5. It isnt strychnine, is it? by Agatha Christie
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.You observed that_it had apiece of twisted wire through_the handle .That suggested to_me at once that_it had possibly been wrenched off aflimsy key-ring .Now, if_it had_been lost and recovered, Mrs Inglethorp would at once have replaced it on her bunch; but on her bunch I_found what_was obviously the duplicate key, very new and bright, which led me to_the hypothesis that somebody else had inserted the original key in_the lock of_the despatch-case .''

"Yes,'' I_said, "Alfred Inglethorp, without doubt .''

Poirot looked at me curiously .

" you_are very sure of_his guilt ? ''

"Well, naturally .Every fresh circumstance seems to establish it more clearly .''

" on_the contrary,'' said Poirot quietly, " there_are several points in_his favour .''

"Oh, come now ! ''

"Yes .''

" I_see only_one .''

" and_that ? ''

"That he_was not in_the house last night .''

" 'Bad shot ! ' as_you English say ! you_have chosen the one point that to my mind tells against him .''

"How is_that ? ''

"Because if Mr Inglethorp knew that his wife would_be poisoned last night, he_would certainly have arranged to_be away from_the house .His excuse was an obviously trumped up one .That leaves us two possibilities: either he_knew what_was going to happen or he had areason of_his own for_his absence .''

" and_that reason ? '' I asked sceptically .

Poirot shrugged his shoulders .

"How should I_know ? Discreditable, without doubt .This Mr Inglethorp, i_should say, is somewhat of ascoundrel -- but that_does_not of necessity make him amurderer .''

I shook my head, unconvinced .

" we_do_not agree, eh ? '' said Poirot ."Well, let_us leave it .Time will show which of us is right .Now let_us turn to other aspects of_the case .What do_you make of_the fact that all the doors of_the bedroom were bolted on_the inside ? ''

"Well -- -- '' I considered ."One must look at it logically .''

"True .''

" i_should put it this_way .The doors were bolted -- our own eyes have told us that -- yet the presence of_the candle grease on_the floor, and_the destruction of_the will, prove that during the night some one entered the room .You agree so_far ? ''

"Perfectly .Put with admirable clearness .Proceed .''

"Well,'' I_said, encouraged, " as_the person who entered did_not do_so by_the window, nor by miraculous means, it follows that_the door must have_been opened from inside by Mrs Inglethorp herself .That strengthens the conviction that_the person in_question was her husband . she_would naturally open the door to her own husband .''

Poirot shook his head .

"Why should she ? She had bolted the door leading into his room -- amost unusual proceeding on her part -- she had had amost violent quarrel with_him that very afternoon .No, he was_the last person she_would admit .''

"But you agree with me that_the door must have_been opened by Mrs Inglethorp herself ? ''

" there_is another possibility .She may_have forgotten to bolt the door into_the passage when she went to bed, and_have got up later, towards morning, and bolted it then .''

"Poirot, is_that seriously your opinion ? ''

"No, I_do_not_say it_is so, but it might_be .Now, to_turn to another feature, what do_you make of_the scrap of conversation you overheard between Mrs Cavendish and her mother-in-law ? ''

"I had forgotten that,'' I_said thoughtfully ." that_is as enigmatical as ever .It seems incredible that awoman like Mrs Cavendish, proud and reticent to_the last degree, should interfere so violently in what_was certainly not her affair .''

"Precisely . it_was an astonishing thing for awoman of her breeding to_do .''

" it_is certainly curious,'' I agreed ."Still, it_is unimportant, and need_not_be taken into account .''

agroan burst from Poirot .

"What have I always told you ? Everything must_be taken into account . if_the fact will not fit the theory -- let the theory go .''

"Well, we_shall see,'' I_said, nettled .

"Yes, we_shall see .''

We had reached Leastways Cottage, and Poirot ushered me upstairs to_his own room .He offered me one_of_the tiny Russian cigarettes he himself occasionally smoked . i_was amused to notice that he stowed away the used matches most carefully in alittle china pot .My momentary annoyance vanished .

