11. The case for the prosecution by Agatha Christie

11. The case for the prosecution by Agatha Christie
Section [1 | 2]

words: "

erything

Ing

placed

favour

Japp

recovered

but sir Ernest 's cross - examination was yet to_come

" what day was_it when_you searched the prisoner 's room ? ''

" Tuesday , the 24th July ''

" exactly week after_the tragedy ? ''

" yes ''

" you found these two objects, you say , in_the chest drawers was_the drawer unlocked ? ''

" yes ''

"Does not strike you unlikely that man who had committed crime should keep the evidence unlocked drawer for anyone to_find ? ''

" he_might_have stowed them there hurry ''

" but you_have just said it_was whole week since_the crime he_would_have had ample time remove them and destroy them ''

" perhaps ''

" there_is perhaps about_it would , would not have_had plenty of_time remove and destroy them ? ''

" yes ''

" was_the pile underclothes under which the things were hidden heavy light ? ''

"Heavyish ''

" other words, it_was winter underclothing obviously , the prisoner would_not_be likely to_go to_that drawer ? ''

" perhaps not ''

" kindly answer question would the prisoner , in_the hottest week hot summer , likely to_go drawer containing winter underclothing yes , ? ''

" ''

" in_that case , is_it not possible that_the articles in_question might_have_been put there third person , and_that the prisoner was quite unaware of_their presence ? ''

"I should_not think likely ''

" but it_is possible ? ''

" yes ''

" that_is all ''

more evidence followed as_to_the financial difficulties in_which_the prisoner had found himself at_the end July to_his intrigue with Mrs Raikes -- poor Mary, that must_have been bitter hearing for woman her pride Evelyn Howard had_been right her facts, though her animosity against Alfred Inglethorp had caused her jump to_the conclusion that was_the person concerned

Lawrence Cavendish was then put into_the box low voice , answer Mr Philips' questions, denied having ordered anything from Parkson's June in_fact , June 29th, had_been staying away , Wales

instantly , sir Ernest 's chin was shooting pugnaciously forward

" you deny having ordered black beard from Parkson's June 29th ? ''

" I_do ''

"Ah ! in_the event anything happening your brother , who_will inherit Styles court ? ''

the brutality of_the question called flush Lawrence 's pale face the judge gave vent faint murmur disapprobation , and_the prisoner in_the dock leant forward angrily

Heavywether cared nothing for_his client 's anger

" answer question , if_you please ''

"I suppose ,'' said Lawrence quietly , " that i_should ''

" what do_you_mean by_you ' suppose ' ? your brother has children you_would inherit , wouldn't you ? ''

" yes ''

"Ah, that 's better ,'' said Heavywether, with ferocious geniality " and you 'd inherit good slice money too , wouldn't you ? ''

" really , sir Ernest ,'' protested the judge , " these questions are_not relevant ''

sir Ernest bowed , and having shot his proceeded

" Tuesday , the 17th July , you went , I believe , with another guest , visit the dispensary at_the red cross hospital Tadminster ? ''

" yes ''

" did you -- while you happened to_be alone for few seconds -- unlock the poison cupboard , and examine some_of_the bottles ? ''

"I -- I -- may have_done ''

"I put to_you that you_did do_so ? ''

" yes ''

sir Ernest fairly shot the next question him

" did you examine one bottle in_particular ? ''

" , I_do_not_think ''

" careful , Mr Cavendish I_am referring little bottle Hydro- chloride strychnine ''

Lawrence was turning sickly greenish colour

"N -- o -- I_am_sure I didn't ''

" then how do_you account for_the fact that you left the unmistakable impress your finger -prints on_it ? ''

the bullying manner was highly efficacious with nervous disposition

"I -- I suppose I_must_have taken the bottle ''

"I suppose too ! did you abstract any of_the contents of_the bottle ? ''

" certainly not ''

" then why did you take ? ''

"I once studied to_be doctor such things naturally interest ''

"Ah ! poisons ' naturally interest ' you , they ? still , you waited to_be alone before gratifying that ' ' yours ? ''

" that was pure chance if_the others had_been there , i_should_have done just the same ''

" still , happens, the others were_not there ? ''

" , but -- -- ''

