How the blazes could
you know? Quiro smiled placidly at him. Ah mon enmi after your wire,
It was as certainty from the comms's man see you. It struck me
that the safe burglary was somewhat remarkable. Jewels ready, money bearer bunns also
conveniently arranged for whom m well, the good Monsieur d'avenar was of those who
look after number one. As your saying goes, it seemed almost sudden that
it was arranged for himself. And then his passion of late years for buying
jewelry, and how simple the fans he embezzled he converted into jewels, very
likely replacing them in turn with paste duplicates. And so he put away in
a safe place under another name, a considerable fortune to be enjoyed all in
good time. When everyone has been thrown off the track, his arrangements completed,
he makes an appointment with mister Loewen, who has been imprudent, enough
is the past to cross the great man once or twice. He raiseles a
hole in the safe, leaves, orders that the guest is to be shown
into the study, and walks out of the house, where Quo stopped and
stretched out his hand for another boiled egg. He frowned. It is really
insupportable, He murmured, that every hen lays an egg of a different size.
What symmetry can they be on the breakfast table? At least they should
sort them in dozens at the shop. No, never mind the eggs,
said jap impatiently. Let them lay him square if they like. Tell us
where our customer went to when he left the cedars, that is, if
you know Babia, he went to his hiding place. Ah, this,
monsieur d' manarme. There may be some malaformation in his grassels, but they
are of the first quality. But do you know where he's hiding? Certainly
it is most ingenious, or for the lord's sake tell us. Then Quiro
gently collected every fragment of shell from his plate, placed them in the egg
cup, and reverse the empty eggshell on top of them. This little operation
concluded, He smiled on the neat effect, and then beamed affectionately on both
of us. Oh, come, my friends, you are men of intelligence.
Ask yourself the question I asked myself. If I were this man,
where should I hide? Hastings? What do you say, well, I
said, I am rather inclined to think. I'd not do a bolt at
all. I'd stay in London, in the heart of things, travel by
tubes and buses ten to one. I'd never be recognized. You're the safety
in the crowd. Quarrot turned inquiringly to Chap Nna, No, I don't
agree. Now get clear away at once. That's the only chance. I
would have had plenty of time to prepare things beforehand. I'd have a yacht
waiting with steam up, and I'd be off to one of the most out
of the way corners of the world. Before the hue and cry began,
we both looked at Quio. What do you say, monsieur? For a
moment he remained silent, Then a very curious smile flitted across his face.
My friends, if I were hiding from the relief, do you know where
I should adde in a prison? What you are seeking, monsieur d'abnar in
order to put him in prison, so you never dream of looking to see
if he may not be already there. What do you mean you tell me,
Madame Davinheim is not a very intelligent woman. Nevertheless, I think if
you took her up to bow Street and confronted her with a man Billy kelleyth
she would recognize him, in spite of the fact that he has shaved his
beard and mustache and those bushy brows, and has cropped his hair close.
A woman nearly always knows her husband, So the rest of the world may
be deceived for Billy kellyt please name to the police. Did I not tell
you? Davenim was a clever man. He prepared his alipi long beforehand.
He was not in buenas Are's last autumn. He was creating the character of
Billy Kellet, doing three months so that the police should have no suspicions when
the time came. He was playing remember for a large fortune as well as
liberty. It was worth while doing the things thoroughly. Only yes it yeah.
After Wards he had to wear a false beard, and Wig had to
make up as himself again and to sleep. The first beard is not easy.
It invites detection. He cannot risk continuing to shadow chamber of Madame his
wife. Now you've found out for me that for the last six months or
ever since he supposed returned from Buenos Aires, he and Missus Davenheim occupied separate
rooms. Then I was sure everything fitted in. The gardener, who fancied
he saw his master going round to the side of the house, was quite
right. He went to the boathouse, turned his tramp clothes, which you
may be sure had been safely hidden from the eyes of his valet, dropped
the others in the lake, and proceeded to carry out his plant by pouring
the ring in an obvious Mannier and then assaulting a policeman, getting himself safely
into the heaven of Pall Street, where nobody would ever dream of looking for
him. It's impossible, murmured jab Us Madam, said my friend smiling.
