AgathaChristie-HerculePoirotsCasebook

by Hercule Poirot's Casebook (lit)

  'We keep it locked,' she explained, 'because one's umbrellas

  and things have a habit of getting pinched.'

  'Very wise precaution,' said Japp, cheerfully accepting the

  kee turned it in the lock and threw the door open. It was dark

  limside the cupboard. Japp took out his pocket flashlight and let

  lt play round the inside.

  POirot felt the girl at his side stiffen and stop breathing for a

  Ii' second. His eyes followed the sweep of Japp's torch.

  ir: There was not very much tn the cupboard. Three umbrellas

  - one broken, four walking sticks, a set of golf clubs, two tennis

  .racquets, a neatly-folded rug and several sofa cushions in

  various stages of dilapidation. On the top of these last reposed

  m small, smart-looking attache-ease.

  As Japp stretched out a hand towards it, Jane Plenderleith

  said quickly:

  'That's mine. I - it came back with me this morning. So

  there can't be anything there.'

  'Just as well to make quite sure,' said Japp, his cheery

  friendliness increasing slightly.

  The case was unlocked. Inside it was fitted with shagreen

  brushes and toilet bottles. There were two magazines in it but

  nothing else.

  Japp examined the whole outfit with mefculous attention.

  When at last he shut the lid and began a cursory examinafio,

  of the cushions, the girl gave an audible sigh of relief.

  There was nothing else in the cupboard beyond what was

  [Plainly to be seen. Japp's examination was soon finished.

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  He relocked the door and handed the key to Jane

  Plenderleith.

  'Well,' he said, 'that concludes matters. Can you give me Mr

  Laverton-West's address?'

  'Farlescombe Hall, Little Ledbury, Hampshire.'

  'Thank you, Miss Plenderleith. That's all for the present. I

  may be round again later. By the way, mum's the word. Leave

  it at suicide as far as the general public's concerned.'

  'Of course, I quite understand.'

  She shook hands with them both.

  As they walkedaway down the mews, Japp exploded:

  'What the - the hell was there in that cupboard? There was something.'

  'Yes, there was something.'

  'And I'll bet ten to one it was something to do with the

  attache-case! But like the double-dyed mutt I must be, I

  couldn't find anything. Looked in all the bottles - felt the lining - what the devil could it be?'

  Poirot shook his head thoughtfully.

  'That girl's in it somehow,' Japp went on. 'Brought that case

  back this morning? Not on your life, she didn't! Notice that

  · there were two magazines in it?'

  'Yes.'

  'Well, one of them was for las July!'

  CHAPTER 7

  It was the following day when Japp walked into Poirot's flat,

  flung his hat on the table in deep disgust and dropped into a

  chair.

  'Well,' he growled. 'She's out of it!'

  'Who is out of it?'

  'Plenderleith. Was playing bridge up to midnight. Host,

  92

  hostess, naval-commander guest and two servants can all swear

  to that. No doubt about it, we've got to give up any idea of her

  being concerned in the business. All the same, I'd like to know why she went all hot and bothered about that little attach6-case under the stairs. That's something inyour line, Poirot. You like

  solving the kind of triviality that leads nowhere. The Mystery

  of the Small Attach6-Case. Sounds quite promising!'

  'I will give you yet another suggestion for a rifle. The

  Mystery of the Smell of Cigarette Smoke.'

  'A bit clumsy for a ritle. Smell - eh? Was that why you were

  sniffing so when we £n'st examined the body? I saw you - and

  heard you! Sniff- sniff- sniff. Thought you had a cold in your

  head.'

  'You were entirely in error.'

  Japp sighed.

  'I always thought it was the little grey cells of the brain.

  Don't tell me the cells of your nose are equally superior to

  anyone else's.'

  'No, no, calm yourself.'

  'I didn't smell any cigarette smoke,' went on Japp

  suspiciously.

  'No more did I, my friend.'

  Japp looked at him doubtfully. Then he extracted a cigarette

  from his pocket.

  'That's the kind Mrs Alien smoked - gaspers. Six of those

  stubs were hers. The other three were Turkish.'

  'Exactly.'

  'Your wonderful nose knew that without looking at them, I

  suppose!'

  'I assure you my nose does not enter into the matter. My

  nose registered nothing.'

  'But the brain cells registered a lot?'

  'Well - there were certain indications - do you not think so?'

  Japp looked at him sideways.

  'Such as?'

  'Eh bt,n, there was very def'mitely something missing from

  93

  the room. Also something added, I think... And then, on the

  writing-bureau...'

  'I knew it! We're coming to that damned quill pen!'

  'Du tout. The quill pen plays a purely negative rtle.'

  Japp retreated to safer ground.

  'I've got Charles Laverton-West coming to see me at

  Scotland Yard in half an hour. I thought you might like to be

  aere.'

  'I should very much.'

  'And you'll be glad to hear we've tracked down Maior

  Eustace. Got a service flat in the Cromwell Road.'

