5. It isnt strychnine, is it? by Agatha Christie
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the mysterious Affair at Styles chapter 5 " it isn't strychnine, is_it ? ''

" where did you find this ? '' I asked Poirot, in lively curiosity .

" in_the waste- paper basket . you recognise the handwriting ? ''

" yes, it_is Mrs Inglethorp's . but what does it mean ? ''

Poirot shrugged his shoulders .

"I cannot_say -- but it_is suggestive .''

a wild idea flashed across me . was_it possible that Mrs Inglethorp's mind was deranged ? had she some fantastic idea of demoniacal possession ? and, if_that were so, was_it not also possible that she might_have taken her own life ?

i_was about to expound these theories to Poirot, when his own words distracted me .

" come,'' he_said, " now to examine the coffee-cups ! ''

" my dear Poirot ! what on earth is_the good of_that, now that we_know about_the coco ? ''

"Oh, là là ! that miserable coco ! '' cried Poirot flippantly .

he laughed with apparent enjoyment, raising his arms to heaven in mock despair, in what I_could_not but consider the worst possible taste .

" and, anyway,'' I_said, with increasing coldness, " as Mrs Inglethorp took her coffee upstairs with her, I_do_not_see what you expect to_find, unless you consider it likely that we_shall discover a packet of strychnine on_the coffee tray ! ''

Poirot was sobered at once .

" come, come, my friend,'' he_said, slipping his arms through mine ."Ne vous fachez pas ! allow me to interest myself in my coffee-cups, and_I_will respect your coco . there ! is_it a bargain ? ''

he_was so quaintly humorous that i_was forced to laugh; and we went together to_the drawing- room, where the coffee-cups and tray remained undisturbed as_we had left them .

Poirot made me recapitulate the scene of_the night before, listening very carefully, and verifying the position of_the various cups .

" so Mrs Cavendish stood by_the tray -- and poured out . yes . then she came across to_the window where you sat with Mademoiselle Cynthia . yes . here are the three cups . and_the cup on_the mantel- piece, half drunk, that_would_be Mr Lawrence Cavendish's . and_the one on_the tray ? ''

"John Cavendish's . I_saw him put it down there .''

" good . one, two, three, four, five -- but where, then, is_the cup of Mr Inglethorp ? ''

" he_does_not take coffee .''

" then all are accounted for . one moment, my friend .''

with infinite care, he_took a drop or two from_the grounds in each cup, sealing them up in separate test tubes, tasting each in turn as he_did so . his physiognomy underwent a curious change . an expression gathered there that I_can only describe as half puzzled, and half relieved .

"Bien ! '' he_said at last ." it_is evident ! I had an idea -- but clearly i_was mistaken . yes, altogether i_was mistaken . yet it_is strange . but no matter ! ''

and, with a characteristic shrug, he dismissed whatever it was_that was worrying him from_his mind . I_could_have told him from_the beginning that_this obsession of_his over the coffee was bound to end in a blind alley, but I restrained my tongue . after all, though he_was old, Poirot had_been a great man in_his day .

" breakfast is ready,'' said John Cavendish, coming in from_the hall ." you_will breakfast with_us, Monsieur Poirot ? ''

Poirot acquiesced .I observed John . already he_was almost restored to_his normal self . the shock of_the events of_the last night had upset him temporarily, but his equable poise soon swung back to_the normal . he_was a man of very little imagination, in sharp contrast with_his brother, who had, perhaps, too_much .

ever_since the early hours of_the morning, John had_been hard at work, sending telegrams -- one_of_the first had gone to Evelyn Howard -- writing notices for_the papers, and generally occupying himself with_the melancholy duties that a death entails .

" may I ask how things are proceeding ? '' he_said ." do your investigations point to my mother having died a natural death -- or -- or must we prepare ourselves for_the worst ? ''

" i_think, Mr Cavendish,'' said Poirot gravely, " that you_would do well not to buoy yourself up with any false hopes . can_you tell me the views of_the other members of_the family ? ''

" my brother Lawrence is convinced that we_are making a fuss over nothing . he_says that everything points to its being a simple case of heart failure .''

" he_does, does he ? that_is very interesting -- very interesting,'' murmured Poirot softly ." and Mrs Cavendish ? ''

a faint cloud passed over John's face .

" I_have_not the least idea what my wife's views on_the_subject are .''

the answer brought a momentary stiffness in its train .John broke the rather awkward silence by saying with a slight effort:

" i_told you, didn't I, that Mr Inglethorp has returned ? ''

Poirot bent his head .

" it's an awkward position for all of us . of_course one has_to treat him as usual -- but, hang it all, one's gorge does rise at sitting down to eat with a possible murderer ! ''

Poirot nodded sympathetically .

"I quite understand . it_is a very difficult situation for_you, Mr Cavendish . i_would like to ask_you one question .Mr Inglethorp's reason for not returning last night was, I believe, that he had forgotten the latch- key . is_not that so ? ''

" yes .''

