Chapter 27 Section 15

The door opened again, and Colonel Johnson looked up. For a moment he thought it was Harry Lee who had entered, but he realized his mistake when Stephen Farr entered the room. "Sit down, Mr. Farr," he said. Stephen sat down.His gaze was calm and witty, sweeping over the three of them one by one.He said: "I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you. But if there's anything you find useful, please feel free to ask. Maybe first I'd better explain who I am. My father, Ebenezer Farr, It was Simeon Lee's former partner in South Africa. I'm talking about forty years ago."

He paused. "My father told me a lot about Simeon Lee - who he was. He and his father made a fortune, and Simeon Lee came home with a sum of money and my father did Not bad, my father always told me that when I come to this country, I must visit Mr. Li. Once I said that was a long time ago, he may not even know who I am, but my father laughed My thoughts. He said: 'When two men have been through as much as Simeon and I have, they don't forget each other.' Well, my father passed away a few years ago. This year for the first time I to England, and I thought I'd better follow my father's advice and visit Mr Lee."

He smiled slightly and continued: "I couldn't help being a little nervous when I came here, but I don't need to be that way. Mr. Li received me warmly and insisted that I stay with his family." Christmas. I was afraid I'd disturb them, but he wouldn't let me refuse at all." He added embarrassingly: "They were all very nice to me—Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Lee couldn't have been nicer to me. It happened to them and I feel very good for them." sad." "How long have you been here, Mr. Farr?" "From yesterday to now." "Have you seen Mr. Li today?"

"Yes, I spoke to him this morning. He was in good spirits and eager to hear about many people and places." "That was the last time you saw him?" "yes." "Did he mention to you that he kept a lot of uncut diamonds in his safe?" "No." Before the former could speak, he added: "Are you saying the murder was connected with theft?" "We don't know for sure yet," Johnson said. "For tonight, can you tell me what you were doing?" "Of course. I stayed for a glass of wine after the ladies had left the restaurant. Then I realized that the Lees had family matters to discuss and my presence was in their way, so I made an excuse and left them."

"What did you do afterwards?" Stephen Farr leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin with his index finger. His voice was low: "I—er—went to a big room with a wooden floor—something like a ballroom, I think. There was a phonograph there, and dance records, and I put some on. " Poirot said: "Perhaps, very likely, someone will join you there?" A faint smile appeared on Stephen Farr's lips.He replied: "It is very possible, yes. People always have expectations." He grinned bluntly. "Miss Estravados is very beautiful," said Poirot. Stephen replied: "She is by far the most beautiful girl I have ever seen since I came to England."

"Miss Estravados came to meet you?" Stephen shook his head. "I was still there when I heard the noise. I came out into the lobby and ran up the stairs to see what was going on. I helped Harry Lee break down the door." "That's all you can tell us?" "I'm afraid that's all." Hercule Poirot leaned forward and said softly: "But I think, Mr. Farr, you can tell us a lot more if you like." Farr snapped, "What do you mean?" "You can tell us something that is very important in this case—Mr. Li's character traits. You said your father talked a lot about him to you. How would your father describe him?"

Stephen Farr said slowly, "I think I see what you're referring to. What was Seameth Lee like when he was young? Hmm - you want me to be frank, I suppose?" "if you are willing to." "Well, first of all, I don't think Simeon Lee is a virtuous member of society. I'm not saying he's a scoundrel, but he's hardly law-abiding. His character isn't worth mentioning, although he's very Charismatic. And he was surprisingly generous, and the unlucky people who went to him for help never came back empty-handed. He drank a little, but not too much, was attractive to women, and had a good sense of humour. At the end of the day, he had a weird vengeful nature. You could say the same about Simeon Lee when you say elephants are vengeful. My father told me several things that Lee was trying to get back at those who got him Those who come back can even wait for several years."

Superintendent Sugden said: "It's probably immoral on both counts. Mr. Farr, I suppose, you don't know who got caught in there by Simeon Lee, do you? Is there anything in the past to explain what happened tonight? of this case?" Stephen Farr shook his head. "He has enemies, of course, there must be men like him. But I don't know anything special, other than that," his eyes narrowed, "as far as I know— —in fact, I asked Tracylian—there were no strangers in or around the house tonight." Hercule Poirot said: "Except you, M. Farr." Stephen Farr turned to him immediately.