The next day, a registered letter lay beside Quaro's plate. He opened it
and a five pound note fluttered out. My friend's brow puckered. Ah,
Sir Cray, But what shall I do with dinnu? I have much remorse
supper for jacues oh ah, an idea we will have a little dinner.
We three that consoles me. It was really too easy. I am ashamed,
I who would not rob a child? Who? Miltonayerman? Ami,
what have you that you laughed so heartily the jewel robbery at the Grand Metropolitan?
Faroh I said, a change of air would do you good? Oh
you think so, madame? I am sure of it. Eh, hey,
said my friend, smiling. It is all arranged. Then will you
come? Where do you propose to take me? Brighton? As a matter
of fact, a friend of mine in the city put me on to a
very good thing. And well, I have money to burn, as the
sayingers, Now, I think we kend at the Grand Metropolitan would do us
all the good in the world. We thank you, I accept most gratefully.
You have the good heart to think of an old man, and a
good heart. It is in the end worth all the little gressels. Ah,
yes, yes, I who speak to you, am in danger of
her getting that. Sometimes I did not relish the implication. I fancy that
Puiro is sometimes a little inclined to underestimate my mental capacities. But his pleasure
was so evident that I put my slight annoyance aside. Then that's all right,
I said hastily. Saturday evening saw us dining at the Grand Metropolitan in
the midst of a jolly throng all the world, and his wife seemed to
be at brighton. The dresses were marvelous, and the jewels, worn sometimes
with more love of display than good taste, were something magnificent. Am It
is a good sight, these murmured Quaro. This is the home of the
propheteer, is it not? So? Asting's no else supposed to be,
I replied, But we'll hope they aren't all tarnt with the profiteering brush.
Quaro gazed around him placidly. Here the sight of so many jewels makes me
wish I had turned my brains to crime instead of to his detection. What
a magnificent opportunity for some chief of distinction or a god hastings that stout woman
batter pillow. She is, as you would say, plastered with gems.
I followed his eyes. Why, I exclaimed, it's missus Oppelson. You
know her, oh slightly. Her husband is a rich stockbroker who made a
fortune in the recent oil boom. After dinner, we ran across the opposins
in the lounge, and I introduced Pio to them. We chatted for a
few minutes and ended by having our coffee together. Quire said a few words
in praise of some of the costlier gems displayed on the lady's ample bosom,
and she brightened up at once. Oh, it's a perfect hobby of mine,
Monsieur Paro. I just love jewelry. Ed knows my weakness, and
every time things go well, he brings me something new. You are interested
in precious stones. I have had a good deal to do with them one
time and another, Madame. My profession has brought me into contact with some
of the most famous jewels in the world. He went on to narrate,
with discreet pseudonyms, the story of the historic jewels of a reigning house,
and Missus Opperson listened with bated breath. Oh, she exclaimed, as he
ended. If it isn't just like a play, you know, I've got
some pearls of my own that have a history attached to them. I believe
it's supposed to be one of the finest necklaces in the world. The pearls
are so beautifully matched and so perfect in color. I declare, I really
must run up and get it, Oh, Madame, protested Puio, you
are too emiable. Pray, do not derange yourself. Oh but I'd like
to show it to you. The buxam Dame waddled across to the lift briskly
enough. Her husband, who had been talking to me, looked at Poio
inquiringly. Madame, your wife is so amiable as to insist on showing me
her pearl necklace, explained the latter. Oh, the pearls, Oppleson smiled
in a satisfied fashion. Well they are worth seeing, cause the pretty pery
to Still the money is there? All I could get what I paid for
the many day? Well, perhaps more, who may have too? True?
If things go on as they are now, money is confoundedly tight in
the city, all this infernal epd. He rambled on, launching into technicalities
where I could not follow him. He was interrupted by a small page boy
who approached and murmured something in his ear. Ah't one were, Oh well,
well I'll come at once, Oh not take an ill? Is she
excuse me? Gentlemen? He left us abruptly. Quiro leaned back and lit
one of his tiny Russian cigarettes. Then, carefully and meticulously he arranged the
empty coffee cups in a neat row, and beamed happily on the result.
