The ABC

Murders

AgathaChristie

AscherinAndover,BarnardinBexhill,ClarkeinChurston
allaredead,eachwithanABCRailwayGuidefound
besidethebody.Aserialkillerisontheloose,onewhois
determinedtoplaygameswiththegreatHerculePoirot.
ButcantheBelgiandetectivecometogripswiththemind
ofapsychopath?WiththehelpofHastingsandJapp,
PoirotmusttravelthelengthandbreadthofEngland.Ishe
alwaysdestinedtobetoolate?

To:

JamesWatts,oneofmymostsympatheticreaders.

Published
1936,CollinsCrimeClub(London),January6,1936,Hardcover,256pp
1936,DoddMeadandCompany(NewYork),February14,1936,Hardcover,306pp
1941,PocketBooks(NewYork),Paperback,(Pocketnumber88)
1948,PenguinBooks,Paperback,(Penguinnumber683),224pp
1958,PanBooks,Paperback(GreatPan95),191pp
1962,FontanaBooks(ImprintofHarperCollins),Paperback,192pp
1976,Greenwayeditionofcollectedworks(WilliamCollins),Hardcover,251pp
1978,Greenwayeditionofcollectedworks(DoddMead),Hardcover,251pp
1979,PanBooks,Paperback,191pp
1980,CollinsCrimeClub,GoldenJubileeofCrimeClub,Hardcover,224pp
1980,UlverscroftLargeprintedition,Hardback
2006,PoirotFacsimileEdition,HarperCollins,September4,2006,Hardcover

Table of Contents
Foreword...........................................................................................................................................4
The Letter..........................................................................................................................................5
Chapter Two...................................................................................................................................11
Andover..........................................................................................................................................12
Mrs. Ascher.....................................................................................................................................18
Mary Drower..................................................................................................................................23
The Scene of the Crime..................................................................................................................29
Mr. Partridge and Mr. Riddell........................................................................................................38
The Second Letter...........................................................................................................................43
The Bexhill-on-Sea Murder............................................................................................................50
The Barnards...................................................................................................................................58
Megan Barnard...............................................................................................................................63
Donald Fraser..................................................................................................................................68
A Conference..................................................................................................................................72
Conferences!...................................................................................................................................72
The Third Letter..............................................................................................................................78
Sir Carmichael Clark......................................................................................................................84
Chapter Sixteen...............................................................................................................................92
Marking Time.................................................................................................................................95
Poirot Makes a Speech..................................................................................................................101
By Way of Sweden.......................................................................................................................111
Lady Clarke..................................................................................................................................115
Description of a Murderer............................................................................................................124
Chapter Twenty-Two....................................................................................................................129
September 11th. Doncaster...........................................................................................................135
Doncaster!.....................................................................................................................................135
Chapter Twenty-Four....................................................................................................................142
Chapter Twenty-Five....................................................................................................................144
Chapter Twenty-Six......................................................................................................................147
The Doncaster Murder..................................................................................................................149
Chapter Twenty-Eight..................................................................................................................155
At Scotland Yard..........................................................................................................................163
Chapter Thirty...............................................................................................................................166
Hercule Poirot Asks Questions.....................................................................................................168
And Catch a Fox...........................................................................................................................174
Alexander Bonaparte Cust............................................................................................................179
Poirot Explains.............................................................................................................................185

Foreword
by Captain Arthur Hastings, O.B.E.

InthisnarrativeofmineIhavedepartedfrommyusualpracticeofreporting
onlythoseincidentsandscenesatwhichImyselfwaspresent.
Certainchapters,therefore,arewritteninthethirdperson.
IwishtoassuremyreadersthatIcanvouchfortheoccurrencesrelatedin
these chapters. If I have taken a certain poetic license in describing the
thoughtsandfeelingsofvariouspersons,itisbecauseIbelieveIhaveset
themdownwithareasonableamountofaccuracy.Imayaddthattheyhave
been"vetted"bymyfriendHerculePoirothimself.
Inconclusion,IwillsaythatifIhavedescribedattoogreatlengthsomeof
the secondary personal relationships which arose as a consequence of this
strangeseriesofcrimes,itisbecausethehumanandpersonalelementcan
neverbeignored.HerculePoirotoncetaughtmeinaverydramaticmanner
thatromancecanbeabyproductofcrime.
AstothesolvingoftheA.B.C.mystery,Icanonlysaythatinmyopinion
Poirotshowedrealgeniusinthewayhetackledaproblementirelyunlikeany
whichhadpreviouslycomehisway.

Chapter One
The Letter

ItwasinJuneof1935thatIcamehomefrommyranchinSouthAmericafor
astayofaboutsixmonths.Ithadbeenadifficulttimeforusoutthere.Like
everyoneelse,wehadsufferedfromworlddepression.Ihadvariousaffairsto
seetoinEnglandthatIfeltcouldonlybesuccessfulifapersonaltouchwas
introduced.Mywiferemainedtomanagetheranch.
IneedhardlysaythatoneofmyfirstactionsonreachingEnglandwastolook
upmyoldfriend,HerculePoirot.
IfoundhiminstalledinoneofthenewesttypeofserviceflatsinLondon.I
accused him (and he admitted the fact) of having chosen this particular
building entirely on account of its strictly geometrical appearance and
proportions.
"Butyes,myfriend,itisofamostpleasingsymmetry,doyounotfinditso?"
IsaidthatIthoughttherecouldbetoomuchsquarenessand,alludingtoan
old joke, I asked ifin this supermodernhostelry they managed toinduce
henstolaysquareeggs?
Poirotlaughedheartily.
"Ah,yourememberthat?Alas!Nosciencehasnotyetinducedthehensto
conformtomoderntastes,theystilllayeggsofdifferentsizesandcolours!"
I examined my old friend with an affectionate eye. He was looking
wonderfullywellhardlyadayolderthanwhenIhadlastseenhim.
"You'relookinginfinefettle,Poirot,"Isaid."You'vehardlyagedatall.Infact,
ifitwerepossible,IshouldsaythatyouhadfewergreyhairsthanwhenI
sawyoulast."
Poirotbeamedonme."Andwhyisthatnotpossible?Itisquitetrue."
"Doyoumeanyourhairisturningfromgreytoblackinsteadoffromblackto
grey?"
"Precisely."

"Butsurelythat'sascientificimpossibility!"
"Notatall."
"Butthat'sveryextraordinary.Itseemsagainstnature."
"Asusual,Hastings,youhavethebeautifulandunsuspiciousmind.Yearsdo
notchangethatinyou!Youperceiveafactandmentionthesolutionofitin
thesamebreathwithoutnoticingthatyouaredoingso!"
Istaredathimpuzzled.
Withoutawordhewalkedintohisbedroomandreturnedwithabottleinhis
handwhichhehandedtome.
Itookit,forthemomentuncomprehending.
It bore the words: REVIVITTo bring back the natural tone of the hair.
REVIVITisNOTadye.Infiveshades,Ash,Chestnut,Titian,Brown,Black.
"Poirot,"Icried."Youhavedyedyourhair!"
"Ah,thecomprehensioncomestoyou!"
"SothatiswhyyourhairlookssomuchblackerthanitdidlasttimeIwas
back."
"Exactly."
"Dearme," I said,recoveringfromtheshock."I supposenext timeIcome
homeIshallfindyouwearingfalsemoustachesorareyoudoingsonow?"
Poirotwinced.Hismoustacheshadalwaysbeenhissensitivepoint.Hewas
inordinatelyproudofthem.Mywordstouchedhimontheraw.
"No,no,indeed,monami.Thatday,IpraythegoodGod,isstillfaroff.The
falsemoustaches!Quellehorreur!"
Hetuggedatthemvigorouslytoassuremeoftheirgenuinecharacter.
"Well,theyareveryluxuriantstill,"Isaid.
"N'estcepas?Never,inthewholeofLondon,haveIseenapairofmoustaches
toequalmine."
Agoodjobtoo,Ithoughtprivately.ButIwouldnotfortheworldhavehurt
Poirot'sfeelingsbysayingso.
InsteadIaskedifhestillpracticedhisprofessiononoccasions.

"Iknow,"Isaid,"thatyouactuallyretiredyearsago."
"C'estvrai.Togrowthevegetablemarrows!Andimmediatelyamurderoccurs
andIsendthevegetablemarrowstopromenadethemselvestothedevil.
AndsincethenIknowverywellwhatyouwillsayIamlikethePrima
Donna who makes positively the farewell performance! That farewell
performance,itrepeatsitselfanindefinitenumberoftimes!"
Ilaughed.
"Intruth,ithasbeenverylikethat.EachtimeIsay:Thisistheend.Butno,
somethingelsearises!AndIwilladmitit,myfriend,theretirementIcarefor
itnotatall.Ifthelittlegreycellsarenotexercised,theygrowtherust."
"Isee,"Isaid."Youexercisetheminmoderation."
"Precisely.Ipickandchoose.ForHerculePoirotnowadaysonlythecreamof
crime."
"Hastherebeenmuchcreamabout?"
"Pasmai.NotlongagoIhadanarrowescape."
"Offailure?"
"No, no." Poirot looked shocked. "But II, Hercule Poirot, was nearly
exterminated."
Iwhistled.
"Anenterprisingmurderer!"
"Notsomuchenterprisingascareless,"saidPoirot."Preciselythatcareless.
Butletusnottalkofit.Youknow,Hastings,inmanywaysIregardyouas
mymascot."
"Indeed?"Isaid."Inwhatways?"
Poirotdidnotanswermyquestiondirectly.Hewenton:"AssoonasIheard
youwerecomingoverIsaidtomyself:Somethingwillarise.Asinformerdays
wewillhunttogether,wetwo.Butifsoitmustbenocommonaffair.Itmust
be something"he waved his hands excitedly"something recherch
delicatefine..."Hegavethelastuntranslatableworditsfullflavour.
"Uponmy word,Poirot," Isaid."Anyonewould thinkyou wereorderinga
dinnerattheRitz."

"Whereasonecannotcommandacrimetoorder?Verytrue."Hesighed."ButI
believeinluckindestiny,ifyouwill.Itisyourdestinytostandbesideme
andpreventmefromcommittingtheunforgivableerror."
"Whatdoyoucalltheunforgivableerror?"
"Overlookingtheobvious."
Iturnedthisoverinmymindwithoutquiteseeingthepoint."Well,"Isaid
presently,smiling,"hasthissupercrimeturnedupyet?"
"Pasencore.Atleastthat"
He paused. A frown of perplexity creased his forehead. His hands
automaticallystraightenedanobjectortwothatIhadinadvertentlypushed
awry.
"Iamnotsure,"hesaidslowly.
TherewassomethingsooddabouthistonethatIlookedathiminsurprise.
Thefrownstilllingered.
Suddenlywithabriefdecisivenodoftheheadhecrossedtheroomtoadesk
nearthewindow.Itscontents,Ineedhardlysay,wereallneatlydocketedand
pigeonholedsothathewasableatoncetolayhishanduponthepaperhe
wanted.
Hecameslowlyacrosstome,anopenletterinhishand.Hereaditthrough
himself,thenpassedittome.
"Tellme,monami,"hesaid."Whatdoyoumakeofthis?"
Itookitfromhimwithsomeinterest.
Itwaswrittenonthickishwhitenotepaperinprintedcharacters:
MR. HERCULE POIROTYou fancy yourself, don't you, at
solvingmysteriesthataretoodifficultforourpoorthickheaded
Britishpolice?Letussee,Mr.CleverPoirot,justhowcleveryou
canbe.Perhapsyou'llfindthisnuttoohardtocrack.Lookoutfor
Andoveronthe21stofthemonth.
Yours,etc.,
A.B.C.
Iglancedattheenvelope.Thatalsowasprinted.

"PostmarkedW.C.1,"saidPoirotasIturnedmyattentiontothepostmark.
"Well,whatisyouropinion?"
IshruggedmyshouldersasIhandeditbacktohim.
"Somemadmanorother,Isuppose."
"Thatisallyouhavetosay?"
"Welldoesn'titsoundlikeamadmantoyou?"
"Yes,myfriend,itdoes."
Histonewasgrave.Ilookedathimcuriously.
"Youtakethisveryseriously,Poirot."
"Amadman,monami,istobetakenseriously.Amadmanisaverydangerous
thing."
"Yes,ofcourse,thatistrue....Ihadn'tconsideredthatpoint....Butwhat
Imeantwas,itsoundsmorelikearatheridiotickindofhoax.Perhapssome
convivialidiotwhohadhadoneovertheeight."
"Comment?Nine?Ninewhat?"
"Nothingjustanexpression.Imeantafellowwhowastight.No,damnit,a
fellowwhohadhadaspottoomuchtodrink."
"Merci,Hastingstheexpression'tight'Iamacquaintedwithit.Asyousay,
theremaybenothingmoretoitthanthat...."
"Butyouthinkthereis?"Iasked,struckbythedissatisfactionofhistone.
Poirotshookhisheaddoubtfully,buthedidnotspeak.
"Whathaveyoudoneaboutit?"Iinquired.
"Whatcanonedo?IshowedittoJapp.Hewasofthesameopinionasyoua
stupidhoaxthatwastheexpressionheused.Theygetthesethingsevery
dayatScotlandYard.I,too,havehadmyshare"
"Butyoutakethisoneseriously?
Poirotrepliedslowly."Thereissomethingaboutthatletter,Hastings,thatI
donotlike...."
Inspiteofmyself,histoneimpressedme."Youthinkwhat?"

Heshookhishead,andpickinguptheletter,putitawayagaininthedesk.
"Ifyoureallytakeitseriously,can'tyoudosomething?"Iasked."Asalways,
themanofaction!Butwhatistheretodo?Thecountypolicehaveseenthe
letterbutthey,too,donottakeitseriously.Therearenofingerprintsonit.
Therearenolocalcluesastothepossiblewriter."
"Infactthereisonlyyourowninstinct?"
"Not instinct, Hastings. Instinct is a bad word. It is my knowledgemy
experiencethattellsmethatsomethingaboutthatletteriswrong"
Hegesticulatedaswordsfailedhim,thenshookhisheadagain.
"I may be making the mountain out of the anthill. In any case there is
nothingtobedonebutwait."
"Well, the 21st is Friday. If a whacking great robbery takes place near
Andoverthen"
"Ah,whatacomfortthatwouldbe!"
"Acomfort?"Istared.Thewordseemedtobeaveryextraordinaryonetouse.
"Arobberymaybeathrillbutitcanhardlybeacomfort!"Iprotested.
Poirotshookhisheadenergetically.
"Youareinerror,myfriend.Youdonotunderstandmymeaning.Arobbery
wouldbeareliefsinceitwoulddispossessmymindofthefearofsomething
else."
"Ofwhat?"
"Murder,"saidHerculePoirot.

10

Chapter Two
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

Mr.AlexanderBonaparteCustrosefromhisseatandpeerednearsightedly
round the shabby bedroom. His back was stiff from sitting in a cramped
positionandashestretchedhimselftohisfullheightanonlookerwouldhave
realized that he was, in reality, quite a tall man. His stoop and his
nearsightedpeeringgaveadelusiveimpression.
Goingtoawellwornovercoathangingonthebackofthedoor,hetookfrom
thepocketapacketofcheapcigarettesandsomematches.Helitacigarette
andthenreturnedtothetableatwhichhehadbeensitting.Hepickedupa
railway guideand consultedit,thenhereturned totheconsiderationofa
typewrittenlistofnames.Withapen,hemadeatickagainstoneofthefirst
namesonthelist.
ItwasThursday,June20th.

11

Chapter Three
Andover

I had been impressed at the time by Poirot's forebodings about the

anonymous letter he had received, but I must admit that the matter had
passedfrommymindwhenthe21stactuallyarrivedandthefirstreminderof
itcamewithavisitpaidtomyfriendbyChiefInspectorJappofScotland
Yard.TheC.I.D.inspectorhadbeenknowntousformanyyearsandhegave
meaheartywelcome.
"Well,Inever,"heexclaimed."Ifitisn'tCaptainHastingsbackfromthewilds
ofthewhatdoyoucallit!QuitelikeolddaysseeingyouherewithMonsieur
Poirot.You'relookingwell,too.Justalittlebitthinontop,eh?Well,that's
whatwe'reallcomingto.I'mthesame."
Iwincedslightly.IwasundertheimpressionthatowingtothecarefulwayI
brushedmyhairacrossthetopofmyheadthatthinnessreferredtobyJapp
wasquiteunnoticeable.However,Japphadneverbeenremarkablefortact
whereIwasconcernedsoIputagoodfaceuponitandagreedthatwewere
noneofusgettinganyyounger.
"ExceptMonsieurPoirothere,"saidJapp."Quiteagoodadvertisementfora
hairtonic,he'dbe.Facefungussproutingfinerthanever.Comingoutintothe
limelight,too,inhisoldage.Mixedupinallthecelebratedcasesoftheday.
Trainmysteries,airmysteries,highsocietydeathsoh,he'shere,thereand
everywhere.Neverbeensocelebratedassinceheretired."
"IhavealreadytoldHastingsthatIamlikethePrimaDonnawhomakes
alwaysonemoreappearance,"saidPoirot,smiling.
"Shouldn't wonder if you ended by detecting your own death," said Japp,
laughingheartily."That'sanidea,thatis.Oughttobeputinabook."
"ItwillbeHastingswhowillhavetodothat,"saidPoirot,twinklingatme.
"Haha!Thatwouldbeajoke,thatwould,"laughedJapp.
Ifailedtoseewhy theideawassoextremely amusing, and inany caseI
thoughtthejokewasinpoortaste.Poirot,pooroldchap,isgettingon.Jokes

12

abouthisapproachingdemisecanhardlybeagreeabletohim.
Perhapsmymannershowedmyfeelings,forJappchangedthesubject.
"HaveyouheardaboutMonsieurPoirot'sanonymousletter?"heasked.
"IshowedittoHastingstheotherday,"saidmyfriend.
"Ofcourse,"Iexclaimed."Ithadquiteslippedmymemory.Letmesee,what
wasthedatementioned?"
"The21st,"saidJapp."That'swhatIdroppedinabout.Yesterdaywasthe21 st
andjustoutofcuriosityIrangupAndoverlastnight.Itwasahoaxallright.
Nothingdoing.Onebrokenshopwindowkidthrowingstonesandacouple
ofdrunkanddisorderlies.SojustforonceourBelgianfriendwasbarkingup
thewrongtree."
"Iamrelieved,Imustconfess,"acknowledgedPoirot.
"You'dquitegotthewindupaboutit,hadn'tyou?"saidJappaffectionately.
"Blessyou,wegetdozensofletterslikethatcomingineveryday!Peoplewith
nothingbettertodoandabitweakinthetopstoreysitdownandwrite'em.
Theydon'tmeananyharm!Justakindofexcitement.''
"Ihaveindeedbeenfoolishtotakethemattersoseriously,"saidPoirot."Itis
thenestofthehorsethatIputmynoseintothere."
"You'remixingupmaresandwasps,"saidJapp.
"Pardon?"
"Justacoupleofproverbs.Well,Imustbeoff.Gotalittlebusinessinthenext
streettoseetoreceivingstolenjewelry.IthoughtI'djustdropinonmyway
andputyourmindatrest.Pitytoletthosegreycellsfunctionunnecessarily."
Withwhichwordsandaheartylaugh,Jappdeparted.
"Hedoesnotchangemuch,thegoodJapp,eh?"askedPoirot.
"He looks much older," I said. "Getting as grey as a badger," I added
vindictively.
Poirotcoughedandsaid:"Youknow,Hastings,thereisalittledevicemy
hairdresser is a man of great ingenuityone attaches it to the scalp and
brushesone'sownhairoverititisnotawig,youcomprehendbut"
"Poirot,"Iroared."OnceandforallIwillhavenothingtodowiththebeastly

13

inventionsofyourconfoundedhairdresser.What'sthematterwiththetopof
myhead?"
"Nothingnothingatall."
"It'snotasthoughIweregoingbald."
"Ofcoursenot!Ofcoursenot!"
"Thehotsummersouttherenaturallycausethehairtofalloutabit.Ishall
takebackareallygoodhairtonic."
"Precisement."
"And,anyway,whatbusinessisitofJapp's?Healwayswasanoffensivekind
ofdevil.Andnosenseofhumour.Thekindofmanwholaughswhenachairis
pulledawayjustasamanisabouttositdown."
"Agreatmanypeoplewouldlaughatthat."
"It'sutterlysenseless."
"Fromthepointofviewofthemanabouttosit,certainlyitis."
"Well,"Isaid,slightlyrecoveringmytemper.(IadmitthatIamtouchyabout
thethinnessofmyhair.)"I'msorrythatanonymousletterbusinesscameto
nothing."
"Ihaveindeedbeeninthewrongoverthat.Aboutthatletter,therewas,I
thought,theodourofthefish.Insteadamerestupidity.Alas,Igrowoldand
suspiciousliketheblindwatchdogwhogrowlswhenthereisnothingthere."
"If I'm going to cooperate with you, we must look about for some other
'creamy'crime,"Isaidwithalaugh.
"Yourememberyourremarkoftheotherday?Ifyoucouldorderacrimeas
oneordersadinner,whatwouldyouchoose?"
Ifellinwithhishumour."Letmeseenow.Let'sreviewthemenu.Robbery?
Forgery? No, I think not. Rather too vegetarian. It must be murderred
bloodedmurderwithtrimmings,ofcourse."
"Naturally.Thehorsd'oeuvres."
"Who shall the victim beman or woman? Man, I think. Some bigwig.
American millionaire. Prime Minister. Newspaper proprietor. Scene of the
crimewell,what'swrongwiththegoodoldlibrary?"

14

"Nothing like it for atmosphere. As for the weaponwell, it might be a

curiouslytwisteddaggerorsomebluntinstrumentacarvedstoneidol"
Poirotsighed.
"Or,ofcourse,"Isaid,"there'spoisonbutthat'salwayssotechnical.Ora
revolvershotechoinginthenight.Thentheremustbeabeautifulgirlortwo
"
"Withauburnhair,"murmuredmyfriend.
"Yoursameoldjoke.Oneofthebeautifulgirls,ofcourse,mustbeunjustly
suspectedandthere'ssomemisunderstandingbetweenherandtheyoung
man. And then, of course, there must be some other suspectsan older
woman,dangeroustypeandsomefriendorrivalofthedeadman'sanda
quietsecretarydarkhorseandaheartymanwithabluffmanneranda
coupleofdischargedservantsorgamekeepersorsomethingandadamnfool
ofadetectiveratherlikeJappandwellthat'saboutall."
"Thatisyourideaofthecream,eh?"
"Igatheryoudon'tagree."
Poirot looked at mesadly. "You have madethere a very pretty rsumof
nearlyallthedetectivestoriesthathaveeverbeenwritten."
"Well,"Isaid."Whatwouldyouorder?"
Poirotclosedhiseyesandleanedbackinhischair.Hisvoicecamepurringly
frombetweenhislips.
"A very simple crime. A crime with no complications. A crime of quiet
domesticlife,veryunimpassionedveryintime."
"Howcanacrimebeintime?"
"Supposing,"murmuredPoirot,"thatfourpeoplesitdowntoplaybridgeand
one,theoddmanout,sitsinachairbythefire.Attheendoftheeveningthe
manbythefireisfounddead.Oneofthefour,whileheisdummy,hasgone
overandkilledhim,and,intentontheplayofthehand,theotherthreehave
notnoticed.Ah,therewouldbeacrimeforyou!Whichofthefourwasit?"
"Well,"Isaid."Ican'tseeanyexcitementinthat!"
Poirot threw me a glance of reproof. "No, because there are no curiously
twisteddaggers,noblackmail,noemeraldthatisthestoleneyeofagod,no

15

untraceableEasternpoisons.Youhavethemelodramaticsoul,Hastings.You
wouldlike,notonemurder,butaseriesofmurders."
"Iadmit,"Isaid,"thatasecondmurderinabookoftencheersthingsup.If
the murder happens in the first chapter, and you have to follow up
everybody'salibiuntilthelastpagebutonewell,itdoesgetabittedious."
ThetelephonerangandPoirotrosetoanswer.
"Allo,"hesaid."Allo.Yes,itisHerculePoirotspeaking."
HelistenedforaminuteortwoandthenIsawhisfacechange.
Hisownsideoftheconversationwasshortanddisjointed."Maisoui...Yes,
ofcourse...Butyes,wewillcome...Naturally...Itmaybeasyousay...
Yes,Iwillbringit.Atoutl'heurethen."
Hereplacedthereceiverandcameacrosstheroomtome.
"ThatwasJappspeaking,Hastings."
"Yes?"
"HehadjustgotbacktotheYard.TherewasamessagefromAndover...."
"Andover?'Icriedexcitedly.
Poirotsaidslowly:"AnoldwomanofthenameofAscherwhokeepsalittle
tobaccoandnewspapershophasbeenfoundmurdered."
IthinkIfelteversoslightlydamped.Myinterest,quickenedbythesoundof
Andover,sufferedafaintcheck.Ihadexpectedsomethingfantasticoutof
theway!Themurderofanoldwomanwhokeptalittletobaccoshopseemed,
somehow,sordidanduninteresting.
Poirotcontinuedinthesameslow,gravevoice:"TheAndoverpolicebelieve
theycanputtheirhandonthemanwhodidit"
Ifeltasecondthrobofdisappointment.
"Itseemsthewomanwasonbadtermswithherhusband.Hedrinksandisby
wayofbeingratheranastycustomer.He'sthreatenedtotakeherlifemore
thanonce."
"Nevertheless,"continuedPoirot,"inviewofwhathashappened,thepolice
therewouldliketohaveanotherlookattheanonymousletterIreceived.I
havesaidthatyouandIwillgodowntoAndoveratonce."

16

Myspiritsrevivedalittle.Afterall,sordidasthiscrimeseemedbe,itwasa
crime,anditwasalongtimesinceIhadhadanyassociationwithcrimeand
criminals.
IhardlylistenedtothenextwordsPoirotsaid.Buttheyweretocomebackto
mewithsignificancelater.
''Thisisthebeginning,"saidHerculePoirot.

17

Chapter Four
Mrs. Ascher

WewerereceivedatAndoverbyInspectorGlen,atall,fairhairedmanwitha
pleasantsmile.
ForthesakeofconcisenessIthinkIhadbettergiveabriefrsumthebare
factsofthecase.
ThecrimewasdiscoveredbyPoliceConstableDoverat1A.M.themorningof
the 22nd. When on his round he tried the door of the shop and found it
unfastened.Heenteredandatfirstthoughttheplacewasempty.Directing
historchoverthecounter,however,hecaughtsightofthehuddledupbodyof
theoldwoman.Whenthepolicesurgeonarrivedonthespotitwaselicited
thatthewomanhadbeenstruckdownbyaheavyblowonthebackofthe
head,probablywhileshewasreachingdownapacketofcigarettesfromthe
shelfbehindthecounter.
Deathmusthaveoccurredaboutninetosevenhourspreviously.
"Butwe'vebeenabletogetitdownabitnearerthanthat,"explainedthe
inspector."We'vefoundamanwhowentinandboughtsometobaccoat5:30.
Andasecondmanwentinandfoundtheshopempty,ashethought,atfive
minutes past six. That puts the time at between 5:30 and 6:05. So far I
haven't been able to find anyone who saw this man Ascher in the
neighbourhood,but,ofcourse,it'searlyyet.HewasintheThreeCrownsat
nine o'clock pretty far gone in drink. When we get hold of him he'll be
detainedonsuspicion."
"Notaverydesirablecharacter,inspector?"askedPoirot.
"Unpleasantbitofgoods."
"Hedidn'tlivewithhiswife?"
"No,theyseparatedsomeyearsago.Ascher'saGerman.Hewaswaiteratone
time,buthetooktodrinkandgraduallybecameunemployable.Hiswifewent
intoserviceforabit.Herlastplacewasascookhousekeepertoanoldlady,
Miss Rose. She allowed her husband so much out of her wages to keep

18

himself, but he was always getting drunk and coming round and making
scenesattheplaceswhereshewasemployed.That'swhyshetookthepost
withMissRoseatTheGrange.It'sthreemilesoutofAndover,deadinthe
country.Hecouldn'tgetathertheresowell.WhenMissRosedied,sheleft
Mrs. Ascher a small legacy, and the woman started this tobacco and
newsagent businessquite a tiny placejust cheap cigarettes and a few
newspapersthatsortofthing.Shejustaboutmanagedtokeepgoing."
"Ascherusedtocomeroundandabusehernowandagainandsheusedto
givehim a bit togetridofhim.Sheallowedhim fifteenshillingsaweek
regular."
"Hadtheyanychildren?"askedPoirot.
"No. There's a niece. She's in service near Overton. Very superior, steady
youngwoman."
"AndyousaythismanAscherusedtothreatenhiswife?"
"That'sright.Hewasaterrorwhenhewasindrinkcursingandswearing
thathe'dbashherheadin.Shehadahardtime,didMrs.Ascher."
"Whatageofwomanwasshe?"
"Closeonsixtyrespectableandhardworking."
Poirot said gravely: "It is your opinion, inspector, that this man Ascher
committedthecrime?"
Theinspectorcoughedcautiously."It'sabitearlytosaythat,Mr.Poirot,but
I'd like to hear Franz Ascher's own account of how he spent yesterday
evening.Ifhecangiveasatisfactoryaccountofhimself,wellandgoodifnot
"
Hispausewasapregnantone.
"Nothingwasmissingfromtheshop?"
"Nothing.Moneyinthetillquiteundisturbed.Nosignsofrobbery."
"YouthinkthatthismanAschercameintotheshopdrunk,startedabusing
hiswifeandfinallystruckherdown?"
"Itseemsthemostlikelysolution.ButImustconfess,sir,I'dliketohave
anotherlookatthatveryoddletteryoureceived.Iwaswonderingifitwas
justpossiblethatitcamefromthismanAscher."

19

Poirothandedovertheletterandtheinspectorreaditwithafrown.
"Itdoesn'treadlikeAscher,"hesaidatlast."IdoubtifAscherwouldusethe
term'our'BritishpolicenotunlesshewastryingtobeextracunningandI
doubtifhe'sgotthewitsforthat.Thentheman'sawreckalltopieces.His
hand'stooshakytoprintlettersclearlylikethis.It'sgoodqualitynotepaper
andink,too.It'soddthatthelettershouldmentionthe21 stofthemonth.Of
courseitmightbeacoincidence.''
"Thatispossible,yes."
"ButIdon'tlikethiskindofcoincidence,Mr.Poirot.It'sabittoopat."
Hewassilentforaminuteortwoafrowncreasinghisforehead.
"A.B.C..WhothedevilcouldA.B.C.be?We'llseeifMaryDrower(that'sthe
niece)cangiveusanyhelp.It'sanoddbusiness.ButforthisletterI'dhave
putmymoneyonFranzAscherforacertainty."
"DoyouknowanythingofMrs.Ascher'spast?"
"She'saHampshirewoman.WentintoserviceasagirlupinLondonthat's
whereshemetAscherandmarriedhim.Thingsmusthavebeendifficultfor
themduringthewar.Sheactuallylefthimforgoodin1922.Theywerein
Londonthen.Shecamebackheretogetawayfromhim,buthegotwindof
whereshe was and followed her down here,pestering her for money" A
constablecamein."Yes,Briggs,whatisit?"
"It'sthemanAscher,sir.We'vebroughthimin."
"Right.Bringhiminhere.Wherewashe?"
"Hidinginatruckontherailwaysiding."
"Hewas,washe?Bringhimalong."
FranzAscherwasindeedamiserableandunprepossessingspecimen.
Hewasblubberingandcringingandblusteringalternately.Hisblearyeyes
movedshiftilyfromonefacetoanother.
"Whatdoyouwantwithme?Ihavenotdonenothing.Itisashameanda
scandaltobringmehere!Youareswine,howdareyou?"Hismannerchanged
suddenly."No,no,Idonotmeanthatyouwouldnothurtapooroldman
notbehardonhim.EveryoneishardonpooroldFranz.PooroldFranz."
Mr.Ascherstartedtoweep.

20

"That'll do, Ascher," said the inspector. "Pull yourself together. I'm not
chargingyouwithanythingyet.Andyou'renotboundtomakeastatement
unlessyoulike.Ontheotherhand,ifyou'renotconcernedinthemurderof
yourwife"
Ascherinterruptedhimhisvoicerisingtoascream."Ididnotkillher!Idid
notkillher!Itisalllies!YouaregoddamnedEnglishpigsallagainstme.I
neverkillhernever."
"Youthreatenedtooftenenough,Ascher."
"No,no.Youdonotunderstand.Thatwasjustajokeagoodjokebetween
meandAlice.Sheunderstood."
"Funnykindofjoke!Doyoucaretosaywhereyouwereyesterdayevening,
Ascher?"
"Yes,yesItellyoueverything.IdidnotgonearAlice.Iamwithfriends
goodfriends.WeareattheSevenStarsandthenweareattheRedDog"
Hehurriedon,hiswordstumblingovereachother.
"DickWillowshewaswithmeandoldCurdieandGeorgeandPlattand
lotsoftheboys.ItellyouIdonotnevergonearAlice.AchGott,itisthetruth
Iamtellingyou."
Hisvoicerosetoascream.Theinspectornoddedtohisunderling.
"Takehimaway.Detainedonsuspicion."
"Idon'tknowwhattothink,"hesaidastheunpleasantshakingoldmanwith
themalevolent,mouthingjawwasremoved."Ifitwasn'tfortheletter,I'dsay
hedidit."
"Whataboutthemenhementions?"
"Abadcrowdnotoneofthemwouldstickatperjury.I'venodoubthewas
withthemthegreaterpartoftheevening.Alotdependsonwhetheranyone
sawhimneartheshopbetweenhalfpastfiveandsix."
Poirotshookhisheadthoughtfully."Youaresurenothingwastakenfromthe
shop?"
The inspector shrugged his shoulders. "That depends. A packet or two of
cigarettesmighthavebeentakenbutyou'dhardlycommitmurderforthat."
"And there was nothinghow shall I put itintroduced into the shop.

21

Nothingthatwasoddthereincongruous?"
"Therewasarailwayguide,"saidtheinspector.
"Arailwayguide?"
"Yes. It was open and turned face downward on the counter. Looked as
thoughsomeonehadbeenlookingupthetrainsfromAndover.Eithertheold
womanoracustomer."
"Didshesellthattypeofthing?"
Theinspectorshookhishead.
"Shesoldpennytimetables.ThiswasabigonekindofthingonlySmith'sor
abigstationerwouldkeep."
AlightcameintoPoirot'seyes.Heleantforward."Arailwayguide,yousay.A
BradshaworanA.B.C.?"
Alightcameintotheinspector'seyesalso.
"BytheLord,"hesaid."ItwasanA.B.C.."

22

Chapter Five
Mary Drower

IthinkthatIcandatemyinterestinthecasefromthefirstmentionofthe
A.B.C. railway guide. Up till then I had not been able to raise much
enthusiasm.Thissordidmurderofanoldwomaninabackstreetshopwasso
liketheusualtypeofcrimereportedinthenewspapersthatitfailedtostrike
asignificantnote.InmyownmindIhadputdowntheanonymousletterwith
itsmentionofthe21stasamerecoincidence.
Mrs.Ascher,Ifeltreasonablysure,hadbeenthevictimofherdrunkenbrute
ofahusband.Butnowthementionoftherailwayguide(sofamiliarlyknown
by its abbreviation of A.B.C., listing as it did all railway stations in their
alphabeticalorder)sentaquiverofexcitementthroughme.Surelysurely
thiscouldnotbeasecondcoincidence?
Thesordidcrimetookonanewaspect.
WhowasthemysteriousindividualwhohadkilledMrs.Ascherandleftan
A.B.C.railwayguidebehindhim?
Whenweleftthepolicestationourfirstvisitwastothemortuarytoseethe
bodyofthedeadwoman.AstrangefeelingcameovermeasIgazeddownon
thatwrinkledoldfacewiththescantygreyhairdrawnbacktightlyfromthe
temples.Itlookedsopeaceful,soincrediblyremotefromviolence.
"Neverknewwhoorwhatstruckher,"observedthesergeant.
"That'swhatDr.Kerrsays.I'mgladitwasthatway,pooroldsoul.Adecent
womanshewas."
"Shemusthavebeenbeautifulonce,"saidPoirot.
"Really?"Imurmuredincredulously.
"Butyes,lookatthelineofthejaw,thebones,themouldingofthehead."
Hesighedashereplacedthesheetandweleftthemortuary.
Ournextmovewasabriefinterviewwiththepolicesurgeon.
Dr.Kerrwasacompetentlookingmiddleagedman.Hespokebrisklyand

23

withdecision.
"The weapon wasn't found," he said. "Impossible to say what it may have
been.Aweightedstick,aclub,aformofsandbaganyofthosewouldfitthe
case."
"Wouldmuchforcebeneededtostrikesuchablow?"
ThedoctorshotakeenglanceatPoirot.
"Meaning,Isuppose,couldashaky oldmanofseventydoit?Oh,yes,it's
perfectlypossiblegivensufficientweightintheheadoftheweapon,quitea
feeblepersoncouldachievethedesiredresult."
''Thenthemurderercouldjustaswellbeawomanasaman?"
Thesuggestiontookthedoctorsomewhataback.
"Awoman,eh?Well,Iconfessitneveroccurredtometoconnectawoman
withthistypeofcrime.Butofcourseit'spossibleperfectlypossible.Only,
psychologicallyspeaking,Ishouldn'tsaythiswasawoman'scrime."
Poirotnoddedhisheadineageragreement.
"Perfectly,perfectly.Onthefaceofit,highlyimprobable.Butonemusttake
allpossibilitiesintoaccount.Thebodywaslyinghow?"
Thedoctorgaveusacarefuldescriptionofthepositionofthevictim.
Itwashisopinionthatshehadbeenstandingwithherbacktothecounter
(andthereforetoherassailant)whentheblowhadbeenstruck.
She had slipped down in a heap behind the counter quite out of sight of
anyoneenteringtheshopcasually.
When we had thanked Dr. Kerr and taken our leave, Poirot said: "You
perceive, Hastings, that we have already one further point in favour of
Ascher'sinnocence.Ifhehadbeenabusinghiswifeandthreateningher,she
wouldhavebeenfacinghimoverthecounter.Instead,shehadherbacktoher
assailantobviously she is reaching down tobacco or cigarettes for a
customer."
Igavealittleshiver."Prettygruesome."
Poirotshookhisheadgravely."Pauvrefemme,"hemurmured.
Thenheglancedathiswatch.

24

"Overtonisnot,Ithink,manymilesfromhere.Shallwerunoverthereand
haveaninterviewwiththenieceofthedeadwoman?"
"Surelyyouwillgofirsttotheshopwherethecrimetookplace?"
"Iprefertodothatlater.Ihaveareason."
Hedidnotexplainfurther,andafewminuteslaterweweredrivingonthe
LondonroadinthedirectionofOverton.
Theaddresswhichtheinspectorhadgivenuswasthatofagoodsizedhouse
aboutamileontheLondonsideofthevillage.
Ourringatthebellwasansweredbyaprettydarkhairedgirlwhoseeyes
wereredwithrecentweeping.
Poirot said gently: "Ah! I think it is you who are Miss Mary Drower, the
parlourmaidhere?"
"Yes,sir,that'sright.I'mMary,sir."
"ThenperhapsIcantalktoyouforafewminutesifyourmistresswillnot
object.Itisaboutyouraunt,Mrs.Ascher."
"Themistressisout,sir.Shewouldn'tmind,I'msure,ifyoucameinhere."
Sheopenedthedoorofasmallmorningroom.WeenteredandPoirot,seating
himselfonachairbythewindow,lookedupkeenlyintothegirl'sface.
"Youhaveheardofyouraunt'sdeath,ofcourse?"
Thegirlnodded,tearscomingoncemoreintohereyes."Thismorning,sir.
Thepolicecameover.Oh!it'sterrible!Poorauntie!Suchahardlifeasshe'd
had,too.Andnowthisit'stooawful.''
"ThepolicedidnotsuggestyourreturningtoAndover?"
"They said I must come to the inquestthat's on Monday, sir. But I've
nowheretogothereIcouldn'tfancybeingovertheshopnowandwhat
withthehousemaidbeingaway.Ididn'twanttoputthemistressoutmore
thanmaybe."
"Youwerefondofyouraunt,Mary?"saidPoirotgently.
"IndeedIwas,sir.Verygoodshe'sbeentomealways,auntiehas.Iwentto
herinLondonwhenIwaselevenyearsold,aftermotherdied.Istartedin
servicewhenIwassixteen,butIusuallywentalongtoauntie'sonmyday

25

out.AlotoftroubleshewentthroughwiththatGermanfellow.'Myolddevil,'
she used to call him. He'd never let her be in peace anywhere. Sponging,
cadgingoldbeast."
Thegirlspokewithvehemence.
"Your aunt never thought of freeing herself by legal means from this
persecution?"
"Well,yousee,hewasherhusband,sir,youcouldn'tgetawayfromthat."
Thegirlspokesimplybutwithfinality.
"Tellme,Mary,hethreatenedher,didhenot?"
"Oh,yes,sir,itwasawfulthethingsheusedtosay.Thathe'dcutherthroat,
andsuchlike.CursingandswearingtoobothinGermanandinEnglish.And
yetauntiesayshewasafinehandsomefigureofamanwhenshemarried
him.It'sdreadfultothink,sir,whatpeoplecometo."
"Yes,indeed.Andso,Isuppose,Mary,havingactuallyheardthethreats,you
werenotsoverysurprisedwhenyoulearntwhathadhappened?"
"Oh,but Iwas, sir.Yousee,sir, Inever thought forone momentthat he
meantit.Ithoughtitwasjustnastytalkandnothingmoretoit.Anditisn't
asthoughauntiewasafraidofhim.Why,I'veseenhimslipawaylikeadog
withitstailbetweenitslegswhensheturnedonhim.Hewasafraidofherif
youlike."
"Andyetshegavehimmoney?"
"Well,hewasherhusband,yousee,sir."
"Yes, so you said before." He paused for a minute or two. Then he said.
"Supposethat,afterall,hedidnotkillher."
"Didn'tkillher?"Shestared.
"ThatiswhatIsaid.Supposingsomeoneelsekilledher....Haveyouany
ideawhothatsomeoneelsecouldbe?"
Shestaredathimwithevenmoreamazement."I'venoidea,sir.Itdoesn't
seemlikely,though,doesit?"
"Therewasnooneyourauntwasafraidof?"
Maryshookherhead."Auntiewasn'tafraidofpeople.She'dasharptongue

26

andshewouldstanduptoanybody."
"Youneverheardhermentionanyonewhohadagrudgeagainsther?"
"No,indeed,sir."
"Didsheevergetanonymousletters?"
"Whatkindoflettersdidyousay,sir?"
"Letters that weren't signedor only signed by something in A.B.C.." He
watched her narrowly, but plainly she was at a loss. She shook her head
wonderingly.
"Hasyourauntanyrelationsexceptyou?"
"Notnow,sir.Oneoftenshewas,butonlythreelivedtogrowup.MyUncle
Tomwaskilledinthewar,andmyUncleHarrywenttoSouthAmericaand
noone'sheardofhimsince,andmother'sdead,ofcourse,sothere'sonlyme."
"Hadyourauntanysavings?Anymoneyputby?"
"She'dalittleintheSavingsBank,sirenoughtoburyherproper,that's
whatshealwayssaid.Otherwiseshedidn'tmorethanjustmakeendsmeet
whatwithherolddevilandall."
Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.Hesaidperhapsmoretohimselfthantoher:
"Atpresentoneisinthedarkthereisnodirectionifthingsgetclearer"
Hegotup."IfIwantyouatanytime,Mary,Iwillwritetoyouhere."
"Asamatteroffact,sir,I'mgivinginmynotice.Idon'tlikethecountry.I
stayedherebecauseIfancieditwasacomforttoauntietohavemenearby.
Butnow"againthetearsroseinhereyes"there'snoreasonIshouldstay,
andsoI'llgobacktoLondon.It'sgayerforagirlthere."
"Iwishthat,whenyoudogo,youwouldgivemeyouraddress.Hereismy
card."
Hehandedittoher.Shelookedatitwithapuzzledfrown.
"Thenyou'renotanythingtodowiththepolice,sir?"
"Iamaprivatedetective."
Shestoodtherelookingathimforsomemomentsinsilence.Shesaidatlast:
"Isthereanythingqueergoingon,sir?"
"Yes,mychild.Thereissomethingqueergoingon.Lateryoumaybeableto

27

helpme."
"II'lldoanything,sir.Ititwasn'tright,sir,auntiebeingkilled."
Astrangewayofputtingitbutdeeplymoving.
AfewsecondslaterweweredrivingbacktoAndover

28

Chapter Six
The Scene of the Crime

The street in which the tragedy had occurred was a turning off the main
street.Mrs.Ascher'sshopwassituatedabouthalfwaydownitontheright
handside.
AsweturnedintothestreetPoirotglancedathiswatchandIrealizedwhyhe
haddelayedhisvisittothesceneofthecrimeuntilnow.Itwasjustonhalf
pastfive,Hehadwishedtoreproduceyesterday'satmosphereascloselyas
possible.
Butifthathadbeenhispurposeitwasdefeated.Certainlyatthismoment
theroadboreverylittlelikenesstoitsappearanceonthepreviousevening.
There were a certain number of small shops interspersed between private
houses of the poorer class. I judged that ordinarily there would be a fair
numberofpeoplepassingupanddownmostlypeopleofthepoorerclasses,
withagoodsprinklingofchildrenplayingonthepavementsandintheroad.
At this moment there was a solid mass of people standing staring at one
particularhouseorshopandittooklittleperspicuitytoguesswhichthatwas.
What we saw was a mass of average human beings looking with intense
interestatthespotwhereanotherhumanbeinghadbeendonetodeath.
Aswedrewnearerthisprovedtobeindeedthecase.Infrontofasmalldingy
looking shop with its shutters now closed stood a harassedlooking young
policemanwhowasstolidlyadjuringthecrowdto"passalongthere."Bythe
help of a colleague, displacements took placea certain number of people
grudgingly sighed and betook themselves to their ordinary vocations, and
almostimmediatelyotherpersonscamealongandtookuptheirstandtogaze
theirfillonthespotwheremurderhadbeencommitted.
Poirotstoppedalittledistancefromthemainbodyofthecrowd.
Fromwherewestoodthelegendpaintedoverthedoorcouldbereadplainly
enough.Poirotrepeateditunderhisbreath.
"A.Ascher. Oui,c'estpeutetrela"Hebrokeoff."Come,letusgoinside,
Hastings."