Poirot had placed our two chairs in front of_the open window which commanded aview of_the village street .The fresh air blew in warm and pleasant . it_was going to_be ahot day .

Suddenly my attention was arrested by aweedy looking young man rushing down the street at agreat pace .It was_the expression on_his face that was extraordinary -- acurious mingling of terror and agitation .

"Look, Poirot ! '' I_said .

He leant forward .

"Tiens ! '' he_said ." it_is Mr Mace, from_the chemist's shop . he_is coming here .''

The young man came to ahalt before Leastways Cottage, and, after hesitating amoment, pounded vigorously at_the door .

"A little minute,'' cried Poirot from_the window ."I come .''

Motioning to_me to_follow him, he ran swiftly down the stairs and opened the door .Mr Mace began at once .

"Oh, Mr Poirot, I'm sorry for_the inconvenience, but I heard that you'd just come back from_the Hall ? ''

"Yes, we_have .''

The young man moistened his dry lips .His face was working curiously .

"It's all over the village about old Mrs Inglethorp dying so suddenly . they_do say -- '' he lowered his voice cautiously -- " that_it's poison ? ''

Poirot's face remained quite impassive .

"Only the doctors can tell us that, Mr Mace .''

"Yes, exactly -- of_course -- -- '' The young man hesitated, and then his agitation was too_much for him .He clutched Poirot by_the arm, and sank his voice to awhisper: "Just tell me this, Mr Poirot, it isn't -- it isn't strychnine, is_it ? ''

I hardly heard what Poirot replied .Something evidently of anon-committal nature .The young man departed, and as he closed the door Poirot's eyes met mine .

"Yes,'' he_said, nodding gravely ." he_will_have evidence to_give at_the inquest .''

We went slowly upstairs again . i_was opening my lips, when Poirot stopped me with agesture of_his hand .

"Not now, not now, mon ami . I_have need of reflection .My mind is in some disorder -- which_is not well .''

For about ten minutes he sat in dead silence, perfectly still, except for several expressive motions of_his eyebrows, and all the time his eyes grew steadily greener .At last he heaved adeep sigh .

" it_is well .The bad moment has passed .Now all is arranged and classified .One must never permit confusion .The case is_not clear yet -- no . for_it is of_the most complicated ! It puzzles me .Me, Hercule Poirot ! there_are two facts of significance .''

"And what_are they ? ''

"The first is_the state of_the weather yesterday . that_is very_important .''

"But it_was aglorious day ! '' I interrupted ."Poirot, you're pulling my leg ! ''

"Not at all .The thermometer registered 80o in_the shade . do_not forget that, my friend . it_is_the key to_the whole riddle ! ''

" and_the second point ? '' I asked .

"The important fact that Monsieur Inglethorp wears very peculiar clothes, has ablack beard, and uses glasses .''

"Poirot, I_cannot believe you_are serious .''

" I_am absolutely serious, my friend .''

"But this_is childish ! ''

"No, it_is very momentous .''

"And supposing the Coroner's jury returns averdict of Wilful Murder against Alfred Inglethorp .What becomes of your theories, then ? ''

"They would_not_be shaken because twelve stupid men had happened to_make amistake ! But that_will_not occur . for_one_thing, acountry jury is_not anxious to_take responsibility upon itself, and Mr Inglethorp stands practically in_the position of local squire .Also,'' he added placidly, "I should_not allow it ! ''

" you_would_not allow it ? ''

"No .''

I looked at_the extraordinary little man, divided between annoyance and amusement . he_was so tremendously sure of himself . as_though he read my thoughts, he nodded gently .

"Oh, yes, mon ami, i_would do what I_say .'' He got up and laid his hand on my shoulder .His physiognomy underwent acomplete change .Tears came into his eyes ."In all this, you_see, i_think of_that poor Mrs Inglethorp who_is dead .She was not extravagantly loved -- no .But she was very_good to_us Belgians -- I owe her adebt .''

I endeavoured to interrupt, but Poirot swept on .

"Let me tell you this, Hastings . she_would never forgive me if I let Alfred Inglethorp, her husband, be arrested now -- when aword from me could save him ! ''

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