Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve "I Don't Believe"

"No! No!" Dr. Leidner jumped to his feet and paced excitedly. "Rayleigh, what you said is impossible. Absolutely impossible, is it one of us? Oops! Everyone in our expedition loves Louise deeply." The corners of Dr. Rayleigh's mouth drooped, showing a little strange expression.Under such circumstances, it was difficult for him to say anything.But if a man's silence can be meaningful, then his silence for a moment is that. "It's absolutely impossible," Dr. Leidner repeated. "They all loved her, and Louise was so lovely, everyone felt it."

Dr. Rayleigh coughed lightly. "Forgive me, Leidner, but that's just your idea after all. If there is someone in your regiment who doesn't like your wife, he will naturally not publicize it to you." Dr. Leidner showed a very painful look. "Yes, indeed. But, Rayleigh, I still think you're wrong, and I'm sure everyone likes Louise." He was silent for a moment, and then suddenly said, "Your idea is terrible, frankly. — that's unbelievable." "You can't leave the - oh - fact," said Captain Maitland. "Fact? Fact? That's a lie of an Indian cook and two Arab servants. You know these guys as well as I do, Rayleigh. And so do you, Maitland. Telling the truth means nothing to them." Yes, they all say what you want them to say, it's just a matter of manners."

"In this case," said Dr. Rayleigh coldly, "they say what we don't want them to say. I quite understand what you people are used to here. Just beyond the gate, there's a social club- A place like that. Whenever I come here in the afternoon, I always find that nine out of ten of your people are there, and that's where they naturally hang out." "I still think you're guessing too far. Why didn't this man—this demon—come in sooner and hide somewhere?" "I agree that it is not actually impossible," said Dr. Rayleigh coldly. "Now let us suppose that a stranger does come in when no one can see him. Then he has to hide (he must Leidner's room, for there was nothing to hide there), waited for the right opportunity, and at the risk of being seen, went into her room and came out--and, for the most part, During the time, Emmott and the child were in the yard."

"The boy, I forgot the boy," said Dr. Leidner, "that was a clever boy. But, Maitland, the boy must have seen the murderer come into my wife's room." "We've made it clear. Except for one thing, the kid was washing pots all afternoon. At about half past one—Emmott can't name a closer moment—he went up on the roof with you. Ten minutes together—I was right, wasn't I?" "Yes, if you ask me, I can't give an exact time, except about that time.", "Very well. Then, during those ten minutes, the boy took a chance to slack off and swing out to chat with a few other people outside the gate. When Emmott came down, he found the boy was not there, and he was very anxious." Call him back angrily, and ask him what he meant by leaving his job. From what I can see, your wife was killed in those ten minutes."

Dr. Leidner snorted and sat down, covering his face with his hands. Dr. Rayleigh went on, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "The timing just matched my evidence," he said. "She had been dead for about three hours when I examined the body. The only question is—who did it?" There was a silence.Dr. Leidner sat back straight in his chair, and put his hands to his forehead. "Rayleigh, I admit that your inference is very convincing," he said calmly, "this incident seems to be what people generally call 'the insiders did it', but I think there is always a mistake in this inference. Yes. This inference seems very reasonable, but there are many doubts in it. First, your conjecture is an amazing coincidence."

"It's strange that you use the word 'coincidence,'" Dr. Rayleigh said. Dr. Leidner ignored his words and went on: "My wife received threatening letters. She had every reason to be very afraid of a certain person. Then--she was killed, and you want me to believe that she was not That man killed a very different man! I think it's ridiculous to say that." "It seems so—yes," said Dr. Rayleigh thoughtfully. Dr. Rayleigh looked at Captain Maitland. "Coincidence, huh? What do you think Maitland? Do you agree with this idea? Shall we let him think so?"

Captain Maitland nodded. "Go on," he said simply. "Have you heard of a man named Hercule Poirot, Leidner?" "Yes, I think I've heard that name before," he said blankly. "I heard a Mr. Van Odin recommend him once. He's a private eye, isn't he?" "This is the man." "How can he help us, however, as he lives in London?" "He lives in London, that's right," said Dr. Rayleigh. "But here's the coincidence. He's not in London now, he's in Syria. In fact, he's going to Baghdad to-morrow via Hashani."

"Who told you that?" "It's the French consul, Sambura, who was talking about him at dinner with us last night. He seems to be clearing up a case of military fraud in Syria. He is expected to pass here tomorrow to Baghdad, and then to return to London via Syria. Isn't that Is it a coincidence?" Dr Leidner hesitated for a moment, then looked apologetically at Captain Maitland. "What do you think, Captain Maitland?" "Cooperation is welcome," said Captain Maitland immediately. "My brothers are good detectives for scouring the country and investigating feuds with the blood of the Arabs. But, Leidner, frankly, investigating your wife This case is not our business. This case is very suspicious, and I would like to let this person look at it."

"Do you mean that I should ask this Poirot to help us?" said Dr. Leidner, "and if he won't?" "He won't say no," said Dr. Rayleigh. "how do you know?" "Because I'm an expert myself. If there's a complicated case, say, meningitis: I can't refuse a consultation. It's not an ordinary crime, Leidner." "Yes," said Dr. Leidner, his lips twitching painfully. "Then, Rayleigh, will you approach this Hercule Poirot on my behalf?" "OK." Dr. Leidner said he was grateful for the look. "Even now," he said slowly, "I cannot believe that Louise is really dead."

I couldn't take it any longer. "Ah, Dr. Leidner!" I said suddenly, "I—I can't express how much I feel about it. I have been so irresponsible that it was my duty to take care of Mrs. Leidner and keep her from harm. .” Dr. Leidner shook his head gravely. "No, no, Miss Nurse. You don't have to blame yourself," he said slowly, "I'm the one to blame—may the Lord forgive me! I didn't believe it before—I haven't—I didn't for a moment To think of real danger." He stood up, his face twitching. "It was I who made her go to the dead end, it was I who made her go to the dead end—I still don't believe—"

He staggered out the door. Dr. Rayleigh looked at me. "I also think there is a fault," he said, "I thought she was teasing him on purpose to see if he was afraid." "I didn't take that too seriously," I admitted. "All three of us were wrong," said Dr. Rayleigh gravely. "That seems to be the case," said Captain Maitland.