Chapter 7 Chapter 7 The fourth murderer?

Despar entered the room with a brisk, brisk step--reminding Poirot of some animal or some man. Bart said, "Major Despar, I'm sorry to keep you waiting. But I want the ladies to leave as soon as possible." "Don't apologize, I understand." He sat down and looked at the inspector questioningly. "How well do you know Mr. Shaitana?" asked the latter. "I've seen him twice," Desper said briskly. "Only twice?" "that is it." "On what occasion did we meet?" "About a month ago, we went to a family dinner together. A week later, he invited me to a cocktail party."

"Having a cocktail party here?" "yes." "Where--this room or the living room?" "All rooms are utilized." "Did you see this little thing in one place?" Bart drew his little sword again. Major Desper's lips twisted slightly. He said, "No, I didn't note down the location of the object that time for future use." "Major Despar, there is no need to speculate further on the meaning of my words." "I'm sorry. The deduction process is obvious." The interrogation was interrupted for a moment, and then Bart continued to ask questions.

"Have you any reason to dislike Mr. Shaitana?" "There are plenty of motivations." "Huh?" The Inspector seemed surprised. Despar said, "It's about hating him—not a motive for killing him. I don't want to kill him at all, but I really want to kick him. It's a pity. It's too late." "Major Despar, why do you want to kick him?" "Because he's exactly the kind of rat that needs a lot of kicking. He used to make my toes itchy." "How much do you know about him--I mean the unreputable side of him?" "He's too well dressed; his hair is too long, and he stinks."

Bart pointed out, "Yet you were invited to dinner at his house." Despar said indifferently: "Inspector Bart, if I only eat at the host's house that I approve of, then I'm afraid I won't have many opportunities to go out to dinner." The Inspector hinted, "You like society, but you don't approve of it?" "I like to be social in a short amount of time. Go back from the wilderness to a brightly lit room, meet attractively dressed women, dance, eat good food, talk and laugh - yes, I loved it for a while. Then I got bored After getting rid of that insincere atmosphere, I want to travel far again."

"Major Desper, you're out in the middle of nowhere, and that must be a dangerous life." Desper shrugged and smiled. "Mr. Shaitana's life is not dangerous--but he's dead and I'm alive!" Bart said meaningfully: "He may have lived a more dangerous life than you imagined." "What do you mean by that?" "The late Mr. Shaitana was a bit of a nosy," Bart said. The opponent's body leaned forward. "You mean he meddled in other people's lives—discovered—what?" "I mean, he probably likes to mess around with—uh—women."

Major Desper leaned back in his chair.He smiled, seemingly amused but unconcerned. "I don't think a woman would take such a liar too seriously." "Major Despar, who do you think killed him?" "Oh, I know I didn't do it, and it wasn't Miss Meredith. I can't imagine Mrs. Lorrimer doing something like that--she reminds me of some God-fearing aunt. Dr. gone." "Can you describe your own and others' activities tonight?" "I got up twice - once to go to the ashtray and turn on the fire - and once to get a drink." "What time?"

"I'm not sure. It was about eleven o'clock the first time, but it's a wild guess. Mrs. Lorrimer came over to the fire once and said a word to Mr. Shaitana. I didn't hear him answer, but I didn't notice it then, but I'm sure he didn't talk. Miss Meredith was wandering about the room, but I don't think she came near the fireplace. Dr. Roberts kept jumping up and down--three or four times at least." Bart smiled and said, "I'm going to ask you a question that Mr. Poirot came up with. What do you think of their card skills?" "Miss Meredith played well. Roberts bid so high it was a disgrace. He deserved to lose worse than he really did. Mrs. Lorrimer's game is superb."

Barthes turned to Poirot. "Mr. Poirot, is there anything else you want to ask?" Poirot shook his head. Desper gave them the address of Albany, wished them good night, and went out. After he closed the door, Poirot moved a little.Bart asked him, "What?" Poirot said: "Nothing. I just suddenly felt that he walked like a tiger—yes, soft and easy, and that's how a tiger walks." Bart said: "Huh!" He looked around at the three companions, "Well, which one of them did it?"