The minutes passed, the oppulsuns did not return. Curious, I remarked at
length, I wonder when they will come back. Quarro watched the ascending spirals
of smoke, and then said, thoughtful, they will not come back.
Oh why because my friend something has happened. Well what sort of thing?
But how do you know? I asked curiously, Quaro smiled. A few
minutes ago the manager came hurriedly out of his office and ran upstairs, though
he was much agitated. The least boy is deep in talk with one of
the pages. The def bel is wrong three times, but he heeds it
not certainly. Even the waiters are distrayed. And to make a waiter distray,
Quaro shook his head with an air of finality. The affair must indeed
be other first magnitude. Aha, it is as I thought, Here come
the police. Two men had just entered the hotel, one in uniform,
the other in plain clothes. They spoke to a page and were immediately ushered
upstairs. A few minutes later, the same boy descended and came up to
where we were sitting mister Obison's compliments, and would you step upstairs? Woirerot
sprang nimbly to his feet. One would have said that he awaited the summons.
I followed with no less alacrity. The Oppison's apartments were situated on the
first floor. After knocking on the door, the page boy retired and we
answered, the summons come in A strange scene met our eyes. The room
was Missus Oppulson's bedroom, and in the center of it, lying back in
an arm chair was the lady herself, weeping violently. She presented an extraordinary
spectacle, with the tears making great furrows in the powder with which her complexion
was liberally coated. Mister Obson was striding up and down angrily. The two
police officials stood in the middle of the room, one with a notebook in
hand. A hotel chambermaid, looking frightened to death, stood by the fireplace,
and on the other side of the room, a frenchwoman, obviously Missus
Appleson's maid, was weeping and wringing her hands with an intensity of grief that
rivaled that of her mistress. Into this pandemonium stepped Quaro, neat and smiling
immediately with an energy surprising in one of her bulk. Missus Opblson sprang from
her chair towards him. There now ed may say what he likes, but
I believe in luck I do. It was fated I should meet you the
way I did this evening, and I've a feeling that if you can't get
my pearls back for me, nobody can. Now calm yourself, I pray
of you, Madame Quaro patted her hand soothingly. Reassure yourself. All will
be well. Ercu Daro will aid you. Mister Obison turned to the police
inspector. There will be no objection to my calling in this gentleman, I
suppose I'll none at all, replied the man, civilly, but with complete
indifference. Perhaps now your lady is feeling better, she'll just let us have
the facts. Missus Appelson looked helplessly at Prio. He led her back to
her chair. Nus seek yourself, madame, and dracount to us the whole
history without agitating yourself. Thus abjured, Missus Appelson dried her eyes gingerly and
began. I came upstairs after dinner to fetch my pearls for mister Parro here
to see the chambermaid and Celestine were both in the room as usual. Excuse
me, madame, but what do you mean by as usual? Mister Opplson
explained, Well, I make it a rule that no one is to come
into this room unless Celestine, the maid is there. Also, the chamber
maid does the room in the morning while Celestine is present, and comes in
after dinner to turn down the beds under the same conditions. Otherwise, who
never enters the room? Well, as I was saying, continued missus Opplson,
I came up. I went to the drawer here, she indicated,
the bottom right hand drawer of the knee old dressing table, took up my
jewel case and unlocked it. It seemed quite as usual, but the pearls
were not there. The inspector had been busy with his note book. When
had you last seen them? He asked, Well, they were there when
I went out to dinner. You're sure, oh, quite sure. I
was uncertain whether to wear them or not, But in the end I decided
on the emeralds and put the pearls back in the jewel case. And who
locked up the jewel case? I did I wear the key on a chain
round my neck. She held it up as she spoke. The inspector examined
it and shrugged his shoulders. Oh, the thief must have had a duplicate
key. It was no difficult matter. The lock is quite a simple one.
And now, what did you do after you'd locked the jewel case?
I put it back in the bottom drawer, where I always keep it.
You didn't lock the drawer? No, I never do. My maid remains
in the room till I come up, so there's no need. The inspector's
face grew grayer. So am I to understand that the jewels were there when
you went down to dinner, and that since then the maid has not left
the room. Suddenly, as though the horror of her own situation for the
first time burst upon her, Celestine uttered a piercing shriek and flinging herself upon.
