Chapter 21 Chapter Thirteen

Poirot rang the bell at Nurse Hopkins's house. Nurse Hopkins received the guest less than enthusiastically, but let him through the threshold.After entering the room, Poirot did not hesitate to talk about business at once. "Do you know why I'm here? I want you to tell me the truth." Hopkins said angrily: "I'd like to know, what do you mean by that? I've always told the truth everywhere. Although many people in my position would avoid talking about the loss of morphine, at the interrogation I said it anyway, and I know people will accuse me of being negligent, of keeping the medicine cabinet downstairs, as expected. Believe me, it's not good for judging my work. But I don't care Well, I've told you everything I know about the case.

So put away your hints, M. Poirot: I have told all I know about Marie's death, and I have not concealed anything, of which I swear! " Poirot did not want to interrupt her in order to let the exasperated woman finish her sentence.She was tired of talking and said nothing more, when Poirot said kindly and calmly: "I am not at all sure that you have concealed anything in connection with the case. I beg you to tell me not about the circumstances of Marie's death, but about her life." After hearing these words, the other party was puzzled, and she said embarrassedly: "I don't know what exactly you mean..."

"I've come to help you. I'll tell you what I've learned. Some from Nurse Albrys, some from old Mrs. Slattery's conversation, which The old lady remembers clearly what happened more than 20 years ago. It is like this, more than 20 years ago, two people fell in love, and one of them became a widow a few years before they fell in love. This is Wei Mrs. Herman, she was a passionate and deep woman. The other was Lewis, who had the misfortune to marry a woman who lost her mind soon after marriage and was incurable. The law at that time did not allow them to divorce, and Lewis was too old. In addition to being unsound, the body is extremely strong and can live to the age of ninety. I think people at that time speculated about the ambiguous relationship between the two people, but on the surface everyone observed etiquette and was extremely cautious in words and deeds. Later, Lewis Died on the battlefield."

"So what?" Nurse Hopkins asked. "I suppose," continued Poirot, "that Mrs. Wellman had a 'child' after his death, and that child was Mary. If it is only an estimate on my part, you may have corroborating proof that Is that right?" Hopkins frowned and sat silently. After a while, she stood up abruptly, went to the opposite desk, opened the drawer, took out a letter, handed it to Poirot, and said at the same time: "Let me explain to you how this letter got into my hands. After Mary's death, I continued to tidy up the dressing room. During the tidying process, I found this letter. Look at what is written on it..."

Poirot saw the writing in faded ink... "Forwarded to Mary after my death." "It wasn't written by old Gerard," Nurse Hopkins explained. "It was written by Mary's mother who died fourteen years ago. She wrote it for the little girls, but the old man withheld it, so Mary didn't To see the letter. Thank goodness! Thanks to her not seeing it, she kept her head up until the day she died, and she had nothing to be ashamed of." After a short pause, she continued: "It was sealed, and when I found out, I opened it, to tell you the truth, because Mary was dead, and besides, I had already guessed something. It had nothing to do with anyone but her, but I don't know. Why I don't want to destroy it. You'd better read this letter for yourself."

Poirot took out a piece of paper from the envelope, on which was written densely packed small triangular characters: I write out the truth of the matter in case I may need it.I worked as a maid at H Hall for Mrs Wellman, and Mrs Wellman was very nice to me.One year I unfortunately got pregnant, but she didn't dismiss me. After the incident, she let me work as a maid in her house.Then my child died.The hostess and Lewis were in love, but they could not get married because Mr. Lewis had a wife who was living in a mental hospital at the time.He was a real gentleman and loved Mrs. Wellman very much.He was killed on the battlefield.Mrs Wellman told me shortly afterwards that she was pregnant.Then she went to Scotland and took me with her.Her child was born there.Gerard, who had abandoned me when I was pregnant, began writing to me again.Later we decided to get married and live in the changing house after marriage. The child born to Mrs. Wellman will be our adopted daughter.If we lived here, Mrs. Wellman's concern for and closeness to the little girl would not arouse suspicion.Mrs Wellman thought it best never to let Mary know the truth.She gave us a lot of money, even if I don't give money, I will help her.

I lived happily with Gerard, but he never had feelings for Mary.I've kept these things a secret, and haven't said a word to anyone, but I think it's right to write the truth, in case I die. Eliza Gerard (née name) Eliza Reilly Poirot sighed deeply and refolded the letter.Nurse Hopkins asked anxiously: "What do you think of the matter. The parties are dead. There is no need to bring up old scores. Let the dead rest in their graves. I think so." Poirot replied: "You need to think about the living!" "But it has nothing to do with the murder."

Poirot said gravely: "You are wrong. Maybe this has a direct relationship with the case." He walked out of the house, and Nurse Hopkins stared after him dumbfounded. Poirot was walking along the road thoughtfully, when suddenly he heard hesitant footsteps.He turned his head and saw Holik, the young gardener of Manor H. The young man rubbed the hat in his hand shyly and said: "Excuse me, sir, may I have a word with you?" "Of course, my friend. What's the matter?" Holik rubbed his hat harder with both hands. "It's about the car." "About the car parked at the back gate of the estate that morning?"

"Yes, sir. Today Mr. Lord said it wasn't his car, but that's not true. It was his car, I'll swear it." Bobo reminded with a smile: "But Dr. Lord said he was at Wissenbury that morning." Holik was too embarrassed to know what to do. "Yes, sir, I heard him say it. But it's his car anyway, I'll swear it." "Thank you, Hollick," said Poirot kindly. "It seems that this step must be taken."