Chapter 18 Chapter 17 Dr. Tanios

It should be said that when I saw Dr. Tanios for the first time, I was taken aback.Because I have always imagined him as a person soaked in all kinds of evil. I imagined him as a foreigner with a big black beard, dark skin, and a sinister face. But instead, I saw a plump, jovial guy with brown hair and brown eyes.Although he had a beard, the brown beard was elegant and made him look more like an artist. He speaks English fluently.There was a hearty timbre in his voice, which matched the upbeat expression on his face. "Here we are," he said, smiling at his wife. "Edward was very excited when he took the subway for the first time. He used to take the car all the time."

Edward resembled his father in appearance, and he and his sister must have looked very foreign.I see now what Miss Peabody meant when she referred to them as yellow children. Tanios' presence seemed to disturb his wife.She introduced Poirot to him with a stutter, but forgot to introduce me. On hearing the name Poirot, Dr. Tanios exclaimed: "Poirot? Are you Monsieur Hercule Poirot? I have known you for so long! What brought you here, Monsieur Poirot?" "It is about a woman who has recently died. Miss Emily Arundell," answered Poirot. "My wife's aunt? Yes, she—what about her?"

Poirot said slowly: "Something connected with her death..." Mrs. Tanios interrupted suddenly: "It is about my aunt's will, Jacob. M. Poirot has consulted with Theresa and Charles." Dr. Tanios looked nervous.He sat down on a chair. "Ah, that will! It's an unjust will—but I guess that's none of my business." Poirot gave a sketchy account of his meeting with the Arundells, (almost none of which, I say, was true.) He carefully hinted at the possibility of a lawsuit to overturn the will. "What you have to say interests me, sir; very much, sir. I agree with you. Something can be done. I have actually consulted a lawyer on the matter, but the lawyer's opinion has been disappointing. So... ..." He shrugged.

"I told your wife just now that lawyers are prudent people. They don't like to take chances. But me, I'm different! What about you?" Dr. Tanios laughed—a playful laugh. "Oh, I'll try my luck, too! Bella, my dear, I'm always like that, don't I?" He gave her a smile, and she smiled back—but I thought it was an affectation. He turned his attention again to Poirot. "I'm not a lawyer," he said, "but it seems to me that it's clear that the old lady wrote this will while she was out of her wits. The Lawson woman is clever and cunning."

Mrs. Tanios moved uneasily.Poirot looked at her at once and said: "Do you not agree with him, Madame?" She said in a weak voice, "She's always been so beautiful. But I say she's not very smart." "She's nothing to you," said Dr. Tanios, "because she's got nothing to worry about. My dear Bella, you're a gullible!" He was a little witty, but his wife's face made him blush. "It's different with me," he went on, "she doesn't like me. She doesn't hide it! I'll give you an example: when we lived there, the old lady fell down the stairs and I insisted on Went to see how she was doing at the weekend, but Miss Lawson did her best to stop us. She was unsuccessful. However, I could see that she was annoyed. The reason was clear: she wanted the old lady for herself. "

Poirot turned again to his wife. "Do you agree with what he said, ma'am?" Her husband gave her no time to answer. "Bella is too kind," he said. "You won't convince her of bad motives. But I'm sure I'm right. I've got another thing to tell you. Poirot. The Lawson woman." The secret to old Miss Arundell's love is spiritualism! That's what it is, trust me!" "Do you think so?" "I'm sure of that, my dear friend. I've seen a lot of it. It's fascinating. You'll be surprised to hear it! Especially at Miss Arundell's age. I'll bet I know How it was hinted at to Miss Arundel. A ghost - possibly her dead father - ordered her to change her will and leave the money to the Lawson woman. Old Miss Arundel was in poor health - prone to believe what was said . . . " Mrs. Tanios moved slightly.Poirot turned to her and said:

"You think it's possible—do you?" "Say, Bella," said Dr. Tanios, "tell me what you think." He looked at her encouragingly.She glanced back at him quickly, with a strange look.She hesitated.Then say: "I don't know much about these things. But you're right, Jacob." "Yes, I am right, what do you say, M. Poirot?" Poirot nodded.Say: "Perhaps—so." Then he added, "I suppose you were at Market Basing the weekend before Miss Arundell's death?" "We went there at Easter and then again the weekend after that - that's it."

