Chapter 7 Chapter VII

"I really don't know how to thank you for the invitation." Mr. Entwhistle pressed his master's hand warmly and firmly. Hercule Poirot cordially invited him to take a chair by the fire. Mr Entwhistle sat down with a sigh. On one side of the room is a dining table with two seats. "I just got back from the country this morning," he said. "Do you have something to discuss with me?" "Yes. It's a long, rambling story, I'm afraid." "Then we'll talk after dinner, George!" An efficient George, wearing a bib, came out with some foie gras pies and hot toast.

"We'll have the liver pie here first," said Poirot. "And then go to the table." An hour and a half later, Entwistle lay comfortably on the chair and sighed contentedly. "You really enjoy yourself, Poirot. You are a Frenchman." "I'm Belgian. But you're right about the rest. The greatest pleasure at my age, almost the only one left, is the pleasure of eating. I have a good stomach, luckily." "Ah," whispered Mr. Entwhistle. They had paneer, followed by sea scallops with milanese lettuce, followed by sweet ice cream. They had an aperitif, then a coton, and now a glass of very good Portuguese wine was on the coffee table by Mr Entwhistle's hand.Poirot, who doesn't like red wine, is sipping a glass of cocoa.

"I don't know," said Mr. Entwhistle reflectively, "how you got sea fans like that! They melt in your mouth!" "I have a friend who is a famous European chef. I helped him with a small chore. He was grateful...he has been taking care of my stomach ever since." "A chore," said Mr. Entwhistle with a sigh. "I wish you hadn't reminded me of...such a beautiful moment..." "Let's talk later, my friend. We'll have a little coffee and good brandy first, and then, when you're more or less digested, you'll tell me why you need my advice."

By the time the clock struck nine-thirty, Mr. Entwhistle began to fidget.His state of mind had matured, and he was no longer embarrassed to bring up his confusion...he was eager to do so. "I don't know," he said, "whether I'm being mediocre. Anyway, I don't see how it can be done. But I want to tell you the facts, and get your opinion." He paused for a while, then spoke plainly and precisely.His legally trained mind enabled him to state the facts clearly, without omitting anything or embellishing anything.His very plain and concise narration was greatly appreciated by the little old man with egg-shaped head who sat there listening quietly.

When he had finished, he paused, and Mr. Entwhistle was about to answer questions, but for a while no questions came up.Hercule Poirot was reflecting on his words. He finally spoke: "That seems quite obvious. You suspect in your mind that your friend Richard Abernether might have been murdered, don't you? This suspicion, or surmise, has but one basis . . . and that is Cora Lanskey. What Nate said at Richard Abernether's funeral. Other than that... there is no basis for it. It could be pure coincidence that she herself was murdered the next day, Richard. Abernethie was Sudden death, yes, but his doctor had a good reputation and knew him well, and the doctor issued the death certificate without any suspicion. Was Richard buried or cremated?"

"The cremation...according to his own request." "Well, that's how it should be by law. So that means a second doctor's note is needed... but that's not too difficult. So we're back to the basics, what Cora Lansquenet said. You were there and you heard what she said. She said: 'But he was murdered, wasn't he?'” "good." "And what's important...you believe what she's telling the truth." The lawyer hesitated, then said: "Yes, I believe." "why?" "Why?" repeated Mr. Entwhistle, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, why? Is it because, in your heart, you have already doubted Richard's death?" The lawyer shook his head. "No, no, not at all." "Then it's because of her...Kona. Do you know her very well?" "I have... oh... haven't seen her in over twenty years." "If you met her on the street, would you recognize her?" Mr Entwhistle thought about it. "I probably wouldn't recognize her. I used to see her as a skinny little girl and now she's a fat middle-aged woman. But I still recognize her when I try to talk to her face to face. Her hairstyle Still the same, with a fringe of bangs on her forehead, she has a habit of sneaking at you out of the corner of her eye like a shy animal, and she has a penchant for interrupting, throwing her head, and suddenly saying something really nasty. She has a quirk , you know, and eccentricity is always different."

"Actually, she's the same Cora you knew years ago. And she's still saying nasty things! Are those words, nasty things, things she's said in the past... usually... truthful? " "That's what's so embarrassing about Cora. ​​She always blurts out truths that are better left unsaid." "Then her personality hasn't changed at all. Richard Abernether was murdered... so Cora brought that fact up right away." Mr Entwhistle was startled. "You think he was murdered?" "Oh, no, no, friend, we can't jump to conclusions so quickly. Let's just say... Cora thinks he was murdered. She's pretty sure he was murdered. To her, it's It's a matter of conviction, not conjecture. So we come to the conclusion that she must have some reason to believe that. From what you know of her, we can say that she wasn't joking when she said that. Tell me...she said that , and immediately received a unanimous protest on the spot... right?"