Puiot poured out a torrent of inker here and French. Though the suggestion
was infamous that she should be suspected of robbing Madame, the police were well
known to be of a stupidity incredible. But Monsieur, who was a Frenchman
er a Belgian, interjected Puarot. But Celestine paid no attention to the correction.
Oh monsieur would not stand by and se her falsely accused, while that
infamous chamber maid was allowed to go scott free. No, she had never
liked her, a bold, red faced thing, a born thief. She
had said from the first that she was not honest, and had kept a
sharp watch over her too when she was doing Madame's room. Let those idiots
of policemen such her, and if they did not find Madame's pearls on her,
it would be very surprising. Although this harangue was uttered in rapid and
violent French, Celestine had interlighted it with a wealth of gesture, and the
chambermaid realized at least a part of her meaning. She reddened angrily. Well
if that foreign woman saying I took the pearls, it's a lie, she
declared heatedly. I never so much as saw them. Ah, such a
screamed the other. You will find it, as I say. But you're
a liar, ye hear, said the chambermaid, advancing upon her. Stolen
yourself and want to put it on me. Why I was only in the
room about three minutes before the lady came up and then you were sitting here
the whole time, as you always do, like a cat watching a mouse.
The inspector looked across inquiringly at Celestine. Is that true? Didn't you
leave the room at all? For I did not actually leave her alone,
admitted Celestine reluctantly. But I went into my own room through the door here
twice, the once to fetcheryl of cotton, and once for my scissors.
She must have done it then, But you wasn't gone a minute, retorted
the chambermaid, angrily, just popped down in again. I'd be glad if
the police would search me. I've got nothing to be afraid of. At
this moment, there was a tap at the door. The inspector went to
it. His face brightened when he saw who it was. Ah, he
said, now that was rather fortunate. I sent for one of our female
searches, and she's just arrived. Perhaps if you wouldn't mind going into the
room next door. He looked at the chambermaid, who stepped across the threshold
with a toss of her head, the searcher following her closely. The French
girl had sunk sobbing into a chair. Arrow was looking round the room.
Where does that door lead, he inquired, nodding his head towards the one
by the window. I into the next apartment, I believe, said the
inspector. It's bolted anyway on this side. Wuio walked across to it,
tried it, then drew back the bolt and tried it again, and on
the other side as well. He remarked, well, that seems to rule
loud that. He walked over to the windows, examining each of them in
turn. Ah, and again nothing not even a balcony outside, nor even
if there were, said the inspector impatiently. I don't see how that would
help us. If the maid never left the room. Oh, a vid
dement, said Puirro, not disconcerted as Mademoiselle's positive she did not leave the
room. He was interrupted by the reappearance of the chambermaid and the police searcher.
Nothing, said the latter, laconically. Well, I should hope not,
indeed, said the chambermaid virtuously, and that French hussy ought to be
ashamed of herself taking away an honest girl's character. Now there there, my
girl. That's all right, said the inspector, opening the door. Nobody
suspects you. You go along and get on with your work. The chambermaid
went unwillingly. You going to search her, she demanded, pointing at Celestine.
Yes. Yes, He shut the door on her and turned the key.
Celestine accompanied the searcher into the small room in her turn. A few
minutes later, she also returned nothing had been found on her. The inspector's
face grew graver. Ah, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to come
along with me. All the same, miss he turned to missus appleson.
I'm sorry, madam, but all the evidence points that way. If she's
not got them on her, they are hidden somewhere about the room. Celestine
uttered a piercing shriek and clung to Puiret's arm. The latter bent and whispered
something in the girl's ear. She looked up at him doubtfully. CiCi bonanvau,
I assure you it is better not to resist. Then he turned to
the inspector. You permit, monsieur, a little experiment, purely for my
own satisfaction. Depends on what it is, replied the police officer, non
Committedlyquio addressed Celestine, once more, you have told us that you went into
your room to fetch a reel of cotton. Now whereabouts was it on top
of the chest of dras Monsieur and desissos? Oh they also Now, would
it be troubling you too much, mademoiselle to ask you to repeat those two
actions? You are sitting here with your work, you say. Celestine sat
down, and then, at a sign from Poirot, rose passed into the
adjoining room, took up an object from the chest of drawers, and returned.
