Chapter 3 Chapter Two Words from the Plaintiff's Lawyer

"Absolutely guilty," said Mr. Fagg succinctly.Poirot looked thoughtfully at the lawyer's thin, chiseled face. Quentin Fager, counselor to the royal family, was a very different man from Diplech.Diplech is persuasive, hypnotizing, proud and somewhat domineering.He attracts attention by a quick and dramatic shift in attitude: one moment handsome, suave, charming, the next with a creepy smile.Farger was thin and pale, devoid of his own individuality, and his questions were calm and unemotional, but rather stubborn.If Dipleche is like a light and slender sword, Fager is like a corkscrew, constantly drilling holes.He was never particularly well-known, but he was known to be a first-rate lawyer who usually won his cases.Polo looked at him thoughtfully, and said, "Is this your impression?"

Fager nodded and said, "You should have seen her in court, old Humphrey. Rudolph (you know, he ran the case) left her no room for defense!" He paused , and said unexpectedly: "You know, on the whole, this case is too easy to handle." "I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean," said Poirot. Fager frowned with his elegant and prominent eyebrows, stroked his upper lip with a sensitive hand, and said: "How should I put it? This is a very typical British point of view. Gun' is the best word to describe it, do you know what I mean?" "You're right, it's a very British point of view, but I think I understand what you mean. The English like to give their victims a chance, whether it's in Central Court, the playground at Eaton, or the hunting country."

"Exactly. But the defendant in this case had no chance at all, and Humphrey really went smoothly. First, Diplech asked her questions, and she stood there, as docile as a little girl at a party. According to Dipper Leech taught her, answered Diplech's questions, very submissively, and said nothing wrong--only; Pulitsch is not wrong, the old guy played his part very well. But anyway, a slap can't be slapped, and he can't do a one-man show alone. She didn't cooperate well with him and let the jury stay Very bad impression. Then it's Old Han Furui's turn to ask questions, you probably have seen him?"

"As I said just now, he left her with no room to refute. Every time, she fell into his trap. He made her admit how absurd her words were, and made her contradict herself, getting deeper and deeper. Then, he said in his usual firm and forceful tone: "Mrs. Currell, it is too far-fetched for you to steal hematine to kill yourself. I think your purpose of stealing it is to poison you and leave you." Mr. Currell in another woman's arms, and you murdered him with intent." She looked at him -- she was such a beautiful and elegant woman -- and said, "Oh, no, no, no, I didn't .' That was too plain to be believed. I saw Diplech move uncomfortably in his seat, and he knew it was all over." Farger paused, and added: " But... I don't know, in some ways she's only the smartest, like chivalry - the kind that makes most foreigners think we Brits are all-powerful liars, and has nothing to do with blood sports Strange chivalry about it! The jury said she had no chance at all, not even a chance to fight for herself, and she certainly couldn't pull off any tricks with a guy as smart as old Humphrey. She was so weak and helpless. Yes, the unbelievable voice said: 'Oh, no, no, no --- I am not a murderer.' It was sympathetic --- but only sympathy, she deserved it!

"Yes, in a way, she was the smartest thing to do. The jury only rested for half an hour or so, and the verdict was found, guilty!" In fact, you know, she was completely different from the other woman. At first, The jury had no sympathy for the girl, who looked like she didn't care, was beautiful, grim, and stylish.The other women in the court thought she was a typical vixen. With such a woman in the family, it was not safe at all.That kind of girl is full of sexual temptation, and she doesn't take her rights as a wife and mother at all.She was honest, though, and didn't say she had nothing to do with it.She fell in love with Anya, and the other fell in love with her, and she had no scruples about taking him away from his wife and children.