"right." "Then she became flustered, ashamed, looking for the steps...saying...as far as you can remember...saying 'but from what he told me...I think'." The lawyer nodded. "Wish I remembered better. But I'm pretty sure she said 'he told me' or 'he said'..." "Then it passed and everyone started talking about other things. Think about it and see if you can remember anyone with a particular look on their face? Anything that's still in your memory...we May I say... an unusual expression?" "No." "And the very next day, Cora was killed ... and you ask yourself, 'Is there a cause and effect?'"

The lawyer looked disturbed. "I suppose you think that's pretentious?" "Not at all," said Poirot. "If the original assumption is correct, then your thinking is logical. A clean murder, the murder of Richard Abernethir, everything went smoothly... and then suddenly, it seems A person, a person who knows the truth! Of course, this person's mouth must be sealed as soon as possible." "Then you really think... it was murder?" Poirot said earnestly: "I think so, my friend, as you think . . . this is a case that needs to be investigated. Have you taken any action? Have you made a report to the police?"

"No." Mr. Entwhistle shook his head. "It doesn't seem to me that it's going to end well. I'm the representative of the family. If Richard Abernether was murdered, there seems to be only one possible way of doing it." "Poisoned?" "Exactly. And the body has been cremated. Now there is no evidence of death. But I think I must get to the bottom of this myself before I am content. That is why, Poirot, I have come to you." "Who was in the house when he died?" "An old master and servant who has been with him for several years, a cook and a maid. It seems that it must be one of these three people..." "Ah! Don't try to fool me. That Cora, she knew that Richard Abernethie was murdered, but she managed to keep her mouth shut. She said, 'I think you're right. '. It can be seen that it must have been committed by a certain family member present, someone who even the deceased himself did not want him to be accused in public. Otherwise, because Ke Na liked her brother, she would not be willing to let the murderer go unpunished. This point, Do you agree?" "That's exactly what I thought... yes," Enhuisuo said frankly. "Although how could there be any family members..." Poirot interrupted him. "There are many possibilities as far as poisoning is concerned. Suppose, if he died in his sleep, and if he appeared to be normal, it must be some kind of narcotic. Perhaps there was narcotic in his potion." Inside." "Anyway," said Mr. Entwhistle, "how it was done is not important. We'll never be able to prove anything." "In the case of Richard Abernether, there is no way. But the murder of Cora Lansquenet is different. Once we know who did it, the evidence should be It might be found." He glanced at Entwhistle sharply: "Maybe, you have already taken action." "Very little. My purpose, I suppose, is mainly to filter out. I'd hate to think that one of Abernethir's family was a murderer. I'm still pretty unbelievable. I hope that with some unsophisticated questions, I can Clarify the suspicion of some family members. Maybe they are not suspected, who knows? Kera's judgment may be wrong, and her own murder may be just a thief who broke in on the spur of the moment. After all, the problem is very serious. Simple. The question I asked them was what were they doing the afternoon Cora Lansquenet was killed?" "That's right," said Poirot. "What are they doing?" "George Crossfield bets at Hurst Park. Rosamund Sheen goes shopping in London. Her husband... because the husband must be taken into account..." "certainly." "Her husband was negotiating a deal to buy a play first. Susan and Greg Banks were at home all that day. Timothy Abernether was at home in Yorkshire, an invalid, And his wife was driving home from Enderby." He stopped. Hercule Poirot looked at him and nodded understandingly. "Well, that's what they said. Is it true?" "I just don't know, Poirot. Some of those statements are verifiable... but it's not easy to do so without letting the other party know your cards. In fact, doing so is tantamount to accusation. I can only tell you that I Some conclusions drawn. George may be betting on the horses at Hurst Park, but I don't think he was there. He self-defeatingly boasted that he bought two winners. In my experience, people who break the law always talk too much Too much to show off. I asked him the names of the two winners, and he said the names of the two horses without hesitation. I found that the two horses had a lot of bets in the world, and one of them won. The other one, although favored, didn't even make a place in the ranking." "Interesting. Was this George in need of money when his uncle died?" "My impression is that he needs it. I have no evidence to say so, but I very much doubt he is in danger of being sued for embezzling clients' money. This is just my impression, but I have some experience with this sort of thing. Negligence 's lawyer is nothing out of the ordinary, I'm sorry to say. All I can tell you is that I wouldn't trust George with my money, and I doubt that Richard Abernether, a very good judge dissatisfied with his nephew, and distrusts