" in_fact , during the whole afternoon , you were only alone for couple minutes, and happened -- I_say , -- to_be during those two minutes that you displayed your ' natural interest ' Hydro- chloride strychnine ? ''

Lawrence stammered pitiably

"I -- I -- -- ''

with satisfied and expressive countenance , sir Ernest observed :

" I_have nothing more ask_you , Mr Cavendish ''

this bit cross - examination had caused great excitement court the heads of_the many fashionably attired women present were busily laid together , and their whispers became loud that_the judge angrily threatened to_have the court cleared there_was not immediate silence

there_was little more evidence the hand -writing experts were called upon for their opinion of_the signature " Alfred Inglethorp'' in_the chemist 's poison register they all declared unanimously that_it_was certainly not his hand -writing, and gave their view that_it might_be that of_the prisoner disguised cross - examined , they admitted that_it the 's hand -writing cleverly counterfeited

sir Ernest Heavywether's speech opening the case for_the defence was not long one , but it_was backed by_the full force of_his emphatic manner never , he_said , in_the course of_his long experience , had known charge murder rest slighter evidence not_only was_it entirely circumstantial , but the greater part it_was practically unproved let them take_the testimony they had heard and sift impartially the strychnine had_been found drawer in_the prisoner 's room that drawer was unlocked one , had pointed out , and submitted that there_was evidence to_prove that_it_was the who had concealed the poison there it_was , in_fact , wicked and malicious attempt on_the_part some third person fix the crime on_the prisoner the prosecution had_been unable to_produce shred support of_their contention that_it_was the who ordered the black beard from Parkson's the quarrel which had taken place between and_his stepmother was freely admitted , but both and_his financial embarrassments had_been grossly exaggerated

his learned friend -- sir Ernest nodded carelessly Mr Philips -- had stated that if_the prisoner were innocent man , he_would_have come forward at_the inquest explain that_it_was , and not Mr Inglethorp, who had_been the participator in_the quarrel thought the facts misrepresented what had actually occurred was_this the , returning to_the house Tuesday evening , authoritatively told that there violent quarrel between Mr and Mrs Inglethorp suspicion had entered the prisoner 's head that anyone could possibly have mistaken his voice for_that Mr Inglethorp naturally concluded that his stepmother had had two quarrels

the prosecution averred that Monday , July 16th, the prisoner had entered the chemist 's shop in_the village , disguised Mr Inglethorp the , on_the contrary , was at_that_time lonely spot called Marston's spinney , where had_been summoned anonymous note , couched blackmailing terms , and threatening reveal certain matters to_his wife unless complied with its demands the prisoner had , accordingly , gone to_the appointed spot , and after waiting there vainly for half hour had returned home unfortunately , had met with one on_the way there back who_could vouch for_the truth of_his story , but luckily had kept the note , and would_be produced evidence

for_the statement relating to_the destruction of_the will , the prisoner had formerly practiced at_the bar , and was perfectly well aware that_the will made in_his favour year before was automatically revoked his stepmother 's remarriage he_would call evidence show who did destroy the will , and it_was possible that that might open quite new view of_the case

finally , he_would point out to_the jury that there_was evidence against other people besides John Cavendish direct their attention to_the fact that_the against Mr Lawrence Cavendish was quite strong , if_not stronger than that against his brother

he_would now call the prisoner

John acquitted himself well in_the witness - box under sir Ernest 's skilful handling, he_told his tale credibly and well the anonymous note received him was produced , and handed to_the jury examine the readiness with_which admitted his financial difficulties, and_the disagreement with_his stepmother , lent value to_his denials

at_the of_his examination , paused , and said :

" i_should like to_make one_thing clear I utterly reject and disapprove sir Ernest Heavywether's insinuations against brother brother , I_am convinced, had more to_do with_the crime than I_have ''

sir Ernest merely smiled , and noted with sharp eye that John's protest had produced very favourable impression on_the jury

then the cross - examination began

"I understand you to_say that_it never entered your head that_the witnesses at_the inquest could possibly have mistaken your voice for_that Mr Inglethorp is_not that very surprising ? ''

" , I don't think i_was told there had_been quarrel between mother and Mr Inglethorp, and never occurred to_me that such was not really the case ''

" not when_the servant Dorcas repeated certain fragments of_the conversation -- fragments which you_must_have recognized ? ''