Poirot divided his attention between her movements and a large turnip of a watch,
which he held in the palm of his hand. Again, if you
please, mademoiselle. At the conclusion of the second performance, he made a
note in his pocketbook and returned the watch to his pocket. Thank you,
Mademoiselle, and you, monsieur, He bowed to the inspector for your courtesy.
The inspector seemed somewhat entertained by this successive politeness. Celestine departed in a
flood of tears, accompanied by the woman and the plain clothes official. Then,
with a brief apology to missus Opperson, the inspector set to work to
ransack the room. He pulled out drawers, opened cupboards, completely, unmade
the bed, and tapped the floor. Mister Opposon looked on skeptically. You
really think you'll find them, yes, sir, which tends to reason she
hadn't time to take them out of the room. The ladies, discovering the
robbery so soon upset her plans. No, they're here right enough. One
of the two must have hitten them, and it's very unlikely for the chambermaid
to have done so. Hm, more than unlikely impossible, said Quaro quietly.
Eh, the inspector stared. Quirro smiled modestly. I will demonstrate hastings,
my good friend. Take my watch in your hand er with care.
It is a family heir loom. Just now, I timed Memoiselle's movements.
Her first absence from the room was of twelve seconds, A second of fifteen
now observed my actions. Madam, will have the kindness to give me the
key of the jewel case. I think you friend Destin's will let the kindness
to say, go go, I said, with almost incredible Swiftnessquiro wrenched open
the drawer of the dressing table, extracted the jewel case, fitted the key
in the lock, opened the case, selected a piece of jewelry, shut
and locked the case, and returned it to the drawer, which he pushed
to again. His movements were like lightning. Will mon ne mier, he
demanded of me breathlessly, forty six seconds, I replied, Ah, you
see, he looked around. There would have not been time for the chambermaid
even to take the necklace out, far less hide it. Well, that
settles it on the maid, said the inspector with satisfaction, and returned to
his search. He passed into the maid's bedroom. Next door. Quiro was
frowning thoughtfully. Suddenly he shot a question at mister Oppelson necklace It was,
without doubt. In short, mister Obison looked a trifle surprised at the question
er. Yes, he said, hesitatingly, that is so. Oh but
what does that matter? Broke in missus Oppison tearfully. It's my necklace.
I want. It was unique. No money could be the same. Oh
I comprehend, Madame, said Quarrets soothingly. I comprehend perfectly to la fanme
sentiment is everything? Is it not so? But monsieur who has not the
so fine susceptibility, will doubtless find some slight consolation in the fact. Well,
of course, of course, said mister Obison, rather uncertainly. Still,
he was interrupted by a shout of triumph from the inspector. He came
in dangling something from his fingers with a cry, Missus Oppleson heaved herself up
from her chair. She was a changed woman. Oh, oh, my
necklace. She clasped it to her breast with both hands. We crowded round.
For where was it, demanded Opulson. Maid's bed in among the springs
of the wire mattress. Oh, she must have stolen it and hidden it
there before the chamber maid arrived on the scene. You permit, madame,
said Poirot gently. He took the necklace from her and examined it closely,
then handed it back with a bow. I'm afraid, madame, you'll have
to hand it over to us for the time being, said the inspector.
We shall want it for the charge, but it shall be returned to you
as soon as possible. Mister Oppson frowned. Is that necessary, I'm afraid
so, sir, Just a formality. Oh let him take it dead,
cried his wife. I'd feel safer if he did. I shouldn't sleep a
wink, thinking some one else might try to get hold of it. Oh
that I should go, and I would never have believed it of her.
Ah, they're there, my dear, don't take on. So I felt
a gentle pressure on my arm. It was puiro, Shall we slip away?
My friend, I think our services are no longer needed. Once outside,
however, he hesitated, and then, much to my surprise, he
remarked, I should rather like to see the room next door. The door
from the corridor was not locked, and we entered the room, which was
a large double one, was unoccupied. Dust lay about rather noticeably, and
my sensitive friend gave a characteristic grimace as he ran his finger round a rectangular
mark on a table near the window. The service leaves to be desired,
he observed dryly. He was staring thoughtfully out of the window and seemed to
have fallen into a brown study. Well, I demanded, impatiently, what
did we come in here for? He started, Ah, jeuvu de Montpardomanimi.
