Chapter 15 Section 15

Norman Gale was the first to recover from his astonishment, "Of course, it's Mr. Poirot, and you're doing this to protect your reputation?" "Isn't it. Do you suspect poor Clancy? Do you know what is the key to solving a murder case?" "Find the murderer," Jane said. "Justice," Norman said, too. Poirot shook his head. "Both of you are right. In my opinion, the key is to clarify who is innocent." He looked at the two young men who couldn't help nodding and said, "Our goals are the same. We are now Just call on clever Mr. Clancy. Miss, you pretend to be my secretary, and here's the shorthand."

"I can't take shorthand," said Jane. "That's all right, but you can always remember something. Well, Mr. Gale, we'll see you in an hour, just above the vintage shop?" Then he rang the doorbell. Clancy's room has windows on three sides, and the room is crowded with bookshelves and clutter. "This is Miss Gray, my secretary," introduced Poirot. "Oh, of course," said Mr. Clancy, "but I have the impression that she works in some hairdressing salon, and why is she your secretary?" Poirot saw Jane's anxious gaze, "Miss Gray is also working as a part-time secretary temporarily."

"Oh, yes," said Mr. Clancy. "You are a private detective. Please sit down, Miss Gray. . . . Excuse me, but there is orange juice on the chair! You sit here . . . Here, M. Poirot." After everyone was seated, Mr. Clancy said again: "I think you must have come for Giselle's murder." "Exactly," said Poirot. "Mr. Clancy, you are clever and imaginative. As you say, the police have you among the suspects, and it is impossible for them to seek your opinion. And I , Hercule Poirot, is eager for your advice." Clancy's face flushed with excitement, "I'm going to write this case into my next book, and I think it's going to be a bestseller."

"You have studied criminology, and your opinion will be very valuable. I would very much like to know your opinion--who is the murderer." "Oh—" Mr. Clancy hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Poirot, this is not the same thing as writing a novel. In terms of actual detection, I have no material at my disposal as a detective." "Then it will be very interesting for us to discuss together." "Yes, of course." "First of all, if you are asked to speculate boldly, who is your suspect?" "One of the two Frenchmen. They're sitting across from her. I can't tell, though."

"Motivation should come first. I'm a firm believer in one of the principles of detective work: 'Whoever commits a crime can gain.'" "I agree," said Clancy, "but this case is a little different. It is said that her daughter will inherit her property, and perhaps some other people on the plane will also benefit from it. For example, in debt to Giselle, she died , they don’t have to pay their debts.” "I consider other possibilities," said Poirot. "Suppose Giselle knew that one of these men was trying to murder her?" "Attempt to murder? I think your idea is a bit far-fetched."

"We should think of every possibility. Besides, I just want to hear your opinion," said Poirot. "Oh, by the way, where do you think you got that blowpipe?" "Probably at Absolom Antiques, or at Mitch-Smith Antiques." "Oh, I also want to buy one for experimentation. Then, Miss Gray, please write down these two addresses." Jane scribbled down the address in a notebook.Poirot got up and said: "Thank you very much for your hospitality, which has taken you so much precious time." "Don't say that. I'm feeling very happy tonight. I was so stumped by the naming of a criminal in the novel I had, I went for a walk and found the name I was hoping for in a butcher's— Padgett."

Poirot smiled at Jane. "The writer's ordeal."Mr. Clancy took out a book from the bookshelf and handed it to Jane, "This is the "Traces of Red Metal" I talked about at Croydon Airport, please allow me to present it to you." "thank you very much." "No need." Mr. Clancy looked at Jane suddenly, "Why isn't the Pittman shorthand system in your notebook?" Jane blushed, and Poirot hurried forward to make a rescue: "That's a system recently invented by the Czechs." "Really? The Czechoslovaks are such an amazing nation. Everything was invented by it—shoes, glass, gloves, and now shorthand." Then, he shook hands with the guests one by one, "I hope I can serve What are you doing?"