"Oh, is that so? Suspicious of strangers in the house! Well, you don't find that sort of thing. No Simeon Lee to bring down Ebenezer Farr, and Farr's son to come for his father Revenge stuff like that, no," he shook his head, "Seames and Ebenezer have nothing against them. I'm here, as I told you, out of sheer curiosity. Besides, I think gramophones and other Anything would be a good alibi, I played records non-stop - someone was sure to hear it, never enough time for one record to run upstairs - those corridors were a mile anyway Long—cut the old man's throat, wash the blood off, and come back here before the others run up. The idea is ridiculous!"

Colonel Johnson said: "We are not implying that you did it, Mr. Farr." Stephen Farr said: "I don't care too much about the tone of M. Hercule Poirot's voice." "This," said Hercule Poirot, "is very unfortunate!" Poirot smiled at him amiably. Stephen Farr looked at him angrily. Colonel Johnson interrupted at once: "Thank you, Mr. Farr, and there is nothing else to do now. You must not leave the house just yet, however." Stephen Farr nodded.He got up and left the room, taking unsteady steps with ease. As the door closed behind him, Johnson said: "Here comes an unknown, X, a dude whose story seems blunt. After all, he's a dark horse who may have stolen the diamonds—maybe Made up a fake story to come here to get accepted into the Lees. You'd better get his fingerprints, Sugden, and see if he has a record."

"I've got it," said the superintendent with a dry smile. "Good job! You haven't overlooked anything, I think you've checked out all the obvious leads?" Superintendent Sugden checked, ticking the notebook with his finger, "Investigate those calls—times and such. Investigate Holbury, when he left, who saw him go. Check all exits and entrances Office. Investigate all personnel. Investigate family members' finances. Contact lawyers, look into wills. Search houses, look for blood on weapons and clothing—and where diamonds might be." "I think that covers all the questions," said Colonel Johnson appreciatively. "Have you any suggestion, M. Poirot?" Poirot shook his head."I think the superintendent is admirable," he said. Sugden, who has been fretting, said: "Finding diamonds in this house is no joke, I've never seen so many trinkets and baubles in my life." "There must be plenty of hiding places," agreed Poirot. "Have you really nothing to suggest, Poirot?" The chief of police looked a little disappointed. Poirot went on: "Will you allow me to solve the problem in my own way?" "Of course, of course," Superintendent Sugden said suspiciously as Johnson spoke, "in what way?" "I would like to," said Poirot, "talk—often—frequently—to these family members." "You mean you're trying to interrogate them again?" Colonel Johnson asked, a little puzzled. "No, not an interrogation--a conversation." "Why?" Sugden asked. Hercule Poirot waved his hand vigorously. "During the conversation, the crucial things come out! If one is talking all the time, one cannot avoid telling the truth!" "So you think someone's lying?" Sugden said. Poirot sighed: "Everyone lies, Mon cher - but like that egg the curate got, there is a bad part and a good part. It is good to distinguish the harmless lies from the harmful ones." .” Colonel Johnson said gravely: "At the end of the day, you know, this is an incredible affair. There was a particularly ruthless murderer here--and what suspects do we have? Alfred Lee and his Wives—all well-educated, mild-tempered, pleasant people. George Lee was a member of Congress, a high-minded social elite. His wife? She was just an ordinary modern girl. David Lee seemed to be A weak fellow, and his brother Harry said he couldn't bear the sight of blood. His wife seemed like a sensible, nice woman - ordinary. So that left only the Spanish niece and the man from South Africa. The Spanish beauty Tempered, but I don't think that charming lady would cut the old man's neck in cold blood, especially when it turns out she has the best reason to let him go - at any cost, until he signs a new will. Stephen Far It's possible Val - that is, he could be a professional crook who came here for the diamonds. It's probable that the old man found the diamonds missing and Val cut his throat to silence him forever. That's it - a phonograph is not good enough as an alibi." Poirot shook his head. "My dear friend," said he, "compare the stature of Mr. Stephen Farr and old Simeon Lee! If Farr decides to kill the old man, he can kill him in less than a minute--Si It was impossible for Meath Lee to fight him, and who could believe that the frail old man and the fine boy could wrestle for minutes and knock over the chairs and smash the china? It's absurd to think so up!" Colonel Johnson's eyes narrowed. "You mean," he said, "that a thin man killed Simeon Lee?" "Or a woman!" said the superintendent.