the mysterious Affair at Styles chapter 7 Poirot pays his debts

as_we came out_of_the Stylites Arms, Poirot drew me aside by a gentle pressure of_the arm .I understood his object . he_was waiting for_the Scotland yard men .

in a few_moments, they emerged, and Poirot at once stepped forward, and accosted the shorter of_the two .

" I_fear you_do_not remember me, inspector Japp .''

" why, if_it isn't Mr Poirot ! '' cried the inspector . he turned to_the other man ." you've heard me speak of Mr Poirot ? it_was in 1904 he and I worked together -- the Abercrombie forgery case -- you remember, he_was run down in Brussels .Ah, those were great days, moosier . then, do_you remember ' baron' Altara ? there_was a pretty rogue for_you ! he eluded the clutches of half the police in Europe . but we nailed him in Antwerp -- thanks to Mr Poirot here .''

as_these friendly reminiscences were being indulged in, I drew nearer, and was introduced to detective- inspector Japp, who, in_his turn, introduced us both to_his companion, superintendent Summerhaye .

" I_need hardly ask what you_are doing here, gentlemen,'' remarked Poirot .

Japp closed one eye knowingly .

" no, indeed . pretty clear case i_should say .''

but Poirot answered gravely:

" there I differ from_you .''

"Oh, come ! '' said Summerhaye, opening his lips for_the first time ." surely the whole thing is clear as daylight . the man's caught red- handed . how he_could be such a fool beats me ! ''

but Japp was looking attentively at Poirot .

" hold your fire, Summerhaye,'' he remarked jocularly ." me and Moosier here have met before -- and there's no man's judgment I'd sooner take than his . if I'm not greatly mistaken, he's got something up his sleeve .Isn't that so, moosier ? ''

Poirot smiled .

" I_have drawn certain conclusions -- yes .''

Summerhaye was still looking rather sceptical, but Japp continued his scrutiny of Poirot .

" it's this_way,'' he_said, " so_far, we've only seen the case from_the outside . that's where the yard's at a disadvantage in a case of_this kind, where the murder's only out, so to_speak, after_the inquest .alot depends on being on_the spot first thing, and_that's where Mr Poirot's had the start of us . we shouldn't have_been here as_soon_as this even, if_it hadn't been for_the fact that there_was a smart doctor on_the spot, who gave_us the tip through_the coroner . but you've been on_the spot from_the first, and you_may_have picked up some little hints . from_the evidence at_the inquest, Mr Inglethorp murdered his wife as sure as I stand here, and if anyone but you hinted the contrary I'd laugh in_his face . I_must say i_was surprised the jury didn't bring it in Wilful murder against him right off . i_think they_would_have, if_it hadn't been for_the coroner -- he_seemed to_be holding them back .''

" perhaps, though, you_have a warrant for_his arrest in your pocket now,'' suggested Poirot .

a kind of wooden shutter of officialdom came down from Japp's expressive countenance .

" perhaps I_have, and perhaps I haven't,'' he remarked dryly .

Poirot looked at him thoughtfully .

" I_am very anxious, Messieurs, that he should_not_be arrested .''

"I dare say,'' observed Summerhaye sarcastically .

Japp was regarding Poirot with comical perplexity .

" can't you go a little further, Mr Poirot ? a wink's as good as a nod -- from_you . you've been on_the spot -- and_the yard doesn't want to_make any mistakes, you_know .''

Poirot nodded gravely .

" that_is exactly what i_thought . well, i_will tell you this . use your warrant: arrest Mr Inglethorp . but it_will bring you no kudos -- the case against him will_be dismissed at once ! Comme ? a! '' and he snapped his fingers expressively .

Japp's face grew grave, though Summerhaye gave an incredulous snort .

as for_me, i_was literally dumb with astonishment . I_could only conclude that Poirot was mad .

Japp had taken out a handkerchief, and was gently dabbing his brow .

"I daren't do_it, Mr Poirot .I'd take your word, but there's others over me who'll be asking what the devil I mean by_it . can't you give_me a little more to_go on ? ''

Poirot reflected a moment .

