13. Poirot explains by Agatha Christie
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did_not mind at all .''

"Then she certainly did mind very_much,'' remarked Poirot ." they_are like that -- les femmes ! ''

"What you say about Lawrence is agreat surprise to_me,'' I_said .

"But why ? it_was most obvious . did_not Monsieur Lawrence make_the sour face every time Mademoiselle Cynthia spoke and laughed with_his brother ? He had taken it into his long head that Mademoiselle Cynthia was in love with Monsieur John .When he entered his mother's room, and saw her obviously poisoned, he jumped to_the conclusion that Mademoiselle Cynthia knew something about_the_matter . he_was nearly driven desperate .First he crushed the coffee-cup to powder under his feet, remembering that she had gone up with_his mother the night before, and he determined that there should_be no chance of testing its contents .Thenceforward, he strenuously, and quite uselessly, upheld the theory of 'Death from natural causes' .''

"And what about_the 'extra coffee-cup' ? ''

" i_was fairly certain that_it_was Mrs Cavendish who had hidden it, but I had to_make sure .Monsieur Lawrence did_not know at all what I meant; but, on reflection, he_came to_the conclusion that if he_could find an extra coffee-cup anywhere his lady love would_be cleared of suspicion .And he_was perfectly right .''

" one_thing more .What did Mrs Inglethorp mean by her dying words ? ''

"They were, of_course, an accusation against her husband .''

"Dear me, Poirot,'' I_said with asigh, " i_think you_have explained everything . I_am_glad it has all ended so happily .Even John and_his wife are reconciled .''

"Thanks to_me .''

"How do_you_mean -- thanks to_you ? ''

"My dear friend, do_you not realize_that it_was simply and solely the trial which_has brought them together again ? That John Cavendish still loved his wife, i_was convinced .Also, that she was equally in love with_him .But they had drifted very far apart .It all arose from amisunderstanding .She married him without love . he_knew it . he_is asensitive man in_his way, he_would_not force himself upon her if she did_not want him .And, as he withdrew, her love awoke .But they_are both unusually proud, and their pride held them inexorably apart .He drifted into an entanglement with Mrs Raikes, and she deliberately cultivated the friendship of Dr .Bauerstein . do_you remember the day of John Cavendish's arrest, when_you found me deliberating over abig decision ? ''

"Yes, I quite understood your distress .''

"Pardon me, mon ami, but you_did_not understand it in_the least . i_was trying to decide whether or not i_would clear John Cavendish at once . I_could_have cleared him -- though it might_have meant afailure to convict the real criminals .They were entirely in_the dark as_to my real attitude up_to_the very last moment -- which partly accounts for_my success .''

" do_you_mean that you_could_have saved John Cavendish from being brought to trial ? ''

"Yes, my friend .But I eventually decided in favour of 'a woman's happiness' .Nothing but the great danger through which_they_have passed could_have brought these two proud souls together again .''

I looked at Poirot in silent amazement .The colossal cheek of_the little man ! Who on earth but Poirot would_have thought of atrial for murder as arestorer of conjugal happiness !

"I perceive your thoughts, mon ami,'' said Poirot, smiling at me ."No one but Hercule Poirot would_have attempted such athing ! And you_are wrong in condemning it .The happiness of one man and one woman is_the greatest thing in all the world .''

His words took me back to earlier events .I remembered Mary as she lay white and exhausted on_the sofa, listening, listening .There had come the sound of_the bell below .She had started up .Poirot had opened the door, and meeting her agonized eyes had nodded gently ."Yes, madame,'' he_said ." I_have brought him back to_you .'' He had stood aside, and as I went out I had seen the look in Mary's eyes, as John Cavendish had caught his wife in_his arms .

"Perhaps you_are right, Poirot,'' I_said gently ."Yes, it_is_the greatest thing in_the_world .''

Suddenly, there_was atap at_the door, and Cynthia peeped in .

"I -- I only -- -- ''

"Come in,'' I_said, springing up .

She came in, but did_not sit down .

"I -- only wanted to_tell you something -- -- ''

"Yes ? ''

Cynthia fidgeted with alittle tassel for some moments, then, suddenly exclaiming: "You dears ! '' kissed first me and then Poirot, and rushed out_of_the room again .

"What on earth does this mean ? '' I asked, surprised .

it_was very nice to_be kissed by Cynthia, but the publicity of_the salute rather impaired the pleasure .

"It means that she has discovered Monsieur Lawrence does_not dislike her as_much as she thought,'' replied Poirot philosophically .

"But -- -- ''

"Here he_is .''

Lawrence at_that moment passed the door .

"Eh ! Monsieur Lawrence,'' called Poirot ." we_must congratulate you, is_it not so ? ''

Lawrence blushed, and then smiled awkwardly .aman in love is asorry spectacle .Now Cynthia had looked charming .

I sighed .

" what_is it, mon ami ? ''

"Nothing,'' I_said sadly ." they_are two delightful women ! ''

"And neither of_them is for_you ? '' finished Poirot ."Never mind .Console yourself, my friend . we_may hunt together again, who knows ? And then -- -- ''

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