him." "His mother," continued the lawyer, "was a pretty silly girl who married what I should call a dubious personality." He sighed. "Girls in Abernethir's family don't have good eyesight." He paused, then continued. "As for Rosamund, she's a lovely fool, and I really can't imagine her chopping off Cora's head with a hand axe! Her husband, Mike Sheen, is kind of inscrutable...he's an ambitious man and I It's also a man with excessive vanity... But I really don't know much about him. I have no reason to suspect that he committed a heinous crime or carefully planned poisoning, but after I figured out his whereabouts that day was really Before what he himself said, I couldn't rule him out." "But you don't suspect his wife?" "No...no...she's frighteningly ruthless...but no, I can't really imagine her with a handaxe...she's a frail-looking woman." "And pretty!" said Poirot with a slightly ironic smile. "What about the niece?" "Susan? She's a very different type from Rosamund...a very capable girl, I should say. She and her husband were at home that day. I pretended I called them a few times that afternoon." ... Greg said right away that the phone was out all day that day. He tried to call someone and couldn't get through." "So it's moot... You can't exclude them as much as you want. What does her husband look like?" "I find it difficult to describe him. He has a sort of morose personality, though I can't explain why it gives the impression. As for Susan..." "How about it?" "Susan reminds me of her uncle. She has energy, drive, intelligence, just like her uncle. But lacks the kindness and warmth of my old friend." "Women are never kind," said Poirot, "though they may sometimes be kind. Does she love her husband?" "Deadly, I should say so. But seriously, Poirot, I can't believe it... I won't believe Susan..." "You think George more likely?" said Poirot. "Naturally! As for me, I am not so fond of young and pretty ladies as you are. Now tell me about your visits to the older generation?" Mr. Entwhistle took some time to relate his visits to Timothy and Moody.Poirot summed up the main points. "So Mrs. Abernethy is quite adept at mechanics. She knows all the ins and outs of a motor vehicle. And Mr. Abernethy is not as sick as he thinks he is. He goes for walks and can do strenuous work as you say." activities. He's also a bit of a megalomaniac, and he's resentful of his brother's success and superhuman personality." "He mentioned Cora with emotion." "And laughing at the stupid things she said after the funeral. Where's the sixth beneficiary?" "Helen? Mrs. Leo? I never suspected her at all. In any case, it was easy to prove her innocence. She was in Enderby, in that house with three servants." "Well, my friend," said Poirot. "Let's be realistic, what do you want me to do?" "I want to know the truth, Poirot." "Yes, I would feel the same way if I were you." "And you're the one who can find out the truth for me. I know you're no longer taking cases, but I ask you to take this case. It's business and I'll pay you. Go ahead, money always helps of." Poirot grinned. "It would be of no use if it were all taxed! But I admit, your question interests me! Because it's not easy... everything is so unpredictable... One thing, my friend, is for you to compare Well. After you've done this, I'll take care of everything else. But I think it's best for you to inquire about the doctor who treated Mr. Charles Abernether. You know him, don't you? ?” "A little." "How about others?" "Pretty capable middle-aged GP. Very friendly with Richard. A good guy through and through." "Then try to ask him. You go and talk to him. He's less scrupled. Ask him about Mr. Abernethyr's illness, and find out the drugs Mr. Abernethyr was on and before his death. Find out the reason." Did Cha Abernethor ever mention to his doctor his fantasies about someone trying to poison him. By the way, is that Miss Gilxter sure he used the word 'poison' when talking to his sister? ?” Mr Entwhistle thought about it. "That's the word she used . . . but she's one of those witnesses who often changes the actual word because she's confident she's caught the meaning of the word. If Richard says he's afraid someone is going to kill him, Jake Miss Ulkester may have decided it was poison, because she associated his fears with an aunt of hers who thought her food tampered with. I shall speak to her about this some other time." "Well, or I." He paused, then changed his tone: "Has it ever occurred to you, my friend, that your Miss Gilxter herself may be in some danger?" Mr Entwhistle looked surprised. "I did not expect." "However, she is in danger. Cora expressed her doubts on the day of the funeral. A question will arise in the murderer's mind: Did she hear the news of Richard's death and did not tell anyone her doubts? And her last Probably to Miss Gilxter. I think, my friend, that she had better not be left alone in that cottage." "I'm sure Susan will be there." "Oh, so Mrs. Bankes is going there." "She's going to sort out Cora's things." "I see... I see... well, my friend, do as I do. You may also prepare Mrs. Abernethy... Mrs. Leo Abernethy for the possibility that I may I'll go to the house. Let's talk. From now on, I'll take care of everything." Poirot stroked his beard vigorously.