Chapter 26 Chapter 26 The Truth

The scene fell silent - silent for a long, long time.The house was getting dark, and the fire was flickering. Mrs. Lorrimer and Hercule Poirot looked not at each other, but at the firelight.Time seemed to have stopped temporarily.Then Hercule Poirot sighed and moved. "So it is—always. Why did you kill him, madam?" "Mr. Poirot, I think you know why." "Because he knows something about you? Something that happened long ago?" "yes." "That matter—involving another's death, ma'am?" She looks down. Poirot said softly, "Why did you tell me? Why did you call me here today?"

"You said I was going to do it sooner or later." "Yes—that's, I hope—ma'am, I know there's only one way to find out the truth about you, and that's by your own free will. If you don't want to, you never will, and you'll never come out But there's a chance—you might like to say it yourself." Mrs. Lorrimer nodded. "You can see in advance -- that weariness, that loneliness -- that's really clever." Her voice became smaller and smaller. Poirot eyed her curiously. "Is that so? Yes, I understand the possibility." Mrs. Lorrimer said, "It's all alone—alone. Unless a man, like me, knows he's done something wrong and is alive, he never understands what it means."

Poirot said softly: "Madam, would I be rude if I expressed sympathy?" She lowered her head slightly. "Thank you, Monsieur Poirot." There was another silence; then Poirot said in a more lively tone: "Madame, you mean that you think that what Mr. Shaitana said at the dinner party was a direct threat to you?" She nodded. "I knew right away that he was speaking to someone. That person was me. The so-called poison is a woman's weapon was aimed at me. He knew. I was suspicious before. He once brought the topic to a famous At the trial, I saw his eyes looking at me, indicating that he knew something secret. But I was quite sure that night."

"And are you sure of his future intentions?" Mrs. Lorrimer said flatly, "It's not a coincidence that Inspector Bart and you were there. I thought Shaitana was going to point out to you that he found something that no one else suspected. He was smart." "Ma'am, when did you make up your mind to take action?" Mrs. Lorrimer hesitated. "It's hard to know exactly when the thought came into my head," she said. "I found the dagger before I went in for dinner. When everyone went back to the living room, I picked it up and hid it in my sleeve. No one saw it. I'm sure."

"Ma'am, I trust you to be quick." "That's when I made up my mind to do it. Just follow through. It might be risky, but I think it's just a shot." "Your calmness, your ability to weigh the pros and cons . . . came in handy. Yes, I understand." Mrs. Lorrimer went on, in a calm, unemotional voice. "We started playing bridge. Last chance came. I was dreaming. I wandered over to the fire across the way, and Shaitana dozed off. I looked at the others. They were concentrating on playing cards. I leaned over--done --" Her voice trembled slightly, but she regained her arrogance and calmness in an instant.

"I was talking to him, thinking that would be an excuse for me. I mentioned the fire and pretended he answered, and I said: I feel the same way, and I don't like electric stoves either." "Did he not yell?" "No. He probably made a muffled grunt—that's all. It might sound like talking at a distance." "and then?" "Then I went back to the table. They were playing the last round." "You sit down and continue playing?" "yes." "Still full of interest in bridge, and even two days later, can you still tell me the cards called and cards played in each round?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Lorrimer. Hercule Poirot said: "Amazing!" He leaned back in his chair and nodded several times.Then suddenly changed to shaking his head. "Ma'am, there are still some things I can't figure out." "Ok?" "I've always felt that there were factors I couldn't figure out. You're a man who thinks things over and over. For some reason, you decide to take a big risk. You try—and succeed. But within a fortnight you're Change your mind. Frankly, madam, I always find it unreasonable." A weird smile played on her lips.

"Mr. Poirot, you are right. There is one factor which you do not know. Did Miss Meredith tell you where she met me the other day?" "She seemed to say it was near Mrs. Oliver's." "I believe so. But I mean the exact street name. Anne Meredith met me in Harley Street." He looked at her intently: "Ah, I gradually understand." "Yes, I think you'll understand. I went over there to see a medical specialist who confirmed what I suspected." Her smile spread out, no longer weird or bitter, suddenly sweet. "Mr. Poirot, I can't play bridge much longer. Oh, the doctor didn't bother me so much. He concealed the truth a little, and said that if I was very careful, I might live a few more years. But I don't want to be careful, I'm not. That kind of person."