29

Iwasonlytooready.
Wemadeourwaythroughthecrowdandaccostedtheyoungpoliceman.
Poirot produced the credentials which the inspector had given him. The
constablenodded,andunlockedthedoortoletuspasswithin.Wedidsoand
enteredtotheintenseinterestofthelookerson.
Inside it was very dark owing to the shutters being closed. The constable
foundandswitchedontheelectriclight.Thebulbwasalowpoweredoneso
thattheinteriorwasstilldimlylit.
Ilookedaboutme.
Adingylittleplace.Afewcheapmagazinesstrewnabout,and yesterday's
newspapersall with a day's dust on them. Behind the counter a row of
shelves reaching to the ceiling and packed with tobacco and packets of
cigarettes.Therewerealsoacoupleofjarsofpepperminthumbugsandbarley
sugar.Acommonplacelittleshop,oneofmanythousandsuchothers.
TheconstableinhisslowHampshirevoicewasexplainingthemurderscene.
"Downinaheapbehindthecounter,that'swhereshewas.Doctorsaysas
howsheneverknewwhathither.Musthavebeenreachinguptooneofthe
shelves."
"Therewasnothinginherhand?"
"No,sir,buttherewasapacketofPlayersdownbesideher."
Poirotnodded.Hiseyessweptroundthesmallspaceobservingnoting.
"Andtherailwayguidewaswhere?"
"Here,sir."Theconstablepointedoutthespotonthecounter."Itwasopenat
therightpageforAndoverandlyingfacedown.Seemsthoughhemusthave
beenlookingupthetrainstoLondon.Ifso'twasn'tanAndovermanatall.
Butthen,ofcourse,therailwayguidemighthavebelongedtosomeoneelse
whathadnothingtodowiththemurderatall,butjustforgotithere."
"Fingerprints?"Isuggested.
Themanshookhishead."Thewholeplacewasexaminedstraightaway,sir.
Thereweren'tnone."
"Notonthecounteritself?"askedPoirot.

30

"Alongsighttoomany,sir!Allconfusedandjumbledup."
"AnyofAscher'samongthem?"
"Toosoontosay,sir."
Poirotnodded,thenaskedifthedeadwomanlivedovertheshop.
"Yes,sir,yougothroughthatdoorattheback,sir.You'llexcusemefrom
comingwithyou,butI'vegottostay"
PoirotpassedthroughthedoorinquestionandIfollowedhim.Behindthe
shopwasamicroscopicsortofparlourandkitchencombined.Itwasneatand
clean but very drearylooking and scantily furnished. On the mantelpiece
wereafewphotographs.IwentupandlookedatthemandPoirotjoinedme.
Thephotographswerethreeinall.Onewasacheapportraitofthegirlwe
hadbeenwiththatafternoon,MaryDrower.Shewasobviouslywearingher
bestclothesandhadtheselfconscious,woodensmileonherfacethatsooften
disfigures the expression in posed photography, and makes a snapshot
preferable.
The second was a more expensive type of picturean artistically blurred
reproductionofanelderlywomanwithwhitehair.Ahighfurcollarstoodup
roundtheneck.
IguessedthatthiswasprobablytheMissRosewhohadleftMrs.Ascherthe
smalllegacywhichhadenabledhertostartinbusiness.
The third photograph was a very old one, now faded and yellow. It
represented a young man and woman in somewhat oldfashioned clothes
standingarminarm.Themanhadaflowerinhisbuttonholeandtherewas
anairofbygonefestivityaboutthewholepose.
"Probablyaweddingpicture,"saidPoirot."Regard,Hastings,didInottell
youthatshehadbeenabeautifulwoman?"
Hewas right. Disfigured by oldfashioned hairdressing and weird clothes,
therewasnodisguisingthehandsomenessofthegirlinthepicturewithher
clearcutfeaturesandspiritedbearing.Ilookedcloselyatthesecondfigure.It
wasalmostimpossibletorecognizetheseedyAscherinthissmartyoungman
withthemilitarybearing.
Irecalledtheleeringdrunkenoldman,andtheworn,toilwornfaceofthe
deadwomanandIshiveredalittleattheremorselessnessoftime....

31

From the parlour a stair led to two upstairs rooms. One was empty and
unfurnished,theotherhadevidentlybeenthedeadwoman'sbedroom.
Afterbeingsearchedbythepoliceithadbeenleftasitwas.Acoupleofold
wornblanketsonthebed,alittlestockofwelldarnedunderwearinadrawer,
cookeryrecipesinanother,apaperbackednovelentitledTheGreenOasis,a
pairofnewstockingspatheticintheircheapshininessacoupleofchina
ornaments,aDresdenshepherdmuchbroken,andablueandyellowspotted
dog,ablackraincoatandawoollyjumperhangingonpegssuchwerethe
worldlypossessionsofthelateAliceAscher.
Iftherehadbeenanypersonalpapers,thepolicehadtakenthem.
"Pauvrefemme,"murmuredPoirot."Come,Hastings,thereisnothingforus
here."
Whenwewereoncemoreinthestreet,hehesitatedforaminuteortwo,then
crossedtheroad.AlmostexactlyoppositeMrs.Ascher'swasagreengrocer's
shopofthetypethathasmostofitsstockoutsideratherthaninside.
InalowvoicePoirotgavemecertaininstructions.Thenhehimselfentered
theshop.Afterwaiting aminuteortwoIfollowedhimin.Hewasat the
momentnegotiatingforalettuce.Imyselfboughtapoundofstrawberries.
Poirotwastalkinganimatedlytothestoutladywhowasservinghim.
"Itwasjust oppositeyou, wasit not,thatthismurder occurred? What an
affair!Whatasensationitmusthavecausedyou!"
Thestoutladywasobviouslytiredoftalkingaboutthemurder.Shemust
havehadalongdayofit.Sheobserved:"Itwouldbeaswellifsomeofthat
gapingcrowdclearedoff.Whatistheretolookat,I'dliketoknow."
"Itmusthavebeenverydifferentlastnight,"saidPoirot."Possiblyyoueven
observedthemurdererentertheshop:atall,fairmanwithabeard,washe
not?ARussian,soIhaveheard."
"What'sthat?"Thewomanlookedupsharply."ARussiandidit,yousay?"
"Iunderstandthatthepolicehavearrestedhim."
"Didyouevernow?"Thewomanwasexcited,voluble."Aforeigner."
"Maisoui.Ithoughtperhapsyoumighthavenoticedhimlastnight?"
"Well,Idon'tgetmuchchanceofnoticing,andthat'safact.Theevening'sour

32

busytimeandthere'salwaysafairfewpassingalongandgettinghomeafter
theirwork.Atall,fairmanwithabeardno,Ican'tsayIsawanyoneofthat
descriptionanywhereabout."
Ibrokeinonmycue.
"Excuseme,sir,"IsaidtoPoirot."Ithinkyouhavebeenmisinformed.Ashort
darkmanIwastold."
An interested discussion intervened in which the stout lady, her lank
husband and a hoarsevoiced shopboy all participated. No less than four
shortdarkmenhadbeenobserved,andthehoarseboyhadseenatallfair
one,"buthehadn'tgotnobeard,"headdedregretfully.
Finally, our purchases made, we left the establishment, leaving our
falsehoodsuncorrected.
"And what was the point of all that, Poirot?" I demanded somewhat
reproachfully.
"Parbleu, I wanted to estimate the chances of a stranger being noticed
enteringtheshopopposite."
"Couldn'tyousimplyhaveaskedwithoutallthattissueoflies?"
"No, monami.IfIhad'simplyasked,'asyouputit,Ishouldhavegotno
answeratalltomyquestions.YouyourselfareEnglishandyetyoudonot
seemtoappreciatethequalityoftheEnglishreactiontoadirectquestion.It
is invariably one of suspicion and the natural result is reticence. If I had
askedthosepeopleforinformationtheywouldhaveshutuplikeoysters.But
by making a statement (and a somewhat outoftheway and preposterous
one)andbyyourcontradictionofit,tonguesareimmediatelyloosened.We
knowalsothatthatparticulartimewasa'busytime'thatis,thateveryone
wouldbeintentontheirownconcernsandthattherewouldbeafairnumber
ofpeoplepassing alongthepavements.Our murdererchosehistimewell,
Hastings."
Hepausedandthenaddedonadeepnoteofreproach:"Isitthatyouhavenot
inanydegreethecommonsense,Hastings?Isaytoyou:'Makethepurchase
quel conque'and you deliberately choose the strawberries! Already they
commencetocreepthroughtheirbagandendangeryourgoodsuit."
Withsomedismay,Iperceivedthatthiswasindeedthecase.

33

I hastily presented the strawberries to a small boy who seemed highly

astonishedandfaintlysuspicious.
Poirotaddedthelettuce,thussettingthesealonthechild'sbewilderment.
Hecontinuedtodrivethemoralhome.
"At a cheap greengrocer'snot strawberries. A strawberry, unless fresh
picked,isboundtoexudejuice.Abananasomeapplesevenacabbage
butstrawberries"
"ItwasthefirstthingIthoughtof,"Iexplainedbywayofexcuse.
"Thatisunworthyofyourimagination,"returnedPoirotsternly.
Hepausedonthesidewalk.
ThehouseandshopontherightofMrs.Ascher'swasempty.A"ToLet"sign
appeared in the windows. On the other side was a house with somewhat
grimymuslincurtains.
TothishousePoirotbetookhimselfand,therebeingnobell,executedaseries
ofsharpflourisheswiththeknocker.
Thedoorwasopenedaftersomedelaybyaverydirtychildwithanosethat
neededattendingto.
"Goodevening,"saidPoirot."Isyourmotherwithin?"
"Ay?"saidthechild.
Itstaredatuswithdisfavouranddeepsuspicion.
"Yourmother,"saidPoirot.
Thistooksometwelvesecondstosinkin,thenthechildturnedand,bawling
upthestairs,"Mum,you'rewanted,"retreatedtosomefastnessinthedim
interior.
Asharpfacedwomanlookedoverthebalustersandbegantodescend.
"Nogoodyouwastingyourtime"shebegan,butPoirotinterruptedher.
Hetookoffhishatandbowedmagnificently.
"Goodevening,madame.IamonthestaffoftheEveningFlicker.Iwantto
persuadeyoutoacceptafeeoffivepoundsandletushaveanarticleonyour
lateneighbour,Mrs.Ascher."

34

The irate words arrested on her lips, the woman came down the stairs
smoothingherhairandhitchingatherskirt.
"Comeinside,pleaseontheleftthere.Won'tyousitdown,sir."
The tiny room was heavily overcrowded with a massive pseudoJacobean
suite,butwemanagedtosqueezeourselvesinandontoahardseatedsofa.
"Youmustexcuseme,"thewomanwassaying."IamsureI'msorryIspokeso
sharpjustnow,butyou'dhardlybelievetheworryonehastoputupwith
fellows coming along selling this, that and the othervacuum cleaners,
stockings,lavenderbagsandsuchlikefooleryandallsoplausibleandcivil
spoken.Gotyourname,too,pattheyhave.It'sMrs.Fowlerthis,thatandthe
other."
Seizingadroitlyonthename,Poirotsaid:"Well,Mrs.Fowler,Ihopeyou're
goingtodowhatIask."
"Idon'tknow,I'msure."ThefivepoundshungalluringlybeforeMrs.Fowler's
eyes."IknewMrs.Ascher,ofcourse,butastowritinganything."
HastilyPoirotreassuredher.Nolabouronherpartwasrequired.Hewould
elicitthefactsfromherandtheinterviewwouldbewrittenup.
Thusencouraged,Mrs.Fowlerplungedwillinglyintoreminiscence,conjecture
andhearsay.
Kept to herself, Mrs. Ascher had. Not what you'd call really friendly, but
there,she'dhadalotoftrouble,poorsoul,everyoneknewthat.Andbyright
FranzAscheroughttohavebeenlockedupyearsago.NotthatMrs.Ascher
hadbeenafraidofhimarealtartarshecouldbewhenroused!Giveasgood
asshegotanyday.Butthereitwasthepitchercouldgotothewelloncetoo
often.Againandagain,she,Mrs.Fowler,hadsaidtoher:"Oneofthesedays
thatmanwilldoforyou.Markmywords."Andhehaddone,hadn'the?And
therehadshe,Mrs.Fowler,beenrightnextdoorandneverheardasound.
InapausePoirotmanagedtoinsertaquestion.
HadMrs.Aschereverreceivedanypeculiarlettersletterswithoutaproper
signaturejustsomethinglikeA.B.C.?
Regretfully,Mrs.Fowlerreturnedanegativeanswer.
"I know the kind of thing you meananonymous letters they call them
mostlyfullofwordsyou'dblushtosayoutloud.Well,Idon'tknow,I'msure,

35

ifFranzAscherevertooktowritingthose.Mrs.Ascherneverletontomeif
hedid.What'sthat?Arailwayguide,anA.B.C.?No,Ineversawsuchathing
aboutandI'msureifMrs.AscherhadbeensentoneI'dhaveheardaboutit.
IdeclareyoucouldhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenIheardabout
thiswholebusiness.ItwasmygirlEdiewhatcametome.'Mum,'shesays,
'there's ever so many policemen next door.' Gave me quite a turn, it did.
'Well,'Isaid,whenIheardaboutit,'itdoesshowthatsheoughtnevertohave
beenaloneinthehousethatnieceofhersoughttohavebeenwithher.A
manindrinkcanbelikearaveningwolf,'Isaid,'andinmyopinionawild
beastisneithermorenorlessthanwhatthatolddevilofahusbandofhersis.
I'vewarnedher,'Isaid,'manytimesandnowmywordshavecometrue.He'll
doforyou,'Isaid.Andhehasdoneforher!Youcan'trightlyestimatewhata
manwilldowhenhe'sindrinkandthismurder'saproofofit."
Shewoundupwithadeepgasp.
"NobodysawthismanAschergointotheshop,Ibelieve?''saidPoirot.
Mrs.Fowlersniffedscornfully."Naturallyhewasn'tgoingtoshowhimself,"
shesaid.
HowMr.Ascherhadgottherewithoutshowinghimselfshedidnotdeignto
explain.
SheagreedthattherewasnobackwayintothehouseandthatAscherwas
quitewellknownbysightinthedistrict.
"Buthedidn'twanttoswingforitandhekepthimselfwellhid."
Poirotkepttheconversationalballrollingsomelittletimelongerbutwhenit
seemed certain that Mrs. Fowler had told all that she knew not once but
manytimesover,heterminatedtheinterview,firstpayingoutthepromised
sum.
"Ratheradearfivepounds'worth,Poirot,"Iventuredtoremarkwhenwe
wereoncemoreinthestreet.
"Sofar,yes."
"Youthinksheknowsmorethanshehastold?"
"Myfriend,weareinthepeculiarpositionofnotknowingwhatquestionsto
ask.Wearelikelittlechildrenplaying CacheCacheinthedark.Westretch
outourhandsandgropeabout.Mrs.Fowlerhastoldusallthatshethinks

36

sheknowsandhasthrowninseveralconjecturesforgoodmeasure!Inthe
future,however,herevidencemaybeuseful.ItisforthefuturethatIhave
investedthatsumoffivepounds."
I did not quite understand the point, but at this moment we ran into
InspectorGlen.

37

Chapter Seven
Mr. Partridge and Mr. Riddell

Inspector Glen was looking rather gloomy. He had, I gathered, spent the
afternoon trying to get a complete list of persons who had been noticed
enteringthetobaccoshop.
"Andnobodyhasseenanyone?"Poirotinquired.
"Oh,yes,theyhave.Threetallmenwithfurtiveexpressionsfourshortmen
withblackmoustachestwobeardsthreefatmenallstrangersandall,if
I'mtobelievewitnesses,withsinisterexpressions!Iwondersomebodydidn't
seeagangofmaskedmenwithrevolverswhiletheywereaboutit!"
Poirot smiled sympathetically. "Does anybody claim to have seen the man
Ascher?"
"No,theydon't.Andthat'sanotherpointinhisfavour.I'vejusttoldtheChief
ConstablethatIthinkthisisajobforScotlandYard.Idon'tbelieveit'sa
localcrime."
Poirotsaidgravely:"Iagreewithyou."
The inspector said: "You know, Monsieur Poirot, it's a nasty businessa
nastybusiness...Idon'tlikeit...."
WehadtwomoreinterviewsbeforereturningtoLondon.
ThefirstwaswithMr.JamesPartridge.Mr.Partridgewasthelastperson
knowntohaveseenMrs.Ascheralive.Hehadmadeapurchasefromherat
5:30.
Mr.Partridgewasasmall,spareman,abankclerkbyprofession.Hewore
pincenez,wasverydryandsparelookingand extremelypreciseinallhis
utterances.Helivedinasmallhouseasneatandtrimashimself.
"Mr.erPoirot,"hesaid,glancingatthecardmyfriendhadhandedtohim.
"FromInspectorGlen?WhatcanIdoforyou,Mr.Poirot?"
"I understand, Mr. Partridge, that you were the last person to see Mrs.
Ascheralive."

38

Mr.PartridgeplacedhisfingertipstogetherandlookedatPoirotasthoughhe
wereadoubtfulcheque.
"Thatisaverydebatablepoint,Mr.Poirot,"hesaid."Manypeoplemayhave
madepurchasesfromMrs.AscherafterIdidso."
"Ifso,theyhavenotcomeforwardtosayso."
Mr. Partridge coughed. "Some people, Mr. Poirot, have no sense of public
duty."
Helookedatusowlishlythroughhisspectacles.
"Exceedinglytrue,"murmuredPoirot."You,Iunderstand,wenttothepolice
ofyourownaccord?"
"CertainlyIdid.AssoonasIheardoftheshockingoccurrenceIperceived
thatmystatementmightbehelpfulandcameforwardaccordingly.''
"Averyproperspirit,"saidPoirotsolemnly."Perhapsyouwillbesokindasto
repeatyourstorytome."
"Byallmeans.Iwasreturningtothishouseandat5:30precisely"
"Pardon,howwasitthatyouknewthetimesoaccurately?"
Mr,Partridgelookedalittleannoyedatbeinginterrupted."Thechurchclock
chimed.IlookedatmywatchandfoundIwasaminuteslow.Thatwasjust
beforeIenteredMrs.Ascher'sshop."
"Wereyouinthehabitofmakingpurchasesthere?"
"Fairlyfrequently.Itwasonmywayhome.AboutonceortwiceaweekIwas
inthehabitofpurchasingtwoouncesofJohnCottonmild."
"Did you know Mrs. Ascher at all? Anything of her circumstances or her
history?"
"Nothingwhatever.Beyondmypurchaseandanoccasionalrefillastothe
stateoftheweather,Ihadneverspokentoher."
"Did you know she had a drunken husband who was in the habit of
threateningherlife?"
"No,Iknewnothingwhateverabouther."
"Youknewherbysight,however.Didanythingaboutherappearancestrike
youasunusualyesterdayevening?Didsheappearflurriedorputoutinany

39

way?"
Mr.Partridgeconsidered."AsfarasInoticed,sheseemedexactlyasusual,"
hesaid.
Poirotrose.
"Thankyou,Mr.Partridge,foransweringthesequestions.Haveyou,byany
chance,anA.B.C.inthehouse?IwanttolookupmyreturntraintoLondon."
"Ontheshelfjustbehindyou,"saidMr.Partridge.
OntheshelfinquestionwereanA.B.C.,aBradshaw,theStockExchange
YearBook,Kelly'sDirectory,aWho'sWhoandalocaldirectory.
PoirottookdowntheA.B.C.,pretendedtolookupatrain,thenthankedMr.
Partridgeandtookhisleave.
OurnextinterviewwaswithMr.AlbertRiddellandwasofahighlydifferent
character. Mr. Albert Riddell was a platelayer and our conversation took
place to the accompaniment of the clattering of plates and dishes by Mr.
Riddell'sobviously nervouswife,thegrowlingofMr.Riddell'sdogandthe
undisguisedhostilityofMr.Riddellhimself.
Hewasabigclumsygiantofamanwithabroadfaceandsmallsuspicious
eyes.Hewasintheactofeatingameatpie,washeddownbyexceedingly
blacktea.Hepeeredatusangrilyovertherimofhiscup.
"ToldallI'vegottotellonce,haven'tI?"hegrowled."What'sittodowithme,
anyway?Toldittotheblastedpolice,I'ave,andnowI'vegottospititallout
againtoacoupleofblastedforeigners."
Poirotgaveaquickamusedglanceinmydirectionandthensaid:"IntruthI
sympathizewithyou,butwhatwillyou?Itisaquestionofmurder,isitnot?
Onehastobevery,verycareful."
"Besttellthegentlemanwhathewants,Bert,"saidthewomannervously.
"Youshutyourblastedmouth,"roaredthegiant.
"Youdidnot,Ithink,gotothepoliceofyourownaccord."Poirotslippedthe
remarkinneatly.
"WhythehellshouldI?Itwerenobusinessofmine."
"Amatterofopinion,"saidPoirotindifferently."Therehasbeenamurder
thepolicewanttoknowwhohasbeenintheshop,Imyselfthinkitwould

40

havewhatshallIsay?lookedmorenaturalifyouhadcomeforward."
"I'vegotmyworktodo.Don'tsayIshouldn'thavecomeforwardinmyown
time"
"Butasitwas,thepoliceweregivenyournameasthatofapersonseentogo
intoMrs.Ascher'sandtheyhadtocometoyou.Weretheysatisfiedwithyour
account?"
"Whyshouldn'ttheybe?"demandedBerttruculently.
Poirotmerelyshruggedhisshoulders.
"What are you getting at, mister? Nobody's got anything against me!
Everyoneknowswhodidtheoldgirlin,thatbofahusbandofhers."
"Buthewasnotinthestreetthateveningandyouwere."
"Tryingtofastenitonmeareyou?Well,youwon'tsucceed.Whatreasonhad
Igottodoathinglikethat?ThinkIwantedtopinchatinofher bloody
tobacco?ThinkI'mabloodyhomicidalmaniacastheycallit?ThinkI?"
Herosethreateninglyfromhisseat.Hiswifebleatedout:"Bert,Bertdon't
saysuchthings.Bertthey'llthink"
"Calmyourself,Monsieur,"saidPoirot."Idemandonlyyouraccountofyour
visit.Thatyourefuseitseemstomewhatshallwesayalittleodd?"
"WhosaidIrefusedanything?"Mr.Riddellsankbackagainintohisseat."I
don'tmind."
"Itwassixo'clockwhenyouenteredtheshop?"
"That'srightaminuteortwoafter,asamatteroffact.Wantedapacketof
GoldHake.Ipushedopenthedoor"
"Itwasclosed,then?"
''That'sright.Ithoughttheshopwasshut,maybe.Butitwasn't.Iwentin,
there wasn't anyone about. I hammered on the counter and waited a bit.
Nobodycame,soIwentoutagain.That'sall,andyoucanputitinyourpipe
andsmokeit."
"Youdidn'tseethebodyfallendownbehindthecounter?"
"No,nomorewouldyouhavedoneunlessyouwaslookingforit,maybe."
"Wastherearailwayguidelyingabout?"

41

"Yes, there wasface downwards. It crossed my mind like that the old
womanmighthavehadtogooffsuddenbytrainandforgottolockshopup."
"Perhapsyoupickeduptherailwayguideormoveditalongthecounter?"
"Didn'ttouchthebthing.IdidjustwhatIsaid."
"Andyoudidnotseeanyoneleavingtheshopbeforeyouyourselfgotthere?"
"Didn'tseeanysuchthing.WhatIsayis,whypitchonme."
Poirotrose.
"Nobodyispitchinguponyouyet.Bonsoir,Monsieur."
HeleftthemanwithhismouthopenandIfollowedhim.
Inthestreetheconsultedhiswatch."Withgreathaste,myfriend,wemight
managetocatchthe7.20.Letusdispatchourselvesquickly."

42

Chapter Eight
The Second Letter

"Well?"Idemandedeagerly.
Wewereseatedinafirstclasscarriagewhichwehadtoourselves.Thetrain,
anexpress,hadjustdrawnoutofAndover.
"Thecrime,"saidPoirot,"wascommittedbyamanofmediumheightwithred
hairandacastinthelefteye.Helimpsslightlyontherightfootandhasa
molejustbelowtheshoulderblade."
"Poirot?"Icried.
ForamomentIwascompletelytakenin.Thenthetwinkleinmyfriend'seye
undeceivedme.
"Poirot!"Isaidagain,thistimeinreproach.
"Monami,whatwillyou?Youfixuponmealookofdoglikedevotionand
demandofmeapronouncement alaSherlockHolmes!NowforthetruthI
donotknowwhatthemurdererlookslike,norwherehelives,norhowtoset
handsuponhim."
"Ifonlyhehadleftsomeclue,"Imurmured.
"Yes,theclueitisalwaysthecluethatattractsyou.Alasthathedidnot
smokethecigaretteandleavetheash,andthenstepinitwithashoethat
hasnailsofacuriouspattern.Noheisnotsoobliging.Butatleast,my
friend,youhavetherailwayguide.TheA.B.C.,thatisaclueforyou!"
"Doyouthinkheleftitbymistakethen?"
"Ofcoursenot.Heleftitonpurpose.Thefingerprintstellusthat."
"Butthereweren'tanyonit."
"ThatiswhatImean.Whatwasyesterdayevening?AwarmJunenight.Does
amanstrollaboutonsuchaneveningingloves?Suchamanwouldcertainly
have attracted attention. Therefore since there are no fingerprints on the
A.B.C.,itmusthavebeencarefullywiped.Aninnocentmanwouldhaveleft
printsaguiltymanwouldnot.Sothemurdererleftitthereforapurpose

43

butforallthatitisnonethelessaclue.ThatA.B.C.wasboughtbysomeone
itwascarriedbysomeonethereisapossibilitythere."
"Youthinkwemaylearnsomethingthatway?"
"Frankly,Hastings,Iamnotparticularlyhopeful.Thisman,thisunknownX,
obviouslyprideshimselfonhisabilities.Heisnotlikelytoblazeatrailthat
canbefollowedstraightaway."
"SothatreallytheA.B.C.isn'thelpfulatall."
"Notinthesenseyoumean."
"Inanysense?"
Poirotdidnotansweratonce.Thenhesaidslowly:"Theanswertothatisyes.
Weare confronted hereby an unknown personage. He isin thedark and
seekstoremaininthedark.Butintheverynatureofthingshecannothelp
throwinglightuponhimself.Inonesenseweknownothingabouthimin
another sense we know already a good deal. I see his figure dimly taking
shapeamanwhoprintsclearlyandwellwhobuysgoodqualitypaper
whoisatgreatneedstoexpresshispersonality.Iseehimasachildpossibly
ignored and passed overI see him growing up with an inward sense of
inferioritywarringwithasenseofinjustice....Iseethatinnerurgeto
assert himselfto focus attention on himself ever becoming stronger, and
events, circumstancescrushing it downheaping, perhaps, more
humiliationsonhim.Andinwardlythematchissettothepowdertrain...."
"That'sallpureconjecture,"Iobjected."Itdoesn'tgiveyouanypracticalhelp."
"Youpreferthematchend,thecigaretteash,thenailedboots!Youalways
have.Butatleastwecanaskourselvessomepracticalquestions.Whythe
A.B.C.?WhyMrs.Ascher?WhyAndover?"
"Thewoman'spastlifeseemssimpleenough,"Imused."Theinterviewswith
thosetwomenweredisappointing.Theycouldn'ttellusanythingmorethan
weknewalready."
''Totellthetruth,Ididnotexpectmuchinthatline.Butwecouldnotneglect
twopossiblecandidatesforthemurder."
"Surelyyoudon'tthink"
"ThereisatleastapossibilitythatthemurdererlivesinornearAndover.
Thatisapossibleanswertoourquestion:'WhyAndover?'Well,herewere

44

twomenknowntohavebeenintheshopattherequisitetimeofday.Either
ofthemmightbethemurderer.Andthereisnothingasyettoshowthatone
orotherofthemisnotthemurderer."
"Thatgreathulkingbrute,Riddell,perhaps,"Iadmitted.
"Oh,Iam inclined toacquit Riddelloffhand. He wasnervous, blustering,
obviouslyuneasy"
"Butsurelythatjustshows"
"A nature diametrically opposed to that which penned the A.B.C. letter.
Conceitandselfconfidencearethecharacteristicsthatwemustlookfor."
"Someonewhothrowshisweightabout?"
"Possibly.Butsomepeople,underanervousandselfeffacingmanner,conceal
agreatdealofvanityandselfsatisfaction."
"Youdon'tthinkthatlittleMr.Partridge?"
"Heismoreletype.Onecannotsaymorethanthat.Heactsasthewriterof
theletterwouldactgoesatoncetothepolicepusheshimselftothefore
enjoyshisposition."
"Doyoureallythink?"
"No, Hastings. Personally I believe that the murderer came from outside
Andover,butwemustneglectnoavenueofresearch.AndalthoughIsay'he'
allthetime,wemustnotexcludethepossibilityofawomanbeingconcerned."
"Surelynot!"
"Themethodofattackisthatofaman,Iagree.Butanonymouslettersare
writtenbywomenratherthanbymen.Wemustbearthatinmind."
Iwassilentforafewminutes,thenIsaid:"Whatdowedonext?"
"MyenergeticHastings,"Poirotsaidandsmiledatme.
"No,butwhatdowedo?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"Mydisappointmentrangoutclearly.
"AmIthemagician?Thesorcerer?Whatwouldyouhavemedo?"
Turning the matter over in my mind I found it difficult to give answer.

45

NeverthelessIfeltconvincedthatsomethingoughttobedoneandthatwe
shouldnotallowthegrasstogrowunderourfeet.
Isaid:"ThereistheA.B.C.andthenotepaperandenvelope"
"Naturally everything is being done in that line. The police have all the
meansattheirdisposalforthatkindofinquiry.Ifanythingistobediscovered
onthoselineshavenofearbutthattheywilldiscoverit."
WiththatIwasforcedtorestcontent.
InthedaysthatfollowedIfoundPoirotcuriouslydisinclinedtodiscussthe
case.WhenItriedtoreopenthesubjecthewaveditasidewithanimpatient
hand.
InmyownmindIwasafraidthatIfathomedhismotive.Overthemurderof
Mrs.Ascher,Poirothadsustainedadefeat.A.B.C.hadchallengedhimand
A.B.C.hadwon.Myfriend,accustomedtoanunbrokenlineofsuccesses,was
sensitivetohisfailuresomuchsothathecouldnotevenendurediscussion
ofthesubject.Itwas,perhaps,asignofpettinessinsogreataman,buteven
themostsoberofusisliabletohavehisheadturnedbysuccess.InPoirot's
casetheheadturningprocesshadbeengoingonforyears.Smallwonderifits
effectsbecamenoticeableatlonglast.
Understanding, I respected my friend's weakness and I made no further
referencetothecase.Ireadinthepapertheaccountoftheinquest.
Itwasverybrief,nomentionwasmadeoftheA.B.C.letter,andaverdictwas
returnedofmurderbysomepersonorpersonsunknown.Thecrimeattracted
verylittleattentioninthepress.Ithadnopopularorspectacularfeatures.
Themurderofanoldwomaninasidestreetwassoonpassedoverinthe
pressformorethrillingtopics.
Truthtotell,theaffairwasfadingfrommymindalso,partly,Ithink,because
IdislikedtothinkofPoirotasbeinginanywayassociatedwithafailure,
whenonJuly25thitwassuddenlyrevived.
IhadnotseenPoirotforacoupleofdaysasIhadbeenawayinYorkshirefor
theweekend.IarrivedbackonMondayafternoonandthelettercamebythe
sixo'clockpost.Irememberthesudden,sharpintakeofbreaththatPoirot
gaveasheslitopenthatparticularenvelope.
"Ithascome,"hesaid.

46

Istaredathimnotunderstanding."Whathascome?"
"ThesecondchapteroftheA.B.C.business."
For a minute I looked at him uncomprehendingly. The matter had really
passedfrommymemory.
"Read,"saidPoirotandpassedmeovertheletter.
Asbefore,itwasprintedongoodqualitypaper.
DEARMR.POIROTWell,whataboutit?Firstgametome,I
think.
TheAndoverbusinesswentwithaswing,didn'tit?Butthefunis
onlyjustbeginning.LetmedrawyourattentiontoBexhillonSea,
the25thinst..Whatamerrytimewearehaving.
Yours,etc.,
A.B.C.
"GoodGod,Poirot,"Icried."Doesthismeanthatthisfiendisgoingtoattempt
anothercrime?"
"Naturally, Hastings. What else did you expect? Did you think that the
Andover business was an isolated case? Do you not remember my saying:
'Thisisthebeginning.'?"
"Butthisishorrible!"
"Yes,itishorrible."
"We'reupagainstahomicidalmaniac."
"Yes."
His quietness was more impressive than any heroics could have been. I
handedbacktheletterwithashudder.
Thefollowingmorningsawusataconferenceofpowers.TheChiefConstable
of Sussex, the Assistant Commissioner of the C.I.D., Inspector Glen from
Andover, Superintendent Carter of the Sussex police, Japp and a younger
inspector called Crome, and Dr. Thompson, the famous alienist, were all
assembled together. The postmark on this letter was Hampstead, but in
Poirot'sopinionlittleimportancecouldbeattachedtothisfact.
Thematterwasdiscussedfully.Dr.Thompsonwasapleasantmiddleaged
manwho,inspiteofhislearning,contentedhimselfwithhomelylanguage,

47

avoidingthetechnicalitiesofhisprofession.
"There'snodoubt,"saidtheAssistantCommissioner,"thatthetwolettersare
inthesamehand.Bothwerewrittenbythesameperson."
"AndwecanfairlyassumethatthatpersonwasresponsiblefortheAndover
murder."
"Quite.We'venowgotdefinitewarningofasecondcrimescheduledtotake
placeonthe25thtomorrowatBexhill.Whatstepscanbetaken?"
TheSussexChiefConstablelookedathissuperintendent."Well,Carter,what
aboutit?"
Thesuperintendentshookhisheadgravely."It'sdifficult,sir.There'snotthe
leastcluetowardswhomthevictimmayhe.Speakingfairandsquare,what
stepscanwetake?"
"Asuggestion,"murmuredPoirot.
Theirfacesturnedtohim.
"Ithinkitpossiblethatthesurnameoftheintendedvictimwillbeginwith
theletterB."
"Thatwouldbesomething,"saidthesuperintendentdoubtfully.
"Analphabeticalcomplex,"saidDr.Thompsonthoughtfully.
"Isuggestitasapossibilitynomore.ItcameintomymindwhenIsawthe
nameAscherclearlywrittenovertheshopdooroftheunfortunatewoman
who was murdered last month. When I got the letter naming Bexhill it
occurredtomeasapossibilitythatthevictimaswellastheplacemightbe
selectedbyanalphabeticalsystem."
"It'spossible,"saidthedoctor."Ontheotherhand,itmaybethatthename
Ascher was a coincidencethat the victim this time, no matter what her
name is, will again be an old woman who keeps a shop. We're dealing,
remember,withamadman.Sofarhehasn'tgivenusanyclueastomotive."
"Hasamadmananymotive,sir?"askedthesuperintendentskeptically.
"Ofcoursehehas,man.Adeadlylogicisoneofthespecialcharacteristicsof
acutemania.Amanmaybelievehimselfdivinelyappointedtokillclergymen
or doctorsor old women in tobacco shopsand there's always some
perfectlycoherentreasonbehindit.Wemustn'tletthealphabeticalbusiness

48

runawaywithus.BexhillsucceedingtoAndovermaybeamerecoincidence."
"Wecanatleasttakecertainprecautions,Carter,andmakeaspecialnoteof
the B's, especially small shopkeepers, and keep a watch on all small
tobacconistsand newsagents looked after byasingleperson.I don'tthink
there's anything more we can do than that. Naturally keep tabs on all
strangersasfaraspossible."
Thesuperintendentutteredagroan."Withtheschoolsbreakingupandthe
holidaysbeginning?Peoplearefairlyfloodingintotheplacethisweek."
"Wemustdowhatwecan,"theChiefConstablesaidsharply.
InspectorGlenspokeinhisturn.
"I'llhaveawatchkeptonanyoneconnectedwiththeAscherbusiness.Those
twowitnesses,PartridgeandRiddell,andofcourseonAscherhimself.Ifthey
showanysignsofleavingAndoverthey'llbefollowed."
Theconferencebrokeupafterafewmoresuggestionsandalittledesultory
conversation.
"Poirot,"Isaidaswewalkedalongbytheriver,"surelythiscrimecanbe
prevented?"
Heturnedahaggardfacetome."Thesanityofacityfullofmenagainstthe
insanity of one? I fear, HastingsI very much fear. Remember the long
continuedsuccessesofJacktheRipper."
"It'shorrible,"Isaid.
"Madness, Hastings, is a terrible thing. I am afraid . . . I am very much
afraid...."

49

Chapter Nine
The Bexhill-on-Sea Murder

Istillremembermyawakeningonthemorningofthe25 th ofJuly.Itmust
havebeenaboutseventhirty.
Poirotwasstandingbymybedsidegentlyshakingmebytheshoulder.
One glance at his face brought me from semiconsciousness into full
possessionofmyfaculties.
"Whatisit?"Idemanded,sittinguprapidly.
Hisanswercamequitesimply,butawealthofemotionlaybehindthethree
wordsheuttered.
"Ithashappened."
"What?"Icried."Youmeanbuttodayisthe25th."
"Ittookplacelastnightorratherintheearlyhoursofthismorning.''
AsIsprangfrombedandmadearapidtoilet,herecountedbrieflywhathe
hadjustlearntoverthetelephone.
"ThebodyofayounggirlhasbeenfoundonthebeachatBexhill.Shehas
beenidentifiedasElizabethBarnard,awaitressinoneofthecafs,wholived
withherparentsinalittlerecentlybuiltbungalow.Medicalevidencegavethe
timeofdeathasbetween11:30and1A.M.."
"They'requitesurethatthisisthecrime?"Iasked,asIhastilylatheredmy
face.
"AnA.B.C.openatthetrainstoBexhillwasfoundactuallyunderthebody."
Ishivered.
"Thisishorrible!"
"Faitesattention,Hastings.Idonotwantasecondtragedyinmyrooms!"I
wipedthebloodfrommychinratherruefully.
"Whatisourplanofcampaign?"Iasked.

50

"Thecarwillcallforusinafewmoments'time.Iwillbringyouacupofcoffee
heresothattherewillbenodelayinstarting."
TwentyminuteslaterwewereinafastpolicecarcrossingtheThamesonour
wayoutofLondon.
WithuswasInspectorCrome,whohadbeenpresentattheconferencethe
otherday,andwhowasofficiallyinchargeofthecase.
CromewasaverydifferenttypeofofficerfromJapp.Amuchyoungerman,
hewasthesilent,superiortype.Welleducatedandwellread,hewas,formy
taste,severalshadestoopleasedwithhimself.Hehadlatelygainedkudos
overaseriesofchildmurders,havingpatientlytrackeddownthecriminal
whowasnowinBroadmoor.
He was obviously a suitable person to undertake the present case, but I
thoughtthathewasjustalittletooawareofthefacthimself.
His manner to Poirot was a shade patronizing. He deferred to him as a
youngermantoanolderoneinaratherselfconscious,"publicschool"way.
"I'vehadagoodlongtalkwithDr.Thompson,"hesaid."He'sveryinterested
in the 'chain' or 'series' type of murder. It's the product of a particularly
distortedtypeofmentality.Asalaymanonecan't,ofcourse,appreciatethe
finer points as they present themselves to a medical point of view." He
coughed."AsamatteroffactmylastcaseIdon'tknowwhetheryouread
aboutittheMabelHomercase,theMuswellHillschoolgirl,youknowthat
manCapperwasextraordinary.Amazinglydifficulttopinthecrimeontohim
itwashisthird,too!LookedassaneasyouorI.Buttherearevarioustests
verbaltraps,youknowquitemodern,ofcourse,therewasnothingofthat
kindinyourday.Onceyoucaninduceamantogivehimselfaway,you'vegot
him!Heknowsthatyouknowandhisnervegoes.Hestartsgivinghimself
awayrightandleft."
"Eveninmydaythathappenedsometimes,"saidPoirot.
InspectorCromelookedathimandmurmuredconversationally:"Oh,yes?"
Therewassilencebetweenusforsometime.AswepassedNewCrossStation,
Cromesaid:"Ifthere'sanythingyouwanttoaskmeaboutthecase,praydo
so."
"Youhavenot,Ipresume,adescriptionofthedeadgirl?"

51

"Shewastwentythreeyearsofage,engagedasawaitressattheGingerCat
caf"
"Pasa,Iwonderedifshewerepretty?"
"As to that I've no information," said Inspector Crome with a hint of
withdrawal.Hismannersaid:"Reallytheseforeigners!Allthesame!"
AfinallookofamusementcameintoPoirot'seyes."Itdoesnotseemtoyou
important,that?Yet, pourunefemme,itisofthefirstimportance.Oftenit
decidesherdestiny!"
Inspector Crome fell back on his conversational full stop. "Oh, yes?" he
inquiredpolitely.
Anothersilencefell.
It was not until we were nearing Sevenoaks that Poirot opened the
conversationagain.
"Were you informed, by any chance, how and with what the girl was
strangled?"
Inspector Crome replied briefly. "Strangled with her own belta thick,
knittedaffair,Igather."
Poirot'seyesopenedverywide."Aha,"hesaid."Atlastwehaveapieceof
informationthatisverydefinite.Thattellsonesomething,doesitnot?"
"Ihaven'tseenityet,"saidInspectorCromecoldly.
Ifeltimpatientwiththeman'scautionandlackofimagination."Itgivesus
the hallmark of the murderer," I said. "The girl's own belt. It shows the
particularbeastlinessofhismind!"
Poirotshot me aglanceI couldnot fathom.Ontheface of it,it conveyed
humorousimpatience.Ithoughtthatperhapsitwasawarningnottobetoo
outspokeninfrontoftheinspector.
Irelapsedintosilence.
AtBexhillweweregreetedbySuperintendentCarter.Hehadwithhima
pleasantfaced,intelligentlookingyounginspectorcalledKelsey.
ThelatterwasdetailedtoworkinwithCromeoverthecase.
"You'llwanttomakeyourowninquiries,Crome,"saidthesuperintendent.

