Chapter 25 Chapter 2 Questions

Written on paper: Questions requiring explanation. 1. A handkerchief with the initial letter H.Whose? ⒉ Doutong bar.Was it lost by Colonel Arbuthnot?or someone else? ⒊Who wears bright red pajamas? 4. Who was the man or woman who disguised herself as a train conductor? ⒌Why does the watch hand point to a quarter past one? 6. Did the murder happen at that time? ⒎ Or earlier than then? 8. Or later? ⒐Can we be sure that there is more than one person who stabbed Ratchett to death? ⒑Is there any other explanation for the knife wound on his body? "Well, let's see what can be done," said M. Bowker, a little beaming at the question being asked. "Let's start with the handkerchief. Whatever you do, you have to be orderly and organized."

"Undoubtedly," said Poirot, nodding with satisfaction. M. Bouc went on, somewhat didactically. "Initial H, associated with three persons--Mrs. Hubbard; Miss Debenham, whose name was Mary Hermione; and the maid Hildegard Schmidt Special (Hildegarde Schmidt)." "Ah, so it's one of these guys?" "It's hard to say at the moment. But I think I'm leaning toward Miss Debenham. Maybe people call her by her second name instead of her first, who knows. Besides, there's already some suspicion about her. What do you think?" There must be something strange about the conversation I heard, my dear, and so is her refusal to explain."

"I think it's the American," said Dr. Constantine. "It's a very expensive handkerchief, and almost everyone knows that Americans don't care much about buying things." "So you have ruled out the maid as a possibility?" asked Poirot. "Yes, as she herself said, that handkerchief belonged to someone of the upper classes." "As for the second question--the pipe cleaner. Was it lost by Colonel Arbuthnot? Or someone else?" "That's all the more reason. Brits don't generally practice assassination, and you're right. I'm inclined to think that the cleaning rod was dropped by the other--in order to implicate the long-legged Briton." .”

"According to you, M. Poirot," interposed the doctor, "both clues are due to the carelessness of the murderer. I agree with M. Bouc. The handkerchief was an oversight--and therefore no one will admit that it was his." (or hers). The pipe cleaner is a false clue. It is not difficult to confirm this inference, you must have noticed the fact that Colonel Arbuthnot did not look embarrassed at all, but frankly admitted that he smoked pipes, And use pipe cleaners like this." "Your reasoning is sound," said Poirot. "The third question—who wears that scarlet pajamas?" went on M. Bouc. "I have not found a shadow of it, frankly. What do you think of it? doctor?"

"No." "Then we have to admit, on this one, we lose. The next question, we somehow have a clue. Who was the man or woman who disguised himself as a conductor? Well, it's safe to say that there are many people who are lying No. Hartmann, Colonel Arbuthnot, Foscalari, Count Andre, and MacQueen are all too tall. Mrs. Hubbard, Hildegard Schmidt, and Gray Da Olson's shoulders are too broad. Then there are only Ratchett's servants, Miss Debenham, Princess Dregomilov, and Countess Andrei - but anyone who looks Impossible! Glada Olson and Antonio Foscarari swore each to prove that Miss Debenham and the manservant had never left their rooms; Hildegard De Schmidt assures that the Duchess has been staying in her private room; Count Andrew tells us that his wife takes sleeping pills. It seems impossible, therefore, that anyone should be suspected— Besides, it's absurd."

"As our old friend Euclid said," said Poirot vaguely. "It must have been one of those four," said Dr. Constantine, "unless someone who came in from outside found a place to hide--which, however, we all considered impossible." M. Bouc moved on to the next question on the list. "The fifth question—why does the watch hand point to a quarter past one? I found two explanations. In other words, this was a scene made by the murderer to prove that he was not there when he committed the crime. People are coming and going, it’s too late for him to escape from this scene; or—wait a minute—I have a new idea—”

While M. Bowker was brooding, Poirot and the doctor waited respectfully for his latest discovery. "Got it," he said at last, "it's not the man in the conductor's uniform who's turning the hands! It's what we call the second killer—the left-hander—in other words, the woman in the bright red pajamas! She goes It was too late, so in order not to arouse suspicion, I dialed the hands of the clock." "Excellent!" said Dr. Constantine. "You can imagine." "Actually," said Bobo, "she poked it in the dark, not thinking he was dead, but, somehow deduced that there was a watch in his pajamas pocket, took it out, and dialed it blindly." needle, and knock it flat."

M. Bouc looked at him coldly. "What better idea?" he asked. "At the moment—not yet," replied Poirot. "Anyway," he went on, "I don't think either of you finds the most interesting thing about that watch." "Is that the sixth question to be answered?" asked the doctor. "To the question—did the murder occur at a quarter past one?—my answer is no." "I agree," said M. Bouc. "The next question is—was it earlier than a quarter past one? I say yes. You think so, doctor, don't you?" The doctor nodded. "Yes. But the answer to the question 'Later than a quarter past one?' is also in the affirmative. I agree with your inference, M. Bouc, and, I think, M. Poirot will as well, though He didn't want to admit it. The first murderer committed the murder before a quarter past one, and the second murderer after a quarter past one. As for the left-handed problem, should we take steps to find out who the passengers are? left handed?"

"I have not completely overlooked this," said Poirot. "You may have noticed that I require every passenger to sign or leave an address. But this is not conclusive evidence, because some people do it with their right hand. Some things, and others with the left hand. Some people write with their right hand, but some people play golf with their left hand. However, it may help. Except for Princess Dregomilov, who refused to write, all the passengers were Written with the right hand." "Princess Dregomilov, that's impossible," said M. Bouc. "I wonder, with her strength, can she stab that left-handed man?"

Dr. Constantine said suspiciously, "That cut requires considerable strength." "Stronger than a woman?" "No, that's not what I meant. But I think that Zhihe is stronger than an old woman, and Princess Dregomilov is especially weak." "Perhaps it is a question of the influence of the mind on the body," said Poirot. "Princess Dregomilov has a strong personality and great willpower, but let us leave that aside for the time being." "As for the ninth and twelfth questions, can we be sure that Ratchett was killed by more than one person? What other explanations are there for the stab wounds? In my opinion, as far as medicine is concerned, there is nothing wrong with those stab wounds. Other explanations. Assume that a man stabs lightly first, then vigorously, first with his right hand, then with his left. About half an hour later, he stabs the corpse several times-of course, this assumption is not valid. "

"Yes," Bobo said, "not true. But, do you think the hypothesis of two murderers can be established?" "As you just said, what other explanation is there?" Poirot's eyes were fixed on him. "That's what I asked myself," he said, "and kept asking myself." He leaned back, leaning back in the chair. "From now on, everything is in it." He patted his forehead and said. "We have delved into these matters. The facts are before us, and in order. The travelers have come here one by one, giving testimony in turn. We already know all we can-- From outside..." He smiled kindly at M. Bouc. "Looks like we're joking, isn't it? - can you figure out the truth sitting in this chair? Well, I'm going to put the theory into practice - right here, before your eyes. You two have to do the same Do. Let us all three close our eyes and think quietly... "Ratchett was killed by one or more of the travelers.Which of them is that? "