Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty-Five

"But those wax flowers puzzle me," said Rosamund. Her large blue eyes fixed on Poirot reproachfully. They were in Helen's apartment in London.Helen herself was resting on the sofa, and Rosamund and Poirot were drinking tea with her. "I don't see how those wax flowers had anything to do with that," said Rosamund. "Or the malachite table." "The malachite table is all right, but the wax flowers were Miss Gilchrist's second mistake. She said how nice they were on the malachite table, and you know, ma'am, she doesn't Might have seen them there because the glass cover was broken and put somewhere else before she and Timothy Abernethys arrived. So she was the only one there pretending to be Cora Lansquenett You might see them when you go.”

"She's very stupid, isn't she?" said Rosamund. Poirot shook his index finger at her. "It shows you, ma'am, the dangers of talking. I'm convinced that if you can get a man to talk to you long enough, on any subject, he's going to blow it off sooner or later. Gilchrist That's what Miss Tate is." "I'll have to be careful in future," said Rosamund thoughtfully.Then she cheered up again. "Did you know? I'm pregnant." "Aha! So that's what Harley Street and Ruijing Park are all about?" "Yes. I was so disturbed, you know, and so surprised . . . so I had to find a place to think."

"I remember you saying that wasn't a common thing." "Oh, it would be so much easier not to get pregnant. But this time I had to make a decision about my future. I decided to leave the stage and concentrate on being a mother." "Very well suited for one of your roles. I can already foresee that joyous vision." Rosamund laughed happily. "Yeah, it's nice. You know, Mike's happy. I don't really think he's happy." She paused, and then said: "Susan got the malachite table. I thought, now that I've got the baby..."

She stopped and didn't finish. "Susan's cosmetics business is promising," Helen said. "I think she's all set and ready to make it big." "Yes, she was born to be successful," said Poirot. "Like her uncle." "I think you mean Richard," said Rosamund. "Instead of Timothy?" "Certainly not like Timothy," said Poirot. They all laughed. "Gregor's gone somewhere," Rosamund said. "Susan said she was going to recuperate?" She looked questioningly at the silent Poirot. "I can't figure out why he keeps saying he killed Uncle Richard," Rosamund said. "Do you think it's a showmanship?"

Poirot returned to the original subject. "I had a very kind letter from Mr. Timothy Abernethy," he said. "He said he was very satisfied with the services I had provided." "I really think Uncle Timothy is pretty scary." "I'm going to live with them next week," said Helen. "They seem to have the garden in order, but it's still hard to get servants." "I think they miss that dreadful Miss Gilchrist," said Rosamund. "But I bet she'll kill Uncle Timothy in the end. How fun it would be if she did!" "Murder seems to have always been fun for you, ma'am."

"Oh, no," said Rosamund vaguely. "I did think it was George, though." She brightened. "Maybe he'll do the next one someday." "That would be fun," said Poirot sarcastically. "Yes, isn't it?" agreed Rosamund. She picked another cheese from the plate in front of her and stuffed it into her mouth.Poirot turned to Helen. "Then madam, you are going to Cyprus?" "Yes, within two weeks." "Then I wish you good luck and a pleasant journey." He kisses her hand.She walked to the door with him, leaving Rosamund eating cheese alone in a daze.

Helen suddenly said: "I want you to know, M. Poirot, that Richard's legacy means more to me than any other." "Is it so important, ma'am?" "Yes. You know...there was a child in Cyprus...my husband and I were very close...our greatest regret was not having a child. My loneliness after his death was indescribable. At the end of the war I was in When I was a nurse in London, I met a guy... He was younger than me and married, although we were not too happy together. We dated for a short time. That's it. He went back to Canada... Back to his wife He doesn't know...we have a baby. If he knew he wouldn't want it. I want it. That would be like a miracle to me...a middle-aged woman whose everything is in the past. Reasonable With the check money, I can educate my so-called nephew and give him a little foundation." She paused, and then said, "I didn't tell Richard. He likes me, and I like him...but he doesn't Will understand. You know so much about us that I want you to know about it."

Poirot leaned over to kiss the back of her hand again. He came home to find someone sitting in the armchair to the left of the fireplace. "Hello, Poirot," said Mr Entwhistle. "I've just come back from court. Of course they're convicted. But I wouldn't be surprised if she spends her final years in the Broadmoor Asylum. She's got the upper hand when she's in jail, quite happy, you know, and Very classy. Her time is spent meticulously planning the chain of tea houses. Her latest achievement is 'Lilac Garden', which she is opening in Cromer." "One wonders if she's been a little crazy all the time? But I'm an exception, I don't think so."

"My God, no! She was as conscious as you or I when she planned the murder. Carrying out the plan cold-bloodedly. You know, there's a good brain hidden under her befuddled exterior." Poirot trembled a little. "I'm thinking," he said, "what Susan Banks said . . . she never imagined a dame-like murderer." "Why?" said Mr. Entwhistle. "There are all kinds of murderers." They fell silent... Poirot thought of the murderers he knew...