"No, no. I mean the second weekend after Easter—on the twenty-sixth. I suppose you went on a Sunday?" "Oh, Jacob, did you go on Sunday?" Mrs. Tanios stared at him wide-eyed. He turned quickly. "Yes, don't you remember? I went that afternoon. I told you." Poirot and I both watched her.She pushed her hat back nervously. "You must remember, being pulled," her husband continued, "what a poor memory you have!" "Of course I do!" she apologized, with a small smile on her face. "Really, I have a surprisingly poor memory. This was about two months ago."

"I suppose Miss Theresa and Mr. Charles Arundell have gone too?" asked Poirot. "They might have gone too," Tanios said without hesitation, "but I didn't see them." "Then you haven't been there long?" "Oh, not long—I was only there about half an hour." It seemed that Poirot's inquiring gaze disturbed him a little. "That's a good thing to admit," he said with a wink, "I went there to borrow money--and I didn't. I'm afraid my wife and aunt don't like me that much. It's a pity, because I do like her. She's a very decent old lady."

"May I ask you a straightforward question, Dr. Tanios?" For an instant, there seemed to be a kind of fear in Tanios' eyes. "Of course, M. Poirot." "What do you think of Charles and Theresa Arundell?" The doctor seemed to relax a little. "Are you asking Charles and Theresa?" He looked at his wife and gave her an affectionate smile. "Bella, my dear, I think you don't mind if I speak frankly about my concerns for your family." Opinion?" She shook her head and smiled. "Then here's my take: They're both bad to the core. Both of them! The funny thing is I like Charles best. He's a rogue, but a lovely rogue. He has no morals, but he has There's nothing you can do about it. People are born that way, so what should I do?"

"Where's Theresa?" He hesitated, and said: "I don't know. She's a very attractive young woman. But I say she's ruthless. She'll brutally murder anyone if it suits her. At least that's how I see it. You may have heard her mother About being tried for murder?" "But Chosen was acquitted," said Poirot. "Acquittal, as you say," said Tanios hastily, "but it always raises—sometimes doubts." "Have you seen the young man she was engaged to?" "Donaldson? I saw him. He came to dinner one night." "What do you think of him?" "A very bright lad. I think he has a bright future--if he gets his chance. But it takes money to be an expert." "You're saying he's brilliant in his specialty." "I meant it, yes. He's got a really good head." He smiled, and went on, "Not quite a public figure yet, though. A bit stiff and reserved. He and Terry Sa made a ridiculous couple. Opposite personalities attracted to each other. She's a social butterfly and he's a recluse." The two children were firing questions at their mother: "Mom, aren't we going to lunch? I'm starving. We're going to be late." Poirot looked at his watch and gave an exclamation. "I'm so sorry! I missed your lunch." Mrs. Tanios glanced at her husband and said vaguely: "Maybe we ask you..." Poirot said quickly: "You're very kind, ma'am, but I've got a lunch appointment and I'm already late." He shook hands with Tanios and the children.I shook hands with them too. We were delayed for a while in the vestibule.Poirot wanted to make a telephone call.Waiting for him by the front desk.As I stood there, I saw Mrs. Tanios come from her room into the vestibule and look around, with a look of eagerness and annoyance on her face.When she saw me, she walked up to me quickly. "Your friend—M. Poirot—has he gone?" "No, he's in the phone room." "Oh." "You want to talk to him?" She nodded, looking more and more uneasy. Just then Poirot came out of the telephone room and saw us standing together.He walked up to us quickly. "Monsieur Poirot," she said hastily, lowering her voice quickly, "I have something to say—I should tell you..." "Yes, ma'am." "It's important—very important. You know..." She stopped.Dr. Tanios and the two children just came out of the house.He came and stood before us and said: "Have you anything else to say to M. Poirot, Bella?" He spoke in a cheerful tone and had a pleasant smile on his face. "Yes ..." she hesitated, then said, "well, that's all really, M. Poirot. I just want you to tell Theresa. We support her in whatever she decides to do. I understand that the family should stand together." She nodded cheerfully at us, then took her husband's arm and walked towards the restaurant. I grabbed Poirot by the shoulders. "That's not what she was going to say at first, Poirot!" He shook his head slowly, looking at the couple walking away. "She changed her mind," I continued. "Yes, mon ami, she changed her mind." "why?" "I wish I knew," he muttered. "She'll tell us at another time," I said hopefully. "I don't know. I don't think—she might—"