I wished to see if the door was really bolted on his side?
Also, well, I said, glancing at the door, which communicated with
the room we had just left. It is bolted Quirot nodded. He still
seemed to be thinking and anyway, I continued, What does it matter?
The case is over. Ah, I wish you'd had more chance of distinguishing
yourself, but it was the kind of case that even a stiff backed idiot
like that inspector couldn't go wrong. Over Quarro shook his head. The case
is not over, my friend. It will not be over until we find
out whose stoles a pearl's. But the maid did, why do you say
that? Why? I said, Well, they were found actually in her
mattress, said Quaro, impatiently. Those were not the bones. What imitation
maname? The statement took my breath away. Quaro was smiling placidly. The
good inspector obviously knows nothing of jewels. But presently there will be a fine
alla balloon. Come, I cried, dragging at his arm. Where what
we must tell the opposons at once? I think not? But that poor
woman, Apierre, that poor woman, as you call her, will have
a much better night believing the jewlies to be safe, but the thief may
escape with them as usual. My friend, you speak with that reflection.
How do you know that the pearls? Missus afferson locked up so carefully tonight
were not the false ones, and that the real robbery did not take place
at a much earlier date. Oh oh, I said, bewildered. Exactly,
said Quiot, beaming, We start again. He led the way out
of the room, paused a moment as though considering, and then walked down
to the end of the corridor, stopping outside the small den where the chambermaids
and valets of the respective floors congregated. Our particular chambermaid appeared to be holding
a small court there and to be retailing her late experiences to an appreciative audience.
She stopped in the middle of a sentence. Quiro bowed, with his
usual politeness, excuse the de laurent, ju, but I shall be obliged
if you will unlock for me the door of mister Ulson's room. The woman
rose willingly, and we accompanied her down the passage again. Mister Opplson's room
was on the other side of the corridor, its door facing that of his
wife's room. The chambermaid unlocked it with her passkey and we entered. As
she was about to depart, Quio detained her a Juan moment, have you
ever seen among the effects of mister Appersan a card like this. He held
out a plain white card, rather highly glazed and uncommon in appearance. The
maid took it and scrutinized it carefully. No, no, sir, I
can't say I have, But anyway, the valet has most to do with
the gentleman's rooms. Oh, Bessie, thank you. Puio took back the
card. The woman departed. Quaro appeared to reflect a little. Then he
gave a short sharp nod of the head, h ring the bell, I
pray of you hatings three times for the valet. I obeyed, devoured with
curiosity. Meanwhile, Puaro had emptied the waste paper basket on the floor and
was swiftly going through its contents. In a few moments, the valet answered
the bell to him. Quaro put the same question and handed him the card
to examine. But the response was the same. The valet had never seen
a card of that particular quality among mister Obson's belongings. Quio thanked him,
and he withdrew somewhat unwillingly with an inquisitive glance at the overturned wastepaper basket and
the litter on the floor. He could hardly have helped Overhearing Quaro's thoughtful remark
as he bundled the torn papers back again, and the necklace was heavily and
sure. Quaroh, I cried, I see Ah, you see nothing,
my friend, he replied quickly, as usual, nothing at all. It
is incredible, But there it is. Ah, let us return to our
own abatments. We did so in silence once there, To my intense surprise,
Quire affected a rapid change of clothing. I go to London to night,
he explained. It is imparatif what No, Absolutely the real work that
of the brain. Ah, those brave little grass cells. It is done.
I could to seek the confirmation. I shall find it impossible to deceive
Herculee Waro, you'll come a cropper one of these days, I observed,
rather disgusted by his vanity. Oh, do not be arranged. I beg
of human name me. I count on you to do me a service of
your friendship. Oh of course, I said eagerly, rather ashamed of my
moroseness. What is it the sleeve of my coat that I have taken off?