  'Excellent.'

  'And we've got a little to go on there. Not at all a nice person,

  Major Eustace. After I've seen Laverton-West, we'll go and see

  him. That suit you?'

  'Perfectly.'

  'Well, come along then.'

  At half-past eleven, Charles Laverton-West was ushered into

  Chief Inspector Japp's room. Japp rose and shook hands.

  The M.P. was a man of medium height with a very definite

  personality. He was clean-shaven, with the mobile mouth of

  actor, and the slightly prominent eyes that so often go with

  gift of oratory. He was good-looking in a quiet, well-bred way.

  Though looking pale and somewhat distressed, his manner

  was perfectly formal and composed.

  He took a seat, laid his gloves and hat on the table and looked

  towards Japp.

  'I'd like to say, first of all, Mr Laverton-West, that I fully

  appreciate how distressing this must be to you.'

  Laverton-West waved this aside.

  'Do not let us discuss my feelings. Tell me, Chief Inspector,

  have you any idea what caused my - Mrs Allen to take her own

  life?'

  'You yourself cannot help us in any way?'

  'No, indeed.'

  94

  'There was no quarrel? No estrangement of any kind between you?'

  'Nothing of the kind. It has been the greatest shock to me.'

  'Perhaps it will be more understandable, sir, if I tell you that

  it was not suicide - but murder!'

  'Murder?' Charles Lavertun-West's eyes popped nearly out

  of his head. 'You say murder?'

  'Quite correct. Now, Mr Laverton-West, have you any idea

  who might be likely to make away with Mrs Allen?'

  Laverton-West fairly spluttered out his answer.

  'No - no, indeed - nothing of the sort! The mere idea is - is unimaginable
!'

  'She never mentioned any enemies? Anyone who might

  a grudge against her?'

  'Never.'

  'Did you know that she had a pistol?'

  'I was not aware of the fact.'

  He looked a little startled.

  'Miss Plenderleith says that Mrs Allen brought this pistol

  back from abroad with her some years ago.'

  'Really?'

  'Of course, we have only Miss Plenderleith's word for that.

  It is quite possible that Mrs Allen felt herself to be in danger

  from some source and kept the pistol handy for reasons of her

  own?

  Charles Laverton-West shook his head doubtfully. He

  seemed quite bewildered and dazed.

  'What is your opinion of Miss Plenderleith, Mr Laverton-West?

  I mean, does she strike you as a reliable, truthful

  person?'

  The other pondered a minute.

  'I think so - yes, I should say so.'

  'You don't like her?' suggested Japp, who had been

  vatching him closely.

  'I wouldn't say that. She is not the type of young woman I

  That sarcastic, independent type is not attractive to

  me, but I should say she was quite truthful.'

  95

  'H'm,' said Japp. 'Do you know a Major Eus:e?'

  'Eustace? Eustace? Ah, yes, I remember the name. I met

  him once at Barbara's - Nits Allen's. Rather a doubtful

  customer in my opinion. I said as much to my - to Mrs Allen.

  He Wasn't the type of man I should have encouraged to come

  to the house after we were married.'

  'And what did Mrs Alien say?'

  'Oh! she quite agreed. She trusted my judgment implicitly.

  A man knows other men better than a woman can do. She

  explained that she couldn't very well be rude to a man whom

  she had not seen for some time - I think she felt especially a

  horror of being snobbish! Naturally, as my wife, she would fred

  a good many of her old associates well - unsuitable, shall we

  say?'

  'Meaning that in marrying you she was bettering her

  position?' Japp asked bluntly.

  Laverton-West held up a we!l-manicured hand.

  'No, no, not quite .that. As a matter of fact, Mrs Aller

  mother was a distant relation of my own family. She was fu.

  my equal in birth. But of course, in my position, I have to

  especially careful in choosing my friends - and my wife

  choosing hers. One is to a certain extent in the limelight.'

  'Oh, quite,' said Japp dryly. He went on, 'So you can't

  us in any way?'

  'No indeed. I am utterly at sea. Barbara! Murdered! It seens

  incredible.'

  'Now, Mr Laverton-West, can you tell me what your

  movements were on the night of November fifth?'

  'My movements? My movements?'

  Laverton-West's voice rose in shrill protest.

  'Purely a matter of routine,' explained Japp. 'We -er - have

  to ask everybody.'

  Charles Laverton-West looked at him with dignity.

  'I should hope that a man in my position might be exempt.'

  Japp merely waited.

  'I was - now let me see... Ah, yes. I was at the House. Lef',

  96

  at half-past ten. Went for a walk alonAe:$ the EmbaCment,

  Watched some of the fireworks.'

  'Nice to think there aren't any plots of'hat Ilaaat d n0adays

  said Japp cheerily.

  Laverton-West gave him a fish-like sin.

  'Then I - er - walked home.'

  'Reaching home - your London addrsis Bi; is 0slow Square'

  I think - at what time?'

  'I hardly know exactly.'