"Yes, yes, I gradually understand," said Poirot. "You know, it's different. It's just another month--or two--not much longer. As soon as I left the specialist, I ran into Miss Meredith. I asked her to stay with me. I drink tea." She paused for a moment, then continued. "I'm not a hopelessly bad woman after all. I've been thinking about it over tea time. My actions the last few days not only took Shaitana's life - that's irreparable - but it affected three others Dr. Roberts, Major Desper, and Anne Meredith, who did not harm me, were severely tested and even endangered for my actions. I can at least redeem that. I would Not particularly moved by the misery of Dr. Roberts or Major Desper--though their lives are far longer than mine, they are men and can take care of themselves. But I look at Anne Meredith-- -"

After a moment's hesitation, she said slowly: "Anne Meredith is still a girl. She has a bright future ahead of her. This tragedy may ruin her life. It makes me sad to think about it. Mr. Poirot, I am troubled." After these thoughts, I know that what you said that day has come true. I can't be silent. I'll call you this afternoon—" Time passed by every minute and every second.Hercule Poirot leaned forward.He studied Mrs. Lorrimer through the growing twilight.She also stared at him quietly, not nervous at all. At last he said: "Mrs. Lorrimer, are you sure—you're sure, you're going to tell me the truth? The murder of Mr. Shaitana wasn't really a premeditation? Didn't intend to murder?"

Mrs. Lorrimer stared at him for a moment, then shook her head violently. "No," she said. "Didn't you plan this murder in advance?" "of course not." "That--that--oh! You lied to me--you must have lied--" Mrs. Lorrimer's voice pierced the air like frost. "Mr. Poirot, you have really lost your mind." The little old man jumped up.He paced around the room, muttering to himself, making sounds all the time.Suddenly said: "Allow me?" and walked to the switch and turned on the light. He returned and sat down in his chair, with his hands on his knees, looking straight at his mistress. He said: "The question is, can Hercule Poirot be mistaken?" "No one is always right," said Mrs. Lorrimer calmly. Poirot said: "I am, and I am always right. I am shocked by the invariance. But now it seems that I was wrong. I am disturbed. You probably know what you are talking about. It is yours." Murder! How strange that Hercule Poirot should know more about the circumstances of the crime than you do!" Mrs. Lorrimer said more calmly: "Strange, and absurd." "Then I'm probably crazy. I must be. No--on the holy name of a little boy--I'm not! I'm right. I must be right. I'd like to believe you killed Mr. Shaitana--but you can't kill him in the way you describe. It's impossible for a man to do anything against his personality!" he stops.Mrs. Lorrimer drew a sharp breath and bit her lip.She was about to speak when Poirot spoke first. "Either it was planned to kill Shaitana - or you didn't kill it at all!" Mrs. Lorrimer snapped: "I really believe you are mad, Mr. Poirot. I can't lie about the manner of killing, if I admit it. What's the point of doing it?" Poirot stood up and circled the room.When he returned to his seat, his manner changed; he became gentle and kind. He said softly, "You didn't kill Shaitana, now I understand. I understand everything. Harley Street -- little Anne Meredith standing alone on the pavement. I seem to see the Another girl who lived terribly alone. Yes, I get it all. But there's one thing I don't—how can you be sure it was Anne Meredith?" "Mr. Poirot, really—" "It's no use arguing, ma'am, don't lie to me anymore. I tell you, I know the truth. I know how you felt that day in Harley Street. You won't take the blame for Dr. Roberts—oh, no! You won't either." Not for Major Desper. But Anne Meredith is different. Inspector Bart asked you to say what you think of the case the night it happened, and you've already established it. Yes, I know all about it. It's no use lying to me any more. Do you understand?" He paused for an answer, but there was no answer.He nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, you are very reasonable. Ma'am, it was a noble act of yours to take the blame and let the child off the hook." Mrs. Lorrimer said indifferently: "You forget, I am not an innocent woman. Mr. Poirot, I killed my husband many years ago." There was a moment of silence. Poirot said: "I understand that this is the axiom, the only axiom. You have a logical mind. You are willing to be punished for the crimes of the year. Homicide is homicide-it doesn't matter who the victim is. Madame, you are brave and have vision. Clear too. But I ask again, how can you be sure? How do you know it was Anne Meredith who killed Mr. Shaitana?" Mrs. Lorrimer sighed deeply.Poirot persisted until the end, and her last resistance was gone.She answered his questions simply like a child. She said, "Because I saw it."