52

"SoI'lljustgiveyouthemainheadsofthematterandthenyoucangetbusy
rightaway."
"Thankyousir,"saidCrome.
"We'vebrokenthenewstoherfatherandmother,"saidthesuperintendent.
"Terrible shock to them, of course. I left them to recover a bit before
questioningthem,soyoucanstartfromthebeginningthere."
"Thereareothermembersofthefamilyyes?"askedPoirot.
''There's asisteratypist inLondon. She'sbeen communicated with. And
there'sayoungmaninfact,shewassupposedtobeoutwithhimlastnight,
Igather."
"AnyhelpfromtheA.B.C.guide?"askedCrome.
"It'sthere,"thesuperintendentnoddedtowardsthetable."Nofingerprints.
OpenatthepageforBexhill.Anewcopy,Ishouldsaydoesn'tseemtohave
beenopenedmuch.Notboughtanywhereroundhere.I'wetriedallthelikely
stationers!"
"Whodiscoveredthebody,sir?"
"Oneofthesefreshair,earlymorningoldcolonels.ColonelJerome.Hewas
out with his dog about 6 A.M.. Went along the front in the direction of
Cooden,anddownontothebeach.Dogwentoffandsniffedatsomething.
Colonelcalledit.Dogdidn'tcome.Colonelhadalookandthoughtsomething
queerwasup.Wentoverandlooked.Behavedveryproperly.Didn'ttouchher
atallandrangusupimmediately."
"Andthetimeofdeathwasroundaboutmidnightlastnight?"
"Betweenmidnightand1A.M.that'sprettycertain.Ourhomicidaljokeris
amanofhisword.Ifhesaysthe25th,itisthe25ththoughitmayhavebeen
onlybyafewminutes."
Crome nodded. "Yes, that's his mentality all right. There's nothing else?
Nobodysawanythinghelpful?"
"Notasfarasweknow.Butit'searlyyet.Everyonewhosawagirlinwhite
walkingwithamanlastnightwillbealongtotellusaboutsoon,andasI
imaginetherewereaboutfourorfivehundredgirlsinwhitewalkingwith
youngmenlastnight,itoughttobeanicebusiness.''
"Well,sir,I'dbettergetdowntoit,"saidCrome."There'sthecafandthere's

53

thegirl'shome.I'dbettergotobothofthem.Kelseycancomewithme."
"AndMr.Poirot?"askedthesuperintendent.
"Iwillaccompanyyou,"saidPoirottoCromewithalittlebow.
Crome,Ithought,lookedslightlyannoyed.Kelsey,whohadnotseenPoirot
before,grinnedbroadly.
Itwasanunfortunatecircumstancethatthefirsttimepeoplesawmyfriend
theywerealwaysdisposedtoconsiderhimasajokeofthefirstwater.
"What about this belt she was strangled with?" asked Crome. "Poirot is
inclinedtothinkit'savaluableclue.Iexpecthe'dliketoseeit."
"Dutout,"saidPoirotquickly."Youmisunderstoodme."
"You'llgetnothingfromthat,"saidCarter."Itwasn'taleatherbeltmight
havegotfingerprintsifithadbeen.Justathicksoofknittedsilkidealfor
thepurpose."
Igaveashiver.
"Well,"saidCrome,"we'dbetterbegettingalong."
Wesetoutforthwith.
OurfirstvisitwastotheGingerCat.Situatedontheseafront,thiswasthe
usualtypeofsmalltearoom.Ithadlittletablescoveredwithorangechecked
clothsandbasketworkchairsofexceedingdiscomfortwithorangecushionson
them.Itwasthekindofplacethatspecializedinmorningcoffee,fivedifferent
kindsof teas (Devonshire, farmhouse, fruit,Carltonand plain), and afew
sparinglunchdishesforfemalessuchasscrambledeggsand shrimpsand
macaroniaugratin.
Themorningcoffeeswerejustgettingunderway.Themanageressusheredus
hastilyintoaveryuntidybacksanctum.
"MisserMerrion?"inquiredCrome.
MissMerrionbleatedoutinahigh,distressedgentlewomanvoice:"Thatis
myname.Thisisamostdistressingbusiness.Mostdistressing.Howitwill
affectourbusinessIreallycannotthink!"
MissMerrionwasaverythinwomanoffortywithwispyorangehair(indeed
shewasastonishinglylikeagingercatherself).Sheplayednervouslywith
variousfichusandfrillsthatwerepartofherofficialcostume.

54

"You'llhaveaboom,"saidInspectorKelseyencouragingly."You'llsee!You
won'tbeabletoserveteasfastenough!"
"Disgusting,"saidMissMerrion."Trulydisgusting.Itmakesonedespairof
humannature."
Buthereyebrightenednevertheless.
"Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthedeadgirl,MissMerrion?"
"Nothing,"saidMissMerrionpositively."Absolutelynothing!"
"Howlonghadshebeenworkinghere?"
"Thiswasthesecondsummer."
"Youweresatisfiedwithher?"
"Shewasagoodwaitressquickandobliging."
"Shewaspretty,yes?"inquiredPoirot.
MissMerrion,inherturn,gavehiman"Oh,theseforeigners"look."Shewas
anice,cleanlookinggirl,"shesaiddistantly.
"Whattimedidshegooffdutylastnight?"askedCrome.
"Eighto'clock.Wecloseateight.Wedonotservedinners.Thereisnodemand
forthem.Scrambledeggsandtea(Poirotshuddered).Peoplecomeinforupto
seveno'clockandsometimesafter,butourrushisoverby6:30."
"Didshementiontoyouhowsheproposedtospendherevening?"
"Certainly not," said Miss Merrion emphatically. "We were not on those
terms."
"Noonecameinandcalledforher?Anythinglikethat?"
"No."
"Didsheseemquiteherordinaryself?Notexcitedordepressed?"
"ReallyIcouldnotsay,"saidMissMerrionaloofly.
"Howmanywaitressesdoyouemploy?"
"Two normally, and an extra two after the 20 th of July until the end of
August."
"ButElizabethBarnardwasnotoneoftheextras?"

55

"MissBarnardwasoneoftheregulars."
"Whatabouttheotherone?"
"MissHigley?Sheisaveryniceyounglady."
"WeresheandMissBarnardfriends?"
"ReallyIcouldnotsay."
"Perhapswe'dbetterhaveawordwithher."
"Now?"
"Ifyouplease."
"Iwillsendhertoyou,"saidMissMerrion,rising."Pleasekeepherasshorta
timeaspossible.Thisisthemorningcoffeerushhour."
ThefelineandgingeryMissMerrionlefttheroom.
"Veryrefined,"remarkedInspectorKelsey.Hemimickedthelady'smincing
tone."ReallyIcouldnotsay."
Aplumpgirl,slightlyoutofbreath,withdarkhair,rosycheeksanddarkeyes
gogglingwithexcitement,bouncedin.
"MissMerrionsentme,"sheannouncedbreathlessly.
"MissHigley?"
"Yes,that'sme."
"YouknewElizabethBarnard?"
"Oh,yes,IknewBetty.Isn'titawful?It'sjusttooawful!Ican'tbelieveit's
true.I'vebeensayingtothegirlsallthemorningIjustcan'tbelieveit!'You
know,girls,'Isaid,'itjustdoesn'tseemreal.'Betty!Imean,BettyBarnard,
who'sbeenhereallalong,murdered!'Ijustcan'tbelieveit,'Isaid.Fiveorsix
times I've pinched myself just to see if I wouldn't wake up. Betty
murdered...It'swell,youknowwhatImeanitdoesn'tseemreal."
"Youknewthedeadgirlwell?"askedCrome.
"Well,she'sworkedherelongerthanIhave.IonlycamethisMarch.Shewas
herelastyear.Shewasratherquiet,ifyouknowwhatImean.Shewasn'tone
tojokeorlaughalot.Idon'tmeanthatshewasexactlyquietshe'dplentyof
funinherandallthatbutshedidn'twell,shewasquietandshewasn't

56

quiet,ifyouknowwhatImean."
IwillsayforInspectorCromethathewasexceedinglypatient.Asawitness
the buxom Miss Higley was persistently maddening. Every statement she
made was repeated and qualified half a dozen times. The net result was
meagreintheextreme.
Shehadnotbeenontermsofintimacywiththedeadgirl.ElizabethBarnard,
itcouldbeguessed,hadconsideredherselfacutaboveMissHigley.Shehad
beenfriendlyinworkinghours,butthegirlshadnotseenmuchofheroutof
them. Elizabeth Barnard had had a "friend"worked in the estate agents
near the station. Court & Brunskill. No, he wasn't Mr. Court nor Mr.
Brunskill.Hewasaclerkthere.Shedidn'tknowhisname.Butsheknewhim
by sight well. Goodlookingoh, very goodlooking, and always so nicely
dressed.Clearly,therewasatingeofjealousyinMissHigley'sbean.
In the end it boiled down to this. Elizabeth Barnard had not confided in
anyone in the caf as to her plans for the evening, but in Miss Higley's
opinionshehadbeengoingtomeether"friend."Shehadhadonanewwhite
dress,"eversosweetwithoneofthenewnecks."
Wehadawordwitheachoftheothertwogirlsbutwithnofurtherresults.
BettyBarnardhadnotsaidanythingastoherplansandnoonehadnoticed
herinBexhillduringthecourseoftheevening

57

Chapter Ten
The Barnards

ElizabethBarnard'sparentslivedinaminutebungalow,oneoffiftyorso
recentlyrunupbyaspeculativebuilderontheconfinesofthetown.
ThenameofitwasLlandudno.
Mr.Barnard,astout,bewilderedlookingmanoffiftyfiveorso,hadnoticed
ourapproachandwasstandingwaitinginthedoorway.
"Comein,gentlemen,"hesaid.
Inspector Kelsey took the initiative. "This is Inspector Crome of Scotland
Yard,sir,"hesaid."He'scomedowntohelpusoverthisbusiness."
"ScotlandYard?"saidMr.Barnardhopefully."That'sgood.Thismurdering
villain'sgottobelaidbytheheels.Mypoorlittlegirl"
Hisfacewasdistortedbyaspasmofgrief.
"AndthisisMr.HerculePoirot,alsofromLondon,ander"
"CaptainHastings,"saidPoirot.
"Pleasedtomeetyou,gentlemen,"saidMr.Barnardmechanically."Comeinto
thesnuggery.Idon'tknowthatmypoorwife'suptoseeingyou.Allbroken
up,sheis."
However, by the time that we were ensconced in the living room of the
bungalow,Mrs.Barnardhadmadeherappearance.Shehadevidentlybeen
cryingbitterly,hereyeswerereddenedandshewalkedwiththeuncertain
gaitofapersonwhohadhadagreatshock.
"Why,Mother,that'sfine,"saidMr.Barnard."You'resureyou'reallright
eh?"
Hepattedhershoulderanddrewherdownintoachair.
"Thesuperintendentwasverykind,"saidMr.Barnard."Afterhe'dbrokenthe
newstous,hesaidhe'dleaveanyquestionstilllaterwhenwe'dgotoverthe
firstshock."

58

"Itistoocreel.Oh,itistoocruel,"criedMrs.Barnardtearfully."Thecruelest
thingthateverwas,itis."
HervoicehadafaintlysingsongintonationthatIthoughtforamomentwas
foreigntillIrememberedthenameonthegateandrealizedthatthe"effer
wass"ofherspeechwasinrealityproofofherWelshorigin.
"It'sverypainful,madam,Iknow,"saidInspectorCrome."Andwe'veevery
sympathyforyou,butwewanttoknowallthefactswecansoastogetto
workasquickaspossible."
''That'ssense,thatis,"saidMr.Barnard,noddingapproval.
"Yourdaughterwastwentythree,Iunderstand.Shelivedherewithyouand
workedattheGingerCatcaf,isthatright?"
"That'sit."
"Thisisanewplace,isn'tit?Wheredidyoulivebefore?"
"Iwasintheironmongerybusiness inKennington. Retiredtwoyearsago.
Alwaysmeanttolivenearthesea."
"Youhavetwodaughters?"
"Yes.MyelderdaughterworksinanofficeinLondonintheCity."
"Weren'tyoualarmedwhenyourdaughterdidn'tcomehomelastnight?"
"Wedidn'tknowshehadn't,"saidMrs.Barnardtearfully."DadandIalways
gotobedearly.Nineo'clock'sourtime.WeneverknewBettyhadn'tcome
hometillthepoliceofficercameandsaidandsaid"
Shebrokedown.
"Wasyourdaughterinthehabitoferreturninghomelate?"
"Youknowwhatgirlsarenowadays,inspector,"saidBarnard."Independent,
that'swhattheyare.Thesesummereveningsthey'renotgoingtorushhome.
Allthesame,Bettywasusuallyinbyeleven."
"Howdidshegetin?Wasthedooropen?"
"Leftthekeyunderthematthat'swhatwealwaysdid."
"There is some rumour, I believe, that your daughter was engaged to be
married?"

59

"Theydon'tputitasformallyasthatnowadays,"saidMr.Barnard.
"DonaldFraserhisnameis,andIlikedhim.Ilikedhimverymuch,"said
Mrs.Barnard."Poorfellow,it'llbeterribleforhimthisnews.Doesheknow
yet,Iwonder?"
"HeworksinCourt&Brunskill's,Iunderstand."
"Yes,they'retheestateagents."
"Washeinthehabitofmeetingyourdaughtermosteveningsafterherwork?"
"Noteveryevening.Onceortwiceaweekwouldbenearer."
"Doyouknowifshewasgoingtomeethimyesterday?"
"Shedidn'tsay.Bettyneversaidmuchaboutwhatshewasdoingorwhere
shewasgoing.Butshewasagoodgirl,Bettywas.Oh,Ican'tbelieve"
Mrs.Barnardstartedsobbingagain.
"Pullyourselftogether,oldlady.Trytoholdup,Mother,"urgedherhusband.
"We'wegottogettothebottomofthis...."
"I'msureDonaldwouldneverwouldnever"sobbedMrs.Barnard.
"Nowjustyoupullyourselftogether,"repeatedMr.Barnard.
Heturnedtothetwoinspectors."IwishtoGodIcouldgiveyousomehelp
buttheplainfactisIknownothingnothingatallthatcanhelpyoutothe
dastardlyscoundrelwhodidthis.Bettywasjustamerry,happygirlwitha
decentyoungfellowthatshewaswell,we'dhavecalleditwalkingoutwith
inmyyoungdays.Whyanyoneshouldwanttomurderhersimplybeatsme
itdoesn'tmakesense."
"You'reverynearthetruththere,Mr.Barnard,"saidCrome."Itellyouwhat
I'dliketodohavealookoverMissBarnard'sroom.Theremaybesomething
lettersoradiary."
"Lookoveritandwelcome,"saidMr.Barnard,rising.
Heledtheway.Cromefollowedhim,thenPoirot,thenKelsey,andIbrought
uptherear.
Istoppedforaminutetoretiemyshoelace,andasIdidso,ataxidrewup
outsideandagirljumpedoutofit.Shepaidthedriverandhurriedupthe
pathtothehouse,carryingasmallsuitcase.Assheenteredthedoorshesaw

60

meandstoppeddead.
Therewassomethingsoarrestinginherposethatitintriguedme.
"Whoareyou?"shesaid.
Icamedownafewsteps.Ifeltembarrassedastohowexactlytoreply.Should
Igivemyname?OrmentionthatIhadcomeherewiththepolice?Thegirl,
however,gavemenotimetomakeadecision.
"Oh,well,"shesaid,"Icanguess."
Shepulledoffthelittlewhitewoollencapshewaswearingandthrewiton
theground.Icouldseeherbetternowassheturnedalittlesothatthelight
fellonher.
MyfirstimpressionwasoftheDutchdollsthatmysistersusedtoplaywith
inmychildhood.Herhairwasblackandcutinastraightbobandabang
acrosstheforehead.Hercheekboneswerehighandherwholefigurehada
queermodernangularitythatwasnot,somehow,unattractive.Shewasnot
goodlookingplain ratherbut there was an intensity about her, a
forcefulnessthatmadeherapersonquiteimpossibletooverlook.
"YouareMissBarnard?"Iasked.
"IamMeganBarnard.Youbelongtothepolice,Isuppose."
"Well,"Isaid,"notexactly"
Sheinterruptedme."Idon'tthinkI'vegotanythingtosaytoyou.Mysister
wasanicebrightgirlwithnomenfriends.Goodmorning."
Shegaveashortlaughasshespokeandregardedmechallengingly."That's
thecorrectphrase,Ibelieve?"shesaid.
"I'mnotareporter,ifthat'swhatyou'regettingat."
"Well,whatareyou?"Shelookedround."Where'smumanddad?"
"Your father isshowing thepoliceyour sister'sbedroom.Your mother'sin
there.She'sveryupset."
Thegirlseemedtomakeadecision.
"Comeinhere,"shesaid.
Shepulledopenadoorandpassedthrough.Ifollowedherandfoundmyself
inasmall,neatkitchen.

61

Iwasabouttoshutthedoorbehindmebutfoundanunexpectedresistance.
ThenextmomentPoirothadslippedquietlyintotheroomandshutthedoor
behindhim.
"MademoiselleBarnard?"hesaidwithaquickbow.
"ThisisM.HerculePoirot,"Isaid.
MeganBarnardgavehimaquick,appraisingglance.
"I'veheardofyou," shesaid."You'rethefashionable privatesleuth,aren't
you?"
"Notaprettydescriptionbutitsuffices,"saidPoirot.
Thegirlsatdownontheedgeofthekitchentable.Shefeltinherbagfora
cigarette.Sheplaceditbetweenherlips,lightedit,andthensaidinbetween
twopuffsofsmoke:"Somehow,Idon'tseewhatM.HerculePoirotisdoingin
ourhumblelittlecrime."
"Mademoiselle,"saidPoirot,"whatyoudonotseeandwhatIdonotseewould
probablyfillavolume.Butallthatisofnopracticalimportance.Whatisof
practicalimportanceissomethingthatwillnotbeeasytofind."
"What'sthat?"
"Death, mademoiselle, unfortunately creates a prejudice. A prejudice in
favourofthedeceased.IheardwhatyousaidjustnowtomyfriendHastings.
'A nice bright girl with no men friends.' You said that in mockery of the
newspapers,Anditisverytruewhenayounggirlisdead,thatisthekindof
thingthatissaid.Shewasbright.Shewashappy.Shewassweettempered.
Shehadnotacareintheworld.Shehadnoundesirableacquaintances.There
isagreatcharityalwaystothedead.DoyouknowwhatIshouldlikethis
minute?IshouldliketofindsomeonewhoknewElizabethBarnardandwho
doesnotknowsheisdead.Then,perhaps,Ishouldhearwhatisusefultome
thetruth."
MeganBarnardlookedathimforafewminutesinsilencewhilstshesmoked.
Then,atlast,shespoke.Herwordsmademejump.
"Betty,"shesaid,"wasanunmitigatedlittleass!"

62

Chapter Eleven
Megan Barnard

AsIsaid,MeganBarnard'swords,andstillmorethecrispbusinessliketone
inwhichtheywereuttered,mademejump.
Poirot,however,merelybowedhisheadgravely."Alabonneheure,"hesaid.
"Youareintelligent,mademoiselle."
MeganBarnardsaid,stillinthesamedetachedtone:"Iwasextremelyfondof
Betty.Butmyfondnessdidn'tblindmefromseeingexactlythekindofsilly
littlefoolshewasand eventelling her souponoccasion! Sistersarelike
that."
"Anddidshepayanyattentiontoyouradvice?"
"Probablynot,"saidMegancynically.
"Willyou,mademoiselle,beprecise."
Thegirlhesitatedforaminuteortwo.
Poirotsaidwithaslightsmile:"I willhelp you.Iheard what yousaid to
Hastings.Thatyoursisterwasabright,happygirlwithnomenfriends.It
wasunpeutheoppositethatwastrue,wasitnot?"
Megan said slowly: "There wasn't any harm in Betty. I want you to
understandthat.She'dalwaysgostraight.She'snottheweekendingkind.
Nothing ofthat sort.But she liked being taken out and dancing andoh,
cheapflatteryandcomplimentsandallthatsortofthing."
"Andshewasprettyyes?"
Thisquestion,thethirdtimeIhadheardit,metthistimewithapractical
response.
Megan slipped off the table, went to her suitcase, snapped it open and
extractedsomethingwhichshehandedtoPoirot.
Inaleatherframewasaheadandshouldersofafairhaired,smilinggirl.Her
hairhadevidentlyrecentlybeenpermed;itstoodoutfromherheadinmass
ofratherfrizzycurls.Thesmilewasarchandartificial.

63

Itwascertainlynotafacethatyoucouldcallbeautiful,butithadanobvious
andcheapprettiness.
Poirot handed it back, saying: "You and she do not resemble each other,
mademoiselle."
"Oh,I'mtheplainoneofthefamily.I'vealwaysknownthat."Sheseemedto
brushasidethefactasunimportant.
"So,inwhatwayexactlydoyouconsideryoursisterwasbehavingfoolishly?
Doyoumean,perhaps,inrelationtoMr.DonaldFraser?"
"That'sit,exactly.Don'saveryquietsortofpersonbuthewell,naturally
he'dresentcertainthingsandthen"
"Andthenwhat,mademoiselle?"
Hiseyeswereonherverysteadily.
Itmayhavebeenmyfancybutitseemedtomethatshehesitatedasecond
beforeanswering.
"Iafraidthathemightchuckheraltogether.Andthatwouldhavebeena
pity.He'saverysteadyandhardworkingmanandwouldhavemadehera
goodhusband."
Poirot continued to gaze at her. She did not flush under his glance but
returneditwithoneofherownequallysteadyandwithsomethingelseinit,
somethingthatremindedmeofherfirstdefiant,disdainfulmanner.
"Soitislikethat,"hesaidatlast."Wedonotspeakthetruthanylonger."
Sheshruggedhershouldersandturnedtowardsthedoor."Well,"shesaid,
"I'vedonewhatIcouldtohelpyou."
Poirot'svoicearrestedher."Wait,mademoiselle.Ihavesomethingtotellyou.
Comeback."
Rather,unwillingly,Ithought,sheobeyed.
SomewhattomysurprisePoirotplungedintothewholestoryofthematters,
themurderatAndover,andtherailwayguidefoundbythebodies.
Hehadnoreasontocomplainofanylackofinterestonherpart.Herlips
parted,hereyesgleaming,shehungonhiswords.
"Isthisalltrue,M.Poirot?"

64

"Yes,itistrue."
"Youreallymeanmysisterwaskilledbysomehorriblehomicidalmaniac?"
"Precisely."
Shedrewadeepbreath."Oh!BettyBettyHowhowghastly!"
"Yousee,mademoiselle,thattheinformationforwhichIaskyouyoucangive
freelywithoutwonderingwhetherornotitwillhurtanyone."
"Yes,Iseethatnow."
"Then let us continue our conversation. I have formed the idea that this
DonaldFraserhas,perhaps,aviolentandjealoustemper,isthatright?"
MeganBarnardsaidquietly:"I'mtrustingyounow,M.Poirot.I'mgoingto
giveyoutheabsolutetruth.Donis,asIsay,averyquietperson,abottledup
personifyouknowwhatImean.Hecan'talwaysexpresswhathefeelsin
words.Butunderneathitallhemindsthingsterribly.Andhe'sgotajealous
nature.HewasalwaysjealousofBetty.Hewasdevotedtoherandofcourse
shewasveryfondofhim,butitwasn'tinBettytobefondofonepersonand
notnoticeanybodyelse.Shewasn'tmadethatway."
"She'dgotawell,aneyeforanynicelookingmanwho'dpassthetimeofday
withher.Andofcourse,workingintheGingerCat,shewasalwaysrunning
upagainstmenespeciallyinthesummerholidays."
"Shewasalwaysverypatwithhertongueandiftheychaffedhershe'dchaff
back again. And then perhaps she'd meet them and go to the pictures or
somethinglikethat.Nothingseriousneveranythingofthatkindbutshe
justlikedherfun.Sheusedtosaythatasshe'dgottosettledownwithDon
onedayshemightaswellhaveherfunnowwhileshecould."
MeganpausedandPoirotsaid:"Iunderstand.Continue."
"ItwasjustthatattitudeofmindofhersthatDoncouldn'tunderstand.Ifshe
wasreallykeenonhimhecouldn'tseewhyshewantedtogooutwithother
people.Andonceortwicetheyhadflamingbigrowsaboutit."
"M.Don,hewasnolongerquiet?"
"It'slikeallthosequiet people,when they dolosetheirtemperstheylose
themwithavengeance.DonwassoviolentthatBettywasfrightened.''
"Whenwasthis?"

65

"Therewasonerownearlyayearagoandanotheraworseonejustovera
monthago.IwashomefortheweekendandIgotthemtopatchitupagain,
anditwasthenthatItriedtoknockalittlesenseintoBettytoldhershe
wasalittlefool.Allshewouldsaywasthattherehadn'tbeenanyharminit.
Well,thatwastrueenough,butallthesameshewasridingforafall.Yousee,
aftertherowayearago,she'dgotintothehabitoftellingafewusefullieson
theprinciplethatwhattheminddoesn'tknowtheheartdoesn'tgrieveover.
Thislastflareupcamebecauseshe'dtoldDonshewasgoingtoHastingsto
seeagirlpalandhefoundoutthatshe'dreallybeenovertoEastbournewith
some man. He was a married man, as it happened, and he'd been a bit
secretiveaboutthebusinessanywayandsothatmadeitworse.Theyhadan
awfulsceneBettysayingthatshewasn'tmarriedtohimyetandshehada
righttogoaboutwithwhomshepleasedandDonallwhiteandshakingand
sayingthatonedayoneday"
"Yes?"
"He'dcommitmurder"saidMeganinaloweredvoice.
ShestoppedandstaredatPoirot.
Henoddedhisheadgravelyseveraltimes."Andso,naturally,youwereafraid
..."
"Ididn'tthinkhe'dactuallydoneitnotforaminute!ButIwasafraidit
mightbebroughtupthequarrelandallthathe'dsaidseveralpeopleknew
aboutit."
AgainPoirotnoddedhisheadgravely."Justso.AndImaysay,mademoiselle,
thatbutfortheegotisticalvanityofakiller,thatisjustwhatwouldhave
happened.IfDonaldFraserescapessuspicion,itwillbethankstoA.B.C.'s
maniacalboasting."
Hewassilentforaminuteortwo,thenhesaid:"Doyouknowifyoursister
metthismarriedman,oranyotherman,lately?"
Meganshookherhead."Idon'tknow.I'vebeenaway,yousee."
"Butwhatdoyouthink?"
"Shemayn'thavemetthatparticularmanagain.He'dprobablysheeroffifhe
thoughttherewasachanceofarow,butitwouldn'tsurprisemeifBettyhad
well,beentellingDonafewliesagain.Yousee,shedidsoenjoydancing
andthepictures,andofcourse,Doncouldn'taffordtotakeherallthetime."

66

"If so, is she likely to have confided in anyone? The girl at the caf, for
instance?"
"Idon'tthinkthat'slikely.Bettycouldn'tbeartheHigleygirl.Shethought
hercommon.Andtheotherswouldbenew.Bettywasn'ttheconfidingsort
anyway."
Anelectricbelltrilledsharplyabove,thegirl'shead.Shewenttothewindow
andleanedout.Shedrewbackherheadsharply.
"It'sDon."
"Bringhiminhere,"saidPoirotquickly."Iwouldlikeawordwithhimbefore
ourgoodinspectortakeshiminhand."
LikeaflashMeganBarnardwasoutofthekitchen,andacoupleofseconds
latershewasbackagainleadingDonaldFraserbythehand.

67

Chapter Twelve
Donald Fraser

Ifeltsorryatoncefortheyoungman.Hiswhitehaggardfaceandbewildered
eyesshowedhowgreatashockhehadhad.
Hewasawellmade,finelookingyoungfellow,standingcloseonsixfoot,not
goodlooking,butwithapleasant,freckledface,highcheekbonesandflaming
redhair.
"What'sthis,Megan?"hesaid."Whyinhere?ForGod'ssake,tellmeI've
onlyjustheardBetty..."
Hisvoicetrailedaway.
Poirotpushedforwardachairandhesankdownonit.
Myfriendthenextractedasmallflaskfromhispocket,pouredsomeofits
contentsintoaconvenientcupwhichwashangingonthedresserandsaid:
"Drinksomeofthis,Mr.Fraser.Itwilldoyougood."
Theyoungmanobeyed.Thebrandybroughtalittlecolourbackintohisface.
Hesatupstraighterandturnedoncemoretothegirl.Hismannerwasquite
quietandselfcontrolled.
"It'strue,Isuppose?"hesaid."Bettyisdeadkilled?"
"It'strue,Don."
Hesaidasthoughmechanically:"HaveyoujustcomedownfromLondon?"
"Yes.Dadphonedme."
"Bythe9:20,Isuppose?"saidDonaldFraser.
His mind, shrinking from reality, ran for safety along these unimportant
details.
"Yes."
Therewassilenceforaminuteortwo,thenFrasersaid:"Thepolice?Arethey
doinganything?"
"They'reupstairsnow.LookingthroughBetty'sthings,Isuppose."

68

"They'venoideawho?Theydon'tknow?"Hestopped.
Hehadallasensitive,shyperson'sdislikeofputtingviolentfactsintowords.
Poirot moved forward a little and asked a question. He spoke in a
businesslike, matteroffact voice as though what he asked was an
unimportantdetail.
"DidMissBarnardtellyouwhereshewasgoinglastnight?"
Fraserrepliedtothequestion.Heseemedtobespeakingmechanically."She
toldmeshewasgoingwithagirlfriendtoSt.Leonards."
"Didyoubelieveher?"
"I"Suddenlytheautomatoncametolife."Whatthedevildoyoumean?"
Hisfacethen,menacing,convulsedbysuddenpassion,mademeunderstand
thatagirlmightwellbeafraidofrousinghisanger.
Poirotsaidcrisply:"BettyBarnardwaskilledbyahomicidalmurderer.Only
byspeakingtheexacttruthcanyouhelpustogetonhistrack."
HisglanceforaminuteturnedtoMegan.
''That'sright,Don,"shesaid."Itisn'tatimeforconsideringone'sownfeelings
oranyoneelse's.You'vegottocomeclean."
DonaldFraserlookedsuspiciouslyatPoirot.
"Whoareyou?Youdon'tbelongtothepolice?"
"I am better than the police," said Poirot. He said it without conscious
arrogance.Itwas,tohim,asimplestatementoffact.
''Tellhim,"saidMegan.
DonaldFrasercapitulated."Iwasn'tsure,"hesaid."Ibelievedherwhenshe
said it. Never thought of doing anything else. Afterwardsperhaps it was
somethinginhermanner.II,well,Ibegantowonder."
"Yes?"saidPoirot.
HehadsatdownoppositeDonaldFraser.Hiseyes,fixedontheotherman's,
seemedtobeexercisingamesmericspell.
"Iwasashamedofmyselfforbeingsosuspicious.ButbutIwassuspicious..
.Ithoughtofgoingdowntothefrontandwatchingherwhensheleftthecafe.

69

Iactuallywentthere.ThenIfeltIcouldn'tdothat.Bettywouldseemeand
she'dbeangry.She'drealizeatoncethatIwaswatchingher."
"Whatdidyoudo?"
"IwentovertoSt.Leonards.Gotovertherebyeighto'clock.ThenIwatched
thebusestoseeifshewereinthem.Buttherewasnosignofher...."
"Andthen?"
"IIlostmyheadrather.Iwasconvincedshewaswithsomeman.Ithought
itprobablehehadtakenherinhiscartoHastings.Iwentontherelookedin
hotels and restaurants, hung round cinemaswent on the pier. All damn
foolishness.EvenifshewasthereIwasunlikelytofindher,andanyway,
there were heaps of other places he might have taken her to instead of
Hastings."
Hestopped.Preciseashistonehadremained,Icaughtanundertoneofthat
blind,bewilderingmiseryandangerthathadpossessedhimatthetimehe
described.
"IntheendIgaveitupcameback."
"Atwhattime?"
"I don't know. I walked. It must have been midnight or after when I got
home."
"Then"
Thekitchendooropened.
"Oh,thereyouare,"saidInspectorKelsey.
InspectorCromepushedpasthim,shotaglanceatPoirotandaglanceatthe
twostrangers.
"MissMeganBarnardandMr.DonaldFraser,"saidPoirot,introducingthem.
"ThisisInspectorCromefromLondon,"heexplained.
Turning to the inspector, he said: "While you pursued your investigations
upstairs I have been conversing with Miss Barnard and Mr. Fraser,
endeavouring if I could to find something that will throw light upon the
matter."
"Oh,yes?"saidInspectorCrome,histhoughtsnotuponPoirotbutuponthe
twonewcomers.

70

Poirotretreatedtothehall.InspectorKelseysaidkindlyashepassed:"Get
anything?"
Buthisattentionwasdistractedbyhiscolleagueandhedidnotwaitfora
reply.
IjoinedPoirotinthehall.
"Didanythingstrikeyou,Poirot?"Iinquired.
"Onlytheamazingmagnanimityofthemurderer,Hastings."
IhadnotthecouragetosaythatIhadnottheleastideawhathemeant.

71

Chapter Thirteen
A Conference

Conferences!
MuchofmymemoriesoftheA.B.C.caseseemtobeofconferences.
ConferencesatScotlandYard.AtPoirot'srooms.Officialconferences.
Unofficialconferences.
Thisparticularconferencewastodecidewhetherornotthefactsrelativeto
theanonymouslettersshouldorshouldnotbemadepublicinthepress.
The Bexhill murder had attracted much more attention than the Andover
one.
Ithad,ofcourse,farmoreelementsofpopularity.Thevictimwasayoungand
goodlookinggirltobeginwith.Also,ithadtakenplaceatapopularseaside
resort.
Allthedetailsofthecrimewerereportedfullyandrehasheddailyinthin
disguises.TheA.B.C.railwayguidecameinforitsshareofattention.
Thefavouritetheorywasthatithadbeenboughtlocallybythemurdererand
thatitwasavaluablecluetohisidentity.Italsoseemedtoshowthathehad
cometotheplacebytrainandwasintendingtoleaveforLondon.
The railway guide had not figured at all in the meagre accounts of the
Andovermurdersothereseemedatpresentlittlelikelihoodofthetwocrimes
beingconnectedinthepubliceye.
"We'vegottodecideuponapolicy,"saidtheAssistantCommissioner."The
thingiswhichwaywillgiveusthebestresults?Shallwegivethepublicthe
factsenlist their cooperationafter all, it'll be the cooperation of several
millionpeople,lookingoutforamadman"
"Hewon'tlooklikeamadman,"interjectedDr.Thompson.
"lookingoutforsalesofA.B.C.'sandsoon.AgainstthatIsupposethere's
theadvantageofworkinginthedarknotlettingourmanknowwhatwe're
upto,butthenthere'sthefactthatheknowsverywellthatweknow.He's

72

drawnattentiontohimselfdeliberatelybyhisletters.Eh,Crome,what'syour
opinion?"
"Ilookatitthisway,sir.Ifyoumakeitpublic,you'replayingA.B.C.'sgame.
That'swhathewantspublicitynotoriety.That'swhathe'soutafter.I'm
right,aren'tI,doctor?Hewantstomakeasplash."
Thompsonnodded.
TheAssistantCommissionersaidthoughtfully:"Soyou'reforbaulkinghim.
Refusinghimthepublicityhe'shankeringafter.Whataboutyou,M.Poirot?"
Poirotdidnotspeakforaminute.Whenhediditwaswithanairofchoosing
hiswordscarefully.
"It is difficult for me, Sir Lionel," he said. "I am, as you might say, an
interestedparty.Thechallengewassenttome.IfIsay,'Suppressthatfact
donotmakeitpublic,'mayitnotbethoughtthatitismyvanitythatspeaks?
ThatIamafraidformyreputation?Itisdifficult!Tospeakouttotellall
thathasitsadvantages.Itis,atleast,awarning....Ontheotherhand,I
amasconvincedasInspectorCromethatitiswhatthemurdererwantsusto
do."
"Hm!"saidtheAssistantCommissioner,rubbinghischin.Helookedacrossat
Dr.Thompson."Supposewerefuseourlunaticthesatisfactionofthepublicity
hecraves.What'shelikelytodo?"
"Commitanothercrime,"saidthedoctorpromptly."Forceyourhand."
"Andifwesplashthethingaboutinheadlines.Thenwhat'shisreaction?"
"Sameanswer.Onewayyoufeedhismegalomania,theotheryoubaulkit.
Theresult'sthesame.Anothercrime."
"Whatdoyousay,M.Poirot?"
"IagreewithDr.Thompson."
"Acleftstickeh?Howmanycrimesdoyouthinkthislunatichasinmind?"
Dr.ThompsonlookedacrossatPoirot."LookslikeAtoZ,"hesaidcheerfully.
"Ofcourse,"hewenton,"hewon'tgetthere.Notnearly.You'llhavehimby
theheelslongbeforethat.Interestingtoknowhowhe'dhavedealtwiththe
letterX."Herecalledhimselfguiltilyfromthispurelyenjoyablespeculation.
"Butyou'llhavehimlongbeforethat.GorH,let'ssay."

73

TheAssistantCommissionerstruckthetablewithhisfist."MyGod,areyou
tellingmewe'regoingtohavefivemoremurders?''
"Itwon'tbeasmuchasthat,sir,"saidInspectorCrome."Trustme."
Hespokewithconfidence.
"Whichletterofthealphabetdoyouplaceitat,inspector?"askedPoirot.
Therewasaslightironicnoteinhisvoice.Crome,Ithought,lookedathim
withatingeofdislikeadulteratingtheusualcalmsuperiority.
"Mightgethimnexttime,M.Poirot.AtanyrateI'dguaranteetogethimby
thetimehegetstoE."
HeturnedtotheAssistantCommissioner."IthinkI'vegotthepsychologyof
thecasefairlyclear.Dr.ThompsonwillcorrectmeifI'mwrong.Itakeitthat
everytimehebringsacrimeoff,hisselfconfidenceincreasesaboutahundred
percent.Everytimehefeels'I'mclevertheycan'tcatchme!'hebecomesso
overweeningly confident that healsobecomescareless.Heexaggerateshis
own cleverness and every one else's stupidity. Very soon he'll be hardly
botheringtotakeanyprecautionsatall.That'sright,isn'tit,doctor?"
Thompsonnodded."That'susuallythecase.Innonmedicaltermsitcouldn't
have been put better. You know something about such things, M. Poirot.
Don'tyouagree?"
Idon'tthinkthatCromelikedThompson'sappealtoPoirot.Heconsidered
thatheandheonlywastheexpertonthissubject.
"ItisasInspectorCromesays,"agreedPoirot.
"Paranoia,"murmuredthedoctor.
Poirot turned to Crome. "Are there any material facts of interest in the
Bexhillcase?"
"Nothingverydefinite.AwaiterattheSplendideatEastbournerecognizes
the dead girl's photograph as that of a young woman who dined there in
companywithamiddleagedmaninspectacles.It'salsobeenrecognizedata
roadhouse place called the Scarlet Runner, halfway between Bexhill and
London.Theretheysayshewaswithamanwholookedlikeanavalofficer.
Theycan'tbothberight,buteitherofthem'sprobable.Ofcourse,there'sa
hostofotheridentifications,butmostofthemnotgoodformuch.Wehaven't
beenabletotracetheA.B.C.."

74

"Well,youseemtobedoingallthatcanbedone,Crome,"saidtheAssistant
Commissioner."Whatdoyousay,M.Poirot?Doesanylineofinquirysuggest
itselftoyou?"
Poirotsaidslowly:"Itseemstomethatthereisoneveryimportantcluethe
discoveryofthemotive."
"Isn'tthatprettyobvious?Analphabeticalcomplex.Isn'tthatwhatyoucalled
it,doctor?"
"a oui," said Poirot. "There is an alphabetical complex. A madman in
particularhasalwaysaverystrongreasonforthecrimeshecommits."
"Come,come,M.Poirot,"saidCrome."LookatStonemanin1929.Heended
bytryingtodoawaywithanyonewhoannoyedhimintheslightestdegree."
Poirot turned to him. "Quite so. But if you are a sufficiently great and
importantperson,itisnecessarythatyoushouldbesparedsmallannoyances.
If a fly settles on your forehead again and again, maddening you by its
ticklingwhatdoyoudo?Youendeavourtokillthatfly.Youhavenoqualms
aboutit.Youareimportanttheflyisnot.Youkilltheflyandtheannoyance
ceases.Youractionappearstoyousaneandjustifiable.Anotherreasonfor
killingaflyisifyouhaveastrongpassionforhygiene.Theflyisapotential
sourceofdangertothecommunitytheflymustgo.Soworksthemindofthe
mentallyderangedcriminal.Butconsidernowthiscaseifthevictimsare
alphabeticallyselected,thentheyarenotbeingremovedbecausetheyarea
sourceofannoyancetohimpersonally.Itwouldbetoomuchofacoincidence
tocombinethetwo."
"That'sapoint,"saidDr.Thompson."Irememberacasewhereawoman's
husbandwascondemnedtodeath.Shestartedkillingthemembersofthejury
onebyone.Quiteatimebeforethecrimeswereconnectedup.Theyseemed
entirely haphazard. But as M. Poirot says, there isn't such a thing as a
murdererwhocommitscrimesatrandom."
"Eitherheremovespeoplewhostand(howeverinsignificantly)inhispath,or
elsehekillsbyconviction.Heremovesclergymen,orpolicemen,orprostitutes
becausehefirmlybelievesthattheyshouldberemoved."
"Thatdoesn'tapplyhereeitherasfarasIcansee.Mrs.AscherandBetty
Barnard cannot be linked as members of the same class. Of course, it's
possiblethatthereisasexcomplex.Bothvictimshavebeenwomen.Wecan
tellbetter,ofcourse,afterthenextcrime"

75

"ForGod'ssake,Thompson,don'tspeaksogliblyofthenextcrime,"saidSir
Lionelirritably."We'regoingtodoallwecantopreventanothercrime."
Dr.Thompsonheldhispeaceandblewhisnosewithsomeviolence."Haveit
yourownway,"thenoiseseemedtosay."Ifyouwon'tfacefacts"
TheAssistantCommissionerturnedtoPoirot."Iseewhatyou'redrivingat,
butI'mnotquiteclearyet."
"Iaskmyself,"saidPoirot,"whatpassesinitselfexactlyinthemindofthe
murderer?Hekills,itwouldseemfromhisletters, pourlesporttoamuse
himself.Canthatreallybetrue?Andevenifitistrue,onwhatprincipledoes
he select his victims apart from the merely alphabetical one? If he kills
merelytoamusehimselfhewouldnotadvertisethefact,since,otherwise,he
couldkillwithimpunity.Butno,heseeks,asweallagree,tomakethesplash
inthepubliceyetoasserthispersonality.Inwhatwayhashispersonality
been suppressed that one can connect with the two victims he has so far
selected?Afinalsuggestion:Ishismotivedirectpersonalhatredofme,of
HerculePoirot?DoeshechallengemeinpublicbecauseIhave(unknownto
myself) vanquished him somewhere in the course of my career? Or is his
animosity impersonaldirected against a foreigner? And if so, what again
hasledtothat?Whatinjuryhashesufferedataforeigner'shand?"
"Allverysuggestivequestions,"saidDr.Thompson.
Inspector Crome cleared his throat. "Oh, yes? A little unanswerable at
present,perhaps."
"Nevertheless,myfriend,"saidPoirot,lookingstraightathim,"itistherein
thosequestionsthatthesolutionlies.Ifweknewtheexactreasonfantastic,
perhaps, to usbut logical to himof why our madman commits these
crimes,weshouldknow,perhaps,whothenextvictimislikelytobe."
Cromeshookhishead."Heselectsthemhaphazardthat'smyopinion."
"Themagnanimousmurderer,"saidPoirot.
"What'sthatyousay?"
"Isaidthemagnanimousmurderer!FranzAscherwouldhavebeenarrested
forthemurderofhiswifeDonaldFrasermighthavebeenarrestedforthe
murderofBettyBarnardifithadnotbeenforthewarninglettersofA.B.C..
Ishe,then,sosoftheartedthathecannotbearotherstosufferforsomething
theydidnotdo?"