  'Eleven? Half-past?'

  'Somewhere about then.'

  'Perhaps someone let you in.'

  'No, I have my key.'

  'Meet anybody whilst you were wallug?"c.g?' ·

  'No - er - really, Chief Inspector, Irtserem these questicns

  very much?

  'I assure you, it's just a matter of m 'taCtine, Mr iavertt°n'

  West. They aren't personal, you know.

  The reply seemed to soothe the irat¢ICi.l.l.P.

  'If that is all '

  'That is all for the present, Mr Laveton.a,n-West.'

  'You will keep me informed '

  'Naturally, sir. By the way, let meintrca'oduce M. Hercule

  Poirot. You may have heard of him.'

  Mr Laverton-West's eye fastened izlf · interestedly on the

  'Yes - yes - I have heard the name' .

  'Monsieur,' said Poirot, his manner suclddenly very fo'reqgn'

  'Believe me, my heart bleeds for you. ga¢i/ a 10ss! Such agony

  you must be enduring! Ah, but I will I say no ofe. ,' How

  the English hide theiremotions.' lie whpped

  --his cigarette case. 'Permit me -la, it is empty. Japgpp?'

  Japp slapped his pockets and sho{x his head.

  Laverton-West produced his ovn o"cigarette ga.se, c mar'Er

  - have one of mine, M. 10irot.'

  'Thank you - thank you,' The.liRe mare helpec him/nself'

  9'

  'As you say, M. Poirot,' resumed the other, 'we English

  not parade our emotions. A stiff upper lip - that is our motto?

  He bowed to the two men and went out.

  'Bit of a stuffed fish,' said Japp disgustedly. 'And a boiled

  owl! The Plenderleith girl was quite right about him. Yet he':,

  a good-looking sort of chap - might go down well with some

  woman who had no sense of humOur. What about tha*.

  cigarette?'

  Poirot handed it over, shaking his head.

  'Egyptian. An expensive variety.'

  'No, that's no good. A pity, for I've never heard a weaker

  alibi! In fact, it wasn't an alibi at all... You know, Poirot, it's a

  pity the boot wasn't on the other leg. If she'd been blackmailing

  him... He's a lovely type for blackmail - would pay out like a

  lamb! Anything to avoid a scandal.'

  'My friend, it is very pretty to reconstruct the case as

  would like it to be, but that is not strictly our affair.'

  'No, Eustace is our affair. I've got a few lines on

  De pounds itely a nasty fellow.'

  'By the way, did you do as I suggested about

  Plendefieith?'

  'Yes. Wait a sec, I'll ring through and get the latest.'

  He picked up the telephone receiver and spoke througk t.

  After a brief interchange he replaced it and looked u3"

  Poirot.

  'Pretty heartless piece of goods. Gone offto play golf.

  a nice thing to do when your friend's been murdered only

  day before.'

  Poirot uttered an exclamation.

  'What's the matter now?' asked Japp.

  But Poirot was murmuring to himself.

  'Of course.., of course.., but naturally... What an imbe.; iie

  I am - why, it leapt to the eye?

  Japp said rudely:

  'Stop jabbering to yourself and let's go and tackle

  He was amazed to see the radiant smile that spread o,:er

  Poirot's face.

  98

  'But - yes - most certainly let us tackle him. For now, see

  you, I know everything o but everything?

  CHAPTER8

  elajor Eustace received the two men with the easy assurance of

  man of the world.

  His flat was small, a mere pied i terre, as he explained. He

  offered the two men a drink and when that was refused he took

  out his cigarette case.
/>
  Both Japp and Poirot accepted a cigarette. A quick glance

  passed between them.

  'You smoke Turkish, I see,' said Japp as he twirled the

  cigarette between his fingers.

  'Yes. I'm sorry, do you prefer a gasper? I've got one

  somewhere about.'

  'No, no, this will do me very well.' Then he leaned forward

  - his tone changed. 'Perhaps you can guess, Major Eustace,

  what it was I came to see you about?'

  I The other shook his head. His manner was nonchalant.

  Major Eustace was a tall man, good-looking in a somewhat

  eoarse fashion. There was a puffiness round the eyes - small,

  vafty eyes that belied the good-humoured geniality of his

  lllarmer.

  He said:

  'No - I've no idea what brings such a big gun as a chief

  inspector to see me. Anything to do with my car?'

  'No, it is not your car. I think you knew a Mrs Barbara Alien,

  jor Eustace?'

  I The major leant back, puffed out a cloud of smoke, and said

  i an enlightened voice:

  'Oh, so that's it! Of course, I might have guessed. Very sad

  business.'

  'You know about it?'

  'Saw it in the paper last night. Too bad.'

  'You knew Mrs Allen out in India, I think.'

  'Yes, that's some years ago now.'

  'Did you also know her husband?'

  There was a pause - a mere fraction ora second - but during

  that fraction the little pig eyes flashed a quick look at the faces

  of the two men. Then he answered: