the mysterious Affair at Styles chapter 2 the 16th and 17th of July

I had arrived at Styles on_the 5th of July .I come now to_the events of_the 16th and 17th of_that month . for_the convenience of_the reader i_will recapitulate the incidents of_those days in as exact a manner as possible . they were elicited subsequently at_the trial by a process of long and tedious cross-examinations .

I received a letter from Evelyn Howard a couple of days after her departure, telling me she was working as a nurse at_the big hospital in Middlingham, amanufacturing town some fifteen miles away, and begging me to let her know if Mrs Inglethorp should show any wish to_be reconciled .

the only fly in_the ointment of_my peaceful days was Mrs Cavendish's extraordinary, and, for_my part, unaccountable preference for_the society of Dr .Bauerstein . what she saw in_the man I_cannot imagine, but she was always asking him up_to_the house, and often went off for long expeditions with_him . I_must confess that i_was quite unable to_see his attraction .

the 16th of July fell on a Monday . it_was a day of turmoil . the famous bazaar had taken place on Saturday, and an entertainment, in connection with_the same charity, at which Mrs Inglethorp was to recite a war poem, was to_be held that night . we were all busy during the morning arranging and decorating the hall in_the village where it_was to_take place . we had a late luncheon and spent the afternoon resting in_the garden .I noticed that John's manner was somewhat unusual . he_seemed very excited and restless .

after tea, Mrs Inglethorp went to lie down to rest before her efforts in_the evening and I challenged Mary Cavendish to a single at tennis .

about a quarter to seven, Mrs Inglethorp called us that we_should_be late as supper was early that night . we had rather a scramble to_get ready in_time; and before_the meal was over the motor was waiting at_the door .

the entertainment was a great success, Mrs Inglethorp's recitation receiving tremendous applause . there were also some tableaux in_which Cynthia took part . she did_not return with_us, having been asked to a supper party, and to remain the night with some friends who had_been acting with her in_the tableaux .

the following morning, Mrs Inglethorp stayed in bed to breakfast, as she was rather overtired; but she appeared in her briskest mood about 12 .30, and swept Lawrence and myself off to a luncheon party .

" such acharming invitation from Mrs Rolleston . lady Tadminster's sister, you_know . the Rollestons came over with_the conqueror -- one_of_our oldest families .''

Mary had excused herself on_the plea of an engagement with Dr .Bauerstein .

we had a pleasant luncheon, and as_we drove away Lawrence suggested that we_should return by Tadminster, which_was barely a mile out of_our way, and pay a visit to Cynthia in her dispensary .Mrs Inglethorp replied that_this was an excellent idea, but as she had several letters to write she_would drop us there, and we_could come back with Cynthia in_the pony- trap .

we were detained under suspicion by_the hospital porter, until Cynthia appeared to vouch for_us, looking very cool and sweet in her long white overall . she took us up_to her sanctum, and introduced us to her fellow dispenser, a rather awe-inspiring individual, whom Cynthia cheerily addressed as "Nibs .''

" what alot of bottles ! '' I exclaimed, as my eye travelled round the small room ." do_you really know what's in_them all ? ''

" say something original,'' groaned Cynthia ." every single person who comes up here says that . we_are really thinking of bestowing a prize on_the first individual who does_not say: ' what alot of bottles ! ' and I_know the next thing you're going to_say is: ' how_many people have_you poisoned ? ' ''

I pleaded guilty with a laugh .

" if_you people only knew how fatally easy it_is to poison some one by mistake, you wouldn't joke about_it . come on, let's have tea . we've got all sorts of secret stories in_that cupboard . no, Lawrence -- that's the poison cupboard . the big cupboard -- that's right .''

we had a very cheery tea, and assisted Cynthia to wash up afterwards . we had just put away the last tea- spoon when a knock came at_the door . the countenances of Cynthia and Nibs were suddenly petrified into a stern and forbidding expression .

" come in,'' said Cynthia, in a sharp professional tone .

a young and rather scared looking nurse appeared with a bottle which she proffered to Nibs, who waved her towards Cynthia with_the somewhat enigmatical remark:

"I'm not really here to- day .''

Cynthia took the bottle and examined it with_the severity of a judge .

" this should_have_been sent up this_morning .''

" sister is very sorry . she forgot .''

" sister should read the rules outside the door .''

I gathered from_the little nurse's expression that there_was not the least likelihood of her having the hardihood to retail this message to_the dreaded " sister'' .

" so now it can't be_done until to- morrow,'' finished Cynthia .

"Don't you_think you_could possibly let_us_have it to- night ? ''

" well,'' said Cynthia graciously, " we_are very busy, but if_we_have time it shall be_done .''

the little nurse withdrew, and Cynthia promptly took a jar from_the shelf, refilled the bottle, and placed it on_the table outside the door .

I laughed .

" discipline must_be maintained ? ''

" exactly . come out on_our little balcony . you_can see all the outside wards there .''

I followed Cynthia and her friend and_they pointed out the different wards to_me . Lawrence remained behind, but after a few_moments Cynthia called to him over her shoulder to_come and join us . then she looked at her watch .

" nothing more to_do, Nibs ? ''

" no .''

" all right . then we_can lock up and go .''

I had seen Lawrence in quite a different light that afternoon . compared to John, he_was an astoundingly difficult person to_get to_know . he was_the opposite of_his brother in almost every respect, being unusually shy and reserved . yet he had a certain charm of manner, and I fancied that, if one really knew him well, one could_have a deep affection for him .I had always fancied that his manner to Cynthia was rather constrained, and_that she on her side was inclined to_be shy of him . but they were both gay enough this afternoon, and chatted together like a couple of children .

as_we drove through_the village, I remembered that i_wanted some stamps, so accordingly we pulled up at_the post office .

as I_came out again, I cannoned into a little man who was just entering .I drew aside and apologised, when suddenly, with a loud exclamation, he clasped me in_his arms and kissed me warmly .

"Mon ami Hastings ! '' he cried ." it_is indeed mon ami Hastings ! ''

"Poirot ! '' I exclaimed .

I turned to_the pony- trap .

" this_is a very pleasant meeting for_me, miss Cynthia . this_is my old friend, Monsieur Poirot, whom I_have_not seen for years .''

"Oh, we_know Monsieur Poirot,'' said Cynthia gaily ." but I had no idea he_was a friend of yours .''

" yes, indeed,'' said Poirot seriously ." I_know Mademoiselle Cynthia . it_is by_the charity of_that good Mrs Inglethorp that I_am here .'' then, as I looked at him inquiringly: " yes, my friend, she had kindly extended hospitality to seven of_my countrypeople who, alas, are refugees from their native land . we Belgians will always remember her with gratitude .''

Poirot was an extraordinary looking little man . he_was hardly more than five feet, four inches, but carried himself with great dignity . his head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side . his moustache was very stiff and military . the neatness of_his attire was almost incredible .I believe a speck of dust would_have caused him more pain than a bullet wound . yet this quaint dandyfied little man who, i_was sorry to_see, now limped badly, had_been in_his time one_of_the_most celebrated members of_the Belgian police . as a detective, his flair had_been extraordinary, and he had achieved triumphs by unravelling some_of_the most baffling cases of_the day .

he pointed out to_me the little house inhabited by him and_his fellow Belgians, and I promised to_go and_see him at an early date . then he raised his hat with a flourish to Cynthia, and we drove away .

" he's a dear little man,'' said Cynthia ."I'd no idea you_knew him .''

" you've been entertaining a celebrity unawares,'' I replied .

and, for_the rest of_the way home, I recited to_them the various exploits and triumphs of Hercule Poirot .

we arrived back in a very cheerful mood . as_we entered the hall, Mrs Inglethorp came out of her boudoir . she looked flushed and upset .

"Oh, it's you,'' she said .

" is_there anything the matter, aunt Emily ? '' asked Cynthia .

" certainly not,'' said Mrs Inglethorp sharply ." what should there be ? '' then catching sight of Dorcas, the parlourmaid, going into_the dining- room, she called to her to bring some stamps into_the boudoir .

" yes, m'm .'' the old servant hesitated, then added diffidently: "Don't you_think, m'm, you'd better get to bed ? you're looking very tired .''

" perhaps you're right, Dorcas -- yes -- no -- not now .I've some letters I_must finish by post- time . have_you lighted the fire in my room as i_told you ? ''

" yes, m'm .''

" then I'll go to bed directly after supper .''

she went into_the boudoir again, and Cynthia stared after her .

" goodness gracious ! I wonder what's up ? '' she said to Lawrence .

he_did_not seem to_have heard her, for without a word he turned on_his heel and went out_of_the house .

I suggested a quick game of tennis before supper and, Cynthia agreeing, I ran upstairs to fetch my racquet .

Mrs Cavendish was coming down the stairs . it may have_been my fancy, but she, too, was looking odd and disturbed .

" had a good walk with Dr .Bauerstein ? '' I asked, trying to appear as indifferent as I_could .

"I didn't go,'' she replied abruptly ." where is Mrs Inglethorp ? ''

" in_the boudoir .''

her hand clenched itself on_the banisters, then she seemed to nerve herself for some encounter, and went rapidly past me down the stairs across the hall to_the boudoir, the door of_which she shut behind her .

as I ran out to_the tennis court a few_moments later, I had to_pass the open boudoir window, and was unable to help overhearing the following scrap of dialogue .Mary Cavendish was saying in_the voice of a woman desperately controlling herself:

" then you won't show it to_me ? ''

to_which Mrs Inglethorp replied:

" my dear Mary, it has nothing to_do with_that matter .''

" then show it to_me .''

"I tell you it_is_not what you imagine . it does_not concern you in_the least .''

to_which Mary Cavendish replied, with arising bitterness:

" of_course, I_might_have known you_would shield him .''

Cynthia was waiting for_me, and greeted me eagerly with:

" I_say ! there's been the most awful row ! I've got it all out of Dorcas .''

" what kind of a row ? ''

" between aunt Emily and him . I_do hope she's found him out at last ! ''

" was Dorcas there, then ? ''

" of_course not . she ' happened to_be near the door' . it_was a real old bust- up . I_do wish I_knew what it_was all about .''

i_thought of Mrs Raikes's gipsy face, and Evelyn Howard's warnings, but wisely decided to hold my peace, whilst Cynthia exhausted every possible hypothesis, and cheerfully hoped, " aunt Emily will send_him away, and will never speak to him again .''

i_was anxious to_get hold of John, but he_was nowhere to_be seen .Evidently something very momentous had occurred that afternoon .I tried to forget the few words I had overheard; but, do what i_would, I_could_not dismiss them altogether from my mind . what_was Mary Cavendish's concern in_the matter ?

Mr Inglethorp was in_the drawing- room when I_came down to supper . his face was impassive as ever, and_the strange unreality of_the man struck me afresh .

Mrs Inglethorp came down last . she still looked agitated, and during the meal there_was a somewhat constrained silence .Inglethorp was unusually quiet . as a rule, he surrounded his wife with little attentions, placing a cushion at her back, and altogether playing the part of_the devoted husband . immediately after supper, Mrs Inglethorp retired to her boudoir again .

" send my coffee in here, Mary,'' she called ."I've just five minutes to catch the post .''

Cynthia and I went and sat by_the open window in_the drawing- room .Mary Cavendish brought our coffee to_us . she seemed excited .

" do_you young people want lights, or do_you enjoy the twilight ? '' she asked ." will_you take Mrs Inglethorp her coffee, Cynthia ? i_will pour it out .''

" do_not trouble, Mary,'' said Inglethorp ." i_will take it to Emily .'' he poured it out, and went out_of_the room carrying it carefully .

Lawrence followed him, and Mrs Cavendish sat down by_us .

we three sat for some_time in silence . it_was a glorious night, hot and still .Mrs Cavendish fanned herself gently with a palm leaf .

" it's almost too hot,'' she murmured ." we_shall_have athunderstorm .''

alas, that_these harmonious moments can never endure ! my paradise was rudely shattered by_the sound of a well known, and heartily disliked, voice in_the hall .

"Dr .Bauerstein ! '' exclaimed Cynthia ." what a funny time to_come .''

I glanced jealously at Mary Cavendish, but she seemed quite undisturbed, the delicate pallor of her cheeks did_not vary .

in a few_moments, Alfred Inglethorp had ushered the doctor in, the latter laughing, and protesting that he_was in no fit state for adrawing- room . in truth, he presented a sorry spectacle, being literally plastered with mud .

" what have_you been doing, doctor ? '' cried Mrs Cavendish .

" I_must make my apologies,'' said the doctor ." I_did_not really mean to_come in, but Mr Inglethorp insisted .''

" well, Bauerstein, you_are in a plight,'' said John, strolling in from_the hall ." have some coffee, and tell us what you_have_been up_to .''

" thank_you, i_will .'' he laughed rather ruefully, as he described how he had discovered a very rare species of fern in an inaccessible place, and in_his efforts to obtain it had lost his footing, and slipped ignominiously into aneighbouring pond .

" the sun soon dried me off,'' he added, " but I'm afraid my appearance is very disreputable .''

at_this juncture, Mrs Inglethorp called to Cynthia from_the hall, and_the girl ran out .

" just carry up my despatch- case, will_you, dear ? I'm going to bed .''

the door into_the hall was a wide one .I had risen when Cynthia did, John was close by me . there were therefore three witnesses who_could swear that Mrs Inglethorp was carrying her coffee, as_yet untasted, in her hand .

my evening was utterly and entirely spoilt by_the presence of Dr .Bauerstein . it seemed to_me the man would never go . he rose at last, however, and I breathed a sigh of relief .

"I'll walk down to_the village with_you,'' said Mr Inglethorp ." I_must see our agent over those estate accounts .'' he turned to John ." no one need sit up . i_will take_the latch- key .''