" it can_be_done,'' he_said at last ."I admit I_do_not wish it . it forces my hand . i_would_have preferred to work in_the dark just for_the_present, but what you say is very just -- the word of a Belgian policeman, whose day is past, is_not enough ! and Alfred Inglethorp must not be arrested . that I_have sworn, as my friend Hastings here knows . see, then, my good Japp, you go at once to Styles ? ''

" well, in about half an hour . we're seeing the coroner and_the doctor first .''

" good . call for_me in passing -- the last house in_the village . i_will go with_you . at Styles, Mr Inglethorp will give_you, or if he refuses -- as is probable -- i_will give_you such proofs that shall satisfy you that_the case against him could_not possibly be sustained . is_that a bargain ? ''

" that's a bargain,'' said Japp heartily ." and, on_behalf of_the yard, I'm much obliged to_you, though I'm bound to confess I_can't at present see the faintest possible loop- hole in_the evidence, but you always were a marvel ! so_long, then, moosier .''

the two detectives strode away, Summerhaye with an incredulous grin on_his face .

" well, my friend,'' cried Poirot, before I_could get in a word, " what do_you_think ? Mon Dieu ! I had some warm moments in_that court; I_did_not figure to myself that_the man would_be so Pig- headed as_to refuse to_say anything at all . decidedly, it was_the policy of an imbecile .''

"H'm ! there_are other explanations besides that of imbecility,'' I remarked ." for, if_the case against him is true, how could he defend himself except by silence ? ''

" why, in a thousand ingenious ways,'' cried Poirot ." see; say that_it_is I who_have committed this murder, I_can think of seven most plausible stories ! far more convincing than Mr Inglethorp's stony denials ! ''

I_could_not help laughing .

" my dear Poirot, I_am_sure you_are capable of thinking of seventy ! but, seriously, in_spite of what I heard you say to_the detectives, you surely cannot still believe in_the possibility of Alfred Inglethorp's innocence ? ''

" why_not now as_much as before ? nothing has changed .''

" but the evidence is so conclusive .''

" yes, too conclusive .''

we turned in at_the gate of Leastways cottage, and proceeded up the now familiar stairs .

" yes, yes, too conclusive,'' continued Poirot, almost to himself ." real evidence is usually vague and unsatisfactory . it has_to be examined -- sifted . but here the whole thing is cut and dried . no, my friend, this evidence has_been very cleverly manufactured -- so cleverly that_it has defeated its own ends .''

" how do_you make that out ? ''

" because, so_long as_the evidence against him was vague and intangible, it_was very hard to disprove . but, in_his anxiety, the criminal has drawn the net so closely that one cut will set Inglethorp free .''

i_was silent . and in a minute or two, Poirot continued:

" let_us look at_the matter like this . here_is a man, let_us_say, who sets out to poison his wife . he has lived by his wits as_the saying goes .Presumably, therefore, he has some wits . he_is_not altogether a fool . well, how does he set about_it ? he goes boldly to_the village chemist's and purchases strychnine under his own name, with a trumped up story about a dog which_is bound to_be proved absurd . he_does_not employ the poison that night . no, he waits until he has had a violent quarrel with her, of_which the whole household is cognisant, and which naturally directs their suspicions upon him . he prepares no defence -- no shadow of an alibi, yet he_knows the chemist's assistant must necessarily come forward with_the facts .Bah ! do_not ask me to_believe that any man could_be so idiotic ! only a lunatic, who wished to commit suicide by causing himself to_be hanged, would act so ! ''

" still -- I_do_not_see -- '' I began .

" neither do I_see .I tell you, mon ami, it puzzles me . me -- Hercule Poirot ! ''

" but if_you believe him innocent, how do_you explain his buying the strychnine ? ''

" very simply . he_did_not buy it .''

" but Mace recognized him ! ''

"I beg your pardon, he_saw a man with a black beard like Mr Inglethorp's, and wearing glasses like Mr Inglethorp, and dressed in Mr Inglethorp's rather noticeable clothes . he_could_not recognize a man whom he had probably only seen in_the distance, since, you remember, he himself had only been in_the village a fortnight, and Mrs Inglethorp dealt principally with coot's in Tadminster .''

" then you_think -- -- ''

"Mon ami, do_you remember the two points I laid stress upon ? leave the first one for_the moment, what_was the second ? ''

" the important fact that Alfred Inglethorp wears peculiar clothes, has a black beard, and uses glasses,'' I quoted .

" exactly . now suppose anyone wished to_pass himself off as John or Lawrence Cavendish . would it be easy ? ''

" no,'' I_said thoughtfully ." of_course an actor -- -- ''

but Poirot cut me short ruthlessly .

" and why would it not be easy ? i_will tell you, my friend: because they_are both clean-shaven men . to_make up successfully as one_of_these two in broad daylight, it would need an actor of genius, and a certain initial facial resemblance . but in_the case of Alfred Inglethorp, all that_is changed . his clothes, his beard, the glasses which hide his eyes -- those are the salient points about his personal appearance . now, what_is the first instinct of_the criminal ? to divert suspicion from himself, is_it not so ? and how can he best do_that ? by throwing it on some one else . in_this instance, there_was a man ready to_his hand . everybody was predisposed to_believe in Mr Inglethorp's guilt . it_was a foregone conclusion that he_would_be suspected; but, to_make it a sure thing there_must_be tangible proof -- such as_the actual buying of_the poison, and_that, with a man of_the peculiar appearance of Mr Inglethorp, was not difficult . remember, this young Mace had never actually spoken to Mr Inglethorp . how should he doubt that_the man in_his clothes, with_his beard and_his glasses, was not Alfred Inglethorp ? ''

" it may_be so,'' I_said, fascinated by Poirot's eloquence ." but, if_that was_the case, why does he not say where he_was at six o'clock on Monday evening ? ''

"Ah, why indeed ? '' said Poirot, calming down ." if he were arrested, he probably would speak, but I_do_not want it to_come to_that . I_must make him see the gravity of_his position . there_is, of_course, something discreditable behind his silence . if he_did_not murder his wife, he_is, nevertheless, a scoundrel, and has something of_his own to conceal, quite apart from_the murder .''

" what can it be ? '' I mused, won over to Poirot's views for_the moment, although still retaining a faint conviction that_the obvious deduction was_the correct one .

" can_you not guess ? '' asked Poirot, smiling .

" no, can_you ? ''

"Oh, yes, I had a little idea sometime ago -- and it has turned out to_be correct .''

" you never told me,'' I_said reproachfully .

Poirot spread out his hands apologetically .

" pardon me, mon ami, you were_not precisely sympathique .'' he turned to_me earnestly ." tell me -- you_see now that he_must not be arrested ? ''

" perhaps,'' I_said doubtfully, for i_was really quite indifferent to_the fate of Alfred Inglethorp, and thought that a good fright would do him no harm .

Poirot, who was watching me intently, gave a sigh .

" come, my friend,'' he_said, changing the subject, " apart from Mr Inglethorp, how did the evidence at_the inquest strike you ? ''

"Oh, pretty much what I expected .''

" did nothing strike you as peculiar about_it ? ''

my thoughts flew to Mary Cavendish, and I hedged:

" in what way ? ''

" well, Mr Lawrence Cavendish's evidence for instance ? ''

i_was relieved .

"Oh, Lawrence ! no, I don't think so . he's always a nervous chap .''

" his suggestion that his mother might_have_been poisoned accidentally by_means of_the tonic she was taking, that did_not strike you as strange -- hein ? ''

" no, I_can't say it did . the doctors ridiculed it of_course . but it_was quite a natural suggestion for a layman to_make .''

" but Monsieur Lawrence is_not a layman . you told me yourself that he had started by studying medicine, and_that he had taken his degree .''

" yes, that's true .I never thought of_that .'' i_was rather startled ." it_is odd .''

Poirot nodded .