Will you brush it? You? See you? A little white powder
has clung to it. You without that observed me round my finger around the
drawer at the dressing table. Uh no, I didn't. You should observe
my actions, my friend. Thus I obtained the powder on my finger,
and being a little over excited, I rubbed it on my sleeve, action
without method, which I deplore false to all my principles. But what was
the powder, I asked, not particularly interested in Quaro's principles. Well,
not the poison of the Borjin, replied Puaro with a twinkle. I see
your imagination, munthing, I should say it was French chalk. But French
chalk, yes, a cabinet. Make us use it to make drawers run
smoothly, I laughed, you old sinner, I thought you were working up
to something exciting. All over, my friend, I save myself. I
fly the door shut behind him with a smile half of derision, half of
affection. I picked up the coat and stretched out my hand for the clothes
brush. The next morning, hearing nothing from Quio, I went out for
stroll, met some old friends, and lunched with them at their hotel.
In the afternoon, we mean for spin. A punctured tire delayed us,
and it was past eight. When I got back to the Grand Metropolitan,
the first sight that met my eyes was Puio, looking even more diminutive than
usual, sandwiched between the oppulsum's beaming in a state of placid satisfaction. Ahm
on the mere s things, he cried, and sprang to meet me.
Embrace me, my friend, all has marched to a marvel. Luckily the
embrace was merely figurative, not a thing one is always sure of with Puaro,
do you mean I began? Ah? Just wonderful, I call it,
said missus Obson, smiling all over her fat face. Didn't I tell
you ed that if he couldn't get back my pearls, nobody would? You
did, my dear, you did, and you were right. I looked
helplessly at Quaro, and he answered the glance, my friend, these things
is as you say in England. All at the seaside, seat yourself,
and I will recount to you all the affair that had so happily ended ended.
But yes they are arrested. Who were arrested, the chambermaid and the
valet pable You did not suspect, not with my parting hint, but the
French joke for you said, cabinet makers used it, But certainly did they
do to make drawers slide easily? Somebody wanted to draw to slide in and
out without any noise. Who could that be? Obviously only the tramber made
the plan was so ingenious that he did not at once leap to the eye,
not even to the eye of her. You quarrow, now listen,
This was how it was done. The valet was in the empty room next
door, waiting the friend, which maid leaves the room quick as a flash.
The chamber maid whips open the drawer, takes out the jewel case,
and, slipping back the bolt, passes it through the door. The valley
opens it at his leisure with the duplicate key with which he has provided himself,
extracts the necklace and wastes his time. Celestine leaves the room again,
and in a flash, the case is passed back again and replaced in the
drawer. Madame arrives, the theft is discovered. The chambermaid demands to be
searched with a good deal of righteous indignature, and leaves the room without a
stain on her character. The imitation necklace with which they have provided themselves has
been concealed in the French girl's bed that morning by the trembermaid. Uh hm,
A master strokes, sir, But what did you go to London for?
You remember the card? Certainly it puzzled me. It puzzles me still,
I thought, well, I hesitated, delicately, glancing at mister Opplson
Quaro laughed heartily in blag for the benefit of the valet. The card was
one with especially prepared suffice for fingerprints. I went straight to Scotland Yard,
asked for our old friend, Inspector Jacques, and led the facts before him,
as I had suspected. The fingerprints proved to be those of two well
non jule thieves who had been wanted for some time. Jap came down with
me. The thieves were arrested and the necklace was discovered in the valet's possession.
A clever bear. But they failed in method. And I not told
you as things at least thirty six times that without method, at least thirty
six thousand times. I interrupted. But where did their method break down?
Mon Ami? It is a good plan to take a place as chambermaid of
valet, but you must not shirk your work. They left an empty room
undusted, and therefore, when the man put down the jewel case on the
little table near the communicating door, it left a square mark. But I
remember I cried before I was undecided. Then I knew there was a moment's
silence. And I've got my poles, said Missus Opposon as a sort of
Greek chorus. Well, I said I had better have some dinner. Quaro
accompanied me. But this ought to mean cuos for you, I observed.
Oh Padotu replied Puaro, tranquility. Jacques and the local inspector will divide the
credit between them. But he tapped his pocket. I have a check here
from mister Apperson. And how you say, my friend, this weekend has
not gone according to plan? Shall we return here next weekend at my expense
this time? End of disk one. Please continue with the next disk