76

"I'veknownstrangerthingshappen,"saidDr.Thompson."I'veknownmen
who'vekilledhalfadozenvictimsallbrokenupbecauseoneoftheirvictims
didn'tdieinstantaneouslyandsufferedpain.Allthesame,Idon'tthinkthat
thatisourfellow'sreason.Hewantsthecreditofthesecrimesforhisown
honourandglory.That'stheexplanationthatfitsbest."
"We'vecometonodecisionaboutthepublicitybusiness,"saidtheAssistant
Commissioner.
"IfImaymakeasuggestion,sir,"saidCrome."Whynotwaittillthereceiptof
thenextletter?Makeitpublicthenspecialeditions,etc.Itwillmakeabitof
apanicintheparticulartownnamed,butitwillputeveryonewhosename
begins with C on his guard, and it'll put A.B.C. on his mettle. He'll be
determinedtosucceed.Andthat'swhenwe'llgethim."
Howlittleweknewwhatthefutureheld.

77

Chapter Fourteen
The Third Letter

IwellrememberthearrivalofA.B.C.'sthirdletter.
ImaysaythatallprecautionshadbeentakensothatwhenA.B.C.resumed
hiscampaignthereshouldbenounnecessarydelays.Ayoungsergeantfrom
ScotlandYardwasattachedtothehouseandifPoirotandIwereoutitwas
hisdutytoopenanythingthatcamesoastobeabletocommunicatewith
headquarterswithoutlossoftime.
Asthedayssucceededeachotherwehadallgrownmoreandmoreonedge.
InspectorCrome'saloofandsuperiormannergrewmoreandmorealoofand
superior as one by one his more hopeful clues petered out. The vague
descriptions of men said to have been seen with Betty Barnard proved
useless.VariouscarsnoticedinthevicinityofBexhillandCoodenwereeither
accountedfororcouldnotbetraced.TheinvestigationofpurchasesofA.B.C.
railwayguidescausedinconvenienceandtroubletoheapsofinnocentpeople.
As for ourselves, each time the postman's familiar rattat sounded on the
door,ourheartsbeatfasterwithapprehension.Atleastthatwastrueforme,
andIcannotbutbelievethatPoirotexperiencedthesamesensation.
Hewas,Iknew,deeplyunhappyoverthecase.HerefusedtoleaveLondon,
preferringtobeonthespotincaseofemergency.Inthosehotdogdayseven
hismoustachesdroopedneglectedforoncebytheirowner.
ItwasonaFridaythatA.B.C.'sthirdlettercame.Theeveningpostarrived
aboutteno'clock.
Whenweheardthefamiliarstepandthebriskrattat,Iroseandwentalong
tothebox.Therewerefourorfiveletters,Iremember.ThelastoneIlooked
atwasaddressedinprintedcharacters.
"Poirot,"Icried....Myvoicediedaway.
"Ithascome?Openit,Hastings.Quickly.Everymomentmaybeneeded.We
mustmakeourplans."
Itoreopentheletter(Poirotforoncedidnotreproachmeforuntidiness)and

78

extractedtheprintedsheet.
"Readit,"saidPoirot.
Ireadaloud:
POORMR.POIROTNotsogoodattheselittlecriminalmatters
as you thought yourself, are you? Rather past your prime,
perhaps?Letusseeifyoucandoanybetterthistime.Thistime
it'saneasyone.
Churstononthe30th.Dotryanddosomethingaboutit.It'sabit
dullhavingitallmyownway,youknow.
Goodhunting.Everyours,
A.B.C.
"Churston,"Isaid,jumpingtoourowncopyofanA.B.C."Let'sseewhereit
is."
"Hastings,"Poirot'svoicecamesharplyandinterruptedme."Whenwasthat
letterwritten?Isthereadateonit?"
Iglancedattheletterinmyhand.
"Writtenonthe27th,"Iannounced.
"DidIhearyouaright,Hastings?Didhegivethedateofthemurderasthe
30th?"
"That'sright.Letmesee,that's"
"BonDieu,Hastingsdoyounotrealize?Todayisthe30th."
Hiseloquenthandpointedtothecalendaronthewall.Icaughtupthedaily
papertoconfirmit.
"Butwhyhow"Istammered.
Poirotcaughtupthetornenvelopefromthefloor.Somethingunusualabout
the address had registered itself vaguely in my brain, but I had been too
anxioustogetatthecontentsofthelettertopaymorethanfleetingattention
toit.
PoirotwasatthetimelivinginWhitehavenMansions.Theaddressran:M.
HerculePoirot,WhitehorseMansions.Acrossthecornerwasscrawled:"Not
known at Whitehorse Mansions, E.C.1, nor at Whitehorse Courttry
WhitehavenMansions."

79

"MonDieu!"murmuredPoirot."Doesevenchanceaidthismadman?Quite,
quitewemustgetontoScotlandYard."
AminuteortwolaterwewerespeakingtoCromeoverthewire.Foroncethe
selfcontrolledinspectordidnotreply"Oh,yes?Insteadaquicklystifledcurse
cametohislips.Heheardwhatwehadtosay,thenrangoffinordertogeta
trunkconnectiontoChurstonasrapidlyaspossible.
"C'esttroptard,"murmuredPoirot.
"Youcan'tbesureofthat,"Iargued,thoughwithoutanygreathope.
He glanced at the clock. "Twenty minutes past ten? An hour and forty
minutestogo.IsitlikelythatA.B.C.willhaveheldhishandsolong?"
IopenedtherailwayguideIhadpreviouslytakenfromitsshelf.
"Churston, Devon," Iread,"fromPaddington204 miles.Population544. It
soundsafairlysmallplace.Surelyourmanwillbeboundtobenoticedthere."
"Evenso,anotherlifewillhavebeentaken,"murmuredPoirot."Whatarethe
trains?Iimaginetrainwillbequickerthancar."
"There's a midnight trainsleepingcar to Newton Abbotgets there 6:08
A.M.,andtoChurstonat7:15."
"ThatisfromPaddington?"
"Paddington,yes."
"Wewilltakethat,Hastings."
"You'llhardlyhavetimetogetnewsbeforewestart."
"Ifwereceivebadnewstonightortomorrowmorning,doesitmatterwhich?"
"There'ssomethinginthat."
Iput afewthingstogether inasuitcasewhilstPoirot oncemorerangup
ScotlandYard.
Afewminuteslaterhecameintothebedroomanddemanded:"Maisqu'estce
quevousfaitesla?"
"Iwaspackingforyou.Ithoughtitwouldsavetime."
"Vousprouveztropd'emotion,Hastings.Itaffectsyourhandsandyourwits.
Isthatawaytofoldacoat?Andregardwhatyouhavedonetomypyjamas.If

80

thehairwashbreakswhatwillbefallthem?"
"Goodheavens,Poirot,"Icried,"thisisamatteroflifeanddeath.Whatdoes
itmatterwhathappenstoourclothes?"
"Youhavenosenseofproportion,Hastings.Wecannotcatchatrainearlier
thanthetimethatitleaves,andtoruinone'sclotheswillnotbetheleast
helpfulinpreventingamurder."
Takinghissuitcasefrommefirmly,hetookthepackingintohisownhands.
HeexplainedthatweweretotaketheletterandenvelopetoPaddingtonwith
us.SomeonefromScotlandYardwouldmeetusthere.
When we arrived on the platform the first person we saw was Inspector
Crome.
HeansweredPoirot'slookofinquiry."Nonewsasyet.Allmenavailableare
onthelookout.AllpersonswhosenamebeginswithCarebeingwarnedby
phonewhenpossible.There'sjustachance.Where'stheletter?"
Poirotgaveittohim.
Heexaminedit,swearingsoftlyunderhisbreath."Ofallthedamnedluck.
Thestarsintheircoursesfightforthefellow.''
"Youdon'tthink,"Isuggested,"thatitwasdoneonpurpose?"
Cromeshookhishead.
"No.He'sgothisrulescrazyrulesandabidesbythem.Fairwarning.He
makesapointofthat.That'swherehisboastfulnesscomesin.Iwondernow
I'dalmostbetthechapdrinksWhiteHorsewhisky."
"Ah,c'estingenieuxca.''saidPoirot,driventoadmirationinspiteofhimself.
"Heprintstheletterandthebottleisinfrontofhim."
"That'sthewayofit,"saidCrome."We'veallofusdonemuchthesamething
onetimeoranother:unconsciouslycopiedsomethingthat'sjustundertheeye.
HestartedoffWhiteandwentonhorseinsteadofhaven...."
Theinspector,wefound,wasalsotravellingbythetrain.
"Evenifbysomeunbelievablelucknothinghappened,Churstonistheplace
tobe.Ourmurdereristhere,orhasbeentheretoday.Oneofmymenison
thephonehereuptothelastminuteincaseanythingcomesthrough."

81

Justasthetrainwasleavingthestationwesawamanrunningdownthe
platform.Hereachedtheinspector'swindowandcalledupsomething.
AsthetraindrewoutofthestationPoirotandIhurriedalongthecorridor
andtappedonthedooroftheinspector'ssleeper.
"Youhavenewsyes?"demandedPoirot.
Cromesaidquietly:"It'saboutasbadasitcanbe.SirCarmichaelClarkehas
beenfoundwithhisheadbashedin."
SirCarmichaelClarke,althoughhisnamewasnotverywellknowntothe
generalpublic,wasamanofsomeeminence.Hehadbeeninhistimeavery
wellknownthroatspecialist.Retiringfromhisprofession,verycomfortably
off,hehadbeenabletoindulgewhathadbeenoneofIthechiefpassionsof
his lifea collection of Chinese pottery and porcelain. A few years later,
inheritingaconsiderablefortunefromanelderlyuncle,hehadbeenableto
indulgehispassiontothefull,andhewasnowthepossessorofoneofthe
bestknowncollectionsofChineseart.Hewasmarriedbuthadnochildren,
and lived in a house he had built for himself near the Devon coast, only
comingtoLondononrareoccasionssuchaswhensomeimportantsalewas
on.
Itdidnotrequiremuchreflectiontorealizethathisdeath,followingthatof
the young and pretty Betty Barnard, would provide the best newspaper
sensationinyears.ThefactthatitwasAugustandthatthepaperswerehard
upforsubjectmatterwouldmakemattersworse.
"Eh bien," said Poirot. "It is possible that publicity may do what private
effortshavefailedtodo.ThewholecountrynowwillbelookingforA.B.C.."
"Unfortunately,"Isaid,"that'swhathewants."
"True.Butitmay,allthesame,behisundoing.Gratifiedbysuccess,hemay
becomecareless....ThatiswhatIhopethathemaybedrunkwithhisown
cleverness."
"Howoddallthisis,Poirot,"Iexclaimed,strucksuddenlybyanidea."Doyou
know, this is the first crime of this kind that you and I have worked on
together?Allourmurdershavebeenwell,privatemurders,sotospeak."
"Youarequiteright,myfriend.Always,uptonow,ithasfallenourlotto
work from the inside. It has been the history of the victim that was
important. The important points have been: 'Who benefited by the death?

82

Whatopportunitieshadthoseroundhimtocommitthecrime?'Ithasalways
beenthe'crimeintime.'Here,forthefirsttimeinourassociation,itiscold
blooded,impersonalmurder.Murderfromtheoutside."
Ishivered."It'sratherhorrible...."
"Yes. I felt from the first, when I had the original letter, that there was
somethingwrongmisshapen"
Hemadeanimpatientgesture."Onemustnotgivewaytothenerves....
Thisisnoworsethananyordinarycrime...."
"Itis....Itis...."
"Is it worse to take the life or lives of strangers than to take the life of
someone near and dear to yousomeone who trusts and believes in you,
perhaps?"
"It'sworsebecauseit'smad...."
"No,Hastings.Itisnotworse.Itisonlymoredifficult."
"No,no,Idonotagreewithyou.It'sinfinitelymorefrightening."
HerculePoirotsaidthoughtfully:"Itshouldbeeasiertodiscoverbecauseitis
mad. A crime committed by someone shrewd and sane would be far more
complicated. Here, if one could but hit on the idea . . . This alphabetical
business,ithasdiscrepancies.IfIcouldonceseetheideatheneverything
wouldbeclearandsimple...."
Hesighedandshookhishead."Thesecrimesmustnotgoon.Soon,soon,I
mustseethetruth....Go,Hastings.Getsomesleep.Therewillbemuchto
dotomorrow."

83

Chapter Fifteen
Sir Carmichael Clark

Churston,lyingasitdoesbetweenBrixhamontheonesideandPaigntonand
Torquayontheother,occupiesapositionabouthalfwayroundthecurveof
Torbay.Untilabouttenyearsagoitwasmerelyagolflinksandbelowthe
links a green sweep of countryside dropping down to the sea with only a
farmhouseortwointhewayofhumanoccupation.
But of late years there have been big building developments between
ChurstonandPaigntonandthecoastlineisnowdottedwithsmallhousesand
bungalows,newroads,etc..
SirCarmichaelClarkehadpurchasedasiteofsometwoacrescommanding
an uninterrupted view of the sea. The house he had built was of modern
designawhiterectanglethatwasnotunpleasingtotheeye.Apartfromtwo
biggalleriesthathousedhiscollectionitwasnotalargehouse.
Ourarrivaltheretookplaceabout8A.M..Alocalpoliceofficerhadmetusat
thestationandhadputusaucourantofthesituation.
SirCarmichaelClarke,itseemed,hadbeeninthehabitoftakingastroll
after dinner every evening. When the police rang upat some time after
elevenitwasascertainedthathehadnotreturned.Sincehisstrollusually
followedthesamecourse,itwasnotlongbeforeasearchpartydiscoveredhis
body.Deathwasduetoacrashingblowwithsomeheavyinstrumentonthe
backofthehead.AnopenA.B.C.hadbeenplacedfacedownwardsonthe
deadbody.
WearrivedatCombeside(asthehousewascalled)atabouteighto'clock.The
doorwasopenedbyanelderlybutlerwhoseshakinghandsanddisturbedface
showedhowmuchthetragedyhadaffectedhim.
"Goodmorning,Deveril,"saidthelocalpoliceofficer.
"Goodmorning,Mr.Wells."
"ThesearethegentlemenfromLondon,Deveril."
"Thisway,sir."Heusheredusintoalongdiningroomwherebreakfastwas

84

laid.I'llgetMr.Franklin,sir."
Aminuteortwolaterabigfairhairedmanwithasunburntfaceenteredthe
room.
ThiswasFranklinClarke,thedeadman'sonlybrother.
Hehadtheresolutecompetentmannerofamanaccustomedtomeetingwith
emergencies.
"Goodmorning,gentlemen."
InspectorWellsmadetheintroductions.
''ThisisInspectorCromeoftheC.I.D.,Mr.HerculePoirotanderCaptain
Hayter."
"Hastings,"Icorrectedcoldly.
FranklinClarkeshookhandswitheachofusinturnandineachcasethe
handshakewasaccompaniedbyapiercinglook.
"Letmeofferyousomebreakfast,"hesaid."Wecandiscussthepositionaswe
eat."
Therewerenodissentientvoicesandweweresoondoingjusticetoexcellent
eggsandbaconandcoffee.
"Nowforit,"saidFranklinClarke."InspectorWellsgavemearoughideaof
thepositionlastnightthoughImaysayitseemedoneofthewildesttalesI
have ever heard. Am I really to believe, Inspector Crome, that my poor
brotheristhevictimofahomicidalmaniac,thatthisisthethirdmurderthat
has occurred and that in each case an A.B.C. railway guide has been
depositedbesidethebody?"
''Thatissubstantiallytheposition,Mr.Clarke."
"Butwhy?Whatearthlybenefitcanaccruefromsuchacrimeeveninthe
mostdiseasedimagination?"
Poirotnoddedhisheadinapproval."Yougostraighttothepoint,Mr.Clarke,"
hesaid.
"It's not much good looking for motives at this stage, Mr. Clarke," said
InspectorCrome."That'samatterforanalienistthoughImaysaythatI've
hadacertainexperienceofcriminallunacyandthatthemotivesareusually
grosslyinadequate.Thereisadesiretoassertone'spersonality,tomakea

85

splashinthepubliceyeinfact,tobeasomebodyinsteadofanonentity."
"Isthattrue,M.Poirot?"
Clarke seemed incredulous. His appeal to the older man was not too well
receivedbyInspectorCrome,whofrowned.
"Absolutelytrue,"repliedmyfriend.
"At any rate such a man cannot escape detection long," said Clarke
thoughtfully.
"Vouscroyez?Ah,buttheyarecunningcesgenslit.Andyoumustremember
suchatypehasusuallyalltheoutersignsofinsignificancehebelongstothe
classofpersonwhoisusuallypassedoverandignoredorevenlaughedat!"
"Willyouletmehaveafewfacts,please,Mr.Clarke,"saidCrome,breaking
inontheconversation.
"Certainly."
"Yourbrother,Itakeit,wasinhisusualhealthandspiritsyesterday?He
receivednounexpectedletters?Nothingtoupsethim?"
"No.Ishouldsayhewasquitehisusualself."
"Notupsetandworriedinanyway?"
"Excuseme,inspector.Ididn'tsaythat.Tobeupsetandworriedwasmypoor
brother'snormalcondition."
"Whywasthat?"
"Youmaynotknowthatmysisterinlaw,LadyClarke,isinverybadhealth.
Frankly,betweenourselves,sheissufferingfromanincurablecancer,and
cannotliveverymuchlonger.Herillnesshaspreyedterriblyonmybrother's
mind.ImyselfreturnedfromtheEastnotlongagoandIwasshockedatthe
changeinhim."
Poirotinterpolatedaquestion."Supposing,Mr.Clarke,thatyourbrotherhad
beenfoundshotatthefootofaclifforshotwitharevolverbesidehim.What
wouldhavebeenyourfirstthought?"
"Quitefrankly,Ishouldhavejumpedtotheconclusionthatitwassuicide,"
saidClarke.
"Encore.''saidPoirot.

86

"Whatisthat?"
"Afactthatrepeatsitself.Itisofnomatter."
"Anyway, it wasn't suicide," said Crome with a touch of curtness. "Now I
believe,Mr.Clarke,thatitwasyourbrother'shabittogoforastrollevery
evening?"
"Quiteright.Healwaysdid."
"Everynight?"
"Well,notifitwaspouringwithrain,naturally."
"Andeveryoneinthehouseknewofthishabit?"
"Ofcourse."
"Andoutside?"
"Idon'tquiteknowwhatyoumeanbyoutside.Thegardenermayhavebeen
awareofitornot,Idon'tknow."
"Andinthevillage?"
"Strictlyspeaking,wehaven'tgotavillage.There'sapostofficeandcottages
atChurstonFettersbutthere'snovillageorshops."
"Isupposeastrangerhangingroundtheplacewouldbefairlyeasilynoticed?"
"Onthecontrary.InAugustallthispartoftheworldisaseethingmassof
strangers. They come over every day from Brixham and Torquay and
Paigntonincarsandbusesandonfoot.Broadsands,whichisdownthere[he
pointed],isaverypopularbeachandsoisElburyCoveit'sawellknown
beautyspotandpeoplecomethereandpicnic.Iwishtheydidn't!You'veno
ideahowbeautiful and peacefulthis partoftheworld isinJune and the
beginningofJuly."
"Soyoudon'tthinkastrangerwouldbenoticed?"
"Notunlesshelookedwell,offhishead."
"This man doesn't look off his head," said Crome with certainty. "You see
whatI'mgettingat,Mr.Clarke.Thismanmusthavebeenspyingoutthe
land beforehand and discovered your brother's habit of taking an evening
stroll.Isuppose,bytheway,thatnostrangemancameuptothehouseand
askedtoseeSirCarmichaelyesterday?"

87

"NotthatIknowofbutwe'llaskDeveril."
Herangthebellandputthequestiontothebutler.
"No, sir, no one came to see Sir Carmichael. And I didn't notice anyone
hangingaboutthehouseeither.Nomoredidthemaids,becauseI'veasked
them."
Thebutlerwaitedamoment,theninquired:"Isthatall,sir?"
"Yes,Deveril,youcango."
The butler withdrew, drawing back in the doorway to let a young woman
pass.
Franklin Clarke rose as she came. "This is Miss Grey, gentlemen. My
brother'ssecretary."
My attention was caught at once by the girl's extraordinary Scandinavian
fairness. She had the almost colourless ash hairlight grey eyesand
transparentglowingpallorthatonefindsamongstNorwegiansandSwedes.
She looked about twentyseven and seemed to be as efficient as she was
decorative.
"CanIhelpyouinanyway?"sheaskedasshesatdown.
Clarkebroughtheracupofcoffee,butsherefusedanyfood.
"DidyoudealwithSirCarmichael'scorrespondence?"askedCrome.
"Yes,allofit."
"IsupposeheneverreceivedaletterorletterssignedA.B.C.?"
"A.B.C.?"Sheshookherhead."No,I'msurehedidn't."
"He didn't mention having seen anyone hanging about during his evening
walkslately?"
"No.Henevermentionedanythingofthekind."
"Andyouyourselfhavenoticednostrangers?"
"Not exactly hanging about. Of course, there are alot of peoplewhat you
might call wandering about at this time of year. One often meets people
strollingwithanaimlesslookacrossthegolflinksordownthelanestothe
sea.Inthesameway,practically everyoneoneseesthistimeof year isa
stranger."

88

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.
Inspector Crome asked to be taken over the ground of Sir Carmichael's
nightlywalk.FranklinClarkeledthewaythroughtheFrenchwindow,and
MissGreyaccompaniedus.
SheandIwerealittlebehindtheothers."Allthismusthavebeenaterrible
shocktoyouall,"Isaid.
"Itseemsquiteunbelievable.Ihadgonetobedlastnightwhenthepolice
rangup.IheardvoicesdownstairsandatlastIcameoutandaskedwhatwas
thematter.DeverilandMr.Clarkewerejustsettingoutwithlanterns."
"WhattimedidSirCarmichaelusuallycomebackfromhiswalk?"
"Aboutaquartertoten.Heusedtolethimselfinbythesidedoorandthen
sometimes he went straight to bed, sometimes to the gallery where his
collections were. That is why, unless the police had rung up, he would
probablynothavebeenmissedtilltheywenttocallhimthismorning."
"Itmusthavebeenaterribleshocktohiswife?"
"LadyClarkeiskeptundermorphineagooddeal.Ithinksheisintoodazeda
conditiontoappreciatewhatgoesonroundher."
Wehadcomeoutthroughagardengateontothegolflinks.Crossingacorner
ofthem,wepassedoverastileintoasteep,windinglane.
"ThisleadsdowntoElburyCove,"explainedFranklinClarke."Buttwoyears
agotheymadeanewroadleadingfromthemainroadtoBroadsandsandon
toElbury,sothatnowthislaneispracticallydeserted.''
Wewentondownthelane.Atthefootofitapathledbetweenbramblesand
brackendowntothesea.Suddenlywecameoutonagrassyridgeoverlooking
theseaandabeachofglisteningwhitestones.Allrounddarkgreentreesran
downtothesea.Itwasanenchantingspotwhite,deepgreenandsapphire
blue.
"Howbeautiful!"Iexclaimed.
Clarketurnedtomeeagerly."Isn'tit?Whypeoplewanttogoabroadtothe
Rivierawhenthey'vegotthis!I'vewanderedallovertheworldinmytime
and,honesttoGod,I'veneverseenanythingasbeautiful."
Then,asthoughashamedofhiseagerness,hesaidinamorematteroffact
tone:"Thiswasmybrother'seveningwalk.Hecameasfarashere,thenback

89

upthepath,andturningtotherightinsteadoftheleft,wentpastthefarm
andacrossthefieldsbacktothehouse."
We proceeded on our way till we came to a spot near the hedge, halfway
acrossthefieldwherethebodyhadbeenfound.
Crome nodded. "Easy enough. The man stood here in the shadow. Your
brotherwouldhavenoticednothingtilltheblowfell."Thegirlatmysidegave
aquickshiver.
Franklin Clarke said: "Hold up, Thora. It's pretty beastly, but it's no use
shirkingfacts."
ThoraGreythenamesuitedher.
We went back to the house where the body had been taken after being
photographed.
Aswemountedthewidestaircasethedoctorcameoutofaroom,blackbagin
hand.
"Anythingtotellus,doctor?"inquiredClarke.
Thedoctorshookhishead."Perfectlysimplecase.I'llkeepthetechnicalities
for the inquest. Anyway, he didn't suffer. Death must have been
instantaneous."
Hemovedaway."I'lljustgoinandseeLadyClarke."
Ahospitalnursecameoutofaroomfurtheralongthecorridorandthedoctor
joinedher.
Wewentintotheroomoutofwhichthedoctorhadcome.
Icameoutagainratherquickly.ThoraGreywasstillstandingattheheadof
thestairs.
Therewasaqueerscaredexpressiononherface."MissGrey"Istopped."Is
anythingthematter?"
Shelookedatme."Iwasthinking,"shesaid"aboutD."
"AboutD?"Istaredatherstupidly.
"Yes.Thenextmurder.Somethingmustbedone.It'sgottobestopped."
Clarkecameoutoftheroombehindme.

90

Hesaid:"What'sgottobestopped,Thora?"
"Theseawfulmurders."
"Yes." His jaw thrust itself out aggressively. "I want to talk to M. Poirot
sometime.IsCromeanygood?"Heshotthewordsoutunexpectedly.
I replied that he was supposed to be a very clever officer. My voice was
perhapsnotasenthusiasticasitmighthavebeen.
"He's got a damned offensive manner," said Clarke. "Looks as though he
knowseverythingandwhatdoesheknow?NothingatallasfarasIcan
makeout."
Hewassilentforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid:"M.Poirot'sthemanformy
money.I'vegotaplan.Butwe'lltalkofthatlater."
Hewentalongthepassageandtappedatthesamedoorasthedoctorhad
entered.
Ihesitatedamoment.Thegirlwasstaringinfrontofher."Whatareyou
thinkingof,MissGrey?"Sheturnedhereyestowardsme.
"I'mwonderingwhereheisnow,themurderer,Imean.It'snottwelvehours
yetsinceithappened....Oh!aren'tthereanyrealclairvoyantswhocould
seewhereheisnowandwhatheisdoing...?"
"Thepolicearesearching"Ibegan.
Mycommonplacewordsbrokethespell.ThoraGreypulledherselftogether.
"Yes,"shesaid."Ofcourse."
In her turn she descended the staircase. I stood there a moment longer
turningherwordsoverinmymind.A.B.C..Wherewashenow...?

91

Chapter Sixteen
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

Mr.AlexanderBonaparteCustcameoutwiththerestoftheaudienceofthe
Torquay Pavilion, where he had been seeing and hearing that highly
emotionalfilm,NotaSparrow....
Heblinkedalittleashecameoutintotheafternoonsunshineandpeered
roundhiminthatlostdogfashionthatwascharacteristicofhim.
Hemurmuredtohimself:"It'sanidea."
Newsboyspassedalongcryingout:"Latest...HomicidalManiacatChurston
..."
They carried placards on which was written: CHURSTON MURDER.
LATEST.
Mr.Custfumbledinhispocket,foundacoin,andboughtapaper.Hedidnot
openitatonce.
EnteringthePrincessGardens,heslowlymadehiswaytoashelterfacing
Torquayharbour.Hesatdownandopenedthepaper.
Therewerebigheadlines:
SIRCARMICHAELCLARKEMURDERED
TERRIBLETRAGEDYATCHURSTON
WORKOFAHOMICIDALMANIAC
Andbelowthem:
Only a month ago England was shocked and startled by the murder of a
young girl, Elizabeth Barnard, at Bexhill. It may be remembered that an
A.B.C.railwayguide figuredinthecase.AnA.B.C.wasalsofoundbythe
deadbodyofSirCarmichaelClarke,andthepoliceinclinetothebeliefthat
both crimes were committed by the same person. Can it be possible that a
homicidalmurdererisgoingtheroundofourseasideresorts?...
A young man in flannel trousers and a bright blue aertex shirt who was

92

sittingbesideMr.Custremarked:"Nastybusinesseh?"
Mr.Custjumped."Oh,veryvery"
Hishands,theyoungmannoticed,weretremblingsothathecouldhardly
holdthepaper.
"You never know with lunatics," said the young man chattily. "They don't
always look balmy, you know. Often they seem just the same as you or
me...."
"Isupposetheydo,"saidMr.Cust.
"It'safact.Sometimesit'sthewarwhatunhingedthemneverbeenright
since."
"IIexpectyou'reright."
"Idon'tholdwithwars,"saidtheyoungman.
Hiscompanionturnedonhim."Idon'tholdwithplagueandsleepingsickness
andfamineandcancer...buttheyhappenallthesame!"
"War'spreventable,"saidtheyoungmanwithassurance.
Mr.Custlaughed.Helaughedforsometime.Theyoungmanwasslightly
alarmed.
"He'sabitbattyhimself,"hethought.
Aloudhesaid:"Sorry,sir,Iexpectyouwereinthewar."
"I was," said Mr. Cust. "Ititunsettled me. My head's never been right
since.Itaches,youknow.Achesterribly."
"Oh!I'msorryaboutthat,"saidtheyoungmanawkwardly.
"SometimesIhardlyknowwhatI'mdoing...."
"Really? Well, I must be getting along," said the young man and removed
himselfhurriedly.Heknewwhatpeoplewereoncetheybegantotalkabout
theirhealth.
Mr.Custremainedwithhispaper.
Hereadandreread....
Peoplepassedtoandfroinfrontofhim.Mostofthemweretalkingofthe
murder....

93

"Awful...doyouthinkitwasanythingtodowiththeChinese?Wasn'tthe
waitressinaChinesecaf?..."
"Actuallyonthegolflinks..."
"Ihearditwasonthebeach..."
"but,darling,wetookoutteatoElburyonlyyesterday..."
"policearesuretogethim..."
"sayhemaybearrestedanyminutenow..."
"quitelikelyhe'sinTorquay...thatotherwomanwaswhomurderedthe
whatdoyoucall'ems..."
Mr.Custfoldedupthepaperveryneatlyandlaiditontheseat.Thenherose
andwalkedsedatelyalongtowardsthetown.
Girlspassedhim,girlsinwhiteandpinkandblue,insummeryfrocksand
pyjamasandshorts.Theylaughedandgiggled.Theireyesappraisedthemen
theypassed.
NotoncedidtheireyeslingerforasecondonMr.Cust....
HesatdownatalittletableandorderedteaandDevonshirecream....

94

Chapter Seventeen
Marking Time

WiththemurderofSirCarmichaelClarketheA.B.C.mysteryleapedintothe
fullestprominence.
Thenewspaperswerefullofnothingelse.Allsortsof"clues"werereportedto
havebeendiscovered.Arrestswereannouncedtobeimminent.
Therewerephotographsofeverypersonorplaceremotelyconnectedwiththe
murder.Therewereinterviewswithanyonewhowouldgiveinterviews.There
werequestionsaskedinParliament.
TheAndovermurderwasnotbracketedwiththeothertwo.
It was the belief of Scotland Yard that the fullest publicity was the best
chanceoflayingthemurdererbytheheels.ThepopulationofGreatBritain
turneditselfintoanarmyofamateursleuths.
TheDailyFlickerhadthegrandinspirationofusingthecaption:Hemaybe
inyourtown!
Poirot,of course, was inthethickof things.The letterssent tohim were
publishedandfacsimiled.Hewasabusedwholesalefornothavingprevented
thecrimesanddefendedonthegroundthathewasonthepointofnaming
themurderer.
Reportersincessantlybadgeredhimforinterviews.
WhatM.PoirotSaysToday.
Whichwasusuallyfollowedbyahalfcolumnofimbecilities.
M.PoirotTakesGraveViewofSituation.
M.PoirotontheEveofSuccess.
CaptainHastings,thegreatfriendofM.Poirot,toldourSpecial
Representative...
"Poirot,"Iwouldcry."Praybelieveme.Ineversaidanythingofthekind."
Myfriendwouldreplykindly:"Iknow,HastingsIknow.Thespokenword
andthewrittenthereisanastonishinggulfbetweenthem.Thereisawayof

95

turningsentencesthatcompletelyreversestheoriginalmeaning."
"Iwouldn'tlikeyoutothinkI'dsaid"
"Butdonotworryyourself.Allthisisofnoimportance.Theseimbecilities,
even,mayhelp."
"How?"
"Ehbien,"saidPoirotgrimly."IfourmadmanreadswhatIamsupposedto
havesaid totheDaily Flickertoday,hewillloseallrespectformeasan
opponent!"
Iam,perhaps,givingtheimpressionthatnothingpracticalwasbeingdonein
thewayofinvestigations.Onthecontrary,ScotlandYardandthelocalpolice
ofthevariouscountieswereindefatigableinfollowingupthesmallestclues.
Hotels,peoplewhokeptlodgings,boardinghousesallthosewithinawide
radiusofthecrimeswerequestionedminutely.
Hundredsofstoriesfromimaginativepeoplewhohad"seenamanlooking
very queer and rolling his eyes," or "noticed a man with a sinister face
slinking along," were sifted to the last detail. No information, even of the
vaguest character, was neglected. Trains, buses, trams, railway porters,
conductors, bookstalls, stationersthere was an indefatigable round of
questionsandverifications.
At least a score of people were detained and questioned until they could
satisfythepoliceastotheirmovementsonthenightinquestion.
Thenetresultwasnotentirelyablank.Certainstatementswerebornein
mindandnoteddownasofpossiblevalue,butwithoutfurtherevidencethey
lednowhere.
IfCromeandhiscolleagueswereindefatigable,Poirotseemedtomestrangely
supine.Wearguednowandagain.
"Butwhatisitthatyouwouldhavemedo,myfriend?Theroutineinquiries,
thepolicemakethembetterthanIdo.Alwaysalwaysyouwantmetorun
aboutlikethedog."
"Insteadofwhichyousitathomelikelike"
"Asensibleman!Myforce,Hastings,isinmybrain,notinmyfeet!Allthe
time,whilstIseemtoyouidle,Iamreflecting."

96

"Reflecting?"Icried."Isthisatimeforreflection?"
"Yes,athousandtimesyes."
"Butwhatcanyoupossiblygainbyreflection?Youknowthefactsofthethree
casesbyheart."
"ItisnotthefactsIreflectuponbutthemindofthemurderer."
"Themindofamadman!"
"Precisely.Andthereforenottobearrivedatinaminute.WhenIknowwhat
themurdererislike,Ishallbeabletofindoutwhoheis.AndallthetimeI
learnmore.AftertheAndovercrime,whatdidweknowaboutthemurderer?
Next to nothing at all. After the Bexhill crime? A little more. After the
Churstonmurder?Morestill.Ibegintoseenotwhatyouwouldliketosee
the outlines of a face and formbut the outlines of a mind. A mind that
movesandworksincertaindefinitedirections.Afterthenextcrime"
"Poirot!"
My friend looked at me dispassionately. "But, yes, Hastings, I think it is
almostcertaintherewillbeanother.Alotdependson lachance.Sofarour
inconnuhasbeenlucky.Thistimetheluckmayturnagainsthim.Butinany
case,afteranother crime,weshallknow infinitely more.Crimeisterribly
revealing.Tryandvaryyourmethodsasyouwillyourtastes,yourhabits,
yourattitudeofmind,andyoursoulisrevealedbyyouractions.Thereare
confusingindicationssometimesitisasthoughthereweretwointelligences
atworkbutsoontheoutlinewillclearitself,Ishallknow."
"Whoitis?"
"No,Hastings,Ishallnotknowhisnameandaddress!Ishallknowwhatkind
ofmanheis."
"Andthen?"
"Etalors,jevaisalapolice."
AsIlookedratherbewildered,hewenton:"Youcomprehend,Hastings,an
expertfishermanknowsexactlywhatfliestooffertowhatfish.Ishalloffer
therightkindoffly."
"Andthen?"
"Andthen?Andthen?YouareasbadasthesuperiorCromewithhiseternal,

97

'Oh,yes?' Ehbien,andthenhewilltakethebaitandthehookandwewill
reelintheline...."
"Inthemeantimepeoplearedyingrightandleft."
"Threepeople.Andthereare,whatisitabout140roaddeathseveryweek?"
"Thatisentirelydifferent."
"Itisprobablyexactlythesametothosewhodie.Fortheothers,therelations,
thefriendsyes,thereisadifference,butonethingatleastrejoicesmein
thiscase."
"Byallmeansletushearanythinginthenatureofrejoicing."
"Inutiletobesosarcastic.Itrejoicesmethatthereisherenoshadeofguiltto
distresstheinnocent."
"Isn'tthisworse?"
"No, no, a thousand times no! There is nothing so terrible as to be in an
atmosphere of suspicionto see eyes watching you and the look in them
changingtofearnothingsoterribleastosuspectthosenear and dearto
you...Itispoisonousamiasma.No,thepoisoninglifefortheinnocent,
that,atleast,wecannotlayatA.B.C.'sdoor."
"You'llsoonbemakingexcusesfortheman!"Isaidbitterly.
"Whynot?Hemaybelievehimselffullyjustified.Wemay,perhapsendby
havingsympathywithhispointofview."
"Really,Poirot!"
"Alas!Ihaveshockedyou.Firstmyinertiaandthenmyviews."
Ishookmyheadwithoutreplying.
"Allthesame,"saidPoirotafteraminuteortwo,"Ihaveoneprojectthatwill
please yousince it is active and not passive. Also, it will entail a lot of
conversationandpracticallynothought."
Ididnotquitelikehistone."Whatisit?"Iaskedcautiously.
"Theextractionfromthefriends,relations,andservantsofthevictimsofall
theyknow."
"Doyoususpectthemofkeepingthingsback,then?"

98

"Notintentionally.Buttellingeverythingyouknowalwaysimpliesselection.
IfIweretosaytoyou,recountmeyourdayyesterday,youwouldperhaps
reply:'Iroseatnine,Ibreakfastedathalfpast,Ihadeggsandbaconand
coffee,Iwenttomyclub,etc..'Youwouldnotinclude:'Itoremynailandhad
tocutit.Irangforshavingwater.Ispiltalittlecoffeeonthetablecloth.I
brushed my hat and put it on.' One cannot tell everything. Therefore one
selects.Atthetimeofamurderpeopleselectwhattheythinkisimportant.
Butquitefrequentlytheythinkwrong!"
"Andhowisonetogetattherightthings?"
"Simply, as I said just now, by conversation. By talking! By discussing a
certainhappening,oracertainperson,oracertainday,overandoveragain,
extradetailsareboundtoarise."
"Whatkindofdetails?"
"NaturallythatIdonotknoworIshouldnotwanttofindout!Enoughtime
haspassednowforordinarythingstoreassumetheirvalue.Itisagainstall
mathematicallawsthatinthreecasesofmurderthereisnosinglefactor
sentence with a bearing on the case. Some trivial happening, some trivial
remarktheremustbewhichwouldbeapointer!Itislookingfortheneedlein
thehaystack,IgrantbutinthehaystackthereisaneedleofthatIam
convinced!"
Itseemedtomeextremelyvagueandhazy.
"Youdonotseeit?Yourwitsarenotsosharpasthoseofamereservantgirl."
Hetossedmeoveraletter.Itwasneatlywritteninaslopingboardschool
hand.
DEARSIRIhopeyouwillforgivethelibertyItakeinwritingto
you.Ihavebeenthinkingalotsincetheseawfultwomurderslike
poorAuntie.Itseemsasthoughwe'reallinthesameboat,asit
were.Isawtheyoungladypicturedinthepaper,theyounglady,
I mean, that is the sister of the young lady that was killed at
Bexhill. I made so bold as to write to her and tell her I was
comingtoLondontogetaplaceandaskedifIcouldcometoher
orhermotherasIsaidtwoheadsmightbebetterthanoneandI
wouldnotwantmuchwages,butonlytofindoutwhothisawful
fiendisandperhapswemightgetatitbetterifwecouldsaywhat

99

weknewsomethingmightcomeofit.
Theyoungladywroteverynicelyandsaidashowsheworkedin
anofficeandlivedinahotel,butshesuggestedImightwriteto
youandshesaidshe'dbeenthinkingsomethingofthesamekind
asIhad.Andshesaidwewereinthesametroubleandweought
tostand together. So I am writing, sir, tosayI am coming to
Londonandthisismyaddress.
HopingIamnottroublingyou,
Yoursrespectfully,
MARYDROWER.
"MaryDrower,"saidPoirot,"isaveryintelligentgirl."
Hepickedupanotherletter."Readthis."
ItwasalinefromFranklinClarke,sayingthathewascomingtoLondonand
wouldcalluponPoirotthefollowingdayifnotinconvenient.
"Donotdespair,monami,"saidPoirot."Actionisabouttobegin."

100

Chapter Eighteen
Poirot Makes a Speech

FranklinClarkearrivedatthreeo'clockonthefollowingafternoonandcame
straighttothepointwithoutbeatingaboutthebush.
"M.Poirot,"hesaid,"I'mnotsatisfied."
"No,Mr.Clarke?"
"I'venodoubtthatCromeisaveryefficientofficer,butfrankly,heputsmy
backup.Thatairofhisofknowingbest!IhintedsomethingofwhatIhadin
mindtoyourfriendherewhenhewasdownatChurston,butI'vehadallmy
brother'saffairstosettleupandIhaven'tbeenfreeuntilnow.Myideais,M.
Poirot,thatweoughtn'ttoletthegrassgrowunderourfeet"
"JustwhatHastingsisalwayssaying!"
"butgorightahead.We'vegottogetreadyforthenextcrime."
"Soyouthinktherewillbeanextcrime?"
"Don'tyou?"
"Certainly."
"Verywell,then.Iwanttogetorganized."
"Tellmeyourideaexactly."
"Ipropose,M.Poirot,akindofspeciallegiontoworkunderyourorders
composedofthefriendsandrelativesofthemurderedpeople.''
"Unebonneide."
"I'mgladyouapprove.ByputtingourheadstogetherIfeelwemightgetat
something.Also,whenthenextwarningcomes,bybeingonthespot,oneofus
mightI don't say it's probablebut we might recognize some person as
havingbeennearthesceneofapreviouscrime."
"Iseeyouridea,andIapprove,butyoumustremember,Mr.Franklin,the
relationsandfriendsoftheothervictimsarehardlyinyoursphereoflife.
Theyareemployedpersonsandthoughtheymightbegivenashortvacation

101

"
FranklinClarkeinterrupted."That'sjustit.I'mtheonlypersoninaposition
tofootthebill.NotthatI'mparticularlywelloffmyself,butmybrotherdieda
richmananditwilleventuallycometome.Ipropose,asIsay,toenrolla
speciallegion,thememberstobepaidfortheirservicesatthesamerateas
theygethabitually,with,ofcourse,theadditionalexpenses."
"Whodoyouproposeshouldformthislegion?"
"I'vebeenintothat.Asamatteroffact,IwrotetoMissMeganBarnard
indeed,thisispartlyheridea.Isuggestmyself,MissBarnard,Mr.Donald
Fraser, who was engaged to the dead girl. Then there is a niece of the
AndoverwomanMissBarnardknowsheraddress.Idon'tthinkthehusband
would be of any use to usI hear he's usually drunk. I also think the
Barnardsthefatherandmotherareabitoldforactivecampaigning."
"Nobodyelse?"
"WellerMissGrey."
Heflushedslightlyashespokethename.
"Oh!MissGrey?"
Nobodyintheworldcouldputagentlenuanceofironyintoacoupleofwords
betterthanPoirot.AboutthirtyfiveyearsfellawayfromFranklinClarke.He
lookedsuddenlylikeashyschoolboy.
"Yes.Yousee,MissGreywaswithmybrotherforovertwoyears.Sheknows
thecountrysideandthepeopleround,andeverything.I'vebeenawayfora
yearandahalf."
Poirottookpityonhimandturnedtheconversation."Youhavebeeninthe
East?InChina?"
"Yes.Ihadakindofrovingcommissiontopurchasethingsformybrother."
"Very interesting it must have been. Eh bien, Mr. Clarke, I approve very
highly of your idea. I was saying to Hastings only yesterday that a
rapprochementofthepeopleconcernedwasneeded.Itisnecessarytopool
reminiscences, to compare notesenfin to talk the thing overto talkto
talkand again to talk. Out of some innocent phrase may come
enlightenment."