" from_the first, his behaviour has_been peculiar . of all the household, he alone would_be likely to recognize the symptoms of strychnine poisoning, and yet we_find him the only member of_the family to uphold strenuously the theory of death from natural causes . if_it had_been Monsieur John, I_could_have understood it . he has no technical knowledge, and_is by nature unimaginative . but Monsieur Lawrence -- no ! and now, to- day, he puts forward a suggestion that he himself must_have known was ridiculous . there_is food for thought in_this, mon ami ! ''

" it's very confusing,'' I agreed .

" then there_is Mrs Cavendish,'' continued Poirot ." that's another who_is_not telling all she knows ! what do_you make of her attitude ? ''

"I don't know what to_make of it . it seems inconceivable that she should_be shielding Alfred Inglethorp . yet that_is what it looks like .''

Poirot nodded reflectively .

" yes, it_is queer . one_thing is certain, she overheard a good_deal more of_that ' private conversation' than she was willing to admit .''

" and yet she is_the last person one would accuse of stooping to eavesdrop ! ''

" exactly . one_thing her evidence has shown me . I_made a mistake .Dorcas was quite right . the quarrel did take place earlier in_the afternoon, about four o'clock, as she said .''

I looked at him curiously .I had never understood his insistence on_that point .

" yes, a good_deal that was peculiar came out to- day,'' continued Poirot ."Dr .Bauerstein, now, what_was he doing up and dressed at_that hour in_the morning ? it_is astonishing to_me that no one commented on_the fact .''

" he has insomnia, I believe,'' I_said doubtfully .

" which_is a very_good, or a very bad explanation,'' remarked Poirot ." it covers everything, and explains nothing . I_shall keep my eye on_our clever Dr .Bauerstein .''

" any more faults to_find with_the evidence ? '' I inquired satirically .

"Mon ami,'' replied Poirot gravely, " when_you find that people are_not telling you the truth -- look out ! now, unless I_am much mistaken, at_the inquest to- day only_one -- at most, two persons were speaking the truth without reservation or subterfuge .''

"Oh, come now, Poirot ! I won't cite Lawrence, or Mrs Cavendish . but there's John -- and miss Howard, surely they were speaking the truth ? ''

" both of_them, my friend ? one, I grant you, but both -- -- ! ''

his words gave_me an unpleasant shock . miss Howard's evidence, unimportant as it_was, had_been given in_such a downright straightforward manner that_it had never occurred to_me to doubt her sincerity . still, I had a great respect for Poirot's sagacity -- except on_the occasions when he_was what I described to myself as " foolishly Pig- headed .''

" do_you really think so ? '' I asked ." miss Howard had always seemed to_me so essentially honest -- almost uncomfortably so .''

Poirot gave_me a curious look, which I_could_not quite fathom . he_seemed to_speak, and then checked himself .

" miss Murdoch too,'' I continued, " there's nothing untruthful about her .''

" no . but it_was strange that she never heard a sound, sleeping next door; whereas Mrs Cavendish, in_the other wing of_the building, distinctly heard the table fall .''

" well, she's young . and she sleeps soundly .''

"Ah, yes, indeed ! she_must be a famous sleeper, that one ! ''

I_did_not quite like the tone of_his voice, but at_that moment a smart knock reached our ears, and looking out_of_the window we perceived the two detectives waiting for_us below .

Poirot seized his hat, gave a ferocious twist to_his moustache, and, carefully brushing an imaginary speck of dust from_his sleeve, motioned me to precede him down the stairs; there we joined the detectives and set out for Styles .

i_think the appearance of_the two Scotland yard men was rather a shock -- especially to John, though of_course after_the verdict, he had realized that_it_was only a matter of_time . still, the presence of_the detectives brought the truth home to him more than anything else could_have done .

