Chapter 24 twenty three

(twenty-three) "I don't understand," said Mr. Akibombo sadly. He looked anxiously from one redhead to the other. Sally Finch and Rain Bateson are having a conversation Mr. Akibumble finds difficult to understand. "Do you think," said Sally, "that Nigel meant to make me suspicious, or you?" "Both, I think," Wren replied, "I believe he actually got those hairs from my comb." "I don't understand, please," said Mr. Akibombo. "Then it was Nigel who jumped over the balcony?" "Nigel can jump as light as a cat. I can't jump that distance. I'm too heavy."

"I want to offer you my deepest apologies for my totally unjust suspicion." "It doesn't matter," Ryan said. "Actually, you helped a lot," said Sally, "everything you could think of—about the boron powder." The gloom disappeared from Mr. Ajinbombo's face. "Should have known it all along," Lane said, "Nigel is a total misfit and—" "Oh, for heaven's sake - you sound like Colin when you say that. Frankly, Nigel's always creeped me out - and I've finally figured out why. You know, Ryan If Sir Arthur Stanley hadn't softened his heart and sent Nigel directly to the police, the other three would still be alive today? This is a serious thought."

"However, his feelings are understandable—" "Please, Miss Sally." "What's the matter, Ajinbangbo?" "If you meet my professor at the university dinner tonight, would you please tell him I've done some good thinking work? My professor always says I'm confused." "I'll tell him," Sally said. Ryan Bateson looked gloomy. "You're going back to America in a week," he said. There was a silence. "I'll be back," Sally said, "or you can go there and take your credit." "What's the use of this?"

"Akinbumble," said Sally, "do you want to be best man at a wedding someday?" "Come on, what's a best man?" "The groom, let's say Ryan, asks you to hold a ring for him, and then he and you go to church dressed very nicely, and when the time comes, he asks you for the ring, you give it to him, and he puts it on Put it on my finger, and the organ plays the wedding march, and everyone cheers. That's it." "You mean you and Mr. Wren are getting married?" "Exactly the idea." "Sally!" "Unless, of course; Wren doesn't like the idea."

"Sally! But you don't know—about my father—" "So what? Of course I know. Well, your father is a lunatic, and there are plenty of people who have a lunatic father." "It's not a genetic psychosis. I can assure you, Sally, if only you knew how much I love you and how much I hate you to leave." "I do have only a little doubt." "In Africa," said Mr. Akibombo, "in the old days, before the atomic age and scientific ideas, the marriage customs were very strange and interesting. I tell you..." "You'd better not say it," said Sally. "I think those customs might make Rain and I blush, and when you have red hair, it's very conspicuous."

Hercule Poirot signed the last letter that Miss Lemon had set before him. "Very well," he said solemnly, "no mistake." Miss Lemon looked a little insulted. "I don't make mistakes very often, I hope," she said. "Not often. But it happened. By the way, how is your sister?" "She is thinking of a sea trip, Mr. Poirot. To the great cities of the North." "Ah," said Hercule Poirot. "He wonders if - possibly - traveling by ship -?" Not that he was going on a sea voyage himself - without any motive... A clock struck behind him.

the clock strikes, The mouse scurries down, Walnut for the dock. Hercule Poirot read. "Excuse me, what did you say, Mr. Poirot?" "Nothing," said Hercule Poirot.