" I_did_not recognize them ''

" your memory must_be unusually short ! ''

" , but were both angry , and , i_think , said more than meant I paid very little attention mother 's actual words ''

Mr Philips' incredulous sniff was triumph forensic skill passed to_the subject of_the note

" you_have produced this note very opportunely tell , is_there nothing familiar about_the hand -writing ? ''

" not that I_know ''

" do_you not think that_it bears marked resemblance your own hand -writing -- carelessly disguised ? ''

" , I_do_not_think ''

"I put to_you that_it_is your own hand -writing ! ''

" ''

"I put to_you that , anxious to_prove alibi , you conceived the idea fictitious and rather incredible appointment , and wrote this note yourself in_order bear out your statement ! ''

" ''

" is_it not fact that , at_the_time you claim to_have_been waiting about solitary and unfrequented spot , you were really in_the chemist 's shop Styles St Mary, where you purchased strychnine in_the name Alfred Inglethorp ? ''

" , that_is lie ''

"I put to_you that , wearing suit Mr Inglethorp's clothes , with black beard trimmed resemble his , you were there -- and signed the register in_his name ! ''

" that_is absolutely untrue ''

" then i_will leave the remarkable similarity hand -writing between_the note , the register , and your own , to_the consideration of_the jury ,'' said Mr Philips, and sat down with_the air man who has_done his duty , but who was nevertheless horrified such deliberate perjury

after_this , it_was growing late , the case was adjourned till Monday

Poirot, I noticed , was looking profoundly discouraged had that little frown between_the eyes that I_knew so_well

" what_is , Poirot ? '' I inquired

"Ah, mon ami, things are going badly , badly ''

in_spite myself , heart gave leap relief Evidently there_was likelihood John Cavendish being acquitted

when reached the house , little friend waved aside Mary's offer tea

" , i_thank_you , madame i_will mount room ''

I followed him still frowning, went across to_the desk and took out small pack patience cards then drew chair to_the table , and , utter amazement , began solemnly build card houses !

jaw dropped involuntarily , and he_said once :

" , mon ami, I_am not second childhood ! I steady nerves, that_is all this employment requires precision of_the fingers with of_the fingers goes of_the brain and never have I needed that more than now ! ''

" what_is the trouble ? '' I asked

with great thump on_the table , Poirot demolished his carefully built edifice

" is_this , mon ami ! that I_can build card houses seven stories high , but I_cannot '' -- thump -- " find '' -- thump -- " that last link of_which I spoke to_you ''

I_could_not quite tell what to_say , I held peace , and began slowly building the cards again , speaking jerks he_did

" it_is done -- ! placing -- one card -- another -- with mathematical -- precision ! ''

I watched the card house rising under his hands, story story never hesitated faltered it_was really almost like conjuring trick

" what steady hand you 've got ,'' I remarked "I believe I've only seen your hand shake once ''

" occasion when i_was enraged , without doubt ,'' observed Poirot, with great placidity

" yes indeed ! you were towering rage do_you remember ? it_was when_you discovered that_the lock of_the despatch- case Mrs Inglethorp's bedroom had_been forced you stood by_the mantel - piece , twiddling the things on_it your usual fashion , and your hand shook like leaf ! I_must say -- -- ''

but I stopped suddenly for Poirot, uttering hoarse and inarticulate cry , again annihilated his masterpiece cards, and putting his hands over his eyes swayed backwards and forwards, apparently suffering the keenest agony

" good heavens, Poirot ! '' I cried " what_is the matter ? are_you taken ill ? ''

" , ,'' gasped " it_is -- it_is -- that I_have idea ! ''

"Oh ! '' I exclaimed , much relieved " one your ' little ideas' ? ''

"Ah, foi, ! '' replied Poirot frankly " this_time it_is idea gigantic ! stupendous ! and you -- you , friend , have given to_me ! ''

suddenly clasping in_his arms, kissed warmly both cheeks, and before I had recovered from surprise ran headlong from_the room

Mary Cavendish entered at_that moment

" what_is the matter with Monsieur Poirot ? rushed past crying out : 'A garage ! for_the love heaven , direct garage , madame ! ' and , before I_could answer , had dashed out into_the street ''