"I suppose you_are quite_sure that_the latch- key was forgotten -- that he_did_not take it after all ? ''

" I_have no idea .I never thought of looking . we always keep it in_the hall drawer .I'll go and_see if_it's there now .''

Poirot held up his hand with a faint smile .

" no, no, Mr Cavendish, it_is too late now . I_am certain that you_would find it . if Mr Inglethorp did take it, he has had ample time to replace it by now .''

" but do_you_think -- -- ''

" i_think nothing . if anyone had chanced to look this_morning before his return, and seen it there, it would_have_been a valuable point in_his favour . that_is all .''

John looked perplexed .

" do_not worry,'' said Poirot smoothly ."I assure you that you_need not let it trouble you . since you_are so kind, let_us go and_have some breakfast .''

every_one was assembled in_the dining- room . under the circumstances, we were naturally not a cheerful party . the reaction after a shock is always trying, and i_think we were all suffering from_it . decorum and good breeding naturally enjoined that_our demeanour should_be much as usual, yet I_could_not help wondering if_this self- control were really a matter of great difficulty . there were no red eyes, no signs of secretly indulged grief . I_felt that i_was right in my opinion that Dorcas was_the person most affected by_the personal side of_the tragedy .

I pass over Alfred Inglethorp, who acted the bereaved widower in a manner that I_felt to_be disgusting in its hypocrisy . did he know that we suspected him, I wondered . surely he_could_not be unaware of_the fact, conceal it as we_would . did he feel some secret stirring of fear, or was he confident that his crime would go unpunished ? surely the suspicion in_the atmosphere must warn him that he_was already a marked man .

but did every_one suspect him ? what about Mrs Cavendish ? I watched her as she sat at_the head of_the table, graceful, composed, enigmatic . in her soft grey frock, with white ruffles at_the wrists falling over her slender hands, she looked very beautiful . when she chose, however, her face could_be sphinx- like in its inscrutability . she was very silent, hardly opening her lips, and yet in some queer way I_felt that_the great strength of her personality was dominating us all .

and little Cynthia ? did she suspect ? she looked very tired and ill, i_thought . the heaviness and languor of her manner were very marked .I asked her if she were feeling ill, and she answered frankly:

" yes, I've got the most beastly headache .''

" have another cup of coffee, mademoiselle ? '' said Poirot solicitously ." it_will revive you . it_is unparalleled for_the mal de tête .'' he jumped up and took her cup .

" no sugar,'' said Cynthia, watching him, as he picked up the sugar- tongs .

" no sugar ? you abandon it in_the war- time, eh ? ''

" no, I never take it in coffee .''

"Sacré ! '' murmured Poirot to himself, as he brought back the replenished cup .

only I heard him, and glancing up curiously at_the little man I_saw that his face was working with suppressed excitement, and_his eyes were as green as acat's . he had heard or seen something that had affected him strongly -- but what_was it ? I_do_not usually label myself as dense, but I_must confess that nothing out_of_the ordinary had attracted myattention .

in another moment, the door opened and Dorcas appeared .

" Mr Wells to_see you, sir,'' she said to John .

I remembered the name as being that of_the lawyer to_whom Mrs Inglethorp had written the night before .

John rose immediately .

" show him into my study .'' then he turned to_us ." my mother's lawyer,'' he explained . and in a lower voice: " he_is also coroner -- you understand . perhaps you_would like to_come with me ? ''

we acquiesced and followed him out_of_the room .John strode on ahead and i_took the opportunity of whispering to Poirot:

" there_will_be an inquest then ? ''

Poirot nodded absently . he_seemed absorbed in thought; so_much so_that my curiosity was aroused .

" what_is it ? you_are_not attending to what I_say .''

" it_is true, my friend . I_am much worried .''

" why ? ''

" because Mademoiselle Cynthia does_not take sugar in her coffee .''

" what ? you_cannot be serious ? ''

" but I_am most serious .Ah, there_is something there that I_do_not understand . my instinct was right .''

" what instinct ? ''

" the instinct that led me to insist on examining those coffee-cups .Chut ! no more now ! ''

we followed John into his study, and he closed the door behind us .

Mr Wells was a pleasant man of middle- age, with keen eyes, and_the typical lawyer's mouth .John introduced us both, and explained the reason of_our presence .

" you_will understand, Wells,'' he added, " that_this_is all strictly private . we_are still hoping that there_will turn out to_be no need for investigation of any kind .''

" quite so, quite so,'' said Mr Wells soothingly ." i_wish we_could_have spared you the pain and publicity of an inquest, but of_course it's quite unavoidable in_the absence of a doctor's certificate .''

" yes, I suppose so .''

" clever man, Bauerstein . great authority on toxicology, I believe .''

" indeed,'' said John with a certain stiffness in_his manner . then he added rather hesitatingly: " shall we_have to appear as witnesses -- all of us, I mean ? ''

" you, of_course -- and ah -- er -- Mr -- er -- Inglethorp .''

a slight pause ensued before_the lawyer went on in_his soothing manner:

" any_other evidence will_be simply confirmatory, amere matter of form .''

