Chapter 10 Section 10

Fournier stared at her for a long time before taking out his notebook and sitting down. "Last time I asked you, Miss, you said you didn't know Madam's clients. But just now you said that you heard them nagging, begging Madam for mercy." "Let me explain, sir. Madam never mentions any of her clients by name. She never talks about her business. For example, she opens a letter, laughs dryly, and seems to be talking to herself. Saying, 'Stupid, stupid! Don't think I'm going to lend out such a large sum of money, I've got to be assured. Intelligence is assurance, Elise, intelligence is power.' That's what she said."

"Have you seen the clients who came to visit?" "No, sir. They only go to the first floor, and mostly after dark." "Where has she been recently?" "She went out for about half a month, to Deauville, Pinet, Prager and Winmeroo. She goes to these places every September." "What do you remember?" "I don't remember, sir," she said, "this time Ma'am came back in a good mood, and she must have gained a lot. She asked me to book a ticket to England with Universal Airlines. Since the morning flight was full, she had to take 12 scheduled flight."

"Have any clients come in the previous night?" There seemed to be one, George the porter must know. Fournier took some photos out of his pocket, "Do you know the people in there?" Alice took the photos, looked at them one by one, and shook her head. "Let's go find George," Fournier said. "All right, sir. Unfortunately, George's eyesight is very poor." "Let's go. Now, M. Poirot, I'm sorry, what are you looking for?" "I am looking for photographs," said Poirot, "but there are no photographs of her daughter."

"Oh, sir, you don't understand. Madame had a daughter. But it was a long time ago. Madame hasn't seen her since she was born." "How is it possible?" Fournier asked closely. "I heard that Madame was very beautiful when she was young, but she was also poor. She never married, and she had a child anyway. Then she contracted smallpox and almost died. She said goodbye to her beauty, and she said goodbye to her beauty." Instead of youth and romance, she became a businessman." "But she gave her property to her daughter." "Yes," said Élise, "blood is thicker than water. Madame has no friends, she only knows how to make money, and is very thrifty, never extravagant."

"She also left you part of the property." "Yes. Madame is very generous, and I am well paid, and I am very grateful to her." Poirot paced up and down the room, then sat down and fixed his eyes on Élise.Under his scrutiny, the French woman seemed unnatural. "Miss Glendyll," said Poirot, "do you know who killed the lady?" "My God, sir. I swear I don't know." Poirot's eyes searched her face. "Okay, I accept. Do you know who would do such a thing?" "Sir, I don't know." A hesitant look flashed across Elise's face.

"Let me tell you, Mademoiselle Granditt," said Poirot, leaning forward, "that it is my duty not to believe anything anyone says. Anyone connected with this case seems to me a suspect until he is proved innocent." .” Elise roared angrily, "Then you suspect that I killed Madam?" "No, Élise," said Poirot, "the murderer was one of the passengers on the plane, but perhaps you were his accomplice. It is possible that you may have leaked Madame's travel plans to someone." "No, I swear." Poirot looked at her silently, and nodded after a while, "I believe you. However, you have concealed something. Yes, that's it. We always encounter such things in investigations, and witnesses try their best to avoid being associated with crimes." The facts are connected. You don't have to deny it. When my friend Forney asked you if you knew anything else, you looked a bit embarrassed, and your answer was an unconscious ducking. You must know something else, and I am very Hope to understand."

"That's not something meaningful." "Perhaps not, but I would like to know. Elise, your devotion to your late master is justifiable, and you are grateful to her." "Yes, I have to admit it is so." Elise said slowly, "The lady gave the child to a kind farmer, and she told me that she was the mother of the child." "Did she tell you how old the baby was?" "No, sir. She said she would make the child well-off, and that all her property would go to her daughter when she died." "Has she spoken of the father of the child?"

"No, sir. But my impression is that the father of the child is an Englishman, because whenever England is mentioned, there is resentment in the lady's voice. It is only my impression..." "Very valuable impression. Do you have any children, Miss Elise?" "I had a daughter, but she died five years ago." "Oh, sorry." After a pause Poirot continued: "Is there anything else you can tell us?" Elise got up to leave, and after a while brought a black notebook. "This is Madam's, and she takes it with her wherever she goes. This time she went to England, she couldn't find it, and I happened to find it later, so I hid it in the bedroom. Madam instructed me to burn it files, and didn't let me burn my notebook. So I kept it."

"I believe you have good motives, mademoiselle," said Poirot. "Let us see what is in this little book." "I don't see anything, sir," said Elise, shaking her head. "It's Madam's private memo, and figures." Poirot took the notebook and opened it carefully. CX265.Colonel's wife.stationed in Syria.Mission Fund. GF342.French representative.Stavisky's relationship. ... There are about 20 such entries, and the notebook ends in pencil with: Pinett, Monday.Casino, 10:30.Savoy Hotel. 11 Fleet Street, ABC. These records are incomplete, and only Giselle knows what it reminds her of.Élise looked anxiously at Poirot.He calmly closed the notebook and put it in his pocket, "It will be useful, Miss. Your conscience should also be balanced, because Madam never told you to burn it."

"That's right." Elise's eyes lit up. "You should have turned it over to the police, and I'd arrange with Fournier to save you from their censure." "Thank you very much." "I would like to ask one last question. Did you book your ticket at Bourget Airport or at the company ticket office?" "I booked at the box office by phone, sir." "The ticket office in Capsines Street?" "Yes, Capsines Street."