102

Afewdayslaterthe"SpecialLegion"metatPoirot'srooms.
AstheysatroundlookingobedientlytowardsPoirot,whohadhisplace,like
thechairmanataBoardmeeting,attheheadofthetable,Imyselfpassed
them,asitwere,inreview,confirming orrevisingmyfirstimpressionsof
them.
The three girls were all of them strikinglookingthe extraordinary fair
beautyofThoraGrey,thedarkintensityofMeganBarnard,withherstrange
RedIndianimmobilityoffaceMaryDrower,neatlydressedinablackcoat
andskirt,withherpretty,intelligentface.Ofthetwomen,FranklinClarke,
big,bronzedandtalkative,DonaldFraser,selfcontainedandquiet,madean
interestingcontrasttoeachother.
Poirot,unable,ofcourse,toresisttheoccasion,madealittlespeech.
"MesdamesandMessieurs,youknowwhatweareherefor.Thepoliceare
doingtheirutmosttotrackdownthecriminal.I,too,inmydifferentway.But
itseemstomeareunionofthosewhohaveapersonalinterestinthematter
and also, I may say, a personal knowledge of the victimsmight have
resultsthatanoutsideinvestigationcannotpretendtoattain."
"Herewehavethreemurdersanoldwoman,ayounggirl,anelderlyman.
Only one thing links these three people togetherthe fact that the same
personkilledthem.Thatmeansthatthesamepersonwaspresentinthree
differentlocalitiesandwasseennecessarilybyalargenumberofpeople.That
heisamadmaninanadvancedstageofmaniagoeswithoutsaying.Thathis
appearanceandbehaviourgivenosuggestionofsuchafactisequallycertain.
ThispersonandthoughIsayhe,rememberitmaybeamanorwomanhas
allthedevilishcunningofinsanity.Hehassucceededsofarincoveringhis
tracescompletely."
"Thepolicehavecertainvagueindicationsbutnothinguponwhichtheycan
act."
"Nevertheless,theremustexistindicationswhicharenotvaguebutcertain.
Totakeoneparticular pointthisassassin hedidnotarriveatBexhillat
midnightandfindconvenientlyonthebeachayoungladywhosenamebegan
withB"
"Mustwegointothat?"
ItwasDonaldFraserwhospokethewordswrungfromhim,itseemed,by

103

someinneranguish.
"Itisnecessarytogointoeverything,Monsieur,"saidPoirot,turningtohim.
"Youarehere,nottosaveyourfeelingsbyrefusingtothinkofdetails,butif
necessarytoharrowthembygoingintothematteraufond.AsIsay,itwas
notchancethatprovidedA.B.C.withavictiminBettyBarnard.Theremust
havebeendeliberateselectiononhispartandthereforepremeditation.That
istosay,hemusthavereconnoitredthegroundbeforehand.Therewerefacts
ofwhichhehadinformedhimselfthebesthourforthecommittingofthe
crimeatAndoverthemiseenscneatBexhillthehabitsofSirCarmichael
ClarkeatChurston.Me,forone,Irefusetobelievethatthereisnoindication
noslightesthintthatmighthelptoestablishhisidentity."
"Imaketheassumptionthatoneorpossiblyallofyouknowssomething
thattheydonotknowtheyknow."
"Soonerorlater,byreasonofyourassociationwithoneanother,something
willcometolight,willtakeonasignificanceasyetundreamedof.Itislike
thejigsawpuzzleeachofyoumayhaveapieceapparentlywithoutmeaning,
but which when reunited may show a definite portion of the picture as a
whole."
"Words!"saidMeganBarnard.
"Eh?"Poirotlookedatherinquiringly.
"Whatyou'vebeensaying.It'sjustwords.Itdoesn'tmeananything."
She spoke with that kind of desperate dark intensity that I had come to
associatewithherpersonality.
"Words,mademoiselle,areonlytheouterclothingofideas."
"Well,Ithinkit'ssense,"saidMaryDrower."Idoreally,miss.It'softenwhen
you'retalkingoverthingsthatyouseemtoseeyourwayclear.Yourmind
getsmadeupforyousometimeswithoutyourknowing howit'shappened.
Talkingleadstoalotofthingsonewayoranother."
"If 'least said is soonest mended,' it's the converse we want here," said
FranklinClarke.
"Whatdoyousay,Mr.Fraser?"
"Iratherdoubtthepracticalapplicabilityofwhatyousay,M.Poirot."
"Whatdoyouthink,Thora?"askedClarke.

104

"Ithinktheprincipleoftalkingthingsoverisalwayssound."
"Suppose,"suggestedPoirot,"thatyouallgooveryourownremembrancesof
thetimeprecedingthemurder.Perhapsyou'llstart,Mr.Clarke."
"Let me see,on themorning ofthe day Car was killed I went off sailing.
Caughteightmackerel.Lovelyoutthereonthebay.Lunchathome.Irish
stew,Iremember.Sleptinthehammock.Tea.Wrotesomeletters,missedthe
post, and drove into Paignton to post them. Then dinner andI'm not
ashamedtosayitIrereadabookofE.Nesbit'sthatIusedtoloveasakid.
Thenthetelephonerang"
"Nofurther.Nowreflect,Mr.Clarke,didyoumeetanyoneonyourwaydown
totheseainthemorning?"
"Lotsofpeople."
"Canyourememberanythingaboutthem?"
"Notadamnedthingnow."
"Sure?"
"Welllet'sseeIrememberaremarkablyfatwomansheworeastriped
silkdressandIwonderedwhyhadacoupleofkidswithher...twoyoung
menwithafoxterrieronthebeachthrowingstonesforitOhyes,agirl
withyellowhairsqueakingasshebathedfunnyhowthingscomebacklike
aphotographdeveloping."
"Youareagoodsubject.Nowlaterinthedaythegardengoingtothepost
"
"Thegardenerwatering...Goingtothepost?Nearlyrandownabicyclist
sillywomanwobblingandshoutingtoafriend.That'sall,I'mafraid."
PoirotturnedtoThoraGrey.
"MissGrey?"
ThoraGreyrepliedinherclear,positivevoice:"IdidcorrespondencewithSir
Carmichael in the morningsaw the housekeeper. I wrote letters and did
needleworkintheafternoon,Ifancy.Itisdifficulttoremember.Itwasquite
anordinaryday.Iwenttobedearly."
Rathertomysurprise,Poirotaskednofurther.Hesaid:"MissBarnardcan
youbringbackyourremembrancesofthelasttimeyousawyoursister?"

105

"Itwouldbeaboutafortnightbeforeherdeath.IwasdownforSaturdayand
Sunday.Itwasfineweather.WewenttoHastingstotheswimmingpool."
"Whatdidyoutalkaboutmostofthetime?"
"Igaveherapieceofmymind,"saidMegan.
"Andwhatelse?Sheconversedofwhat?"
Thegirlfrownedinaneffortofmemory."Shetalkedaboutbeinghardupof
ahatandacoupleofsummerfrocksshe'djustbought.AndalittleofDon....
ShealsosaidshedislikedMillyHigleythat'sthegirlatthecafandwe
laughedabouttheMerrionwomanwhokeepsthecaf....Idon'tremember
anythingelse...."
"She didn't mention any manforgive me, Mr. Frasershe might be
meeting?"
"Shewouldn'ttome,"saidMegandryly.
Poirotturnedtotheredhairedyoungmanwiththesquarejaw.
"Mr.FraserIwantyoutocastyourmindback.Youwent,yousaid,tothe
cafeonthefatalevening.Yourfirstintentionwastowaitthereandwatchfor
Betty Barnard to come out. Can you remember anyone at all whom you
noticedwhilstyouwerewaitingthere?"
"There were a large number of people walking along the front. I can't
rememberanyofthem."
"Excuseme,butareyoutrying?Howeverpreoccupiedthemindmaybe,the
eyenoticesmechanicallyunintelligentlybutaccurately..."
Theyoungmanrepeateddoggedly:"Idon'trememberanybody."
Poirotsighedand turned toMaryDrower."Isupposeyougotlettersfrom
youraunt?"
"Oh,yes,sir."
"Whenwasthelast?"
Marythoughtaminute."Twodaysbeforethemurder,sir."
"Whatdiditsay?"
"Shesaidtheolddevilhadbeenroundandthatshe'dsenthimoffwithaflea
in the earexcuse the expression, sirsaid she expected me over on the

106

Wednesdaythat'smydayout,sirandshesaidwe'dgotothepictures.It
wasgoingtobemybirthday,sir."
Somethingthethoughtofthelittlefestivityperhaps,suddenlybroughttears
toMary'seyes.Shegulpeddownasob.Thenapologizedforit.
"Youmustforgiveme,sir.Idon'twanttobesilly.Crying'snogood.Itwas
justthethoughtofherandmelookingforwardtoourtreat.Itupsetme
somehow,sir."
"Iknowjustwhatyoufeellike,"saidFranklinClarke."It'salwaysthelittle
things that get oneand especially anything like a treat or a present
somethingjollyandnatural.Irememberseeingawomanrunoveronce.She'd
justboughtsomenewshoes.Isawherlyingthereandtheburstparcelwith
theridiculouslittlehighheeledslipperspeepingoutitgavemeaturnthey
lookedsopathetic."
Megansaidwithasuddeneagerwarmth:"That'struethat'sawfullytrue.
ThesamethinghappenedafterBettydied.Mumhadboughtsomestockings
forherasapresentboughtthemtheverydayithappened.Poormum,she
wasallbrokenup.Ifoundhercryingoverthem.Shekeptsaying:'Ibought
themforBettyIboughtthemforBettyandsheneverevensawthem.'"
Her own voice quivered a little. She leaned forward, looking straight at
FranklinClarke.Therewasbetweenthemasuddensympathyafraternity
introuble.
"Iknow,"hesaid."Iknowexactly.Thosearejustthesortofthingsthatare
helltoremember."
DonaldFraserstirreduneasily.
ThoraGreydivertedtheconversation."Aren'twegoingtomakeanyplans
forthefuture?"sheasked.
"Of course." Franklin Clarke resumed his ordinary manner. "I think that
whenthemomentcomesthatis,whenthefourthletterarrivesweoughtto
joinforces.Untilthen,perhapswemighteachtryourluckonourown.Idon't
know whether there are any points M. Poirot thinks might repay
investigation?"
"Icouldmakesomesuggestions,"saidPoirot.
"Good.I'lltakethemdown."Heproducedanotebook."Goahead,M.Poirot.A

107

?"
"I consider it just possible that the waitress, Milly Higley, might know
somethinguseful."
"AMillyHigley,"wrotedownFranklinClarke.
"Isuggesttwomethodsofapproach.You,MissBarnard,mighttrywhatIcall
theoffensiveapproach."
"Isupposeyouthinkthatsuitsmystyle?"saidMegandryly.
"Pickaquarrelwiththegirlsayyouknewsheneverlikedyoursisterand
thatyoursisterhadtoldyouallabouther.IfIdonoterr,thatwillprovokea
floodofrecrimination.Shewilltellyoujustwhatshethoughtofyoursister!
Someusefulfactmayemerge."
"Andthesecondmethod?"
"May Isuggest, Mr. Fraser, that you should show signs of interest in the
girl?"
"Isthatnecessary?"
"No,itisnotnecessary.Itisjustapossiblelineofexploration."
"ShallItrymyhand?"askedFranklin."I'veeraprettywideexperience,
M.Poirot.LetmeseewhatIcandowiththeyounglady."
"You'vegotyourownpartoftheworldtoattendto,"saidThoraGreyrather
sharply.
Franklin'sfacefelljustalittle."Yes,"hesaid."Ihave."
"Toutdemme,Idonotthinkthereismuchyoucandodownthereforthe
present,"saidPoirot."MademoiselleGreynow,sheisfarmorefitted"
ThoraGreyinterruptedhim."Butyousee,M.Poirot,IhaveleftDevonfor
good."
"Ah?Ididnotunderstand."
"MissGreyverykindlystayedontohelpmeclearupthings,"saidFranklin.
"ButnaturallysheprefersapostinLondon."
Poirotdirectedasharpglancefromonetotheother.
"HowisLadyClarke?"hedemanded.

108

IwasadmiringthefaintcolourinThoraGrey'scheeksandalmostmissed
Clarke'sreply.
"Prettybad.Bytheway,M.Poirot,Iwonderifyoucouldseeyourwayto
runningdowntoDevonandpayingheravisit?Sheexpressedadesiretosee
youbeforeIleft.Ofcourse,sheoftencan'tseepeopleforacoupleofdaysata
time,butifyouwouldriskthatatmyexpense,ofcourse."
"Certainly,Mr.Clarke.Shallwesay,thedayaftertomorrow?"
"Good.I'llletnurseknowandshe'llarrangethedopeaccordingly."
"Foryou,mychild,"saidPoirot,turningtoMary,"Ithinkyoumightperhaps
dogoodworkinAndover.Trythechildren."
"Thechildren?"
"Yes.Childrenwillnotchatreadilytooutsiders.Butyouareknowninthe
streetwhereyourauntlived.Therewereagoodmanychildrenplayingabout.
Theymayhavenoticedwhowentinandoutofyouraunt'sshop."
"WhataboutMissGreyandmyself?"askedClarke."Thatis,ifI'mnottogoto
Bexhill."
"M.Poirot,"saidThoraGrey."Whatwasthepostmarkonthethirdletter?"
"Putney,mademoiselle."
Shesaidthoughtfully:"S.W.15,Putney,thatisright,isitnot?"
"Forawonder,thenewspapersprinteditcorrectly."
"ThatseemstopointtoA.B.C.beingaLondoner."
"Onthefaceofit,yes."
"Oneoughttobeabletodrawhim,"saidClarke."M.Poirot,howwoulditbeif
I inserted an advertisementsomething after these lines: A.B.C.. Urgent.
H.P.closeonyourtrack.Ahundredformysilence.X.Y.Z..Nothingquiteso
crudeasthatbutyouseetheidea.Itmightdrawhim."
"Itisapossibility,yes."
"Mightinducehimtotryandhaveashotatme."
"Ithinkit'sverydangerousandsilly,"saidThoraGreysharply.
"Whataboutit,M.Poirot?"

109

"Itcandonoharmtotry.IthinkmyselfthatA.B.C.willbetoocunningto
reply."Poirotsmiledalittle."Isee,Mr.Clarke,thatyouareifImaysayso
withoutbeingoffensivestillaboyatheart."
Franklin Clarke looked a little abashed. "Well," he said, consulting his
notebook,"we'remakingastart:
A.MissBarnardandMillyHigley.
B.Mr.FraserandMissHigley.
C.ChildreninAndover.
D.Advertisement.
I don't feel any of it is much good, but it will be something to do whilst
waiting."
Hegotupandafewminuteslaterthemeetinghaddispersed.

110

Chapter Nineteen
By Way of Sweden

Poirot returned to his seat and sat humming a little tune to himself.
"Unfortunatethatsheissointelligent,"hemurmured.
"Who?"
"MeganBarnard.MademoiselleMegan.'Words,'shesnapsout.Atonceshe
perceivesthatwhatIamsayingmeansnothingatall.Everybodyelsewas
takenin."
"Ithoughtitsoundedveryplausible."
"Plausible,yes.Itwasjustthatthatsheperceived."
"Didn'tyoumeanwhatyousaid,then?"
"WhatIsaidcouldhavebeencomprisedintooneshortsentence.InsteadI
repeatedmyselfadlibwithoutanyonebutMademoiselleMeganbeingaware
ofthefact."
"Butwhy?"
"Ehbientogetthingsgoing!Toimbueeveryonewiththeimpressionthat
therewasworktobedone!Tostartshallwesayconversations!"
"Don'tyouthinkanyoftheselineswillleadtoanything?"
"Oh,itisalwayspossible."
Hechuckled."Inthemidstoftragedywestartthecomedy.Itisso,isitnot?"
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Thehumandrama,Hastings!Reflectalittleminute.Herearethreesetsof
humanbeingsbroughttogetherbyacommontragedy.Immediatelyasecond
drama commencestout fait part. Do you remember my first case in
England? Oh, so many years ago now. I brought together two people who
lovedoneanotherbythesimplemethodofhavingoneofthemarrestedfor
murder!Nothinglesswouldhavedoneit!Inthemidstofdeathweareinlife,
Hastings.Murder,Ihaveoftennoticed,isagreatmatchmaker."

111

"Really, Poirot," I cried, scandalized. "I'm sure none of those people was
thinkingofanythingbut"
"Oh!mydearfriend.Andwhataboutyourself?"
"I?"
"Maisoui,astheydeparted,didyounotcomebackfromthedoorhumminga
tune?"
"Onemaydothatwithoutbeingcallous."
"Certainly,butthattunetoldmeyourthoughts."
"Indeed?"
"Yes. To hum a tune is extremely dangerous. It reveals the subconscious
mind.Thetuneyouhummeddates,Ithink,fromthedaysofthewar.Comme
ca,"Poirotsanginanabominablefalsettovoice:
"SomeofthetimeIloveabrunette,
SomeofthetimeIloveablonde(whocomesfromEdenbywayofSweden).
"Whatcouldbemorerevealing? Maisjecroisquelablondel'emportesurla
brunette.''
"Really,Poirot,"Icried,blushingslightly.
"C'esttoutnaturel.DidyouobservehowFranklinClarkewassuddenlyatone
and in sympathy with Mademoiselle Megan? How he leaned forward and
lookedather?AnddidyoualsonoticehowverymuchannoyedMademoiselle
ThoraGreywasaboutit?AndMr.DonaldFraser,he"
"Poirot,"Isaid,"yourmindisincurablysentimental."
"Thatisthelastthingmymindis.Youarethesentimentalone,Hastings."
Iwasabouttoarguethepointhotly,butatthatmomentthedooropened.To
myastonishmentitwasThoraGreywhoentered.
"Forgivemeforcomingback,"shesaidcomposedly."Buttherewassomething
thatIthinkIwouldliketotellyou,M.Poirot."
"Certainly,mademoiselle.Sitdown,willyounot?"
Shetookaseatandhesitatedforjustaminuteasthoughchoosingherwords.
"Itisjustthis,Mr.Poirot.Mr.Clarkeverygenerouslygaveyoutounderstand

112

justnowthatIhadleftCombesidebymyownwish.Heisaverykindand
loyalperson.Butasamatteroffact,itisnotquitelikethat.Iwasquite
preparedtostayonthereisanyamountofworktobedoneinconnection
withthecollections.ItwasLadyClarkewhowishedmetoleave!Icanmake
allowances.Sheisaveryillwoman,andherbrainissomewhatmuddledwith
thedrugstheygiveher.Itmakeshersuspiciousandfanciful.Shetookan
unreasoningdisliketomeandinsistedthatIshouldleavethehouse."
Icouldnotbutadmirethegirl'scourage.Shedidnotattempttoglossover
facts,assomanymighthavebeentemptedtodo,butwentstraighttothe
pointwithanadmirablecandour.Myheartwentouttoherinadmirationand
sympathy.
"Icallitsplendidofyoutocomeandtellusthis,"Isaid.
"It'salwaysbettertohavethetruth,"shesaidwithalittlesmile."Idon't
wanttoshelterbehindMr.Clarke'schivalry.Heisaverychivalrousman."
Therewasawarmglowinherwords.SheevidentlyadmiredFranklinClarke
enormously.
"Youhavebeenveryhonest,mademoiselle,"saidPoirot.
"Itisratherablowtome,"saidThoraruefully."IhadnoideaLadyClarke
dislikedmesomuch.Infact,Ialwaysthoughtshewasratherfondofme."
Shemadeawryface."Onelivesandlearns."
Sherose."ThatisallIcametosay.Goodbye."
Iaccompaniedherdownstairs."Icallthatverysportingofher,"IsaidasI
returnedtotheroom."Shehascourage,thatgirl."
"Andcalculation."
"Whatdoyoumeancalculation?"
"Imeanthatshehasthepoweroflookingahead."
Ilookedathimdoubtfully."Shereallyisalovelygirl,"Isaid.
"Andwearsverylovelyclothes.Thatcrepemarocainandthesilkyfoxcollar
derniercri!"
"You'reamanmilliner,Poirot.Inevernoticewhatpeoplehaveon."
"Youshouldjoinanudistcolony."

113

AsIwasabouttomakeanindignantrejoinder,hesaid,withasuddenchange
ofsubject:"Doyouknow,Hastings,Icannotridmymindoftheimpression
thatalready,inourconversationsthisafternoon,something wassaidthat
wassignificant.ItisoddIcannotpindownexactlywhatitwas.Justan
impressionthatpassedthroughmymind.ThatremindsmeofsomethingI
havealreadyheardorseenornoted"
"SomethingatChurston?"
"NonotatChurston....Beforethat....Nomatter,presentlyitwillcome
tome...."
Helookedatme(perhapsIhadnotbeenattendingveryclosely),laughedand
beganoncemoretohum.
"Sheisanangel,isshenot?FromEden,bywayofSweden."
"Poirot,"Isaid."Gotothedevil!"

114

Chapter Twenty
Lady Clarke

TherewasanairofdeepandsettledmelancholyoverCombesidewhenwe
cameforthesecondtime.Thismay,perhaps,havebeenpartlyduetothe
weatheritwasamoistSeptemberdaywithalittlehumidityintheairand
partlynodoubtitwasthesemishutstateofautumninthesmallhouse.
Thedownstairsroomswereclosedandshuttered,andthe
wewereshownsmeltdampandairless.

room into which

Acapablelookinghospitalnursecametoustherepullingdownherstarched
cuffs.
"M.Poirot?"shesaidbriskly."IamNurseCapstick.IgotMr.Clarke'sletter
sayingyouwerecoming."
PoirotinquiredafterLadyClarke'shealth.
"Notbadatallreally,allthingsconsidered."
"All things considered," I presumed meant considering she was under
sentenceofdeath.
"Onecan'thopeformuchimprovement,ofcourse,butsometreatmenthas
made things a little easier for her. Dr. Logan is quite pleased with her
condition."
"Butitistrue,isitnot,thatshecanneverrecover?"
"Oh,weneveractuallysaythat,"saidNurseCapstick,shockedbythisplain
speaking.
"Isupposeherhusband'sdeathwasaterribleshocktoher?"
"WellM.Poirotifyouunderstand what Imean,itwasn'tofashockasit
wouldhavebeentoanyoneinfullpossessionofhealthandfaculties.Things
aredimmedbyLadyClarkeinhercondition.''
"Pardonmyasking,butwasshedeeplyattachedtoherhusbandandheto
her?"

115

"Oh, yes, they were a very happy couple. He was very worried and upset
abouther,poorman.It'salwaysworseforadoctor,youknow.Theycan'tbuoy
themselvesupwithfalsehopes.I'mafraiditpreyedonhismindverymuchto
beginwith."
"Tobeginwith?Notsomuchafterwards?"
"Onegetsusedtoeverything,doesn'tone?AndthenSirCarmichaelhadhis
collection.Ahobbyisagreatconsolationtoaman.Heusedtorunuptosales
occasionally, and then he and Miss Grey were busy recataloguing and
rearrangingthemuseumonanewsystem."
"Oh,yesMissGrey.Shehasleft,hasshenot?"
"YesI'm very sorry about itbut ladies do take these fancies sometimes
whenthey'renotwell.Andthere'snoarguingwiththem.It'sbettertogivein.
MissGreywasverysensibleaboutit."
"HasLadyClarkealwaysdislikedher?"
"Nothatistosay,notdisliked.Asamatteroffact,Ithinksheratherliked
hertobeginwith.Butthere,Imustn'tkeepyougossiping.Mypatientwillbe
wonderingwhathasbecomeofus."
Sheledusupstairstoaroomonthefirstfloor.Whathadatonetimebeena
bedroomhadbeenturnedintoacheerfullookingsittingroom.
Lady Clarke was sitting in a big armchair near the window. She was
painfullythin,andherfacehadthegrey,haggardlookofonewhosuffers
muchpain.Shehadaslightlyfaraway,dreamylook,andInoticedthatthe
pupilsofhereyesweremerepinpoints.
"ThisisM.Poirotwhomyouwantedtosee,"saidNurseCapstickinherhigh,
cheerfulvoice.
"Oh,yes,M.Poirot,"saidLadyClarkevaguely.Sheextendedherhand.
"MyfriendCaptainHastings,LadyClarke."
"Howdoyoudo?Sogoodofyoubothtocome."
Wesatdownashervaguegesturedirected.Therewasasilence.LadyClarke
seemedtohavelapsedintoadream.
Presentlywithaslighteffortsherousedherself."ItwasaboutCar,wasn'tit?
AboutCar'sdeath.Oh,yes."

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She sighed, but still in a faraway manner, shaking her head. "We never
thoughtitwouldbethatwayround...IwassosureIshouldbethefirstto
go...."Shemusedaminuteortwo."Carwasverystrongwonderfulforhis
age.Hewasneverill.Hewasnearlysixtybutheseemedmorelikefifty....
Yes,verystrong...."
Sherelapsedagainintoherdream.Poirot,whowaswellacquaintedwiththe
effectsofcertaindrugsandofhowtheygivetheirtakertheimpressionof
endlesstime,saidnothing.LadyClarkesaidsuddenly:"Yesitwasgoodof
youtocome.ItoldFranklin.Hesaidhewouldn'tforgettotellyou.Ihope
Franklinisn'tgoingtobefoolish...he'ssoeasilytakenin,inspiteofhaving
knockedabouttheworldsomuch.Menarelikethat.Theyremainboys...
Franklin,inparticular.''
"Hehasanimpulsivenature,"saidPoirot.
"Yesyes...Andverychivalrous.Menaresofoolishthatway.EvenCar"
Hervoicetrailedoff.
Sheshookherheadwithafebrileimpatience."Everything'ssodim....One's
bodyisanuisance,M.Poirot,especiallywhenitgetstheupperhand.Oneis
consciousofnothingelsewhetherthepainwillholdoffornotnothingelse
seemstomatter."
"Iknow,LadyClarke.Itisoneofthetragediesofthislife."
"Itmakesmesostupid.IcannotevenrememberwhatitwasIwantedtosay
toyou."
"Wasitsomethingaboutyourhusband'sdeath?"
"Car'sdeath?Yes,perhaps....Mad,poorcreaturethemurderer,Imean.
It'sallthenoiseandthespeednowadayspeoplecan'tstandit.I'vealways
beensorryformadpeopletheirheadsmustfeelsoqueer.Andthen,being
shut upit must be so terrible. But what else can one do? If they kill
people..."
Sheshookherheadgentlypained."Youhaven'tcaughthimyet?"sheasked.
"No,notyet."
"Hemusthavebeenhangingroundherethatday."
"Thereweresomanystrangersabout,LadyClarke.Itistheholidayseason."
"YesIforgot....Buttheykeepdownbythebeaches,theydon'tcomeup

117

nearthehouse."
"Nostrangercametothehousethatday."
"Whosaysso?"demandedLadyClarke,withasuddenvigour.
Poirotlookedslightlytakenaback."Theservants,"hesaid."MissGrey."
LadyClarkesaidverydistinctly:"Thatgirlisaliar!"
Istartedonmychair.Poirotthrewmeaglance.
LadyClarkewasgoingon,speakingnowratherfeverishly."Ididn'tlikeher.I
neverlikedher.Carthoughtalltheworldofher.Usedtogoonabouther
beinganorphanandaloneintheworld.What'swrongwithbeinganorphan?
Sometimes it's a blessing in disguise. You might have a goodfornothing
fatherandamotherwhodrankthenyouwouldhavesomethingtocomplain
about.Saidshewassobraveandsuchagoodworker.Idaresayshedidher
workwell!Idon'tknowwhereallthisbraverycamein!"
"Now don't excite yourself, dear," said Nurse Capstick, intervening. "We
mustn'thaveyougettingtired."
"Isoonsentherpacking!Franklinhadtheimpertinencetosuggestthatshe
mightbeacomforttome.Comforttomeindeed!ThesoonerIsawthelastof
herthebetterthat'swhatIsaid!Franklin'safool!Ididn'twanthimgetting
mixedupwithher.He'saboy!Nosense!'I'llgiveherthreemonths'salary,if
youlike,'Isaid.'Butoutshegoes.Idon'twantherinthehouseadaylonger.'
There'sonethingaboutbeingillmencan'targuewithyou.HedidwhatI
saidandshewent."
"Wentlikeamartyr,Iexpectwithmoresweetnessandbravery!"
"Now,dear,don'tgetsoexcited.It'sbadforyou."
LadyClarkewavedNurseCapstickaway."Youwereasmuchofafoolabout
herasanyoneelse."
"Oh!LadyClarke,youmustn'tsaythat.IdidthinkMissGreyaverynicegirl
soromanticlooking,likesomeoneoutofanovel."
"I'venopatiencewiththelotofyou,"saidLadyClarkefeebly.
"Well,she'sgonenow,mydear.Gonerightaway."
LadyClarkeshookherheadwithfeebleimpatiencebutshedidnotanswer.

118

Poirotsaid:"WhydidyousaythatMissGreywasaliar?"
"Becausesheis.Shetoldyounostrangerscametothehouse,didn'tshe?"
"Yes."
"Verywell,then.Isawherwithmyowneyesoutofthiswindowtalking
toaperfectlystrangemanonthefrontdoorstep."
"Whenwasthis?"
"InthemorningofthedayCardiedabouteleveno'clock."
"Whatdidthismanlooklike?"
"Anordinarysortofman.Nothingspecial."
"Agentlemanoratradesman?"
"Not a tradesman. A shabby sort of person. I can't remember." A sudden
quiverofpainshotacrossherface.
"PleaseyoumustgonowI'malittletired.Nurse."
Weobeyedthecueandtookourdeparture.
"That's an extraordinary story," I said to Poirot as we journeyed back to
London."AboutMissGreyandastrangeman."
"Yousee,Hastings?Itis,asItellyou:thereisalwayssomethingtobefound
out."
"Whydidthegirllieaboutitandsayshehadseennoone?"
"Icanthinkofsevenseparatereasonsoneofthemanextremelysimpleone."
"Isthatasnub?"Iasked.
"Itis,perhaps,aninvitationtouseyouringenuity.Butthereisnoneedforus
toperturbourselves.Theeasiestwaytoanswerthequestionistoaskher."
"Andsupposeshetellsusanotherlie."
"Thatwouldindeedbeinterestingandhighlysuggestive."
"Itismonstroustosupposethatagirllikethatcouldbeinleaguewitha
madman."
"PreciselysoIdonotsupposeit."
Ithoughtforsomeminuteslonger."Agoodlookinggirlhasahardtimeofit,"

119

Isaidatlastwithasigh.
"Dutout.Disabuseyourmindofthatidea."
"It'strue,"Iinsisted."Everyone'shandisagainsthersimplybecausesheis
goodlooking."
"Youspeakthebtises,myfriend.WhosehandwasagainstheratCombeside?
SirCarmichael's?Franklin's?NurseCapstick's?"
"LadyClarkewasdownonher,allright."
"Monami,youarefullofcharitablefeelingtowardsbeautifulyounggirls.Me,
Ifeelcharitabletosickoldladies.ItmaybethatLadyClarkewastheclear
sightedoneandthatherhusband,Mr.FranklinClarkeandNurseCapstick
wereallasblindasbatsandCaptainHastings."
"Realize,Hastings,thatintheordinarycourseofeventsthosethreeseparate
dramaswouldneverhavetouchedeachother.Theywouldhavepursuedtheir
course uninfluenced by each other. The permutations and combinations of
life,HastingsIneverceasetobefascinatedbythem."
"ThisisPaddington,"wastheonlyanswerImade.
Itwastime,Ifelt,thatsomeoneprickedthebubble.
On our arrival at Whitehaven Mansions we were told a gentleman was
waitingtoseePoirot.
I expected it to be Franklin, or perhaps Japp, but to my astonishment it
turnedouttobenoneotherthanDonaldFraser.
Heseemedveryembarrassedandhisinarticulatenesswasmorenoticeable
thanever.
Poirot did not press him to come to the point of his visit, but instead
suggestedsandwichesandaglassofwine.
Until these made their appearance he monopolized the conversation,
explainingwherewehadbeen,andspeakingwithkindlinessandfeelingof
theinvalidwoman.
Notuntilwefinished thesandwichesandsippedthewinedidhegivethe
conversationapersonalturn.
"YouhavecomefromBexhill,Mr.Fraser?"

120

"Yes."
"AnysuccesswithMillyHigley?"
"MillyHigley? Milly Higley?" Fraser repeated the name wonderingly. "Oh,
thatgirl!No,Ihaven'tdoneanythingthereyet.It's"
Hestopped.Hishandstwistedthemselvestogethernervously."Idon'tknow
whyI'vecometoyou,"heburstout.
"Iknow,"saidPoirot.
"Youcan't.Howcanyou?"
"You have come to me because there is something that you must tell to
someone.Youwerequiteright.Iamtheproperperson.Speak!"
Poirot'sairofassurancehaditseffect.Fraserlookedathimwithaqueerair
ofgratefulobedience.
"Youthinkso?"
"Parbleu,Iamsureofit."
"M.Poirot,doyouknowanythingaboutdreams?"
ItwasthelastthingIhadexpectedhimtosay.Poirot,however,seemedinno
wisesurprised.
"Ido,"hereplied."Youhavebeendreaming?"
"Yes.Isupposeyou'llsayit'sonlynaturalthatIshouldshoulddreamabout
it.Butitisn'tanordinarydream."
"No?"
"I've dreamed it now three nights running, sir . . . . I think I'm going
mad...."
"Tellme"
Theman'sfacewaslivid.Hiseyeswerestartingoutofhishead.Asamatter
offact,helookedmad.
"It'salwaysthesame.I'monthebeach.LookingforBetty.She'slostonly
lost,youunderstand.I'vegottofindher.I'vegottogiveherherbelt.I'm
carryingitinmyhand.Andthen"
"Yes?"

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"Thedreamchanges...I'mnotlookinganymore.She'sthereinfrontofme
sittingonthebeach.Shedoesn'tseemecomingOhoh,Ican't"
"Goon."Poirot'svoicewasauthoritativefirm.
"Icomeupbehindher...shedoesn'thearme...Islipthebeltaroundher
neckandpullohpull"
Theagonyinhisvoicewasfrightful...Igrippedthearmsofmychair....
Thethingwastooreal.
"She'schoking...she'sdead...I'vestrangledherandthenherheadfalls
backandIseeherface,andit'sMegannotBetty!"
Heleantbackwhiteandshaking.Poirotpouredoutanotherglassofwineand
passeditovertohim.
"What'sthemeaningofit,M.Poirot?Whydoesitcometome?Everynight...
?"
"Drinkupyourwine,"orderedPoirot.
Theyoungmandidso,thenheaskedinacalmervoice:"Whatdoesitmean?I
Ididn'tkillher,didI?"
WhatPoirotansweredIdonotknow,foratthatminuteIheardthepostman's
knockandautomaticallyIlefttheroom.
WhatItookoutoftheletterboxbanishedallmyinterestinDonaldFraser's
extraordinaryrevelations.
Iracedbackintothesittingroom.
"Poirot,"Icried."It'scome.Thefourthletter."
Hesprangup,seizeditfromme,caughtuphispaperknifeandslititopen.
Hespreaditoutonthetable.
Thethreeofusreadittogether.
Still no success? Fie! Fie! What are you and the police doing?
Well,well,isn'tthisfun?Andwhereshallwegonextforhoney?
PoorMr.Poirot.I'mquitesorryforyou.
Ifatfirstyoudon'tsucceed,try,try,tryagain.We'vealongway
togostill.
Tipperary? Nothatcomesfarther on.LetterT.The nextlittle
incidentwilltakeplaceatDoncasteronSeptember11th.

122

Solong.
A.B.C.

123

Chapter Twenty-One
Description of a Murderer

Itwasatthismoment,Ithink,thatwhatPoirotcalledthehumanelement
began to fade out of the picture again. It was as though, the mind being
unable to stand unadulterated horror, we had had an interval of normal
humaninterests....
Wehad,oneandall,felttheimpossibilityofdoinganythinguntilthefourth
lettershouldcomerevealingtheDmurder.
Thatatmosphereofwaitinghadbroughtareleaseoftension.
Butnow,withtheprintedwordsjeeringfromthewhitestiffpaper,thehunt
wasuponcemore.
InspectorCromehadcomeroundfromtheYard,andwhilehewasstillthere,
FranklinClarkeandMeganBarnardcamein.
Thegirlexplainedthatshe,too,hadcomeupfromBexhill.
"IwantedtoaskMr.Clarkesomething."Shewenttoexplainherprocedure.
Sheseemedratheranxioustoexcuseandexplainherprocedure.Ijustnoted
thefactwithoutattachingmuchimportancetoit.
Theletternaturallyfilledmymindtotheexclusionofallelse.
Cromewasnot,Ithink,anytoopleasedtoseethevariousparticipantsinthe
drama.Hebecameextremelyofficialandnoncommittal.
"I'lltakethiswithme,M.Poirot.Ifyoucaretomakeacopyofit"
"No,no,itisnotnecessary."
"Whatareyourplans,inspector?"askedClarke.
"Fairlycomprehensiveones,Mr.Clarke."
"Thistimewe'vegottogethim,"saidClarke."Imaytellyou,inspector,that
we'veformedanassociationofourowntodealwiththematter.Alegionof
interestedparties."
InspectorCromesaidinhisbestmanner:"Oh,yes?"

124

"Igatheryoudon'tthinkmuchofamateurs,inspector?"
"You'vehardlythesameresourcesatyourcommand,haveyou,Mr.Clarke?"
"We'vegotapersonalaxetogrindandthat'ssomething."
"Oh,yes?"
"Ifancyyourowntaskisn'tgoingtobetooeasy,inspector.Infact,Irather
fancyoldA.B.C.hasdoneyouagain."
Crome,Ihadnoticed,couldoftenbegoadedintospeechwhenothermethods
wouldhavefailed.
"Idon'tfancythepublicwillhavemuchtocriticizeinourarrangementsthis
time,"hesaid."Thefoolhasgivenusamplewarningthistime.The11 thisn't
tillWednesdayofnextweek.Thatgivesampletimeforapublicitycampaign
inthepress.Doncasterwillbethoroughlywarned.Everysoulwhosename
beginswithaDwillbeonhisorherguardthat'ssomuchtothegood.Also,
we'lldraftthepoliceintothetownonafairlylargescale.That'salreadybeen
arrangedforbyconsentofalltheChiefConstablesinEngland.Thewholeof
Doncaster, police and civilians, will be out to catch one manand with
reasonableluck,weoughttogethim!"
Clarkesaidquietly:"It'seasytoseeyou'renotasportingman,inspector."
Cromestaredathim."Whatdoyoumean,Mr.Clarke?"
"Manalive,don'tyourealizethatonnextWednesdaytheSt.Legerisbeing
runatDoncaster?"
Theinspector'sjawdropped.Forthelifeofhimhecouldnotbringoutthe
familiar "Oh, yes?" Instead he said: "That's true. Yes, that complicates
matters"
"A.B.C.isnofool,evenifheisamadman."
Wewereallsilentforaminuteortwo,takinginthesituation.Thecrowdson
the racecoursethe passionate, sportloving English publicthe endless
complications.
Poirotmurmured:"C'estingenieux.Toutdemmec'estbienimagin,a."
"It's my belief," said Clarke, "that the murder will take place on the
racecourseperhapsactuallywhiletheLegerisbeingrun."
For the moment his sporting instincts took a momentary pleasure in the

125

thought....
Inspector Crome rose, taking the letter with him. "The St. Leger is a
complication,"heallowed."It'sunfortunate."
Hewentout.Weheardamurmurofvoicesinthehallway.Aminutelater
ThoraGreyentered.
Shesaidanxiously:"Theinspectortoldmethereisanotherletter.Wherethis
time?"
Itwasrainingoutside.ThoraGreywaswearingablackcoatandskirtand
furs.Alittleblackhatjustpercheditselfonthesideofhergoldenhead.
ItwastoFranklinClarkethatshespokeandshecamerightuptohimand,
withahandonhisarm,waitedforhisanswer.
"DoncasterandonthedayoftheSt.Leger."
Wesettleddowntoadiscussion.Itwentwithoutsayingthatweallintended
tobepresent,buttheracemeetingundoubtedlycomplicatedtheplanswehad
madetentativelybeforehand.
Afeelingofdiscouragementsweptoverme.Whatcouldthislittlebandofsix
people do, after all, however strong their personal interest in the matter
mightbe?Therewouldbeinnumerablepolice,keeneyedandalert,watching
alllikelyspots.Whatcouldsixmorepairsofeyesdo?
Asthoughinanswertomythought,Poirotraisedhisvoice.Hespokerather
likeaschoolmasterorapriest.
"Mesenfants,"hesaid,"wemustnotdispersethestrength.Wemustapproach
thismatterwithmethodandorderinourthoughts.Wemustlookwithinand
notwithoutforthetruth.Wemustsaytoourselveseachoneofuswhatdo
Iknowaboutthemurderer?Andsowemustbuildupacompositepictureof
themanwearegoingtoseek."
"Weknownothingabouthim,"sighedThoraGreyhelplessly.
"No, no, mademoiselle. That is not true. Each one of us knows something
about himif weonly knew what it is weknow. I am convinced that the
knowledgeisthereifwecouldonlygetatit."
Clarkeshookhishead."Wedon'tknowanythingwhetherhe'soldoryoung,
fairordark!Nooneofushasevenseenhimorspokentohim!We'vegone
overeverythingweallknowagainandagain."