"In a way, I admired her because she was very courageous. Diplech asked her some ridiculous questions, and she answered them bravely. But the court was not sympathetic to her. The judge was Old Elvis, he used to speak badly when he was young, but when he put on the judge's robe, he was very strict. His sentence to Kai Ruolin was a kind expression. He couldn't deny the facts, but he denied the fact that she killed Strong hint of motive." Poirot asked: "Does he disagree with the suicide theory stated by the accused?" Fager shook his head: "That's simply impossible. Listen, I'm not saying that Diplech didn't try his best to handle this case. He performed very well and painted a very vivid picture. A bold, playful , a neurotic man who can't help falling in love with a young girl all of a sudden, although his conscience is disturbed, he can't help it. So he feels cringe, loathes himself, regrets treating his wife and children like that, suddenly deciding to leave them, ending All this! So he chose the most beautiful solution. I tell you, it was a very touching performance, Diplech's voice would make you cry, and the effect was really good, but when he finished, the And the magic is gone. It's clear what Anya is--it's nothing like what Diplech said, and there's no basis for Diplege's. I daresay, Corey. The Erner has no conscience at all, he is selfish, ruthless, a happy egoist, and if he has any ethics, they are related to painting. I believe that he would not paint a bad picture anyway. The painting—no matter how charming the price. But he is a vigorous, life-loving man, suicide? There is no door!"

"So perhaps the defendant wasn't very smart in choosing that defense, was it?" Fager shrugged and said: "Otherwise, what reason is there? There are too many evidences against her---she touched the poison and admitted that she stole it. The motive and opportunity for the murder are all there." " Maybe it was deliberately arranged by someone?" Fager said bluntly, "She's mostly confessed, and anyway, it's too far-fetched. I think, you mean, someone else killed him and arranged everything as if she did it? " "You think it's very unlikely?"

Fager said slowly: "I'm afraid so. Where should I find the mysterious murderer you mean?" Poirot said: "The scope is obviously very small. There should be only five people who might strike, shouldn't they?" "Five? Come to think of it, the first one is that old idiot who likes to play with herbs. It's a dangerous hobby, but he's a nice, confused person who doesn't look like a mysterious murderer. And that Girl, she might want to get rid of Caroline, but of course she won't do it to Anya. Then there's the stockbroker, he's Anya's best friend. It's often the case in detective novels, but I don't believe it will happen. In real life. It seems that there are no other people --- oh, yes, there is also Kai Ruolin's little sister, she is really not a part, only these four people." Polo said: "You forgot That governess."

"Yeah, you're right, those governesses are not likable and are often forgotten, but I kind of remember her now, middle-aged, down-to-earth, capable. I think the psychologist would say she was selfishly in love Anya, so kill him. Because she's an unbalanced spinster! It's useless---I don't believe in that. Although my memory of her is not vivid, I remember that she is not a neurotic woman at least " "It's been a long time." "I think about fifteen or sixteen years. Yes, it's been that long. Of course I don't remember the case very well." Poirot said: "On the contrary, you remember it so well that I find it very surprising that you You can almost see the scenes at that time one by one, can't you?"

Fager said slowly: "Yes, you are right - I can indeed recall the situation clearly." Poirot said: "If you can tell me why, I am very willing to listen." "Why?" Fager showed an interested expression on his thin and wise face. "Yeah, why?" Polo said, "What impresses you the most? Those witnesses? The defendant's lawyer? The judge? Defendants in court?" Fager said calmly: "Of course, that's why. You're right, I've always had a deep impression on her... It's funny, romantic, and she has that kind of quality. I don't know if she's pretty or not... She's not very young--looking tired, with dark circles under her eyes, but all the attention is on her. Then again, she's not there at least half the time, with a polite little smile on her lips. Always absent-minded, but more energetic than that other woman---that is, the girl with a beautiful body, beautiful face and youthful energy. I admire Aisha Gerry, because she has the courage, dares to resist, and is brave to face the challenge. She's a wretched person, and never flinches! But what I admire about Caroline is that she doesn't fight, because she retreats into her own dark world. She can never fail, because she never fought a war." He paused, and then said: "I only know one thing, she loved the man she killed deeply, so when he died, she was half dead..."

Fager paused, wiped his glasses, and continued: "My God, what I said seems incredible! You know, I was very young at the time, just an ambitious young lad. These things are stuck in my head Anyway, I'm sure Caroline is a different woman, and I'll never forget her, yes—I'll never forget her..."