Chapter 28 Chapter 27 Dr. Donaldson's Visit

Dr. Donaldson arrived on time at two o'clock.He was as calm and reserved as ever. Donaldson's personality started to intrigue me.When I first met him, I thought of him as an indescribable young man.I don't understand how a vivacious and attractive woman like Teresa could take a fancy to him.But now I'm beginning to realize that he's by no means an insignificant man.There was power in his pedantic air. After we met and greeted each other, Donaldson said: "The reason for my visit is this: I cannot fully understand your place in the matter, M. Poirot." Poirot replied cautiously: "I suppose you know what my profession is?"

"Of course. But I can tell you that I have taken pains to learn about you." "You are a careful man, Doctor." Dr. Donaldson said dryly: "I like to confirm the facts I have." "You have a scientific mind!" "Suffice it to say, all reports of your case are the same. You are clearly a very intelligent man in your profession. You also have a reputation for seriousness and honesty." "You are too flattering," said Poirot in a low voice. "That's why I can't explain your involvement in this incident." "However, it's very simple."

"It's not that simple," Donaldson said. "You started out as a biographer." "Do you think the deceit is inexcusable? One cannot go about in the open as a detective, though it is sometimes useful to say so." "That occurred to me," Donaldson continued, his tone becoming icy again. "Then you go to Miss Theresa Arundell and point out to her that there may be hope of annulment of her aunt's will." Poirot merely nodded his head in agreement. "Of course that's absurd." Donaldson's voice was sharp. "You clearly know that the will is legally valid, and there is no way to deny it."

"Do you think that is the case?" "I'm not a fool, M. Poirot..." "Yes, Dr. Donaldson, of course you are not a fool." "I know something about the law--not much, but enough. Of course that will cannot be overthrown. But why do you pretend you can invalidate it? Obviously for your own reasons-- And Miss Theresa Arundell has not yet grasped these reasons." "You look sure she's going to react." A smile flitted across the young man's cheek. He unexpectedly said: "I know a lot more about Theresa than she thinks. I have no doubt that both she and Charles think that your help can be counted on in some dubious matter. Charles has no morals. Theresa has no Accepting good traditions, she had an unfortunate upbringing."

"You talk about your fiancée like that—as if she were a guinea pig?" Donaldson's eyes were fixed on Poirot through the pince-nez. "I see no need to deny the fact. I love Theresa Arundell, not for her character, but for her." "Did you know that Theresa Arundell is devoted to you? And her desire for money is mainly to satisfy your ambition!" "Of course I know that. I told you long ago that I'm not a fool. But I don't intend to involve Theresa in any suspicious situation for me. Theresa is still a child in many ways. I can do it on my own. Developing my profession. I'm not saying it's not okay to accept a large inheritance. It's perfectly acceptable. But that's only for a short period of time."

"Actually, you have full confidence in your abilities?" "It might sound like I'm being vain, but I'm confident," Donaldson said calmly. "Then let's go on. I admit that I played a trick and gained Miss Teresa's confidence. I made her think that I was going to do something dishonest for her - to get some money. And She believed it, and felt that it was not difficult at all." "Theresa believes that with money, people can do anything." The young doctor used the truth that people often say and does not need to be proved, with a flat and objective tone.

"Indeed. She has that attitude—and so does her brother." "Charles would do anything for money!" "I see you have no illusions about your future brother-in-law." "Yes. I think he's an interesting subject to study. I think he's suffering from a stubborn neurosis—I'm sticking with my words. Let's get back to the point we were discussing. I ask myself why you To take actions like yours, I find there is only one answer: Obviously, you suspect Theresa or Charles of being responsible for Miss Arundell's death. No, please don't contradict me! I think you propose an exhumation It was just a tactic and you were looking to see what the response would be. Actually, what specific steps did you take to get the Home Office order to exhume the grave?"

"I'll tell you straight. At the moment, I haven't taken any steps." Donaldson nodded and said: "I have long since thought so. I thought you thought it possible that Miss Arundell died of natural causes." "I take it into account that it might be so—yes." "But have you made up your mind on the matter?" "I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind. If you had a case of - say - someone who looked like tuberculosis, had symptoms like tuberculosis, and had a positive blood test - well, you'd think it must be Tuberculosis, isn't it?"

"Do you think so? I see. So what are you waiting for now?" "I'm waiting for the last piece of evidence." The phone rang.I saw Poirot make a sign to me, and I got up hastily to answer the phone.I recognized whose voice it was. "Are you Captain Hastings? I am Mrs. Tanios. Please tell M. Poirot that he is quite right. If he can come to me at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, I will give him what he wants." give him." "Is it ten o'clock tomorrow morning?" "right." "Fine. I'll tell him." Poirot questioned me with his eyes.I nod.

He turned to Donaldson.Then his expression changed.He looked brisk—feeling sure. "Let me be clear," he said, "that my case has been diagnosed as a murder. It looks like a murder, and has all the reflexes of a murder—in fact, it is a murder! That's it. In a sense, there is nothing to doubt." "I see that you still have doubts--what do you doubt?" "Doubt exists in identifying who the murderer is - but that's no longer in doubt." "Really? Do you know who the murderer is?" "Tomorrow I'll have solid evidence in my hands."

Donaldson raised his eyebrows, somewhat ironically. "Oh," said he, "to-morrow! Sometimes, Poirot, tomorrow is a long way from now." "On the contrary," said Poirot, "I have always found that there is an invariable regularity in not being successful until tomorrow." Dr. Donaldson smiled.He stood up. "I'm afraid I have wasted your time, Poirot." "It's okay. It's always good to get to know each other!" Dr. Donaldson bowed slightly and left the room.