126

"Noteverything!Forinstance,MissGreyheretoldusthatshedidnotseeor
speaktoanystrangeronthedaythatSirCarmichaelClarkewasmurdered."
ThoraGreynodded."That'squiteright."
"Isit?LadyClarketoldus,mademoiselle,thatfromherwindowshesawyou
standingonthefrontdoorsteptalkingtoaman."
"She saw me talking to a strange man?" The girl seemed genuinely
astonished.Surelythatpure,limpidlookcouldnotbeanythingbutgenuine.
Sheshookherhead."LadyClarkemusthavemadeamistake.IneverOh!"
Theexclamationcamesuddenlyjerkedoutofher.Acrimsonwaveflooded
hercheeks.
"I remember now! How stupid! I'd forgotten all about it. But it wasn't
important. Just one of those men who come round selling stockingsyou
know,exArmypeople.They'reverypersistent.Ihadtogetridofhim.Iwas
justcrossingthehallwhenhecametothedoor.Hespoketomeinsteadof
ringingbuthewasquiteaharmlesssortofperson.Isupposethat'swhyI
forgotabouthim."
Poirotwasswayingtoandfro,hishandsclaspedtohishead.Hemutteringto
himselfwithsuchvehemencethatnobodyelsesaidanything,butstaredat
himinstead.
"Stockings,"hewasmurmuring."Stockings...stockings...stockings...ca
vient...stockings...stockings...Itisthemotifyes...threemonths
ago...andtheotherday...andnow.BonDieu,Ihaveit!"
He sat upright and fixed me with an imperious eye. "You remember,
Hastings?Andover.Theshop.Wegoupstairs.Thebedroom.Onachair.A
pair of new silk stockings. And now I know what it was that roused my
attentiontwodaysago.Itwasyou,mademoiselle"HeturnedonMegan.
"Youspokeofyourmotherwhoweptbecauseshehadboughtyoursistersome
newstockingsontheverydayofthemurder...."
He looked round on us all. "You see? It is the same motif three times
repeated.Thatcannotbecoincidence.WhenmademoisellespokeIhadthe
feelingthatwhatshesaidlinkedupwithsomething.Iknownowwithwhat.
ThewordsspokenbyMrs.Ascher'snextdoorneighbour,Mrs.Fowler.About
people who were always trying to sell you thingsand she mentioned
stockings.Tellme,mademoiselle,itistrue,isitnot,thatyourmotherbought

127

thosestockings,notatashop,butfromsomeonewhocametothedoor?"
"Yesyesshe did . . . I remember now. She said something about being
sorryforthesewretchedmenwhogoroundandtrytogetorders."
"But what's the connection?" cried Franklin. "That a man came selling
stockingsprovesnothing!"
"Itellyou,myfriends,itcannotbecoincidence.Threecrimesandeverytime
amansellingstockingsandspyingouttheland."
HewheeledroundonThora.
"Avouslaparole!Describethisman."
Shelookedathimblankly."Ican't...Idon'tknowhow...Hehadglasses,I
think...andashabbyovercoat...."
"Mieuxquefa,mademoiselle."
"Hestooped...Idon'tknow.Ihardlylookedathim.Hewasn'tthesortof
manyou'dnotice"
Poirotsaidgravely:"Youarequiteright,mademoiselle.Thewholesecretof
the murders lies there in your description of the murdererfor without a
doubtheisthemurderer!'Hewasn'tthesortofmanyou'dnotice.'Yes,hereis
nodoubtaboutit....Youhavedescribedthemurderer!"

128

Chapter Twenty-Two
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

Mr. Alexander Bonaparte Cust sat very still. His breakfast lay cold and
untastedonhisplate.Anewspaperwasproppedupagainsttheteapotandit
wasthisnewspaperthatMr.Custwasreadingwithavidinterest.
Suddenlyhegotup,pacedtoandfroforaminute,thensankinachairbythe
window.Heburiedhisheadinhishandswithastifledgroan.
Hedidnothearthesoundoftheopeningdoor.Hislandlady,Mrs.Marbury,
stoodinthedoorway.
"Iwaswondering,Mr.Cust,ifyou'dfancyanicewhy,whateverisit?Aren't
youfeelingwell?"
Mr.Custraisedhisheadfromhishands.
"Nothing.It'snothingatall,Mrs.Marbury.I'mnotfeelingverywellthis
morning."
Mrs.Marburyinspectedthebreakfasttray."SoIsee.Youhaven'ttouched
yourbreakfast.Isityourheadtroublingyouagain?"
"No.Atleast,yes...IIjustfeelabitoutofsorts."
"Well,I'msorry,I'msure.You'llnotbegoingawaytodaythen?"
Mr.Custsprangupabruptly."No,no.Ihavetogo.It'sbusiness.Important.
Veryimportant."
His hands were shaking. Seeing him so agitated, Mrs. Marbury tried to
soothehim.
"Well,ifyoumustyoumust.Goingfarthistime?"
"No.I'mgoingto"hehesitatedforaminuteortwo"Cheltenham"
Therewassomethingsopeculiaraboutthetentativewayhesaidtheword
thatMrs.Marburylookedathiminsurprise.
"Cheltenham's a nice place," she said conversationally. "I went there from
Bristoloneyear.Theshopsareeversonice."

129

"Isupposesoyes."
Mrs.Marburystoopedratherstifflyforstoopingdidnotsuitherfigureto
pickupthepaperthatwaslyingcrumpledonthefloor.
"Nothingbutthismurderingbusinessinthepapersnowadays,"shesaidas
sheglancedattheheadlinesbeforeputtingitbackonthetable.
"Givesmethecreeps,itdoes.Idon'treadit.It'slikeJacktheRipperallover
again."
Mr.Cust'slipsmoved,butnosoundcamefromthem.
"Doncasterthat's the place he's going to do his next murder," said Mrs.
Marbury."Andtomorrow!Fairlymakesyourfleshcreep,doesn'tit?IfIlived
inDoncasterandmynamebeganwithaD,I'dtakethefirsttrainaway,that
Iwould.I'drunnorisks.Whatdidyousay,Mr.Cust?"
"Nothing,Mrs.Marburynothing."
"It's theracesand all. Nodoubt hethinks he'llget hisopportunity there.
Hundredsofpolice,theysay,they'redraftinginandWhy,Mr.Cust,youdo
lookbad.Hadn'tyoubetterhavealittledropofsomething?Really,now,you
oughtn'ttogotravellingtoday."
Mr.Custdrewhimselfup."Itisnecessary,Mrs.Marbury.Ihavealwaysbeen
punctualinmyengagements.Peoplemusthavemusthaveconfidencein
you!WhenIhaveundertakentodoathing,Icarryitthrough.Itistheonly
waytogetonininbusiness."
"Butifyou'reill?"
"I am not ill, Mrs. Marbury. Just a little worried over various personal
matters.Isleptbadly.Iamreallyquiteallright."
HismannerwassofirmthatMrs.Marburygatheredupthebreakfastthings
andreluctantlylefttheroom.
Mr. Cust dragged out a suitcase from under the bed and began to pack.
Pyjamas, spongebag, spare collar, leather slippers. Then unlocking a
cupboard, he transferred a dozen or so flattish cardboard boxes about ten
inchesbysevenfromashelftothesuitcase.
Hejust glancedat the railway guideonthe tableand thenleft theroom,
suitcaseinhand.

130

Settingitdowninthehall,heputonhishatandovercoat.Ashedidsohe
sigheddeeply,sodeeplythatthegirlwhocameoutfromaroomattheside
lookedathiminconcern.
"Anythingthematter,Mr.Cust?"
"Nothing,MissLily."
"Youweresighingso!"
Mr.Custsaidabruptly:"Areyouatallsubjecttopremonitions,MissLily?To
presentiments?''
"Well,Idon'tknowthatIam,really....Ofcourse,therearedayswhenyou
justfeeleverything'sgoingwrong,anddayswhenyoufeeleverything'sgoing
right."
"Quite,"saidMr.Cust.Hesighedagain.
"Well, goodbye, Miss Lily. Goodbye. I'm sure you've been very kind to me
alwayshere."
"Well,don'tsaygoodbyeasthoughyouweregoingawayforever,"laughed
Lily.
"No,no,ofcoursenot."
"SeeyouFriday,"laughedthegirl."Whereareyougoingthistime?Seaside
again?"
"No,noerCheltenham."
"Well,that'snice,too.ButnotquiteasniceasTorquay.Thatmusthavebeen
lovely.Iwanttogothereformyholidaynextyear.Bytheway,youmusthave
been quite near where the murder wasthe A.B.C. murder. It happened
whileyouweredownthere,didn'tit?"
"Eryes.ButChurston'ssixorsevenmilesaway."
"Allthesame,itmusthavebeenexciting!Why,youmayhavepassedthe
murdererinthestreet!Youmayhavebeenquiteneartohim!"
"Yes,Imay,ofcourse,"saidMr.Custwithsuchaghastlyandcontortedsmile
thatLilyMarburynoticedit.
"Oh,Mr.Cust,youdon'tlookwell."
"I'mquiteallright,quiteallright.Goodbye,MissMarbury."

131

Hefumbledtoraisehishat,caughtuphissuitcaseandfairlyhastenedoutof
thefrontdoor.
"Funnyoldthing,"saidLilyMarburyindulgently."Lookshalfbattytomy
mind."
*

InspectorCromesaidtohissubordinate:"Getmeoutalistofallstocking
manufacturingfirmsandcircularisethem.Iwantalistofalltheiragents,
youknow,fellowswhoselloncommissionandtoutfororders."
"ThistheA.B.C.case,sir?"
"Yes.OneofMr.HerculePoirot'sideas."Theinspector'stonewasdisdainful.
"Probably nothing in it, but it doesn't do to neglect any chance, however
faint."
"Right,sir.Mr.Poirotdonesomegoodstuffinhistime,butIthinkhe'sabit
gaganow,sir."
"He'samountebank,"saidInspectorCrome."Alwaysposing.Takesinsome
people. It doesn't take in me. Now then, about the arrangement for
Doncaster...."
*

TomHartigansaidtoLilyMarbury:"Sawyourolddugoutthismorning."
"Who?Mr.Cust?"
"Custitwas.AtEuston.Lookinglikealosthen,asusual.Ithinkthefellow's
halfaloony.Heneedssomeonetolookafterhim.Firsthedroppedhispaper
andthenhedroppedhisticket.Ipickedthatuphehadn'tthefaintestidea
he'dlostit.Thankedmeinanagitatedsortofmanner,butIdon'tthinkhe
recognizedme."
"Oh,well,"saidLily."He'sonlyseenyoupassinginthehall,andnotvery
oftenatthat."
Theydancedonceroundthefloor.
"Youdancesomethingbeautiful,"saidTom.
"Goon,"saidLilyandwriggledyetalittlecloser.
Theydancedroundagain.

132

"DidyousayEustonorPaddington?"askedLilyabruptly."Whereyousawold
Cust,Imean?"
"Euston."
"Areyousure?"
"OfcourseI'msure.Whatdoyouthink?"
"Funny.IthoughtyouwenttoCheltenhamfromPaddington."
"So you do. But old Cust wasn't going to Cheltenham. He was going to
Doncaster."
"Cheltenham."
"Doncaster.Iknow,mygirl!Afterall,Ipickeduphisticket,didn'tI?"
"Well,hetoldmehewasgoingtoCheltenham.I'msurehedid."
"Oh,you'vegotitwrong.HewasgoingtoDoncasterallright.Somepeople
havealltheluck.I'vegotabitonFireflyfortheLegerandI'dlovetoseeit
run."
"Ishouldn'tthinkMr.Custwenttoracemeetings;hedoesn'tlookthekind.
Oh,Tom,Ihopehewon'tgetmurdered.It'sDoncastertheA.B.C.murder's
goingtohappen."
"Cust'llbeallright.Hisnamedoesn'tbeginwithaD."
"Hemighthavebeen murdered last time. He wasdown near Churstonat
Torquaywhenthelastmurderhappened."
"Washe?That'sabitofacoincidence,isn'tit?"
Helaughed."Hewasn'tatBexhillthetimebefore,washe?"
Lilycrinkledherbrows."Hewasaway....Yes,Irememberhewasaway...
becauseheforgothisbathingdress.Motherwasmendingitforhim.Andshe
said:'ThereMr.Custwentawayyesterdaywithouthisbathingdressafter
all,'andIsaid:'Oh,nevermindtheoldbathingdressthere'sbeenthemost
awfulmurder,'Isaid,'agirlstrangledatBexhill.'"
"Well,ifhewantedhisbathingdress,hemusthavebeengoingtotheseaside.
I say, Lily"his face crinkled up with amusement. "What price your old
dugoutbeingthemurdererhimself?"
"PoorMr.Cust?Hewouldn'thurtafly,"laughedLily.

133

Theydancedonhappilyintheirconsciousmindsnothingbutthepleasureof
beingtogether.
Intheirunconsciousmindssomethingstirred....

134

Chapter Twenty-Three
September 11th. Doncaster

Doncaster!
Ishall,Ithink,rememberthat11thofSeptemberallmylife.
Indeed,wheneverIseeamentionoftheSt.Legermymindfliesautomatically
nottohorseracingbuttomurder.
When I recall my own sensations, the thing that stands out most is a
sickeningsenseofinsufficiency.WewerehereonthespotPoirot,myself,
Clarke,Fraser,MeganBarnard,ThoraGreyandMaryDrowerandinthelast
resortwhatcouldanyofusdo?
Wewerebuildingonaforlornhopeonthechanceofrecognizingamongsta
crowdofthousandsofpeopleafaceorfigureimperfectlyseenonanoccasion
one,twoorthreemonthsback.
Theoddswereinrealitygreaterthanthat.Ofusall,theonlypersonlikelyto
makesucharecognitionwasThoraGrey.
Someofherserenityhadbrokendownunderthestrain.Herusualefficient
manner was gone. She sat twisting her hands together, almost weeping,
appealingincoherentlytoPoirot.
"Ineverreallylookedathim....Whydidn'tI?WhatafoolIwas.You're
dependingonme,allofyou...andIshallletyoudown.BecauseevenifIdid
seehimagainImightn'trecognizehim.I'vegotbadmemoryforfaces."
Poirot,whateverhemightsaytome,andhoweverharshlyhemightseemto
criticizethegirl,showednothingbutkindnessnow.Hismannerwastender
intheextreme.ItstruckmethatPoirotwasnomoreindifferenttobeautyin
distressthanIwas.
Hepattedhershoulderkindly."Nowthen,petite,notthehysteria.Wecannot
havethat.Ifyoushouldseethismanyouwouldrecognizehim."
"Howdoyouknow?"
"Oh,agreatmanyreasonsforone,becausetheredsucceedstheblack."

135

"Whatdoyoumean,Poirot?"Icried.
"Ispeakthelanguageofthetables.Atroulettetheremaybealongrunonthe
blackbut in the end red must turn up. It is the mathematical laws of
chance."
"Youmeanthatluckturns?"
"Exactly,Hastings.Andthatiswherethegambler(andthemurderer,whois,
afterall,onlyasupremekindofgamblersincewhatherisksisnothismoney
buthislife)oftenlacksintelligentanticipation.Becausehehaswonhethinks
hewillcontinuetowin!Hedoesnotleavethetablesingoodtimewithhis
pocketsfull.Soincrimethemurdererwhoissuccessfulcannotconceivethe
possibility of not being successful! He takes to himself all the credit for a
successfulperformancebutItellyou,myfriends,howevercarefullyplanned
nocrimecanbesuccessfulwithoutluck!"
"Isn'tthatgoingratherfar?"demurredFranklinClarke.
Poirotwavedhishandsexcitedly."No,no.Itisanevenchance,ifyoulike,but
itmustbeinyourfavour.Consider!Itmighthavehappenedthatsomeone
entersMrs.Ascher'sshopjustasthemurdererisleaving.Thatpersonmight
havethoughtoflookingbehindthecounter,haveseenthedeadwomanand
eitherlaidhandsonthemurdererstraightawayorelsebeenabletogivesuch
anaccuratedescriptionofhimtothepolicethathewouldhavebeenarrested
forthwith."
"Yes,ofcourse,that'spossible,"admittedClarke."Whatitcomestoisthata
murderer'sgottotakeachance."
"Precisely. A murderer is always a gambler. And, like many gamblers, a
murdereroftendoesnotknowwhentostop.Witheachcrimehisopinionof
hisownabilitiesisstrengthened.Hissenseofproportioniswarped.Hedoes
notsay,'Ihavebeencleverandlucky!'No,hesaysonly,'Ihavebeenclever!'
Andhisopinionofhisclevernessgrows...andthen, monamis,theball
spins,andtherunofcolourisovertheballdropsintoanewnumberandthe
croupiercallsout'Rouge.'"
"Youthinkthatwillhappeninthiscase?"askedMegan,drawingherbrows
togetherinafrown.
"Itmusthappensoonerorlater!Sofartheluckhasbeenwiththecriminal
soonerorlateritmustturnandbewithus.Ibelievethatithasturned!The

136

clueofthestockingsisthebeginning.Now,insteadofeverythinggoingright
forhim,everythingwillgowrongforhim!Andhe,too,willbegintomake
mistakes...."
"Iwill say you're heartening," said Franklin Clarke."Weall need abit of
comfort.I'vehadaparalysingfeelingofhelplessnesseversinceIwokeup."
"It seems to me highly problematical that we can accomplish anything of
practicalvalue,"saidDonaldFraser.
Meganrappedout:"Don'tbeadefeatist,Don."
MaryDrower,flushingupalittle,said:"WhatIsayis,youneverknow.That
wicked fiend's in this place, and so are weand after all, you do run up
againstpeopleinthefunniestwaysometimes."
Ifumed:"Ifonlywecoulddosomethingmore."
"You must remember, Hastings, that the police are doing everything
reasonably possible. Special constables have been enrolled. The good
InspectorCromemayhavetheirritatingmanner,butheisaveryablepolice
officer,andColonelAnderson,theChiefConstable,isamanofaction.They
havetakenthefullestmeasuresforwatchingandpatrollingthetownandthe
racecourse.Therewillbeplainclothesmeneverywhere."
"Thereisalsothepresscampaign.Thepublicisfullywarned."
DonaldFrasershookhishead."He'llneverattemptit,I'mthinking,"hesaid
morehopefully."Themanwouldjustbemad!"
"Unfortunately,"saidClarkedryly,"heismad!Whatdoyouthink,M.Poirot?
Willhegiveituporwillhetrytocarryitthrough?"
"Inmyopinionthestrengthofhisobsessionissuchthathemustattemptto
carryouthispromise!Nottodosowouldhetoadmitfailure,andthathis
insaneegoismwouldneverallow.That,Imaysay,isalsoDr.Thompson's
opinion.Ourhopeisthathemaybecaughtintheattempt."
Donaldshookhisheadagain."He'llbeverycunning."
Poirotglancedathiswatch.Wetookthehint.Ithadbeenagreedthatwe
weretomakeanalldaysessionofit,patrollingasmanystreetsaspossiblein
themorning,andlater,stationingourselvesatvariouslikelypointsonthe
racecourse.
Isay"we."Ofcourse,inmyowncasesuchapatrolwasoflittleavailsinceI

137

was never likely to have set eyes on A.B.C.. However, as the idea was to
separate so as to cover as wide an area as possible I ha suggested that I
shouldactasescorttooneoftheladies.
PoirothadagreedIamafraidwithsomewhatofatwinkleinhiseye.
Thegirlswentofftogettheirhatson.DonaldFraserwasstandingbythe
windowlookingout,apparentlylostinthought.
FranklinClarkeglancedoverathim,thenevidentlydecidingthattheother
wastooabstractedtocountasalistener,heloweredhisvoicealittleand
addressedPoirot.
"Look here, M. Poirot. You went down to Churston, I know, and saw my
sisterinlaw.DidshesayorhintImeandidshesuggestanythingatall
?"Hestopped,embarrassed.
Poirotanswered withafaceofblankinnocencethataroused mystrongest
suspicions.
"Comment?Didyoursisterinlawsay,hintorsuggestwhat?"
Franklin Clarke got rather red. "Perhaps you think this isn't a time for
buttinginwithpersonalthings"
"Dutout!"
"ButIfeelI'dliketogetthingsquitestraight."
"Anadmirablecourse."
ThistimeIthinkClarkebegantosuspectPoirot'sblandfaceofconcealing
someinneramusement.Heploughedonratherheavily.
"Mysisterinlaw'sanawfullynicewoman.I'vebeenveryfondofheralways
butofcourseshe'sbeenillsometimeandinthatkindofillness,being
givendrugsandallthatonetendstowelltofancythingsaboutpeople!"
"Ah?"BynowtherewasnomistakingthetwinkleinPoirot'seye.
ButFranklinClarke,absorbedinhisdiplomatictask,waspastnoticingit.
"It'saboutThoraMissGrey,"hesaid.
"Oh,itisofMissGreyyouspeak?"Poirot'stoneheldinnocentsurprise.
"Yes.LadyClarkegotcertainideasinherhead.Yousee,ThoraMissGreyis
well,ratheragoodlookinggirl"

138

"Perhapsyes,"concededPoirot.
"Andwomenare,eventhebestofthem,abitcattyaboutotherwomen.Of
course,Thorawasinvaluabletomybrotherhealwayssaidshewasthebest
secretary he ever hadand he was very fond of her, too. But it was all
perfectlystraightandaboveboard.Imean,Thoraisn'tthesortofgirl"
"No?"saidPoirothelpfully.
"Butmysisterinlawgotitintoherheadtobewelljealous,Isuppose.Not
that she ever showed anything. But after Car's death, when there was a
questionofMissGreystayingonwell,Charlottecutuprough.Ofcourse,it's
partlytheillnessandthemorphineandallthatNurseCapsticksaysso
shesayswemustn'tblameCharlotteforgettingtheseideasintoherhead"
Hepaused.
"Yes?"
"WhatIwantyoutounderstand,M.Poirot,isthatthereisn'tanythinginit
at all. It's just a sick woman's imaginings. Look here"he fumbled in his
pocket"here'saletterIreceivedfrommybrotherwhenIwasintheMalay
States.I'dlikeyoutoreaditbecauseitshowsexactlywhattermstheywere
on."
Poirottookit.Franklincameoverbesidehimandwithapointingfingerread
someoftheextractsoutloud.
Things goonheremuchasusual.Charlotteismoderatelyfree
frompain.Iwishonecouldsaymore.YoumayrememberThora
Grey?SheisadeargirlandagreatercomforttomethanIcan
tellyou.Ishouldnothaveknownwhattodothroughthisbad
timebutforher.Hersympathyandinterestareunfailing.She
hasanexquisitetasteandflairforbeautifulthingsandshares
mypassionforChineseart.Iwasindeedluckytofindher.No
daughtercouldbeacloserormoresympatheticcompanion.Her
lifehadbeenadifficultandnotalwaysahappyone,butIam
gladtofeelthathereshehasahomeandatrueaffection.
"Yousee,"saidFranklin."That'showmybrotherfelttoher.Hethoughtof
herlikeadaughter.WhatIfeelsounfairisthefactthatthemomentmy
brotherisdead,hiswifepracticallyturnsheroutofthehouse!Womenreally
aredevils,M.Poirot."

139

"Yoursisterinlawisillandinpain,remember."
"Iknow.That'swhatIkeepsayingtomyself.Onemustn'tjudgeher.Allthe
same,IthoughtI'dshowyouthis.Idon'twantyoutogetafalseimpressionof
ThorafromanythingLadyClarkemayhavesaid."
Poirotreturnedtheletter."Icanassureyou,"hesaid,smiling,"thatInever
permitmyselftogetfalseimpressionsfromanythinganyonetellsme.Iform
myownjudgments."
"Well," said Clarke, stowing away the letter, "I'm glad I showed it to you
anyway.Herecomethegirls.We'dbetterbeoff."
Aswelefttheroom,Poirotcalledmeback."Youaredeterminedtoaccompany
theexpedition,Hastings?"
"Oh,yes.Ishouldn'tbehappystayinghereinactive."
"Thereisactivityofmindaswellasbody,Hastings."
"Well,you'rebetteratitthanIam,"Isaid.
"Youareincontestablyright,Hastings.AmIcorrectinsupposingthatyou
intendtobeacavaliertooneoftheladies?"
"Thatwastheidea."
"Andwhichladydidyouproposetohonourwithyourcompany?"
"WellIerhadn'tconsideredyet."
"WhataboutMissBarnard?"
"She'srathertheindependenttype,"Idemurred.
"MissGrey?"
"Yes.She'sbetter."
"Ifindyou,Hastings,singularlythoughtransparentlyhonest!Allalongyou
hadmadeupyourmindtospendthedaywithyourblondeangel!"
"Oh,really,Poirot!"
"Iamsorrytoupsetyourplans,butImustrequestyoutogiveyourescort
elsewhere."
"Oh,allright.Ithinkyou'vegotaweaknessforthatDutchdollofagirl."
"ThepersonyouaretoescortisMaryDrowerandImustrequestyounotto

140

leaveher."
"But,Poirot,why?"
"Because, my dear friend, her name begins with a D. We must take no
chances."
I saw the justice of his remark. At first it seemed farfetched. But then I
realizedthatifA.B.C.hadafanaticalhatredofPoirot,hemightverywellbe
keeping himself informed of Poirot's movements. And in that case the
eliminationofMaryDrowermightstrikehimasaveryneatfourthstroke.
Ipromisedtobefaithfultomytrust.
IwentoutleavingPoirotsittinginachairnearthewindow.Infrontofhim
wasalittleroulettewheel.HespunitasIwentoutofthedoorandcalled
afterme:"Rougethatisagoodomen,Hastings.Theluck,itturns!"

141

Chapter Twenty-Four
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

BelowhisbreathMr.Leadbetterutteredagruntofimpatienceashisnext
doorneighbourgotupandstumbledclumsilypasthim,droppinghishatover
theseatinfront,andleaningovertoretrieveit.
AllthisattheculminatingmomentofNotaSparrow,thatallstar,thrilling
dramaofpathosandbeautythatMr.Leadbetterhadbeenlookingforwardto
seeingforawholeweek.
Thegoldenhairedheroine,playedbyKatherineRoyal(inMr.Leadbetter's
opiniontheleadingfilmactressintheworld),wasjustgivingventtoahoarse
cryofindignation:
"Never.Iwouldsoonerstarve.ButIshan'tstarve.Rememberthosewords:not
asparrowfalls"
Mr.Leadbettermovedhisheadirritablyfromrighttoleft.People!Whyon
earthpeoplecouldn'twaittilltheendofafilm...Andtoleaveatthissoul
stirringmoment.
Ah,thatwasbetter.Theannoying gentlemanhadpassedonand out.Mr.
LeadbetterhadafullviewofthescreenandofKatherineRoyalstandingby
thewindowintheVanSchreinerMansioninNewYork.
Andnowshewasboardingthetrainthechildinherarms....Whatcurious
trainstheyhadinAmericanotatalllikeEnglishtrains.
Ah,therewasSteveagaininhisshackinthemountains....
The film pursued its course to its emotional and semireligious end. Mr.
Leadbetterbreathedasighofsatisfactionasthelightswentup.
Heroseslowlytohisfeet,blinkingalittle.
Heneverleftthecinemaveryquickly.Italwaystookhimamomentortwoto
returntotheprosaicrealityofeverydaylife.Heglancedround.Notmany
peoplethisafternoonnaturally.Theywereallattheraces.Mr.Leadbetter
didnotapproveofracingorofplayingcardsorofdrinkingorofsmoking.This
lefthimmoreenergytoenjoygoingtothepictures.

142

Everyonewashurryingtowardstheexit.Mr.Leadbetterpreparedtofollow
suit.Themanintheseatinfrontofhimwasasleepslumpeddowninhis
chair.Mr.Leadbetterfeltindignant tothinkthatanyonecould sleep with
suchadramaasNotaSparrowgoingon.
Anirategentlemanwassayingtothesleepingmanwhoselegswerestretched
outblockingtheway:"Excuseme,sir."
Mr.Leadbetterreachedtheexit.Helookedback.Thereseemedtobesome
sortofcommotion.Acommissionaire...alittleknotofpeople.Perhapsthat
maninfrontofhimwasdeaddrunkandnotasleep....Hehesitatedand
thenpassedoutandinsodoingmissedthesensationofthedayagreater
sensationeventhanNotHalfwinningtheSt.Legerat85to1.
Thecommissionairewassaying:"Believeyou'reright,sir...He'sill.Why
what'sthematter,sir?"
Theotherhaddrawnawayhishandwithanexclamationandwasexamining
aredstickysmear.
"Blood...."
Thecommissionairegaveastifledexclamation.Hehadcaughtsightofthe
cornerofsomethingyellowprojectingfromundertheseat.
"Gorblimey,"hesaid."ItisanA.B.C.."

143

Chapter Twenty-Five
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

Mr.CustcameoutoftheRegalCinemaandlookedupatthesky.
Abeautifulevening....Areallybeautifulevening....
AquotationfromBrowningcameintohishead.
"God'sinHisheaven.All'srightwiththeworld."
Hehadalwaysbeenfondofthatquotation.Onlythereweretimes,veryoften,
whenhehadfeltitwasn'ttrue.
He trotted along the street smiling to himself until he came to the Black
Swanwherehewasstaying.Heclimbedthestairstohisbedroom,astuffy
littleroomonthesecondfloor,givingoverapavedinnercourtandgarage.
Asheenteredtheroom,hissmilefadedsuddenly.Therewasastainonhis
sleevenearthecuff.Hetouchedittentativelywetandredblood....
Hishanddippedintohispocketandbroughtoutsomethingalong,slender
knife.Thebladeofthat,too,wasstickyandred....
Mr.Custsattherealongtime.
Oncehiseyesshotroundtheroomlikethoseofahuntedanimal.Histongue
passedfeverishlyoverhislips....
"Itisn'tmyfault,"saidMr.Cust.
Hesoundedasthoughhewerearguingwithsomebodyaschoolboypleading
tohisschoolmaster.
Hepassedhistongueoverhislipsagain....
Again,tentatively,hefelthiscoatsleeve.
Hiseyescrossedtheroomtothewashbasin.
Aminutelaterhewaspouringoutwaterfromtheoldfashionedjugintothe
basin.Removinghiscoat,herinsedthesleeve,carefullysqueezingitout....
Ugh!Thewaterwasrednow....

144

Ataponthedoor.
Hestoodtherefrozenintoimmobilitystaring.
Thedooropened.Aplumpyoungwomanjuginhand.
"Oh,excuseme,sir.Yourhotwater,sir."
Hemanagedtospeakthen.
Thankyou.I'vewashedincold."
Whyhadhesaidthat?Immediatelyhereyeswenttothebasin.
Hesaidfrenziedly:"II'vecutmyhand...."
Therewasapauseyes,surelyaverylongpausebeforeshesaid:"Yes,sir."
Shewentout,shuttingthedoor.
Mr.Custstoodasthoughturnedtostone.
Ithadcomeatlast....
Helistened.
Weretherevoicesexclamationsfeetmountingthestairs?
Hecouldhearnothingbutthebeatingofhisownheart....
Then,suddenly,fromfrozenimmobilityheleapedintoactivity.
Heslippedonhiscoat,tiptoedtothedoorand opened it.Nonoiseasyet
exceptthefamiliarmurmurarisingfromthebar.Hecreptdownthestairs...
Stillnoone.Thatwasluck.Hepausedatthefootofthestairs.Whichway
now?
Hemadeuphismind,dartedquicklyalongapassageandoutbythedoor
thatgaveintotheyard.Acoupleofchauffeursweretheretinkeringwithcars
anddiscussingwinnersandlosers.
Mr.Custhurriedacrosstheyardandoutintothestreet.
Roundthefirstcornertotherightthentotheleftrightagain....
Dareheriskthestation?
Yestherewouldbecrowdstherespecialtrainsifluckwereonhissidehe
woulddoitallright....

145

Ifonlyluckwerewithhim....

146

Chapter Twenty-Six
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

InspectorCromewaslisteningtotheexcitedutterancesofMr.Leadbetter.
"Iassureyou,inspector,myheartmissesabeatwhenIthinkofit.Hemust
actuallyhavebeensittingbesidemeallthroughtheprogramme!"
InspectorCrome,completelyindifferenttothebehaviourofMr.Leadbetter's
heart,said:"Justletmehaveitquiteclear.Thismanwentouttowardsthe
closeofthebigpicture"
"NotaSparrowKatherineRoyal,"murmuredMr.Leadbetterautomatically.
"Hepassedyouandindoingsostumbled"
"Hepretendedtostumble,Iseeitnow.Thenheleanedovertheseatinfront
topickuphishat.Hemusthavestabbedthepoorfellowthen."
"Youdidn'thearanything?Acry?Oragroan?"
Mr.Leadbetterhadheardnothingbuttheloud,hoarseaccentsofKatherine
Royal,butinthevividnessofhisimaginationheinventedagroan.
InspectorCrometookthegroanatitsfacevalueandbadehimproceed."And
thenhewentout"
"Canyoudescribehim?"
"Hewasaverybigman.Sixfootatleast.Agiant."
"Fairordark?"
"IwellI'mnotexactlysure.Ithinkhewasbald.Asinisterlookingfellow."
"Hedidn'tlimp,didhe?"askedInspectorCrome.
"Yesyes,nowyoucometospeakofitIthinkhedidlimp.Verydark,he
mighthavebeensomekindofhalfcaste."
"Washeinhisseatthelasttimethelightscameup?"
"No.Hecameinafterthebigpicturebegan."
InspectorCromenodded,handedMr.Leadbetterastatementtosignandgot

147

ridofhim.
"That'saboutasbadawitnessasyou'llfind,"heremarkedpessimistically.
"He'dsayanythingwithalittleleading.It'sperfectlyclearthathehasn'tthe
faintestideawhatourmanlookslike.Let'shavethecommissionaireback."
Thecommissionaire,verystiffandmilitary,cameinandstoodtoattention,
hiseyesfixedonColonelAnderson.
"Now,then,Jameson,let'shearyourstory."
Jamesonsaluted."Yes,sir.Closeoftheperformance,sir,Iwastoldtherewas
a gentleman taken ill, sir. Gentleman was in the two and fourpennies,
slumpeddowninhisseatlike.Othergentlemenstandingaround.Gentleman
lookedbadtome,sir.Oneofthegentlemenstandingbyputhishandtotheill
gentleman's coat and drew my attention. Blood, sir. It was clear the
gentleman was deadstabbed, sir. My attention was drawn to an A.B.C.
railwayguide,sir,undertheseat.Wishingtoactcorrectly,Ididnottouch
same,butreportedtothepoliceimmediatelythatatragedyhadoccurred."
"Verygood,Jameson,youactedveryproperly."
"Thankyou,sir."
"Didyounoticeamanleavingthetwoandfourpenniesaboutfiveminutes
earlier?"
"Therewereseveral,sir."
"Couldyoudescribethem?"
"Afraidnot,sir.OnewasMr.GeoffreyParnell.Andtherewasayoungfellow,
SamBaker,withhisyounglady.Ididn'tnoticeanybodyelseparticular."
"Apity.That'lldo,Jameson."
"Yes,sir."
Thecommissionairesalutedanddeparted.
"Themedicaldetailswe'vegot,"saidColonelAnderson."We'dbetterhavethe
fellowthatfoundhimnext."
Apoliceconstablecameinandsaluted.
"Mr.HerculePoirot'shere,sir,andanothergentleman."
InspectorCromefrowned."Oh,well,"hesaid."Betterhave'emin,Isuppose."

148

Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Doncaster Murder

Coming in hard on Poirot's heels, I just caught he fag end of Inspector

Crome'sremark.
BothheandtheChiefConstablewerelookingworriedandpressed.
ColonelAndersongreeteduswithanodofthehead."Gladyou'vecome,Mr.
Poirot,"hesaidpolitely.IthinkheguessedthatCrome'sremarkmighthave
reachedourears."We'vegotitintheneckagain,yousee."
"AnotherA.B.C.murder?"
"Yes.Damnedaudaciousbitofwork.Manleanedoverandstabbedthefellow
intheback."
"Stabbedthistime?"
"Yes,varieshismethodsabit,doesn'the?Biffonthehead,strangling,nowa
knife.Versatiledevilwhat?Herearethemedicaldetailsifyoucaretosee
'em."
HeshovedapapertowardsPoirot.
"A.B.C.downonthefloorbetweenthedeadman'sfeet,"headded.
"Hasthedeadmanbeenidentified?"askedPoirot.
"Yes.A.B.C.'sslippedupforonceifthat'sanysatisfactiontous.Deceased's
amancalledEarlsfieldGeorgeEarlsfield.Barberbyprofession."
"Curious,"commentedPoirot.
"Mayhaveskippedaletter,"suggestedtheColonel.
Myfriendshookhisheaddoubtfully.
"Shall we have in the next witness?" asked Crome. "He's anxious to get
home."
"Yes,yeslet'sgeton."
Amiddleaged gentlemanstrongly resembling thefrog footmaninAlicein

149

Wonderlandwasledin.Hewashighlyexcitedandhisvoicewasshrillwith
emotion.
"MostshockingexperienceIhaveeverknown,"hesqueaked."Ihaveaweak
heart,siraveryweakheart;itmighthavebeenthedeathofme."
"Yourname,please,"saidtheinspector.
"Downes.RogerEmmanuelDownes."
"Profession?"
"IamamasteratHighfieldSchoolforboys."
"Now,Mr.Downes,willyoutellusinyourownwordswhathappened?"
"Icantellyouthatveryshortly,gentlemen.AtthecloseoftheperformanceI
rosefrommyseat.Theseatonmyleftwasemptybutintheonebeyonda
manwassitting,apparentlyasleep.Iwasunabletopasshimtogetoutashis
legswerestuckoutinfrontofhim.Iaskedhimtoallowmetopass.Ashedid
notmoveIrepeatedmyrequestinaerslightlyloudertone.Hestillmade
noresponse.Ithentookhimbytheshouldertowakenhim.Hisbodyslumped
downfurtherandIcameawarethathewaseitherunconsciousorseriously
ill.Icalledout:'Thisgentlemanistakenill.Fetchthecommissionaire.'The
commissionairecame.AsItookmyhandfromtheman'sshoulderIfoundit
waswetandred....Irealizedthatthemanhadbeenstabbed.Atthesame
moment the commissionaire noticed the A.B.C. railway guide . . . . I can
assure you, gentlemen, the shock was terrific! Anything might have
happened!ForyearsIhavesufferedfromcardiacweakness"
ColonelAndersonwaslookingatMr.Downeswithaverycuriousexpression.
"Youcanconsiderthatyou'realuckyman,Mr.Downes."
"Ido,sir.Notevenapalpitation!"
"Youdon'tquitetakemymeaning,Mr.Downes.Youweresittingtwoseats
away,yousay?"
"ActuallyIwassittingatfirstinthenextseattothemurderedmanthenI
movedalongsoastobebehindanemptyseat."
"You'reaboutthesameheightandbuildasthedeadman,areyou,andyou
werewearingawoollenscarfroundyourneckjustashewas?"
"Ifailtosee"beganMr.Downesstiffly.

150

"I'mtellingyou,man,"saidColonelAnderson,"justwhereyourluckcamein.
Somehoworother,whenthemurdererfollowedyouin,hegotconfused.He
pickedonthewrongback.I'lleatmyhat,Mr.Downes,ifthatknifewasn't
meantforyou!"
However well Mr. Downes' heart had stood former tests, it was unable to
standuptothisone.Mr.Downessankonachair,gasped,andturnedpurple
intheface.
"Water,"hegasped."Water...."
A glass was brought him. He sipped it whilst his complexion gradually
returnedtonormal.
"Me?"hesaid."Whyme?"
"Itlookslikeit,"saidCrome."Infact,it'stheonlyexplanation."
"You mean that this manthisthis fiend incarnatethis bloodthirsty
madmanhasbeenfollowingmeaboutwaitingforanopportunity?''
"Ishouldsaythatwasthewayofit."
"Butinheaven'sname,whyme?"demandedtheoutragedschoolmaster.
InspectorCromestruggledwiththetemptationtoreply:"Whynot?"andsaid
instead:"I'mafraidit'snogoodexpectingalunatictohavereasonsforwhat
hedoes."
"Godblessmysoul,"saidMr.Downes,soberedintowhispering.Hegotup.He
lookedsuddenlyoldandshaken.
"Ifyoudon'twantmeanymore,gentlemen,IthinkI'llgohome.IIdon'tfeel
verywell."
"That'squiteallright,Mr.Downes.I'llsendaconstablewithyoujusttosee
you'reallright."
"Oh,nono,thankyou.That'snotnecessary."
"Mightaswell,"saidColonelAndersongruffly.Hiseyesslidsideways,asking
animperceptiblequestionoftheinspector.
Thelattergaveanequallyimperceptiblenod.
Mr.Downeswentoutshakily.
"Justaswellhedidn'ttumbletoit,"saidColonelAnderson.

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"There'llbeacoupleofthemeh?"
"Yes, sir. Your Inspector Rice has made arrangements. The house will be
watched."
"Youthink,"saidPoirot,"thatwhenA.B.C.findsouthismistakehemighttry
again?"
Anderson nodded. "It's a possibility," he said. "Seems a methodical sort of
chap,A.B.C..Itwillupsethimifthingsdon'tgoaccordingtoprogramme."
Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.
"Wish we could get a description of the fellow," said Colonel Anderson
irritably."We'reasmuchinthedarkasever."
"Itmaycome,"saidPoirot.
"Thinkso?Well,it'spossible.Damnitall,hasn'tanyonegoteyesinhishead?"
"Havepatience,"saidPoirot.
"Youseemveryconfident,M.Poirot.Gotanyreasonforthisoptimism?''
"Yes,ColonelAnderson.Uptonow,themurdererhasnotmadeamistake.He
isboundtomakeonesoon."
"Ifthat'sallyou'vegottogoon,"begantheChiefConstablewithasnort,but
hewasinterrupted.
"Mr.BalloftheBlackSwanisherewithayoungwoman,sir.Hereckonshe's
gotsummattosaymighthelpyou."
"Bringthemalong.Bringthemalong.Wecandowithanythinghelpful."
Mr.BalloftheBlackSwanwasalarge,slowthinking,heavilymovingman.
Heexhaledastrongodourofbeer.Withhimwasaplumpyoungwomanwith
roundeyesclearlyinastateofhighexcitement.
"HopeI'mnotintrudingorwastingvaluabletime,"saidMr.Ballinaslow,
thickvoice."Butthiswench,Maryhere,reckonsshe'sgotsomethingtotellas
yououghttoknow."
Marygiggledinahalfheartedway.
"Well,mygirl,whatisit?"saidAnderson."What'syourname?"
"Mary,sirMaryStroud."

152

"Well,Mary,outwithit."
Maryturnedherroundeyesonhermaster.
"It'sherbusinesstotakeuphotwatertothegents'bedrooms,"saidMr.Ball,
comingtotherescue."Abouthalfadozengentlemenwe'vegotstaying.Some
fortheracesandsomejustcommercials."
"Yes,yes,"saidAndersonimpatiently.
"Geton,lass,"saidMr.Ball."Tellyourtale.Nothingtobeafraidof."
Marygasped,groanedandplungedinabreathlessvoiceintohernarrative.
"Iknockedondoorandtherewasn'tnoanswer,otherwiseIwouldn'thave
goneinleastwaysnotunlessgentlemanhadsaid'Comein,'andashedidn't
saynothingIwentinandhewastherewashinghishands."
Shepausedandbreatheddeeply.
"Goon,mygirl,"saidAnderson.
Marylookedsidewaysathermasterandasthoughreceivinginspirationfrom
hisslownod,plungedonagain.
"'It's your hot water, sir,' I said, 'and I did knock,' but 'Oh,' he says, 'I've
washedincold,'hesaid,andso,naturally,Ilooksinbasin,andoh!Godhelp
me,sir,itwereallred!"
"Red?"saidAndersonsharply.
Ballstruckin."Thelasstoldmethathehadhiscoatoffandthathewas
holdingthesleeveofit,anditwasallwetthat'sright,eh,lass?"
"Yes,sir,that'sright,sir."
Sheplungedon:"Andhisface,sir,itlookedqueer,mortalqueeritlooked.
Gavemequiteaturn."
"Whenwasthis?"askedAndersonsharply.
"Aboutaquarterafterfive,sonearasIcanreckon."
"Overthreehoursago,"snappedAnderson."Whydidn'tyoucomeatonce?"
"Didn'thearaboutitatonce,"saidBall."Nottillnewscamealongasthere'd
beenanothermurderdone.Andthenthelassshescreamsoutasitmight
havebeenbloodinthebasin,andIaskedherwhatshemeans,andshetells

153

me.Well,itdoesn'tsoundrighttomeandIwentupstairsmyself.Nobodyin
theroom.Iasksafewquestionsandoneoftheladsincourtyardsayshesaw
afellowsneakingoutthatwayandbyhisdescriptionitwastherightone.So
IsaystothemissusasMaryherehadbestgotopolice.Shedoesn'tlikethe
idea,Marydoesn't,andIsaysI'llcomealongwithher."
InspectorCromedrewasheetofpapertowardshim.
"Describethisman,"hesaid."Asquickasyoucan.There'snotimetobelost."
"Mediumsized,hewere,"saidMary."Andstoopedandworeglasses.''
"Hisclothes?"
"AdarksuitandaHomburghat.Rathershabbylooking."
Shecouldaddlittletothisdescription.
InspectorCromedidnotinsistunduly.Thetelephonewiresweresoonbusy,
butneithertheinspectornortheChiefConstablewereoveroptimistic.
Cromeelicitedthefactthattheman,whenseensneakingacrosstheyard,
hadhadnobagorsuitcase."There'sachancethere,"hesaid.
TwomenweredispatchedtotheBlackSwan.
Mr.Ball,swellingwithprideandimportance,andMary,somewhattearful,
accompaniedthem.
Thesergeantreturnedabouttenminuteslater.
"I'vebroughttheregister,sir,"hesaid."Here'sthesignature."
Wecrowdedround.Thewritingwassmallandcrampednoteasytoread.
"A.B.CaseorisitCash?"saidtheChiefConstable.
"A.B.C.,"saidCromesignificantly.
"Whataboutluggage?"askedAnderson.
"Onegoodsizedsuitcase,sir,fullofsmallcardboardboxes."
"Boxes?Whatwasin'em?"
"Stockings,sir.Silkstockings."
CrometurnedtoPoirot."Congratulations,"hesaid."Yourhunchwasright."

