Chapter 13 chapter Five

Poirot had no trouble getting Ted to tell the truth.He even rejoiced at the opportunity to talk about the dead girl. "So, sir, you want to find out who killed Mary? It's a hard job." "Then you don't believe that Miss Eleanor killed her?" Ted frowned like a child, and replied slowly: "Eleanor is a real lady. It's hard to imagine that she would do such a thing." "But," insisted Poirot, "Mary is dead, and she did not commit suicide. Please think about it, my friend, and what clues do you know that will help us find the murderer?"

The young man shook his head slowly and said: "Mary was murdered. It doesn't seem real. She's like... like a flower." Poirot immediately looked at the dead girl differently.Listening to Ted's staccato laments, it seemed to Poirot that the dead had been revived in an instant with all the charm of her youth.In Poirot's memory, comments on Mary came through: Lord said that Mary was a lovely child; Nurse Hopkins said that she was a movie star; Mrs. Bishop said that she was a rare vixen "She's like a flower," this last, heartfelt comment on Mary seems to cancel out all criticism of her.

Poirot shook off the momentary contemplation these thoughts aroused, and went on asking: "You don't work in the garage, do you? Were you on shift the day it happened?" "Yes, I was checking a gentleman's car. There was something wrong with it. Had to drive it a long way to find out. It was a beautiful day and the walls were covered with honeysuckle. .Mary likes this kind of flower..." Poirot changed the subject. "Does Nurse Hopkins like Mary, you say?" "Generally, I like it. But Hopkins is the kind of person who is good at giving advice and being a teacher."

Poirot continued unhurriedly: "If Hopkins knew something against Mary, do you think she would keep her mouth shut to anyone?" Ted looked at him curiously and replied: "I suspect that a dog can't hold two ounces of oil. Everyone in the village knows that she is a gossip. If she can keep a secret for anyone, it can only be for Mary. What do you ask this for?" ?” Poirot did not evade the question raised by the other party. "You know, impressions are often formed by talking. Nurse Hopkins came across as being very sincere and frank. But I have the feeling that she's hiding something. It's not necessarily important." , probably had nothing to do with the case. But she didn't tell all she knew. I also felt that something Hopkins was hiding—whatever it was—was disgraceful to Mary. "

Ted spread his hands helplessly.Poirot sighed and said: "Let's put this matter aside first. I will know the truth slowly."