" I_see .''

a faint expression of relief swept over John's face . it puzzled me, for I_saw no occasion for_it .

" if_you_know of nothing to_the contrary,'' pursued Mr Wells, "I had thought of Friday . that_will give_us plenty of_time for_the doctor's report . the post-mortem is to_take place to- night, I believe ? ''

" yes .''

" then that arrangement will suit you ? ''

" perfectly .''

" I_need not tell you, my dear Cavendish, how distressed I_am at_this most tragic affair .''

" can_you_give_us no help in solving it, monsieur ? '' interposed Poirot, speaking for_the first time since we had entered the room .

"I ? ''

" yes, we heard that Mrs Inglethorp wrote to_you last night . you_should_have received the letter this_morning .''

" I_did, but it contains no information . it_is merely a note asking me to_call upon her this_morning, as she wanted my advice on a matter of great importance .''

" she gave_you no hint as_to what that matter might_be ? ''

" unfortunately, no .''

" that_is a pity,'' said John .

"A great pity,'' agreed Poirot gravely .

there_was silence .Poirot remained lost in thought for_a_few_minutes . finally he turned to_the lawyer again .

" Mr Wells, there_is one_thing i_should like to ask_you -- that_is, if it_is_not against professional etiquette . in_the event of Mrs Inglethorp's death, who_would inherit her money ? ''

the lawyer hesitated a moment, and then replied:

" the knowledge will_be public property very_soon, so if Mr Cavendish does_not object -- -- ''

" not at all,'' interpolated John .

" I_do_not_see any reason why I should_not answer your question . by her last will, dated August of last year, after various unimportant legacies to servants, etc ., she gave her entire fortune to her stepson, Mr John Cavendish .''

" was not that -- pardon the question, Mr Cavendish -- rather unfair to her other stepson, Mr Lawrence Cavendish ? ''

" no, I_do_not_think so . you_see, under the terms of_their father's will, while John inherited the property, Lawrence, at his stepmother's death, would come into a considerable sum of money .Mrs Inglethorp left her money to her elder stepson, knowing that he_would_have to_keep up Styles . it_was, to my mind, a very fair and equitable distribution .''

Poirot nodded thoughtfully .

" I_see . but I_am right in saying, am I not, that by your English law that_will was automatically revoked when Mrs Inglethorp remarried ? ''

Mr Wells bowed his head .

" as i_was about to_proceed, Monsieur Poirot, that document is now null and void .''

"Hein ! '' said Poirot . he reflected for a moment, and then asked: " was Mrs Inglethorp herself aware of_that fact ? ''

" I_do_not know . she may have_been .''

" she was,'' said John unexpectedly ." we were discussing the matter of wills being revoked by marriage only yesterday .''

"Ah ! one more question, Mr Wells . you say ' her last will .' had Mrs Inglethorp, then, made several former wills ? ''

" on an average, she made a new will at_least once a year,'' said Mr Wells imperturbably ." she was given to changing her mind as_to her testamentary dispositions, now benefiting one, now another member of her family .''

" suppose,'' suggested Poirot, " that, unknown to_you, she had made a new will in favour of some one who was not, in any sense of_the word, a member of_the family -- we_will say miss Howard, for instance -- would you be surprised ? ''

" not in_the least .''

"Ah ! '' Poirot seemed to_have exhausted his questions .

I drew close to him, while John and_the lawyer were debating the question of going through Mrs Inglethorp's papers .

" do_you_think Mrs Inglethorp made a will leaving all her money to miss Howard ? '' I asked in a low voice, with some curiosity .

Poirot smiled .

" no .''

" then why did you ask ? ''

" hush ! ''

John Cavendish had turned to Poirot .

" will_you come with_us, Monsieur Poirot ? we_are going through my mother's papers .Mr Inglethorp is quite willing to leave it entirely to Mr Wells and myself .''

" which simplifies matters very_much,'' murmured the lawyer ." as technically, of_course, he_was entitled -- -- '' he_did_not finish the sentence .

" we_will look through_the desk in_the boudoir first,'' explained John, " and go up_to her bedroom afterwards . she kept her most important papers in a purple despatch- case, which we_must look through carefully .''

" yes,'' said the lawyer, " it_is quite possible that there_may_be a later will than_the one in my possession .''

" there_is a later will .'' it_was Poirot who spoke .

" what ? '' John and_the lawyer looked at him startled .

" or, rather,'' pursued my friend imperturbably, " there_was one .''

" what do_you_mean -- there_was one ? where is_it now ? ''

"Burnt ! ''

"Burnt ? ''

" yes . see here .'' he_took out the charred fragment we had found in_the grate in Mrs Inglethorp's room, and handed it to_the lawyer with a brief explanation of when and where he had found it .

" but possibly this_is an old will ? ''

" I_do_not_think so . in_fact I_am almost certain that_it_was made no earlier than yesterday afternoon .''

" what ? '' " impossible ! '' broke simultaneously from both men .

Poirot turned to John .

" if_you_will allow me to send for your gardener,

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