154

Chapter Twenty-Eight
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

InspectorCromewasinhisofficeatScotlandYard.
Thetelephoneonhisdeskgaveadiscreetbuzzandhepickeditup.
"Jacobsspeaking,sir.There'sayoungfellowcomeinwithastorythatIthink
yououghttohear."
InspectorCromesighed.Onanaveragetwentypeopleadayturnedupwith
socalledimportant informationabout theA.B.C.case.Someofthem were
harmlesslunatics,someofthemwerewellmeaningpersonswhogenuinely
believed that their information was of value. It was the duty of Sergeant
Jacobstoactasahumansieveretainingthegrossetmatterandpassingon
theresiduetohissuperior.
"Verywell,Jacobs,"saidCrome."Sendhimalong."
Afewminuteslatertherewasatapontheinspector'sdoorandSergeant
Jacobsappeared,usheringinatall,moderatelygoodlookingyoungman.
"ThisisMr.TomHartigan,sir.He'sgotsomethingtotelluswhichmayhave
apossiblebearingontheA.B.C.case."
Theinspectorrosepleasantlyandshookhands.
"Good morning, Mr. Hartigan. Sit down, won't you? Smoke? Have a
cigarette?"
Tom Hanigan satdownawkwardly and looked withsomeaweat what he
calledinhisownmind"oneofthebigwigs."Theappearanceoftheinspector
vaguelydisappointedhim.Helookedquiteanordinaryperson.
"Nowthen,"saidCrome."You'vegotsomethingtotellusthatyouthinkmay
haveabearingonthecase.Fireahead."
Tombegannervously."Ofcourseitmaybenothingatall.It'sjustanideaof
mine.Imaybewastingyourtime."
Again,InspectorCromesighedimperceptibly.Theamountoftimehehadto
wasteinreassuringpeople!

155

"We'rethebestjudgeofthat.Let'shavethefacts,Mr.Hartigan."
"Well,it'slikethis,sir.I'vegotayounglady,yousee,andhermotherlets
rooms.UpCamdenTownway.Theirsecondfloorbackhasbeenletforovera
yeartoamancalledCust."
"Custeh?"
"That'sright,sir.Asortofmiddleagedblokewhat'srathervagueandsoft
andcomedownintheworldabit,Ishouldsay.Sortofcreaturewhowouldn't
hurtafly,you'dsayandI'dneverofdreamedofanythingbeingwrongifit
hadn'tbeenforsomethingratherodd."
Inasomewhatconfusedmannerandrepeatinghimselfonceortwice,Tom
describedhisencounterwithMr.CustatEustonStationandtheincidentof
thedroppedticket.
"Yousee,sir,lookatithowyouwill,it'sfunnylike.Lily,that'smyyoung
lady,sirshewasquitepositivethatitwasCheltenhamhesaid,andher
mothersaysthesamesayssheremembersdistinctlytalkingaboutitthe
morninghewentoff.Ofcourse,Ididn'tpaymuchattentiontoitatthetime.
Lilymyyoungladysaidashowshehopedhewouldn'tcopitforthisA.B.C.
fellowgoingtoDoncasterandthenshesaysit'sratheracoincidencebecause
hewasdownChurstonwayatthetimeofthelastcrime.Laughinglike,Iasks
herwhetherhewasatBexhillthetimebefore,andshesaysshedon'tknow
wherehewas,buthewasawayattheseasidethatshedoesknow.Andthen
IsaidtoheritwouldbeoddifhewastheA.B.C.himselfandshesaidpoor
Mr.Custwouldn'thurtaflyandthatwasallatthetime.Wedidn'tthinkno
moreaboutit.Atleast,inasortofwayIdid,sir,underneathlike.Ibegan
wonderingaboutthisCustfellowandthinkingthat,afterall,harmlessashe
seemed,hemightbeabitbatty."
Tomtookabreathandthenwenton.InspectorCromewaslisteningintently
now.
"And then after the Doncaster murder, sir, it was in all the papers that
informationwaswantedastothewhereaboutsofacertainA.B.CaseorCash,
anditgaveadescriptionthatfittedwellenough.FirsteveningoffIhad,I
wentroundtoLily'sandaskedherwhatherMr.Cust'sinitialswere.She
couldn'trememberatfirst,buthermotherdid."
"SaidtheywereA.B.rightenough.Thenwegotdowntoitandtriedtofigure
outifCusthadbeenawayatthetimeofthefirstmurderatAndover.Well,as

156

youknow,sir,itisn'ttooeasytorememberthingsthreemonthsback.Wehad
ajobofit,butwegotitfixeddownintheend,becauseMrs.Marburyhada
brothercomefromCanadatoseeheronJune21st.Hearrivedunexpectedlike
andshewantedtogivehimabed,andLilysuggestedthatasMr.Custwas
awayBertMarburymighthavehisbed.ButMrs.Marburywouldn'tagree,
becauseshesaiditwasn'tactingrightbyherlodger,andshealwayslikedto
actfairandsquare.ButwefixedthedateallrightbecauseofBertMarbury's
shipdockingatSouthamptonthatday."
Inspector Crome had listened very attentively, jotting down an occasional
note.
"That'sall?"heasked.
"That's all, sir. I hope you don't think I'm making a lot of nothing." Tom
flushedslightly.
"Not at all. You were quite right to come here. Of course, it's very slight
evidencethesedatesmaybemerecoincidenceandthelikenessofthename,
too.ButitcertainlywarrantsmyhavinganinterviewwithyourMr.Cust.Is
heathomenow?"
"Yes,sir."
"Whendidhereturn?"
"TheeveningoftheDoncastermurder,sir."
"What'shebeendoingsince?"
"He'sstayedinmostly,sir.Andhe'sbeenlookingveryqueer,Mrs.Marbury
says.Hebuysalotofnewspapersgoesoutearlyandgetsthemorningones,
andthenafterdarkhegoesoutandgetstheeveningones.Mrs.Marburysays
hetalksalottohimself,too.Shethinkshe'sgettingqueerer."
"WhatisthisMrs.Marbury'saddress?"
Tomgaveittohim.
"Ithankyou.Ishallprobablybecallingroundinthecourseoftheday.Ineed
hardlytellyoutobecarefulofyourmannerifyoucomeacrossthisCust."
Heroseandshookhands.
"Youmaybequitesatisfiedyoudidtherightthing incomingtous.Good
morning,Mr.Hartigan."

157

"Well,sir?"askedJacobs,reenteringtheroomafewminuteslater."Think
it'sthegoods?"
"It'spromising,"saidInspectorCrome."Thatis,ifthefactsareastheboy
statedthem.We'vehadnoluckwiththestockingmanufacturersyet.Itwas
timewegotholdofsomething.Bytheway,givemethatfileoftheChurston
case."
He spent some minutes looking for what he wanted. "Ah, here it is. It's
amongstthestatementsmadetotheTorquaypolice.Youngmanofthename
ofHill.DeposeshewasleavingTorquayPavilionafterthefilmNotaSparrow
andnoticedamanbehavingqueerly.Hewastalkingtohimself.Hillheard
himsay,'That'sanidea.' NotaSparrowthat'sthefilmthatwasonatthe
RegalinDoncaster?"
"Yes,sir."
"Theremaybesomethinginthat.Nothingtoitatthetimebutit'spossible
thattheideaofthemodusoperandiforhisnextcrimeoccurredtoourman
then.We'vegotHill'snameandaddress,Isee.Hisdescriptionofthemanis
vaguebutitlinksupwellenoughwiththedescriptionsofMaryStroudand
thisTomHartigan...."
Henoddedthoughtfully.
"We're getting warm," said Inspector Cromerather inaccurately, for he
himselfwasalwaysslightlychilly.
"Anyinstructions,sir?"
"PutonacoupleofmentowatchthisCamdenTownaddress,butIdon'twant
ourbirdfrightened.ImusthaveawordwiththeA.C..ThenIthinkitwould
beaswellifCustwasbroughtalonghereandaskedifhe'dliketomakea
statement.Itsoundsasthoughhe'squitereadytogetrattled."
OutsideTomHartiganhadrejoinedLilyMarburywhowaswaitingforhimon
theEmbankment.
"Allright,Tom?"Tomnodded.
"IsawInspectorCromehimself.Theonewho'sinchargeofthecase."
"What'shelike?"
"Abitquietandladidanotmyideaofadetective."

158

"That'sLordTrenchard'snewkind,"saidLilywithrespect."Someofthemare
eversogrand.Well,whatdidhesay?"Tomgaveherabriefresumeofthe
interview.
"Sotheythinkasitreallywashim?"
"Theythinkitmightbe.Anyway,they'llcomealongandaskhimaquestion
ortwo."
"PoorMr.Cust."
"It'snogoodsayingpoorMr.Cust,mygirl.Ifhe'sA.B.C.,hecommittedfour
terriblemurders."
Lilysighedandshookherhead."Itdoesseemawful,"sheobserved.
"Well,nowyou'regoingtocomeandhaveabiteoflunch,mygirl.Justyou
thinkthatifwe'rerightIexpectmynamewillbeinthepapers!''
"Oh,Tom,willit?"
"Rather.Andyours,too.Andyourmother's.AndIdaresayyou'llhaveyour
picturein,too."
"Oh,Tom."Lilysqueezedhisarminanecstasy.
"Andinthemeantime,whatdoyousaytoabiteattheCornerHouse?"
Lilysqueezedtighter.
"Comeonthen!"
"Allrighthalfaminute.Imustjusttelephonefromthestation."
"Whoto?"
"AgirlIwasgoingtomeet."Sheslippedacrosstheroad,andrejoinedhim
threeminuteslater,lookingratherflushed.
"Nowthen,Tom."Sheslippedherarminhis."TellmemoreaboutScotland
Yard.Youdidn'tseetheotheronethere?"
"Whatotherone?"
"TheBelgiangentleman.TheonethatA.B.C.writestoalways."
"No.Hewasn'tthere."
"Well,tellmeallaboutit.Whathappenedwhenyougotinside?Whodidyou
speaktoandwhatdidyousay?"

159

Mr.Custputthereceiverbackverygentlyonthehook.
HeturnedtowhereMrs.Marburywasstandinginthedoorwayofaroom,
clearlydevouredwithcuriosity.
"Notoftenyouhaveatelephonecall,Mr.Cust."
"Noerno,Mrs.Marbury.Itisn't."
"Notbadnews,Itrust?"
"Nono."Howpersistentthewomanwas.Hiseyecaughtthelegendonthe
newspaperhewascarrying.
BirthsMarriagesDeaths...
"Mysister'sjusthadalittleboy,"heblurtedout.
Hewhohadneverhadasister!
"Oh,dear!Nowwell,thatisnice,Iamsure.('Andneveroncementioneda
sisteralltheseyears,'washerinwardthought.'Ifthatisn'tjustlikeaman!')I
wassurprised,I'lltellyou,whentheladyaskedtospeaktoMr.Cust.Justat
first I fancied it was my Lily's voicesomething like hers, it wasbut
haughtierifyouknowwhat Imeansort ofhighupintheair.Well,Mr.
Cust,mycongratulations,I'msure.Isitthefirstone,orhaveyouotherlittle
nephewsandnieces?"
"It'stheonlyone,"saidMr.Cust."TheonlyoneI'veeverhadorlikelytohave,
anderIthinkImustgooffatonce.Theytheywantmetocome.II
thinkIcanjustcatchatrainifIhurry."
"Willyoubeawaylong,Mr.Cust?"calledMrs.Marburyasheranupthe
stairs.
"Oh,notwoorthreedaysthat'sall."
He disappeared into his bedroom. Mrs. Marbury retired into the kitchen,
thinkingsentimentallyof"thedearlittlemite."
Herconsciencegaveherasuddentwinge.
LastnightTomandLilyandallthehuntingbackoverdates!Tryingtomake
out that Mr. Cust was that dreadful monster, A.B.C.. Just because of his
initialsandbecauseofafewcoincidences.
"Idon'tsupposetheymeantitseriously,"shethoughtcomfortably."AndnowI

160

hopethey'llbeashamedofthemselves."
Insomeobscurewaythatshecouldnothaveexplained,Mr.Cust'sstatement
that his sister had had a baby had effectually removed any doubts Mrs.
Marburymighthavehadofherlodger'sbonafides.
"Ihopeshedidn'thavetoobadatimeofit,poordear,"thoughtMrs.Marbury,
testinganironagainsthercheekbeforebeginningtoironoutLily'ssilkslip.
Hermindrancomfortablyonawellwornobstetrictrack.
Mr.Custcamequietlydownthestairs,abaginhishand.Hiseyesresteda
minuteonthetelephone.
Thatbriefconversationreechoedinhisbrain.
"Isthatyou,Mr.Cust?Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthere'saninspector
fromScotlandYardmaybecomingtoseeyou."
Whathadhesaid?Hecouldn'tremember.
"Thankyouthankyou,mydear...verykindofyou."
Somethinglikethat.
Whyhadshetelephonedtohim?Couldshepossiblyhaveguessed?Ordidshe
justwanttomakesurehewouldstayinfortheinspector'svisit?
But how did she know the inspector was coming? And her voiceshe'd
disguisedhervoicefromhermother....Itlookeditlookedasthoughshe
knew....Butsurelyifsheknew,shewouldn't...
She might, though. Women were very queer. Unexpectedly cruel and
unexpectedlykind.He'dseenLilyoncelettingamouseoutofamousetrap.
Akindgirl....
Akind,prettygirl....
Hepausedbythehallstandwithitsloadofumbrellasandcoats.
Shouldhe?
Aslightnoisefromthekitchendecidedhim....
No,therewasn'ttime....
Mrs.Marburymightcomeout....
Heopenedthefrontdoor,passedthroughandcloseditbehindhim....

161

Where...?

162

Chapter Twenty-Nine
At Scotland Yard

Conferenceagain.
TheAssistantCommissioner,InspectorCrome,Poirotandmyself.
TheA.C.wassaying:"Agoodtipthatofyours,M.Poirot,aboutcheckinga
largesaleofstockings."
Poirot spread out his hands. "It was indicated. This man could not be a
regularagent.Hesoldoutrightinsteadoftoutingfororders."
"Goteverythingclearsofar,inspector?"
"Ithinkso,sir."Cromeconsultedafile."ShallIrunoverthepositiontodate?"
"Yes,please."
"I'vecheckedupwithChurston,PaigntonandTorquay.Gotalistofpeople
wherehewentandofferedstockings.Imustsayhedidthethingthoroughly.
StayedatthePitt,smallhotelnearTorreStation.Returnedtothehotelat
10:30onthenightofthemurder.CouldhavetakenatrainfromChurstonat
10:05, getting to Paignton at 10:15. No one answering to his description
noticedontrainoratstations,butthatThursdaywasDartmouthRegatta
andthetrainsbackfromKingswearwereprettyfull."
"Bexhillmuchthesame.StayedattheGloveunderhisownname.Offered
stockingstoaboutadozenaddresses,includingMrs.Barnardandincluding
theGingerCat.Lefthotelearlyintheevening.ArrivedbackinLondonabout
11:30thefollowingmorning.AstoAndover,sameprocedure.Stayedatthe
Feathers.OfferedstockingstoMrs.Fowler,nextdoortoMrs.Ascher,andto
halfadozenotherpeopleinthestreet.ThepairMrs.AscherhadIgotfrom
theniece(nameofDrower)they'reidenticalwithCust'ssupply."
"Sofar,good,"saidtheA.C..
"Actingoninformationreceived,"saidtheinspector,"Iwenttotheaddress
givenmebyHartigan,butfoundthatCusthadleftthehouseabouthalfan
hourpreviously.Hereceivedatelephonemessage,I'mtold.Firsttimesucha
thinghadhappenedtohim,sohislandladytoldme."

163

"Anaccomplice?"suggestedtheAssistantCommissioner.
"Hardly,"saidPoirot."Itisoddthatunless"
Wealllookedathiminquiringlyashepaused.
Heshookhishead,however,andtheinspectorproceeded.
"Imadeathoroughsearchoftheroomhehadoccupied.Thatsearchputsthe
matterbeyonddoubt.Ifoundablockofnotepapersimilartothatonwhich
theletterswerewritten,alargequantityofhosieryandatthebackofthe
cupboardwherethehosierywasstoredaparcelmuchthesameshapeand
size but which turned out to containnot hosierybut eight new A.B.C.
railwayguides!"
"Proofpositive,"saidtheAssistantCommissioner.
"I've found something else, too," said the inspectorhis voice becoming
suddenlyalmosthumanwithtriumph."Onlyfounditthismorning,sir.Not
hadtimetoreportyet.Therewasnosignoftheknifeinhisroom"
"Itwouldbetheactofanimbeciletobringthatbackwithhim,"remarked
Poirot.
"After all, he's not a reasonable human being," remarked the inspector.
"Anyway,itoccurredtomethathemightjustpossiblyhavebroughtitbackto
thehouseandthenrealizedthedangerofhidingit(asM.Poirotpointsout)in
hisroom,andhavelookedaboutelsewhere.Whatplaceinthehousewouldhe
belikelytoselect?Igotitstraightaway.Thehallstandnooneevermovesa
hallstand.WithalotoftroubleIgotitmovedoutfromthewallandthereit
was!"
"Theknife?"
''Theknife.Notadoubtofit.Thedriedblood'sstillonit."
"Goodwork,Crome,"saidtheA.C.approvingly."Weonlyneedonethingmore
now."
"What'sthat?"
"Themanhimself."
"We'llgethim,sir.Neverfear."
Theinspector'stonewasconfident.

164

"Whatdoyousay,M.Poirot?"
Poirotstartedoutofareverie.
"Ibegyourpardon?"
"Weweresayingthatitwasonlyamatteroftimebeforewegetourman.Do
youagree?"
"Oh,thatyes.Withoutadoubt."Histonewassoabstractedthattheothers
lookedathimcuriously.
"Isthereanythingworryingyou,M.Poirot?"
"Thereissomethingthatworriesmeverymuch.Itisthewhy?Themotive?"
"But, my dear fellow, the man's crazy," said the Assistant Commissioner
impatiently.
"IunderstandwhatM.Poirotmeans,"saidCrome,cominggraciouslytothe
rescue."He'squiteright.There'sgottobesomedefiniteobsession.Ithink
we'llfindtherootofthematterinanintensifiedinferioritycomplex.There
maybepersecutionmania,too,andifsohemaypossiblyassociateM.Poirot
withit.HemayhavethedelusionthatM.Poirotisadetectiveemployedon
purposetohunthimdown."
"Hm,"saidtheA.C.."That'sthejargonthat'stalkednowadays.Inmydayifa
manwasmadhewasmadandwedidn'tlookaboutforscientifictermsto
soften it down. I suppose a thoroughly uptodate doctor would suggest
puttingamanlikeA.B.C.inanursinghome,tellinghimwhatafinefellowhe
was for fortyfive days on end and then letting him out as a responsible
memberofsociety."
Poirotsmiledbutdidnotanswer.
Theconferencebrokeup.
"Well,"saidtheAssistantCommissioner."Asyousay,Crome,pullinghimin
isonlyamatteroftime."
"We'dhavehadhimbeforenow,"saidtheinspector,"ifhewasn'tsoordinary
looking.We'veworriedenoughperfectlyinoffensivecitizensasitis."
"Iwonderwhereheisatthisminute,"saidtheAssistantCommissioner.

165

Chapter Thirty
(Not from Captain Hastings' Personal Narrative)

Mr.Custstoodbyagreengrocer'sshop.
Hestaredacrosstheroad.
Yes,thatwasit.
Mrs.Ascher.NewsagentandTobacconist....Intheemptywindowwasa
sign.
ToLet.
Empty....
Lifeless....
"Excuseme,sir."
Thegreengrocer'swife,tryingtogetatsomelemons.
Heapologized,movedtooneside.
Slowlyheshuffledawaybacktowardsthemainstreetofthetown....
Itwasdifficultverydifficultnowthathehadn'tanymoneyleft....
Nothavinghadanythingtoeatalldaymadeonefeelveryqueerandlight
headed....
Helookedataposteroutsideanewsagent'sshop.
TheA.B.C.Case.MurdererStillatLarge.InterviewwithM.HerculePoirot.
Mr.Custsaidtohimself:"HerculePoirot.Iwonderifheknows"
Hewalkedonagain.
Itwouldn'tdotostandstaringatthatposter....
Hethought:"Ican'tgoonmuchlonger...."
Footinfrontoffoot...whatanoddthingwalkingwas....
Footinfrontoffootridiculous.

166

Highlyridiculous....
Butmanwasaridiculousanimalanyway....
Andhe,AlexanderBonaparteCust,wasparticularlyridiculous....
Healwayshadbeen....
Peoplehadalwayslaughedathim....
Hecouldn'tblamethem....
Wherewashegoing?Hedidn'tknow.He'dcometotheend.Henolonger
lookedanywherebutathisfeet.
Footinfrontoffoot.
Helookedup.Lightsinfrontofhim.Andletters....
PoliceStation.
"That'sfunny,"saidMr.Cust.Hegavealittlegiggle.
Thenhesteppedinside.Suddenly,ashedidso,heswayedandfellforward.

167

Chapter Thirty-One
Hercule Poirot Asks Questions

ItwasaclearNovemberday.Dr.ThompsonandChiefInspectorJapphad
comeroundtoacquaintPoirotwiththeresultofthepolicecourtproceedings
inthecaseofRexv.AlexanderBonaparteCust.
Poirot himself had had a slight bronchial chill which had prevented his
attending.Fortunatelyhehadnotinsistedonhavingmycompany.
"Committedfortrial,"saidJapp."Sothat'sthat."
"Isn'titunusual,"Iasked,"foradefencetobeofferedatthisstage?Ithought
prisonersalwaysreservedtheirdefence."
"It'stheusualcourse,"saidJapp."IsupposeyoungLucasthoughthemight
rushitthrough.He'satrier,Iwillsay.Insanity'stheonlydefencepossible."
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. "With insanity there can be no acquittal.
ImprisonmentduringHisMajesty'spleasureishardlypreferabletodeath."
"IsupposeLucasthoughttherewasachance,"saidJapp."Withafirstclass
alibifortheBexhillmurder,thewholecasemightbeweakened.Idon'tthink
herealizedhowstrongourcaseis.AnywayLucasgoesinfororiginality.He's
ayoungman,andhewantedtohitthepubliceye."
PoirotturnedtoThompson."What'syouropinion,doctor?"
"OfCust?Uponmysoul,Idon'tknowwhattosay.He'splayingthesaneman
remarkablywell.He'sanepileptic,ofcourse."
"Whatanamazingdenouementthatwas,"Isaid.
"His falling into the Andover police station in a fit? Yesit was a fitting
dramaticcurtaintothedrama.A.B.C.hadalwaystimedhiseffectswell."
"Isitpossibletocommitacrimeandbeunawareofit?"Iasked.
"Hisdenialsseemtohavearingoftruthinthem."
Dr.Thompsonsmiledalittle."Youmustn'tbetakeninbythattheatrical'I
swear by God' pose. It's my opinion that Cust knows perfectly well he

168

committedthemurders.''
"Whenthey'reasferventasthattheyusuallydo,"saidJapp.
"As to your question," went on Thompson, "it's perfectly possible for an
epileptic subject in a state of somnambulism to commit an action and be
entirelyunawareofhavingdoneso.Butitisthegeneralopinionthatsuchan
actionmust'notbecontrarytothewillofthepersoninthewakingstate.'"
Hewentondiscussingthematter,speakingofgrandmalandpetitmaland,
totellthetruth,confusingmehopelesslyasisoftenthecasewhenalearned
personholdsforthonhisownsubject.
"However,I'magainstthetheorythatCustcommittedthesecrimeswithout
knowinghe'ddonethem.Youmightputthattheoryforwardifitweren'tfor
the letters. The letters knock the theory on the head. They show
premeditationandacarefulplanningofthecrime."
"Andoftheletterswehavestillnoexplanation,"saidPoirot.
"Thatinterestsyou?"
"Naturallysincetheywerewrittentome.Andonthesubjectoftheletters
Custispersistentlydumb.UntilIgetatthereasonforthoselettersbeing
writtentome,Ishallnotfeelthatthecaseissolved."
"YesIcanunderstandthatfromyourpointofview.Theredoesn'tseemtobe
anyreasontobelievethatthemanevercameupagainstyouinanyway?"
"Nonewhatever."
"Imightmakeasuggestion.Yourname!"
"Myname?"
"Yes. Cust is saddled apparently by the whim of his mother(Oedipus
complexthere,Ishouldn'twonder!)withtwoextremelybombasticChristian
names:AlexanderandBonaparte.Youseetheimplications?Alexanderthe
popularly supposed undefeatable who sighed for more worlds to conquer.
Bonapartethe great Emperor of the French. He wants an adversaryan
adversary, one might say in his class. Wellthere you areHercules the
strong."
"Yourwordsareverysuggestive,doctor.Theyfosterideas"
"Oh,it'sonlyasuggestion.Well,Imustbeoff."

169

Dr.Thompsonwentout.Jappremained.
"Doesthisalibiworryyou?"Poirotasked.
"It does a little," admitted the inspector. "Mind you, I don't believe in it,
becauseIknowitisn'ttrue.Butitisgoingtobethedeucetobreakit.This
manStrangeisatoughcharacter."
"Describehimtome."
"He'samanofforty.Atough,confident,selfopinionatedminingengineer.It's
myopinionthatitwashewhoinsistedonhisevidencebeingtakennow.He
wantstogetofftoChile.Hehopedthethingmightbesettledoutofhand."
"He'soneofthemostpositivepeopleI'veeverseen,"Isaid.
"Thetypeofmanwhowouldnotliketoadmithewasmistaken,"saidPoirot
thoughtfully.
"Hestickstohisstoryandhe'snotonetobeheckled.Heswearsbyallthat's
bluethathepickedupCustintheWhitecrossHotelatEastbourneonthe
eveningofJuly24th.Hewaslonelyandwantedsomeonetotalkto.AsfarasI
cansee,Custmadeanideallistener.Hedidn'tinterrupt!Afterdinnerheand
Custplayeddominoes.ItappearsStrangewasawhaleondominoesandto
hissurpriseCustwasprettyhotstufftoo.Queergame,dominoes.Peoplego
mad about it. They'll play for hours. That's what Strange and Cust did
apparently.CustwantedtogotobedbutStrangewouldn'thearofitswore
they'dkeepitupuntilmidnightatleast.Andthat'swhattheydiddo.They
separatedattenminutespastmidnight.AndifCustwasintheWhitecross
HotelatEastbourneattenminutespastmidnightonthemorningofthe25 th
hecouldn'tvery wellbestrangling BettyBarnardonthebeachatBexhill
betweenmidnightandoneo'clock."
"The problem certainly seems insuperable," said Poirot thoughtfully.
"Decidedly,itgivesonetothink."
"It'sgivenCromesomethingtothinkabout,"saidJapp.
"ThismanStrangeisverypositive?"
"Yes.He'sanobstinatedevil.Andit'sdifficulttoseejustwheretheflawis.
SupposingStrangeismakingamistakeandthemanwasn'tCustwhyon
earthshouldhesayhisnameisCust?Andthewritinginthehotelregisteris
hisallright.Youcan'tsayhe'sanaccomplicehomicidallunaticsdon'thave

170

accomplices!Didthegirldielater?Thedoctorwasquitefirminhisevidence,
and anyway it would take some time for Cust to get out of the hotel at
EastbournewithoutbeingseenandgetovertoBexhillfourteenmilesaway
"
"Itisaproblemyes,"saidPoirot.
"Of course, strictly speaking, it oughtn't to matter. We've got Cust on the
Doncaster murderthe bloodstained coat, the knifenot a loophole there.
Youcouldn'tbounceanyjuryintoacquittinghim.Butitspoilsaprettycase.
He did the Doncaster murder. He did the Churston murder. He did the
Andovermurder.Then,byhell,hemusthavedonetheBexhillmurder.ButI
don'tseehow!"
He shook his head and got up. "Now's your chance, M. Poirot," he said.
"Crome'sinafog.ExertthosecellulararrangementsofyoursIusedtohearso
muchabout.Showusthewayhedidit."
Jappdeparted.
"Whataboutit,Poirot?"Isaid."Arethelittlegreycellsequaltothetask?"
Poirotansweredmyquestionbyanother."Tellme,Hastings,doyouconsider
thecaseended?"
"Wellyes,practicallyspeaking.We'vegottheman.Andwe'vegotmostof
theevidence.It'sonlythetrimmingsthatareneeded."
Poirotshookhishead."Thecaseisended!Thecase!Thecaseistheman,
Hastings.Untilweknowallabouttheman,themysteryisasdeepasever.It
isnotvictorybecausewehaveputhiminthedock!"
"Weknowafairamountabouthim."
"Weknownothingatall!Weknowwherehewasborn.Weknowhefoughtin
thewarandreceivedaslightwoundintheheadandthathewasdischarged
fromtheArmyowingtoepilepsy.WeknowthathelodgedwithMrs.Marbury
fornearlytwoyears.Weknowthathewasquietandretiringthesortof
man that nobody notices. We know that he invented and carded out an
intensely clever scheme of systematized murder. We know that he made
certainincrediblystupidblunders."
"Weknowthathekilledwithoutpityandquiteruthlessly.Weknow,too,that
hewaskindlyenoughnottoletblamerestonanyotherpersonforthecrimes

171

he committed. If he wanted to kill unmolestedhow to let other persons

suffer for his crimes. Do you not see, Hastings, the man is a mass of
contradictions? Stupid and cunning, ruthless and magnanimousand that
theremustbesomedominatingfactorthatreconcileshistwonatures."
"Ofcourse,ifyoutreathimlikeapsychologicalstudy,"Ibegan.
"What else has this case been since the beginning? All along I have been
groping my waytrying to get to know the murderer. And now I realize,
Hastings,thatIdonotknowhimatall!Iamatsea."
"Thelustforpower"Ibegan.
"Yesthatmightexplainagooddeal....Butitdoesnotsatisfyme.There
arethingsIwanttoknow.Whydidhecommitthesemurders?Whydidhe
choosethoseparticularpeople?"
"Alphabetically"Ibegan.
"WasBettyBarnardtheonlypersoninBexhillwhosenamebeganwithaB?
BettyBarnardIhadanideathere.Itoughttobetrueitmustbetrue.But
ifso"
Hewassilentforsometime.Ididnotliketointerrupthim.Asamatterof
fact,IbelieveIfellasleep.
IwoketofindPoirot'shandonmyshoulder."Moncher Hastings,"hesaid
affectionately."Mygoodgenius."
Iwasquiteconfusedbythissuddenmarkofesteem.
"It is true," Poirot insisted. "Alwaysalwaysyou help meyou bring me
luck.Youinspireme."
"HowhaveIinspiredyouthistime?"Iasked.
"WhileIwasaskingmyselfcertainquestionsIrememberedaremarkofyours
aremarkabsolutelyshimmeringinitsclearvision.DidInotsaytoyou
oncethatyouhadageniusforstatingtheobvious?ItistheobviousthatI
haveneglected."
"Whatisthisbrilliantremarkofmine?"Iasked.
"Itmakeseverythingasclearascrystal.Iseetheanswerstoquestions.The
reasonforMrs.Ascher(that,itistrue,Iglimpsedlongago),thereasonforSir
Carmichael Clarke, the reason for the Doncaster murder, and finally and

172

supremelyimportant,thereasonforHerculePoirot."
"Couldyoukindlyexplain?"Iasked.
"Notatthemoment.Irequirefirstalittlemoreinformation.ThatIcanget
fromourSpecialLegion.Andthenthen,whenIhavegottheanswertoa
certainquestion,IwillgoandseeA.B.C..Wewillbefacetofaceatlast
A.B.C,andHerculePoirottheadversaries."
"Andthen?"Iasked.
"And then," said Poirot, "we will talk! Je vous assure, Hastingsthere is
nothingsodangerousforanyonewhohassomethingtohideasconversation!
Speech,soawiseoldFrenchmansaidtomeonce,isaninventionofman'sto
preventhimfromthinking.Itisalsoaninfalliblemeansofdiscoveringthat
which he wishes to hide. A human being, Hastings, cannot resist the
opportunitytorevealhimselfandexpresshispersonalitywhichconversation
giveshim.Everytimehewillgivehimselfaway."
"WhatdoyouexpectCusttotellyou?"
HerculePoirotsmiled."Alie,"hesaid."Andbyit,Ishallknowthetruth!"

173

Chapter Thirty-Two
And Catch a Fox

During the next few days Poirot was very busy. He made mysterious
absences,talkedverylittle,frownedtohimself,andconsistentlyrefusedto
satisfy my natural curiosity as to the brilliance I had, according to him,
displayedinthepast.
Iwasnotinvitedtoaccompanyhimonhismysteriouscomingsandgoingsa
factwhichIsomewhatresented.
Towardstheendoftheweek,however,heannouncedhisintentionofpaying
avisittoBexhillandneighbourhoodandsuggestedthatIshouldcomewith
him.Needlesstosay,Iacceptedwithalacrity.
Theinvitation,Idiscovered,wasnotextendedtomealone.Themembersof
ourSpecialLegionwerealsoinvited.
TheywereasintriguedbyPoirotasIwas.Nevertheless,bytheendofthe
day,IhadatanyrateanideaastothedirectioninwhichPoirot'sthoughts
weretending.
HefirstvisitedMr.andMrs.Barnardandgotanexactaccountfromherasto
thehouratwhichMr.Custhadcalledonherandexactlywhathehadsaid.
HethenwenttothehotelatwhichCusthadputupandextractedaminute
descriptionofthatgentleman'sdeparture.Asfar asI could judge,nonew
factswereelicitedbyhisquestionsbuthehimselfseemedquitesatisfied.
NexthewenttothebeachtotheplacewhereBettyBarnard'sbodyhadbeen
discovered.Herehewalkedroundincirclesforsomeminutesstudyingthe
shingleattentively.Icouldseelittlepointinthis,sincethetidecoveredthe
spottwiceaday.
HoweverIhavelearntbythistimethatPoirot'sactionsaredictatedbyan
ideahowevermeaninglesstheymayseem.
Hethenwalkedfromthebeachtothenearestpointatwhichacarcouldhave
beenparked.FromthereagainhewenttotheplacewheretheEastbourne
buseswaitedbeforeleavingBexhill.

174

FinallyhetookusalltotheGingerCatcafwherewehadasomewhatstale
teaservedbytheplumpwaitress,MillyHigley.
HerehecomplimentedinaflowingGallicstyleontheshapeofherankles.
"ThelegsoftheEnglishalwaystheyaretoothin!Butyou,mademoiselle,
havetheperfectleg.Ithasshapeithasanankle!"
MillyHigleygiggledagooddealandtoldhimnottogoonso.Sheknewwhat
Frenchgentlemenwerelike.
Poirotdidnottroubletocontradicthermistakeastohisnationality.
HemerelyogledherinsuchawaythatIwasstartledandalmostshocked.
"Voila!"saidPoirot,"IhavefinishedinBexhill.PresentlyIgotoEastbourne.
Onelittleinquirytherethatisall.Unnecessaryforalltoaccompanyme.In
themeantimecomebacktothehotelandhaveacocktail.ThatCarltontea,it
wasabominable!"
AsweweresippingourcocktailsFranklinClarkesaidcuriously:"Isuppose
wecanguesswhatyouareafter?You'reouttobreakthatalibi.ButIcan'tsee
whatyou'resopleasedabout.Youhaven'tgotanewfactofanykind."
"Nothatistrue."
"Well,then?"
"Patience.Everythingarrangesitself,giventime."
"Youseemquitepleasedwithyourselfanyway."
"Nothingsofarhascontradictedmylittleideathatiswhy."
Hisfacegrewserious."MyfriendHastingstoldmeoncethathehad,asa
youngmanplayedagamecalledTheTruth.Itwasagamewhereeveryonein
turnwasaskedthreequestionstwoofwhichmustbeansweredtruthfully.
The third one could bebarred.Thequestions, naturally,were of themost
indiscreet kind.But tobegin with everyone had toswear that they would
indeedspeakthetruth,thewholetruth,andnothingbutthetruth."
Hepaused.
"Well?"saidMegan.
"Ehbienme,Iwanttoplaythatgame.Onlyitisnotnecessarytohavethree
questions.Onewillbeenough.Onequestiontoeachofyou."

175

"Ofcourse,"saidClarkeimpatiently."We'llansweranything."
"Ah,butIwantittobemoreseriousthanthat.Doyouallsweartospeakthe
truth?"
He was so solemn about it that the others, puzzled, became solemn
themselves.Theyallsworeashedemanded.
"Bon,"saidPoirotbriskly."Letusbegin"
"I'mready,"saidThoraGrey.
"Ah,butladiesfirstthistimeitwouldnotbethepoliteness.Wewillstart
elsewhere."
HeturnedtoFranklinClarke."What, moncher M.Clarke,didyouthinkof
thehatstheladiesworeatAscotthisyear?"
FranklinClarkestaredathim."Isthisajoke?"
"Certainlynot."
"Isthatseriouslyyourquestion?"
"Itis."
Clarkebegantogrin."Well,M.Poirot,Ididn'tactuallygotoAscot,butfrom
whatIcouldseeofthemdrivingincars,women'shatsforAscotwereaneven
biggerjokethanthehatstheywearordinarily."
"Fantastic?"
"Quitefantastic."
PoirotsmiledandturnedtoDonaldFraser."Whendidyoutakeyourholiday
thisyear,Monsieur?"
ItwasFraser'sturntostare."Myholiday?ThefirsttwoweeksinAugust."
Hisfacequiveredsuddenly.Iguessedthatthequestionhadbroughttheloss
ofthegirlhelovedbacktohim.
Poirot,however,didnotseemtopaymuchattentiontothereply.Heturned
toThoraGreyandIheardtheslightdifferenceinhisvoice.Ithadtightened
up.Hisquestioncamesharpandclear.
"Mademoiselle,intheeventofLadyClarke'sdeath,wouldyouhavemarried
SirCarmichaelifhehadaskedyou?"

176

The girl sprang up. "How dare you ask me such a question. It'sit's
insulting!"
"Perhaps.Butyouhavesworntospeakthetroth.Ehbienyesorno?"
"SirCarmichaelwaswonderfullykindtome.Hetreatedmealmostlikea
daughter.Andthat'showIfelttohimjustaffectionateandgrateful."
"Pardonme,butthatisnotansweringyesorno,mademoiselle."
Shehesitated."Theanswer,ofcourse,isno!"
Hemadenocomment."Thankyou,mademoiselle."
He turned to Megan Barnard. The girl's face was very pale. She was
breathinghardasthoughbracedupforanordeal.
Poirot'svoicecameoutlikethecrackofawhiplash."Mademoiselle,whatdo
youhopewillbetheresultofmyinvestigations?Doyouwantmetofindout
thetruthornot?"
Herheadwentbackproudly.Iwasfairlysureofheranswer.Megan,Iknew,
hadafanaticalpassionfortruth.
Heranswercameclearlyanditstupefiedme.
"No!"
We all jumped. Poirot leaned forward, studying her face. "Mademoiselle
Megan,"hesaid,"youmaynotwantthetruthbutmafoiyoucanspeakit!"
Heturnedtowardsthedoor,then,recollecting,wenttoMaryDrower.
"Tellme,monenfant,haveyouayoungman?"
Mary,whohadbeenlookingapprehensive,lookedstartledandblushed.
"Oh,Mr.Poirot,IIwell,I'mnotsure."
Hesmiled."Alorsc'estbien,monenfant."
Helookedroundforme."Come,Hastings,wemuststartforEastbourne."
Thecarwaswaitingandsoonweweredrivingalongthecoastroadthatleads
throughPevenseytoEastbourne.
"Isitanyuseaskingyouanything,Poirot?"
"Notatthismoment.DrawyourownconclusionsastowhatIamdoing."

177

Irelapsedintosilence.
Poirot,whoseemedpleasedwithhimself,hummedalittletune.Aswepassed
throughPevenseyhesuggestedthatwestopandhavealookoverthecastle.
Aswewerereturningtowardsthecar,wepausedamomenttowatcharingof
childrenBrownies,Iguessed,bytheirgetupwhoweresingingadittyin
shrill,untunefulvoices....
"Whatisitthattheysay,Hastings?Icannotcatchthewords."
IlistenedtillIcaughtonerefrain.
"Andcatchafox
Andputhiminabox
Andneverlethimgo."
"Andcatchafoxandputhiminaboxandneverlethimgo!"repeatedPoirot.
His face had gone suddenly grave and stern. "It is very terrible that,
Hastings."Hewassilentaminute."Youhuntthefoxhere?"
"Idon't.I'veneverbeenabletoaffordtohunt.AndIdon'tthinkthere'smuch
huntinginthispartoftheworld."
"ImeantinEnglandgenerally.Astrangesport.Thewaitingatthecovertside
thentheysoundthetallyho,dotheynot?andtherunbeginsacrossthe
countryoverthehedgesandditchesandthefoxherunsandsometimes
hedoublesbackbutthedogs"
"Hounds!"
"houndsareonhistrail,andatlasttheycatchhimandhediesquickly
andhorribly."
"Isupposeitdoessoundcruel,butreally"
"Thefoxenjoysit?Donotsay lesbtises,myfriend.Toutdemmeitis
better thatthe quick, cruel death than what those children were
singing....Tobeshutawayinaboxforever....No,itisnotgood,that."
Heshookhishead.Thenhesaid,withachangeoftone:"Tomorrow,Iamto
visitthemanCust,"andheaddedtothechauffeur:"BacktoLondon."
"Aren'tyougoingtoEastbourne?"Icried.
"Whatneed?Iknowquiteenoughformypurpose."

178

Chapter Thirty-Three
Alexander Bonaparte Cust

IwasnotpresentattheinterviewthattookplacebetweenPoirotandthat
strangemanAlexanderBonaparteCust.Owingtohisassociationwiththe
policeandthepeculiarcircumstancesofthecase,Poirothadnodifficultyin
obtainingaHomeOfficeorderbutthatorderdidnotextendtome,andin
any case it was essential, from Poirot's point of view, that that interview
shouldbeabsolutelyprivatethetwomenfacetoface.
Hehasgivenme,however,suchadetailedaccountofwhatpassedbetween
themthatIsetitdownwithasmuchconfidenceonpaperasthoughIhad
actuallybeenpresent.
Mr.Custseemedtohaveshrunk.Hisstoopwasmoreapparent.Hisfingers
pluckedvaguelyathiscoat.
Forsometime,Igather,Poirotdidnotspeak.
Hesatandlookedatthemanoppositehim.
The atmosphere became restfulsoothingfull of infinite leisure. It must
havebeenadramaticmomentthismeetingofthetwoadversariesinthe
longdrama.InPoirot'splaceIshouldhavefeltthedramaticthrill.
Poirot, however, is nothing if not matteroffact. He was absorbed in
producingacertaineffectuponthemanoppositehim.
Atlasthesaidgently:"DoyouknowwhoIam?"
The other shook his head. "NonoI can't say I do. Unless you are Mr.
Lucas'swhat do they call it?junior. Or perhaps you come from Mr.
Maynard?"
(Maynard&Colewerethedefendingsolicitors.)
His tone was polite but not very interested. He seemed absorbed in some
innerabstraction.
"IamHerculePoirot...."
Poirotsaidthewordsverygently...andwatchedfortheeffect.