Poirot had conferred with Japp in a low tone on_the way up, and it was_the latter functionary who requested that_the household, with_the exception of_the servants, should_be assembled together in_the drawing- room .I realized the significance of_this . it_was up_to Poirot to_make his boast good .

personally, i_was not sanguine .Poirot might_have excellent reasons for_his belief in Inglethorp's innocence, but a man of_the type of Summerhaye would require tangible proofs, and these I doubted if Poirot could supply .

before very long we had all trooped into_the drawing- room, the door of_which Japp closed .Poirot politely set chairs for every_one . the Scotland yard men were the cynosure of all eyes . i_think that for_the first time we realized that_the thing was not a bad dream, but a tangible reality . we had read of_such things -- now we ourselves were actors in_the drama . to- morrow the daily papers, all over England, would blazon out the news in staring headlines:

" mysterious tragedy in ESSEX'' " wealthy lady poisoned''

there would_be pictures of Styles, snap-shots of " the family leaving the inquest'' -- the village photographer had_not_been idle ! all the things that one had read a hundred times -- things that happen to other people, not to oneself . and now, in_this house, a murder had_been committed . in front of us were " the detectives in charge of_the case .'' the well- known glib phraseology passed rapidly through my mind in_the interval before Poirot opened the proceedings .

i_think every_one was a little surprised that_it should_be he and not one_of_the official detectives who took the initiative .

"Mesdames and messieurs,'' said Poirot, bowing as_though he were a celebrity about to deliver a lecture, " I_have asked you to_come here all together, for a certain object . that object, it concerns Mr Alfred Inglethorp .''

Inglethorp was sitting a little by himself -- i_think, unconsciously, every_one had drawn his chair slightly away from_him -- and he_gave a faint start as Poirot pronounced his name .

" Mr Inglethorp,'' said Poirot, addressing him directly, "a very dark shadow is resting on_this house -- the shadow of murder .''

Inglethorp shook his head sadly .

" my poor wife,'' he murmured ." poor Emily ! it_is terrible .''

" I_do_not_think, monsieur,'' said Poirot pointedly, " that you quite realize how terrible it may_be -- for_you .'' and as Inglethorp did_not appear to understand, he added: " Mr Inglethorp, you_are standing in very grave danger .''

the two detectives fidgeted . I_saw the official caution " anything you say will_be used in evidence against you,'' actually hovering on Summerhaye's lips .Poirot went on .

" do_you understand now, monsieur ? ''

" no; what do_you_mean ? ''

"I mean,'' said Poirot deliberately, " that you_are suspected of poisoning your wife .''

a little gasp ran round the circle at_this plain speaking .

" good heavens ! '' cried Inglethorp, starting up ." what a monstrous idea ! I -- poison my dearest Emily ! ''

" I_do_not_think'' -- Poirot watched him narrowly -- " that you quite realize the unfavourable nature of your evidence at_the inquest .Mr Inglethorp, knowing what I_have now told you, do_you still refuse to_say where you were at six o'clock on Monday afternoon ? ''

with a groan, Alfred Inglethorp sank down again and buried his face in_his hands .Poirot approached and stood over him .

" speak ! '' he cried menacingly .

with an effort, Inglethorp raised his face from_his hands . then, slowly and deliberately, he shook his head .

" you_will_not speak ? ''

" no . I_do_not believe that anyone could_be so monstrous as_to accuse me of what you say .''

Poirot nodded thoughtfully, like a man whose mind is made up .

"Soit ! '' he_said ." then I_must speak for_you .''

Alfred Inglethorp sprang up again .

" you ? how can_you speak ? you_do_not know -- -- '' he broke off abruptly .

Poirot turned to_face us ."Mesdames and messieurs ! I speak ! listen ! I, Hercule Poirot, affirm that_the man who entered the chemist's shop, and purchased strychnine at six o'clock on Monday last was not Mr Inglethorp, for at six o'clock on_that_day Mr Inglethorp was escorting Mrs Raikes back to her home from aneighbouring farm . I_can produce no less_than five witnesses to swear to having seen them together, either at six or just after and, as_you_may know, the abbey farm, Mrs Raikes's home, is at_least two and a half miles distant from_the village . there_is absolutely no question as_to_the alibi ! ''