179

Mr.Custraisedhisheadalittle."Oh,yes?"
HesaiditasnaturallyasInspectorCromemighthavesaiditbutwithout
thesuperciliousness.
Then,aminutelater,herepeatedhisremark."Oh,yes?"hesaid,andthis
timehistonewasdifferentitheldanawakenedinterest.Heraisedhishead
andlookedatPoirot.
HerculePoirotmethisgazeandnoddedhisownheadgentlyonceortwice.
"Yes,"hesaid."Iamthemantowhomyouwrotetheletters."
Atoncethecontactwasbroken.Mr.Custdroppedhiseyesandspokeirritably
andfretfully.
"Ineverwrotetoyou.Thoselettersweren'twrittenbyme.I'vesaidsoagain
andagain."
"Iknow,"saidPoirot."Butifyoudidnotwritethem,whodid?"
"Anenemy.I must haveanenemy.They areallagainst me.The police
everyoneallagainstme.It'sagiganticconspiracy."
Poirotdidnotreply.
Mr.Custsaid:"Everyone'shandhasbeenagainstmealways."
"Evenwhenyouwereachild?"
Mr.Custseemedtoconsider."Nononotexactlythen.Mymotherwasvery
fondofme.Butshewasambitiousterriblyambitious.That'swhyshegave
methoseridiculousnames.ShehadsomeabsurdideathatI'dcutafigurein
theworld.Shewasalwaysurgingmetoassert myselftalking about will
power...sayinganyonecouldbemasterofhisfate...shesaidIcoulddo
anything!"
Hewassilentforaminute.
"Shewasquitewrong,ofcourse.Irealizedthatmyselfquitesoon.Iwasn'tthe
sortofpersontogetoninlife.Iwasalwaysdoingfoolishthingsmaking
myselflookridiculous.AndIwastimidafraidofpeople.Ihadabadtimeat
schooltheboysfoundoutmyChristiannamestheyusedtoteasemeabout
them.Ididverybadlyatschoolingamesandworkandeverything."
He shook his head. "Just as well poor mother died. She'd have been
disappointed....EvenwhenIwasattheCommercialCollegeIwasstupid

180

ittookmelongertolearntypingandshorthandthananyoneelse.AndyetI
didn'tfeelstupidifyouknowwhatImean."
Hecastasuddenappealinglookattheotherman.
"Iknowwhatyoumean,"saidPoirot."Goon."
"It was just the feeling that everybody else thought me stupid. Very
paralysing.Itwasthesamethinglaterintheoffice."
"Andlaterstillinthewar?"promptedPoirot.
Mr.Cust'sfacelightenedupsuddenly."Youknow,"hesaid,"Ienjoyedthe
war.WhatIhadofit,thatwas.Ifelt,forthefirsttime,amanlikeanybody
else.Wewereallinthesamebox.Iwasasgoodasanyoneelse."
Hissmilefaded.
"AndthenIgotthatwoundonthehead.Veryslight.ButtheyfoundoutIhad
fits....I'dalwaysknown,ofcourse,thatthereweretimeswhenIhadn't
beenquitesurewhatIwasdoing.Lapses,youknow.Andofcourse,onceor
twiceI'dfallendown.ButIdon'treallythinktheyoughttohavedischarged
meforthat.No,Idon'tthinkitwasright."
"Andafterwards?"askedPoirot.
"Igotaplaceasaclerk.Ofcoursetherewasgoodmoneytobegotjustthen.
AndIdidn'tdosobadlyafterthewar.Ofcourse,asmallersalary....AndI
didn'tseemtogeton.Iwasalwaysbeingpassedoverforpromotion.Iwasn't
going ahead enough. It grew very difficultreally very difficult . . . .
Especiallywhentheslumpcame.Totellyouthetruth,I'dgothardlyenough
tokeepbodyandsoultogether(andyou'vegottolookpresentableasaclerk)
whenIgottheofferofthisstockingjob.Asalaryandcommission!"
Poirotsaidgently:"Butyouareaware,areyounot,thatthefirmwhoyousay
employedyoudenythefact?"
Mr.Custgotexcitedagain."That'sbecausethey'reintheconspiracythey
mustbeintheconspiracy.''
Hewenton:"I'vegotwrittenevidence,writtenevidence.I'vegottheirletters
tome,givingmeinstructionsastowhatplacestogoandalistofpeopleto
callon."
"Notwrittenevidenceexactlytypewrittenevidence."

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"It's the same thing. Naturally a big firm of wholesale manufacturers

typewritetheirletters."
"Don't you know, Mr. Cust, that a typewriter can be identified? All those
lettersweretypedbyoneparticularmachine."
"Whatofit?"
"Andthatmachinewasyourowntheonefoundinyourroom."
"Itwassentmebythefirmatthebeginningofmyjob."
"Yes,buttheseletterswerereceivedafterwards.Soitlooks,doesitnot,as
thoughyoutypedthemyourselfandpostedthemtoyourself?"
"No,no!It'sallpartoftheplotagainstme!"
Headdedsuddenly:"Besides,theirletterswouldbewrittenonthesamekind
ofmachine."
"Thesamekind,butnotthesameactualmachine."
Mr.Custrepeatedobstinately:"It'saplot!"
"AndtheA.B.C.'sthatwerefoundinthecupboard?"
"Iknownothingaboutthem.Ithoughttheywereallstockings."
"WhydidyoutickoffthenameofMrs.Ascherinthatfirstlistofpeoplein
Andover?"
"BecauseIdecidedtostartwithher.Onemustbeginsomewhere."
"Yes,thatistrue.Onemustbeginsomewhere."
"Idon'tmeanthat!"saidMr.Cust."Idon'tmeanwhatyoumean!"
"ButyouknowwhatImeant?"
Mr. Cust said nothing. He was trembling. "I didn't do it!" he said. "I'm
perfectlyinnocent!It'sallamistake.Why,lookatthatsecondcrimethat
Bexhillone.IwasplayingdominoesatEastbourne.You'vegottoadmitthat!"
Hisvoicewastriumphant.
"Yes,"saidPoirot.Hisvoicewasmeditativesilky."Butit'ssoeasy,isn'tit,to
makeamistakeofoneday?Andifyou'reanobstinate,positiveman,likeMr.
Strange,you'llneverconsiderthepossibilityofhawingbeenmistaken.What
you'vesaidyou'llstickto.He'sthatkindofman.Andthehotelregisterit's

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veryeasytoputdownthewrongdatewhenyou'resigningitprobablynoone
willnoticeitatthetime."
"Iwasplayingdominoesthatevening!"
"Youplaydominoesverywell,Ibelieve."
Mr.Custwasalittleflurriedbythis."IIwell,IbelieveIdo."
"Itisaveryabsorbinggame,isitnot,withalotofskillinit?"
"Oh,there'salotofplayinitalotofplay!Weusedtoplayalotinthecity,
inthelunchhour.You'dbesurprisedthewaytotalstrangerscometogether
overagameofdominoes."
He chuckled. "I remember one manI've never forgotten him because of
somethinghetoldmewejustgottalkingoveracupofcoffee,andwestarted
dominoes.Well,IfeltaftertwentyminutesthatI'dknownthatmanallhis
life."
"Whatwasitthathetoldyou?"askedPoirot.
Mr.Cust'sfacecloudedover."Itgavemeaturnanastyturn.Talkingof
yourfatebeingwritteninyourhand,hewas.Andheshowedmehishandand
thelinesthatshowedhe'dhavetwonearescapesofbeingdrownedandhe
hadhadtwonearescapes.Andthenhelookedatmineandhetoldmesome
amazingthings.SaidIwasgoingtobeoneofthemostcelebratedmenin
EnglandbeforeIdied.Saidthewholecountrywouldbetalkingaboutme.But
hesaidhesaid"
Mr.Custbrokedownfaltered....
"Yes?"
Poirot'sgazeheldaquietmagnetism.Mr.Custlookedathim,lookedaway,
thenbackagainlikeafascinatedrabbit.
"HesaidhesaidthatitlookedasthoughImightdieaviolentdeathand
helaughedandsaid:'Almostlooksasthoughyoumightdieonthescaffold,'
andthenhelaughedandsaidthatwasonlyhisjoke...."
He was silent suddenly. His eyes left Poirot's facethey ran from side to
side....
"MyheadIsufferverybadlywithmyhead...theheadachesaresomething
cruelsometimes.AndthentherearetimeswhenIdon'tknowwhenIdon't

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know"
Hebrokedown.
Poirotleantforward.Hespokeveryquietlybutwithgreatassurance.
"Butyoudoknow,don'tyou,"hesaid,"thatyoucommittedthemurders?''
Mr.Custlookedup.Hisglancewasquitesimpleanddirect.Allresistancehad
lefthim.Helookedstrangelyatpeace.
"Yes,"hesaid."Iknow."
"ButI'mright,amInot?youdon'tknowwhyyoudidthem?"
Mr.Custshookhishead.
"No,"hesaid."Idon't."

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Chapter Thirty-Four
Poirot Explains

We were sitting in a state of tense attention to listen to Poirot's final

explanationofthecase.
"Allalong,"hesaid,"Ihavebeenworriedoverthewhyofthiscase.Hastings
saidtometheotherdaythatthecasewasended.Irepliedtohimthatthe
casewastheman.Themysterywasnotthemysteryofthemurders,butthe
mysteryofA.B.C..Whydidhefinditnecessarytocommitthesemurders?
Whydidheselectmeashisadversary?"
"Itisnoanswertosaythatthemanwasmentallyunhinged.Tosayaman
does mad things because he is mad is merely unintelligent and stupid. A
madmanisaslogicalandreasonedinhisactionasasanemangivenhis
peculiarbiasedpointofview.Forexample,ifamaninsistsongoingoutand
squattingaboutinnothingbutaloinclothhisconductseemseccentricinthe
extreme.Butonceyouknowthatthemanhimselfisfirmlyconvincedthathe
is Mahatma Gandhi, then his conduct becomes perfectly reasonable and
logical."
"Whatwasnecessaryinthiscasewastoimagineamindsoconstitutedthatit
waslogicalandreasonabletocommitfourormoremurdersandtoannounce
thembeforehandbyletterswrittentoHerculePoirot."
"Myfriend,Hastings,willtellyouthatfromthemomentIreceivedthefirst
letter I was upset and disturbed. It seemed to meat once that therewas
somethingverywrongabouttheletter."
"Youwerequiteright,"saidFranklinClarkedryly.
"Yes.Butthere,attheverystart,Imadeagraveerror.Ipermittedmyfeeling
my very strong feeling about the letter to remain a mere impression. I
treateditasthoughithadbeenanintuition.Inawellbalanced,reasoning
mind them is no such thing as an intuitionan inspired guess! You can
guess,ofcourseandaguessiseitherrightorwrong.Ifitisrightyoucallit
anintuition.Ifitiswrongyouusuallydonotspeakofitagain.Butwhatis
oftencalledanintuitionisreallyimpressionbasedonlogicaldeductionor

185

experience. When an expert feels that there is something wrong about a

pictureorapieceoffurnitureorthesignatureonachequeheisreallybasing
thatfeelingonahostofsmallsignsanddetails.Hehasnoneedtogointo
themminutelyhisexperienceobviatesthatthenetresultisthedefinite
impressionthatsomethingiswrong.Butitisnotaguess,itisanimpression
basedonexperience."
"Ehbien,IadmitthatIdidnotregardthatfirstletterinthewayIshould.It
justmademeextremelyuneasy.Thepoliceregardeditasahoax.Imyself
tookitseriously.IwasconvincedthatamurderwouldtakeplaceinAndover
asstated.Asyouknow,amurderdidtakeplace."
"Therewasnomeansatthatpoint,asIwellrealized,ofknowingwhothe
personwaswhohaddonethedeed.Theonlycourseopentomewastotryand
understandjustwhatkindofapersonhaddoneit."
"Ihadcertainindications.Theletterthemannerofthecrimetheperson
murdered.WhatIhadtodiscoverwas:themotiveofthecrime,themotiveof
theletter."
"Publicity,"suggestedClarke.
"Surelyaninferioritycomplexcoversthat,"addedThoraGray.
"That was,of course,theobvious line totake. But why me? Why Hercule
Poirot?GreaterpublicitycouldbeensuredbysendingtheletterstoScotland
Yard.Moreagainbysendingthemtoanewspaper.Anewspapermightnot
printthefirstletter,butbythetimethesecondcrimetookplace,A.B.C.could
havebeenassuredofallthepublicitythepresscouldgive.Why,then,Hercule
Poirot?Wasitforsomepersonalreason?Therewas,discernibleintheletter,
a slight antiforeign biasbut not enough to explain the matter to my
satisfaction."
"Thenthesecondletterarrivedand wasfollowedbythemurderofBetty
BarnardatBexhill.Itbecameclearnow(whatIhadalreadysuspected)that
themurdersweretoproceed in analphabetical plan, but that fact, which
seemedfinaltomostpeople,leftthemainquestionunalteredtomymind.
WhydidA.B.C.needtocommitthesemurders?"
MeganBarnardstirredinherchair."Isn'tthemsuchathingasasablood
lust?"shesaid.
Poirot turned to her. "You are quite right, mademoiselle. There is such a

186

thing. The lust to kill. But that did not quite fit the facts of the case. A
homicidalmaniacwhodesirestokillusuallydesirestokillasmanyvictimsas
possible.Itisarecurringcraving.Thegreatideaofsuchakilleristohidehis
tracksnottoadvertisethem.Whenweconsiderthefourvictimsselected
oratany ratethreeofthem (for IknowverylittleofMr.Downes or Mr.
Earlsfield),werealizethatifhehadchosen,themurderercouldhavedone
awaywiththemwithoutincurringanysuspicion."
"FranzAscher,DonaldFraserorMeganBarnard,possiblyMr.Clarkethose
arethepeoplethepolicewouldhavesuspectedeveniftheyhadbeenunable
to get direct proof. An unknown homicidal murderer would not have been
thoughtof!Why,then,didthemurdererfeelitnecessarytocallattentionto
himself?Wasitthenecessityofleaving oneachbody a copyofan A.B.C.
railwayguide?Wasthatthecompulsion?"
"Wastheresomecomplexconnectedwiththerailwayguide?"
"I found it quite inconceivable at this point to enter into the mind of the
murderer.Surelyitcouldnotbemagnanimity?Ahorrorofresponsibilityfor
thecrimebeingfastenedonaninnocentperson?"
"AlthoughIcouldnotanswerthemainquestion,certainthingsIdidfeelI
waslearningaboutthemurderer."
"Suchas?"askedFraser.
"To begin withthat he had a tabular mind. His crimes were listed by
alphabeticalprogressionthatwasobviouslyimportanttohim.Ontheother
hand,hehadnoparticulartasteinvictimsMrs.Ascher,BettyBarnard,Sir
CarmichaelClarke,theyalldifferedwidelyfromeachother.Therewasnosex
complexno particular age complex, and that seemed to me to be a very
curiousfact.Ifamankillsindiscriminatelyitisusuallybecauseheremoves
anyone who stands in his way or annoys him. But the alphabetical
progressionshowedthatsuchwasnotthecasehere.Theothertypeofkiller
usuallyselectsaparticulartypeofvictimnearlyalwaysoftheoppositesex.
TherewassomethinghaphazardabouttheprocedureofA.B.C.thatseemedto
metobeatwarwiththealphabeticalselection."
"TheslightinferencesIpermittedmyselftomake.ThechoiceoftheA.B.C.
suggestedtomewhatImaycallarailwaymindedman.Thisismorecommon
in men than women. Small boys love trains better than small girls do. It
mightbethesign,too,ofaninsomewaysundevelopedmind.The'boy'motif

187

stillpredominated."
"The death of Betty Barnard and the manner of it gave me certain other
indications.Themannerofherdeathwasparticularlysuggestive.(Forgive
me, Mr. Fraser.) To begin with, she was strangled with her own belt
thereforeshemustalmostcertainlyhavebeenkilledbysomeonewithwhom
shewasonfriendlyoraffectionateterms.WhenIlearntsomething ofher
characterapicturegrewupinmymind."
"Betty Barnard was a flirt. She liked attention from a personal male.
ThereforeA.B.C.,topersuadehertocomeoutwithhim,musthaveacertain
amountofattractionofthesexappeal!Hemustbeable,asyouEnglishsay,
to'getoff.'Hemustbecapableoftheclick!Visualizethesceneonthebeach
thus:themanadmiresherbelt.Shetakesitoff.Hepassesitplayfullyround
her necksays, perhaps, 'I shall strangle you.' It is all very playful. She
gigglesandhepulls."
DonaldFrasersprangup.Hewaslivid."M.PoirotforGod'ssake."
Poirotmadeagesture."Itisfinished.Isaynomore.Itisover.Wepasstothe
nextmurder,thatofSirCarmichaelClarke.Herethemurderergoesbackto
hisfirstmethodtheblowonthehead.Thesamealphabeticalcomplexbut
onefactworriesmealittle.Tobeconsistentthemurderershouldhavechosen
histownsinsomedefinitesequence."
"IfAndoveristhe155thnameunderA,thentheBcrimeshouldbethe155 th
alsoor it should be the156th and the C the 157th. Here again the towns
seemedtobechoseninrathertoohaphazardafashion.''
"Isn'tthatbecauseyou'reratherbiasedonthatsubject,Poirot?"Isuggested.
"Youyourselfarenormallymethodicalandorderly.It'salmostadiseasewith
you."
"No,itisnotadisease!Quelleide!ButIadmitthatImaybeoverstressing
thatpoint.Passons!"
"TheChurstoncrimegavemeverylittleextrahelp.Wewereunluckyoverit,
sincetheletterannouncing itwentastray,hencenopreparationscouldbe
made."
"ButbythetimetheDcrimewasannounced,averyformidablesystemof
defencehadbeenevolved.ItmusthavebeenobviousthatA.B.C.couldnot
muchlongerhopetogetawaywithhiscrimes."

188

"Moreover,itwasatthispointthattheclueofthestockingscameintomy
hands. It was perfectly clear that the presence of an individual selling
stockingsonandnearthesceneofeachcrimecouldnotbeaincidence.Hence
thestockingsellermustbethemurderer.Imaysaythathisdescription,as
givenmebyMissGrey,didnotquitecorrespondwithmyownpictureofthe
manwhostrangledBettyBarnard."
"Iwillpassoverthenextstagesquickly.Afourthmurderwascommitted
themurderofamannamedGeorgeEarlsfielditwassupposedinmistake
foramannamedDownes,whowassomethingofthesamebuildandwhowas
sittingnearhiminthecinema."
"And now at last comes the turn of the tide. Events play against A.B.C.
insteadofintohishands.Heismarkeddownhuntedandatlastarrested."
"Thecase,asHastingssays,isended!"
"Trueenoughasfarasthepublicisconcerned.Themanisinprisonandwill
eventually,nodoubt,gotoBroadmoor.Therewillbenomoremurders.Exit!
Finis!R.I.P.."
"Butnotforme.Iknownothingnothing atall!Neitherthewhynorthe
wherefore."
"Andthereisonesmallvexingfact.ThemanCusthasanalibiforthenightof
theBexhillcrime."
"That'sbeenworryingmeallalong,"saidFranklinClarke.
"Yes. It worried me. For the alibi, it has the air of being genuine. But it
cannot be genuine unlessand now we come to two very interesting
speculations."
"Supposing,myfriends,thatwhileCustcommittedthreeofthecrimesthe
A,CandDcrimeshedidnotcommittheBcrime."
"M.Poirot.Itisn't"
PoirotsilencedMeganBarnardwithalook."Bequiet,mademoiselle.Iamfor
thetruth,Iam!Ihavedonewithlies.Supposing,Isay,thatA.B.C.didnot
committhesecondcrime.Ittookplace,remember,intheearlyhoursofthe
25ththe day he had arrived for the crime. Supposing someone had
forestalledhim?Whatinthosecircumstanceswouldhedo?Commitasecond
murder,orlielowandacceptthefirstasakindofmacabrepresent?"

189

"M.Poirot!"saidMegan."That'safantasticthought!Allthecrimesmusthave
beencommittedbythesameperson!"
Hetooknonoticeofherandwentsteadilyon:"Suchahypothesishadthe
merit of explaining one factthe discrepancy between the personality of
AlexanderBonaparteCust(whocouldneverhavemadetheclickwithany
girl)andthepersonalityofBettyBarnard'smurderer.Andithasbeenknown,
before now, that wouldbe murderers have taken advantage of the crimes
committed by other people. Not all the crimes of Jack the Ripper were
committedbyJacktheRipper,forinstance.Sofar,sogood."
"ButthenIcameupagainstadefinitedifficulty."
"UptothetimeoftheBarnardmurder,nofactsabouttheA.B.C.murders
hadbeenmadepublic.TheAndovermurderhadcreatedlittleinterest.The
incidentoftheopenrailwayguidehadnotevenbeenmentionedinthepress.
ItthereforefollowedthatwhoeverkilledBettyBarnardmusthavehadaccess
to facts known only to certain personsmyself, the police, and certain
relationsandneighboursofMrs.Ascher."
"Thatlineofresearchseemedtoleadmeupagainstablankwall."
Thefacesthatlookedathimwereblanktoo.Blankandpuzzled.
DonaldFrasersaidthoughtfully:"Thepolice,afterall,arehumanbeings.And
they'regoodlookingmen"
Hestopped,lookingatPoirotinquiringly.
Poirotshookhishead gently."Noitissimplerthanthat.Itoldyouthat
therewasasecondspeculation."
"SupposingthatCustwasnotresponsibleforthekillingofBettyBarnard?
Supposingthatsomeoneelsekilledher.Couldthatsomeoneelsehavebeen
responsiblefortheothermurderstoo?"
"Butthatdoesn'tmakesense!"criedClarke.
"Doesn'tit?IdidthenwhatIought tohavedoneatfirst.Iexaminedthe
lettersIhadreceivedfromatotallydifferentpointofview.Ihadfeltfromthe
beginning that there was something wrong with themjust as a picture
expertknowsapictureiswrong...."
"Ihadassumed,withoutpausingtoconsider,thatwhatwaswrongwiththem
wasthefactthattheywerewrittenbyamadman."

190

"Now I examined them againand this time I came to a totally different

conclusion.Whatwaswrongwiththemwasthefactthattheywerewrittenby
asaneman!"
"What?"Icried.
"But yesjust that precisely! They were wrong as a picture is wrong
becausetheywereafake.Theypretendedtobethelettersofamadmanofa
homicidallunatic,butinrealitytheywerenothingofthekind."
"Itdoesn'tmakesense,"FranklinClarkerepeated.
"Maisoui.Onemustreasonreflect.Whatwouldbetheobjectofwritingsuch
letters?Tofocusattentiononthewriter,tocallattentiontothemurders!En
verit,itdidnotseemtomakesenseatfirstsight.AndthenIsawlight.It
wastofocusattentiononseveralmurdersonagroupofmurders....Isit
notyourgreatShakespearewhohassaid,'Youcannotseethetreesfor the
wood'?"
IdidnotcorrectPoirot'sliteraryreminiscences.Iwastryingtoseehispoint.
Aglimmercametome.Hewenton:"Whendoyounoticeapinleast?Whenit
isinapincushion!Whendoyounoticeanindividualmurderleast?Whenitis
oneofaseriesofrelatedmurders."
"I had to deal with an intensely clever, resourceful murdererreckless,
daring and a thorough gambler. Not Mr. Cust! He could never have
committedthesemurders!No,Ihadtodealwithaverydifferentstampof
manamanwithaboyishtemperament(witnesstheschoolboytypeletters
and the railway guide), an attractive man to women, and a man with a
ruthlessdisregardforhumanlife,amanwhowasnecessarilyaprominent
personinoneofthecrimes!Considerwhenamanorwomaniskilled,what
arethequestionsthatthepoliceask?Opportunity.Wherewaseverybodyat
thetimeofthecrime?Motive.Whobenefitedbythedeceased'sdeath?Ifthe
motiveandtheopportunityarefairlyobvious,whatisawouldbemurdererto
do?Fakeanalibithatis,manipulatetimeinsomeway?Butthatisalwaysa
hazardousproceeding.Ourmurdererthoughtofamorefantasticdefence."
"Createahomicidalmurderer!"
"I had now only to review the various crimes and find the possible guilty
person. The Andover crime? The most likely suspect for that was Franz
Ascher,butIcouldnotimagineAscherinventingandcarryingoutsuchan
elaboratescheme,norcouldIseehimplanningapremeditatedmurder.The

191

Bexhillcrime?DonaldFraserwasapossibility."
"Hehadbrainsandability,andamethodicalturnofmind.Buthismotivefor
killinghissweetheartcouldonlybejealousyandjealousydoesnottendto
premeditation.AlsoIlearnedthathehadhisholidayearlyinAugust,which
rendereditunlikelythathehadanythingtodowiththeChurstoncrime.We
come to the Churston crime nextand at once we are on infinitely more
promisingground."
"Sir Carmichael Clarkewas an immensely wealthy man. Whoinheritshis
money?Hiswife,whoisdying,hasalifeinterestinit,anditthengoestohis
brotherFranklin."
PoirotturnedslowlyroundtillhiseyesmetthoseofFranklinClarke.
"Iwasquitesurethen.ThemanIhadknownalongtimeinmysecretmind
wasthesameasthemanwhomIhadknownasaperson."
"A.B.C.andFranklinClarkewereoneandthesame.Thedaringadventurous
character,therovinglife,thepartialityforEnglandthathadshoweditself,
veryfaintly,inthejeeratforeigners.Theattractivefreeandeasymanner
nothingeasierforhimthantopickupagiftinacaf.Themethodicaltabular
mindhemadealisthereoneday,tickedoffovertheheadingsA.B.C.and
finally,theboyishmindmentionedbyLadyClarkeandevenshownbyhis
tasteinfictionIhaveascertainedthatthereisabookinthelibrarycalled
TheRailwayChildrenbyE.Nesbit.Ihadnofurtherdoubtinmyownmind
A.B.C., the man who wrote the letters and committed the crimes, was
FranklinClarke."
Clarkesuddenly burst outlaughing. "Very ingenious! And what about our
friendCust,caughtredhanded?"
"Whataboutthebloodonhiscoat?Andtheknifehehidinhislodgings?He
maydenyhecommittedthecrimes"
Poirotinterrupted."Youarequitewrong.Headmitsthefact."
"What?"Clarkelookedreallystartled.
"Oh,yes,"saidPoirotgently."IhadnosoonerspokentohimthanIwasaware
thatCustbelievedhimselftobeguilty."
"Andeventhatdidn'tsatisfyM.Poirot?"saidClarke.
"No.BecauseassoonasIsawhimIalsoknewthathecouldnotbeguilty!He

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hasneitherthenervenorthedaringnor,Imayadd,thebrainstoplan!All
alongIhavebeenawareofthedualpersonalityofthemurderer.NowIsee
whereinitconsisted.Twopeoplewereinvolvedtherealmurderer,cunning,
resourceful and calculatingand the pseudo murderer, stupid, vacillating
andsuggestible."
"SuggestibleitisinthatwordthatthemysteryofMr.Custconsists!"
"It was not enough for you, Mr. Clarke, to devise this plan of a series to
distractattentionfromasinglecrime.Youhadalsotohaveastalkinghorse."
"I think the idea first originated in your mind as the result of a chance
encounterinacitycoffeedenwiththisoddpersonalitywithhisbombastic
Christiannames.Youwereatthattimeturningoverinyourmindvarious
plansforthemurderofyourbrother."
"Really?Andwhy?"
"Becauseyouwereseriouslyalarmedforthefuture.Idonotknowwhether
yourealizeit,Mr.Clarke,butyouplayedintomyhandswhenyoushowedme
acertainletterwrittentoyoubyyourbrother.Inithedisplayedveryclearly
hisaffectionandabsorptioninMissThoraGrey.Hisregardmayhavebeena
paternaloneorhemayhavepreferredtothinkitso.Nevertheless,there
wasaveryrealdangerthatonthedeathofyoursisterinlawhemight,inhis
loneliness,turntothisbeautifulgirlforsympathyandcomfortanditmight
endassooftenhappenswithelderlymeninhismarryingher.Yourfear
wasincreasedbyyourknowledgeofMissGrey.Youare,Ifancy,anexcellent,
ifsomewhatcynicaljudgeofcharacter.Youjudged,whethercorrectlyornot,
thatMissGreywasatypeofyoungwoman'onthemake.'Youhadnodoubt
thatshewouldjumpatthechanceofbecomingLadyClarke."
"Yourbrotherwasanextremelyhealthyandvigorousman.Theremightbe
childrenandyourchanceofinheritingyourbrother'swealthwouldvanish."
"Youhavebeen,Ifancy,inessenceadisappointedmanallyourlife.Youhave
been the rolling stoneand you have gathered very little moss. You were
particularlyjealousofyourbrother'swealth."
"Irepeatthenthat,turningovervariousschemesinyourmind,yourmeeting
withMr.Custgaveyouanidea.HisbombasticChristiannames,hisaccount
of his epileptic seizures and of his headaches, his whole shrinking and
insignificantpersonality,struckyouasfittinghimforthetoolyouwanted.
ThewholealphabeticalplansprangintoyourmindCust'sinitialsthefact

193

thatyourbrother'snamebeganwithaCandthathelivedatChurstonwere
thenucleusofthescheme.YouevenwentsofarastohinttoCustathis
possibleendthoughyoucouldhardlyhopethatthatsuggestionwouldbear
therichfruitthatitdid."
"Your arrangements were excellent. In Cust's name you wrote for a large
consignment of hosiery to be sent to him. You yourself sent a number of
A.B.C.'s looking like a similar parcel. You wrote to hima typed letter
purporting to be from the same firm offering him a good salary and
commission.Yourplansweresowelllaidbeforehandthatyoutypedallthe
letters that were sent subsequently, and then presented him with the
machineonwhichtheyhadbeentyped."
"YouhadnowtolookaboutfortwovictimswhosenamesbeganwithAandB
respectivelyandwholivedatplacesalsobeginningwiththosesameletters."
"You hit on Andover as quite a likely spot and your preliminary
reconnaissancethereledyoutoselectMrs.Ascher'sshopasthesceneofthe
firstcrime.Hernamewaswrittenclearlyoverthedoor,andyoufoundby
experimentthatshewasusuallyaloneintheshop.Hermurderneedednerve,
daringandreasonableluck."
"FortheletterByouhadtovaryyourtactics.Lonelywomeninshopsmight
conceivablyhavebeenwarned.Ishouldimaginethatyoufrequentedafew
cafsandteashops,laughingandjokingwiththegirlsthereandfindingout
whosenamebeganwiththerightletterandwhowouldbesuitableforyour
purpose."
"InBettyBarnardyoufoundjustthetypeofgirlyouwerelookingfor.You
tookheroutonceortwice,explainingtoherthatyouwereamarriedman,
andthatoutingsmustthereforetakeplaceinasomewhatholeandcorner
manner."
"Then, your preliminary plans completed, you set to work! You sent the
AndoverlisttoCust,directinghimtogothereonacertaindateandyousent
offthefirstA.B.C.lettertome."
"On the appointed day, you went to Andoverand killed Mrs. Ascher
withoutanythingoccurringtodamageyourplans."
"MurderNo.1wassuccessfullyaccomplished."
"Forthesecondmurder,youtooktheprecautionofcommittingit,inreality,

194

thedaybefore.IamfairlycertainthatBettyBarnardwaskilledwellbefore
midnightonthe24thJuly."
"WenowcometomurderNo.3theimportantinfact,therealmurderfrom
yourpointofview."
"AndhereafullmeasureofpraiseisduetoHastings,whomadeasimpleand
obviousremarktowhichnoattentionwaspaid."
"Hesuggested that thethird letter went astray intentionally. And he was
right!..."
"Inthatonesimplefactliestheanswertothequestionthathaspuzzledmeso
allalong.WhywerethelettersaddressedinthefirstplacetoHerculePoirot,
aprivatedetective,andnottothepolice?"
"ErroneouslyIimaginedsomepersonalreason."
"Notatall!Thelettersweresenttomebecausetheessenceofyourplanwas
thatoneofthemshouldbewronglyaddressedandgoastraybutyoucannot
arrangeforaletteraddressedtotheCriminalInvestigationDepartmentof
ScotlandYardtogoastray!Itisnecessarytohaveaprivateaddress.You
chosemeasafairlywellknownperson,andapersonwhowassuretotake
theletterstothepoliceandalso,inyourratherinsularmind,youenjoyed
scoringoffaforeigner."
"You addressed your envelope very cleverlyWhitehavenWhitehorse
quiteanaturalslip.OnlyHastingswassufficientlyperspicacioustodisregard
subtletiesandgostraightfortheobvious!"
"Ofcoursetheletterwasmeanttogoastray!Thepoliceweretobesetonthe
trail only when the murder was safely over. Your brother's nightly walk
providedyouwiththeopportunity.AndsosuccessfullyhadtheA.B.C.terror
takenholdonthepublicmindthatthepossibilityofyourguiltneveroccurred
toanyone."
"Afterthedeathofyourbrother,ofcourse,yourobjectwasaccomplished.You
hadnowishtocommitanymoremurders.Ontheotherhand,ifthemurders
stoppedwithoutreason,asuspicionoftruthmightcometosomeone."
"Yourstalkinghorse,Mr.Cust,hadsosuccessfullyliveduptohisroleofthe
invisiblebecauseinsignificantman,thatsofarnoonehadnoticedthatthe
same person had been seen in the vicinity of the three murders! To your
annoyance,evenhisvisittoCombesidehadnotbeenmentioned.Thematter

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hadpassedcompletelyoutofMissGrey'shead."
"Alwaysdaring,youdecidedthatonemoremurdermusttakeplacebutthat
thistimethetrailmustbewellblazed."
"YouselectedDoncasterforthesceneofoperations."
"Yourplanwasverysimple.Youyourselfwouldbeonthesceneinthenature
ofthings.Mr.CustwouldbeorderedtoDoncasterbyhisfirm.Yourplanwas
tofollowhimroundandtrusttoopportunity.Everythingfelloutwell.Mr.
Custwenttoacinema.Thatwassimplicityitself.Yousatafewseatsaway
fromhim.Whenhegotuptogo,youdidthesame.Youpretendedtostumble,
leanedoverandstabbedadozingmanintherowinfront,slidtheA.B.C.on
tohiskneesandmanagedtocollideheavilywithMr.Custinthedarkened
doorway,wipingtheknifeonhissleeveandslippingitintohispocket."
"Youwerenotintheleastatpainstochooseavictimwhosenamebeganwith
D. Anyone would do! You assumedand quite rightlythat it would be
consideredtobeamistake.Therewassuretobesomeonewhosenamebegan
withDnotfaroffintheaudience.Itwouldbeassumedthathehadbeen
intendedtobethevictim."
"Andnow,myfriends,letusconsiderthematterfromthepointofviewofthe
falseA.B.C.fromthepointofviewofMr.Cust."
"TheAndovercrimemeansnothingtohim.Heisshockedandsurprisedby
theBexhillcrimewhy,hehimselfwasthereaboutthetime!Thencomesthe
Churstoncrimeandtheheadlinesinthenewspapers."
"AnA.B.C.crimeatAndoverwhenhewasthere,anA.B.C.crimeatBexhill,
andnowanothercloseby....Threecrimesandhehasbeenatthesceneof
eachofthem.Personssufferingfromepilepsyoftenhaveblankswhenthey
cannot remember what they have done . . . . Remember that Cust was a
nervous,highlyneuroticsubjectandextremelysuggestible."
"ThenhereceivestheordertogotoDoncaster."
"Doncaster!AndthenextA.B.C.crimeistobeinDoncaster.Hemusthave
feltasthoughitwasfate.Heloseshisnerve,fancieshislandladyislookingat
himsuspiciously,andtellsherheisgoingtoCheltenham."
"HegoestoDoncasterbecauseitishisduty.Intheafternoonhegoestoa
cinema.Possiblyhedozesoffforaminuteortwo."

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"Imaginehisfeelingswhenonhisreturntohisinnhediscoversthatthereis
bloodonhiscoatsleeveandabloodstainedknifeinhispocket.Allhisvague
forebodingsleapintocertainty."
"Hehehimselfisthekiller.Heremembershisheadacheshislapsesof
memory.Heisquitesureofthetruthhe,AlexanderBonaparteCust,isa
homicidallunatic."
"Hisconductafterthatistheconductofahuntedanimal.Hegetsbacktohis
lodgings in London. He is safe thereknown. They think he has been in
Cheltenham.Hehastheknifewithhimstillathoroughlystupidthingtodo,
ofcourse.Hehidesitbehindthehallstand."
"Then,oneday,heiswarnedthatthepolicearecoming.Itistheend!They
know."
"Thehuntedanimaldoeshislastrun...."
"IdonotknowwhyhewenttoAndoveramorbiddesire,Ithink,togoand
lookattheplacewherethecrimewascommittedthecrimehecommitted
thoughhecanremembernothingaboutit...."
"Hehasnomoneyleftheiswornout...hisfeetleadhimofhisownaccord
tothepolicestation."
"Butevenacorneredbeastwillfight.Mr.Custfullybelievesthathedidthe
murdersbuthesticksstronglytohispleaofinnocence.Andheholdswith
desperationtothatalibiforthesecondmurder.Atleastthatcannotbelaidto
hisdoor."
"AsIsay,whenIsawhim,Iknewatoncethathewasnotthemurdererand
thatmynamemeantnothingtohim.Iknewtoo,thathethoughthimselfthe
murderer!"
"Afterhehadconfessedhisguilttome,Iknewmorestronglythaneverthat
myowntheorywasright."
"Yourtheory,"saidFranklinClarke,"isabsurd!"
Poirotshookhishead."No,Mr.Clarke.Youweresafeenoughsolongasno
onesuspectedyou.Onceyouweresuspectedproofswereeasytoobtain."
"Proofs?"
"Yes,IfoundthestickthatyouusedintheAndoverandChurstonmurdersin
a cupboard at Combeside. An ordinary stick with a thick knob handle. A

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section of wood had been removed and melted lead poured in. Your
photographwaspickedoutfromhalfadozenothersbytwopeoplewhosaw
youleavingthecinemawhenyouweresupposedtobeontheracecourseat
Doncaster.YouwereidentifiedatBexhilltheotherdaybyMillyHigleyanda
girlfromtheScarletRunnerRoadhouse,whereyoutookBettyBarnardto
dineonthefatalevening.Andfinallymostdamningofallyouoverlookeda
mostelementaryprecaution."
"YouleftafingerprintonCust'stypewriterthetypewriterthat,ifyouare
innocent,youcouldneverhavehandled."
Clarkesatquitestillforaminute,thenhesaid:"Rouge,impair,manque!
youwin,M.Poirot.Butitwasworthtrying!"
With an incredibly rapid motion, he whipped a small automatic from his
pocketandheldittohishead.
IgaveacryandinvoluntarilyflinchedasIwaitedforthereport.
Butnoreportcamethehammerclickedharmlessly.
Clarkestaredatitinastonishmentandutteredanoath.
"No,Mr.Clarke,"saidPoirot."YoumayhavenoticedIhadanewmanservant
todayafriendofmineanexpertsneakthief.Heremovedyourpistolfrom
yourpocket,unloadedit,andreturneditallwithoutyourbeingawareofthe
fact."
"Youunutterablelittlejackanapesofaforeigner!"criedClarke,purplewith
rage.
"Yes,yes,thatishowyoufeel.No,Mr.Clarke,noeasydeathforyou.Youtold
Mr.Custthatyouhadhadnearescapesfromdrowning.Youknowwhatthat
meansthatyouwerebornforanotherfate."
"You"
Wordsfailedhim.Hisfacewaslivid.Hisfistsclenchedmenacingly.
TwodetectivesfromScotlandYardemergedfromthenextroom.
One of them was Crome. He advanced and uttered his timehonoured
formula:"Iwarnyouthatanythingyousaymaybeusedasevidence."
"Hehassaidquiteenough,"saidPoirot,andheaddedtoClarke:"Youare
veryfullofaninsularsuperiority,butformyselfIconsideryourcrimenotan

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Englishcrimeatallnotaboveboardnotsporting"
IamsorrytorelatethatasthedoorclosedbehindFranklinClarkeIlaughed
hysterically.
Poirotlookedatmeinmildsurprise.
"It'sbecauseyoutoldhimhiscrimewasnotsporting,"Igasped.
"Itwasquitetrue.Itwasabominablenotsomuchthemurderofhisbrother
butthecrueltythatcondemnedanunfortunatemantoalivingdeath.To
catchafoxandputhiminaboxandneverlethimgo.Thatisnotlesport!"
MeganBarnardgaveadeepsigh.
"Ican'tbelieveitIcan't.Isittrue?"
"Yes,mademoiselle.Thenightmareisover."
Shelookedathimandhercolourdeepened.
PoirotturnedtoFraser.
"MademoiselleMegan,allalong,washauntedbyafearthatitwasyouwho
hadcommittedthesecondcrime."
DonaldFrasersaidquietly:"Ifanciedsomyselfatonetime."
"Because of your dream?" He drew a little nearer to the young man and
droppedhisvoiceconfidentially."Yourdreamhasaverynaturalexplanation.
Itisthatyoufindthatalreadytheimageofonesisterfadesinyourmemory
andthatitsplaceistakenbytheothersister.MademoiselleMeganreplaces
hersisterinyourheart,butsinceyoucannotbeartothinkofyourselfbeing
unfaithfulsosoontothedead,youstrivetostiflethethought,tokillit!That
istheexplanationofthedream."
Fraser'seyeswenttowardMegan.
"Donotbeafraidtoforget,"saidPoirotgently."Shewasnotsowellworth
remembering.InMademoiselleMeganyouhaveoneinahundreduncoeur
magnifique!"
DonaldFraser'seyeslitup."Ibelieveyouareright."
WeallcrowdedroundPoirotaskingquestions,elucidatingthispointandthat.
"Thosequestions,Poirot?Thatyouaskedofeverybody.Wasthereanypoint
inthem?"

199

"Someofthemweresimplement uneblague.ButIlearntonethingthatI
wantedtoknowthatFranklinClarkewasinLondonwhenthefirstletter
waspostedandalsoIwantedtoseehisfacewhenIaskedmyquestionof
MademoiselleThora.Hewasoffhisguard.Isawallthemaliceandangerin
hiseyes."
"Youhardlysparedmyfeelings,"saidThoraGrey.
"Idonotfancyyoureturnedmeatruthfulanswer,mademoiselle,"saidPoirot
dryly."Andnowyoursecondexpectationisdisappointed.FranklinClarkewill
notinherithisbrother'smoney."
She flung up her head. "Is there any need for me to stay here and be
insulted?"
"Nonewhatever,"saidPoirotandheldthedooropenpolitelyforher.
"Thatfingerprintclinchedthings,Poirot,"Isaidthoughtfully."Hewentallto
pieceswhenyoumentionedthat."
"Yes,theyareusefulfingerprints."
Headdedthoughtfully:"Iputthatintopleaseyou,monami."
"But,Poirot,"Icried,"wasn'tittrue?"
"Notintheleast,monami,"saidHerculePoirot.
ImustmentionavisitwehadfromMr.AlexanderBonaparteCustafewdays
later.AfterwringingPoirot'shandandendeavouringveryincoherentlyand
unsuccessfully tothank him,Mr.Custdrew himself upand said:"Doyou
know,anewspaperhasactuallyofferedmeahundredpoundsahundred
poundsforabriefaccountofmylifeandhistory."
"IIreallydon'tknowwhattodoaboutit."
"Ishouldnotacceptahundred,"saidPoirot."Befirm.Sayfivehundredis
yourprice.Anddonotconfineyourselftoonenewspaper."

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