AgathaChristie-HerculePoirotsCasebook

by Hercule Poirot's Casebook (lit)

  been taken out with the other csrds, h was in the box.'

  'H'm! All the same, it gave you an ides, didn't it?'

  'Yes, my friend. I present my respects to His Majesty.'

  'And to Msdsme Zsra!'

  'Ah, yes - to the lady also.'

  'Well, what are we going to do now?'

  'We are going to return to town. But I must have s few words

  with a certain lady at Daisymead f'mt.'

  l

  247

  The same little maid opened the door to us.

  'They're all at lunch now, sir - unless it's Miss Saintclair you

  want to see, and she's resting.'

  'It will do if I can see Mrs Oglapxier for a few minutes. Will

  you tell her?'

  We were led into the ch-awing-room to wait. I had a glimp

  of the family in the dining-room as we passed, now reinforced

  by the presence of two heavy, solid-looking men, one with a

  moustache, the other with a beard also.

  In a few minutes Mrs Oglander came into the room, looking

  inquiringly at Poirot, who bowed.

  'Madame, we, in our country, have a great tenderness, a

  great respect for the mother. The nre de famille, she is everything!'

  Mrs Oglander looked rather astonished at this opening.

  'It is for that reason that I have come - to allay a mother's

  anxiety. The murderer of Mr Reedbum will not be discovered.

  Have no fear. I, Hercule Poirot, tell you so. I am fight, am I

  not? Or is it a wife that I must reassure?'

  There was a moment's pause. Mrs Oglander seemed

  searching Poirot with her eyes. At last she said quietly: 'I don't

  know how you know - but yes, you are right.'

  Poirot nodded gravely. 'That is zll, madame. But do not be

  uneasy. Your English policemen have not the eyes of Hercuie

  Poirot.' He tapped the family portrait on the wall with his

  fingernail.

  'You had another daughter once. She is dead, madame?'

  Again there was a pause, as she searched him with her eyes.

  Then she answered: 'Yes, she is dead.'

  'Ah!' said Poirot briskly. 'Well, we must return to town. You

  permit that I return the king of clubs to the psck? It was your

  only slip. You understand, to have played bridge for im hour or

  so, with only fifty-one cards - well, no one who knows anything

  of the game would credit it for a minute! Bonjour!'

  'And now, my friend,' said Poirot as we stepped towards the

  .station, 'you see it all!'

  'I see nothing! Who killed Reedburn?'

  'John Oglander, Junior. I was not quite sure if it was the

  . der or the son, but I fixed on the son as being the stronger

  d you,gec of the two. It had to be one of them, because of the

  ,Tere were four exits from the library - two doors, two

  evidently only one would do. Three exits gave .on

  ..Mows; but

  .. -r ,,oodv had to occur in

  w,,. -'

  Ctl¥or mo, lrcc'uy. · -,- --=-a ,

  : the

  front, dire.

  ,o it annear that Valcric

  came to Daisyme Y

  '

  '

  ad John Oglander carried her across over his shoulders. That

  is why I said he must be a strong man.'

  'Did they go there together, then?'

  ·

  'Y es. You remember Valerie' s hesitation when I asked her if

  . i afraid to go aloneJohn Oglander went with htr -

  lshcw, as ,n.i , :---ore Reecibum's temper, I fa.cy.. ,Tbe. Y-

  which

  dian t mF

  .

  '

  ,

  the bridge

  '

  But why

  ' - -'---ers A simple thing like that

  'Bridge presupposes roux pa,·

  ·alot of conviction. Who would have supposed .tha-tere

  carnes · --;- :.- that room all the evenmge

  had been onty truce pcot,-. , I

  was s611 puzzled.

  'There's one thing I don't understand. aat have the

  Oglanders to do with the dancer Valerie Saintclair?'

  'Ah, that I wonder you did not see. And yet you looked long

  Oelandcr's other daughter may. oe.-:-ur,,

  wrld knows her as Valerie saintclatr:

  'Wtt?'

  'Did you not e the resemblance the moment you w the

  to sister together?'

  'No,' I confessed. 'I only thought how e. xtordinarily

  dissimilar they we ·

  'That is because your mind is so open to external romantic

  impressions, my dear l-Iating. The features re almost

  identical. So is the olouring. The interesting thing ia tlt

  Valerie is ashamed of her f--mily, and her family is aah-m of

  her. Nevertheless, in a moment of peril, she turned to her

  249

  brother for help, and when things went wrong, they all hung

  together in a remarkable way. Family strength is a mamellous

  thing. They can aH act, that family. That is where Valefie gets

  her histrionic talent from. I, like Prince Paul, believe in

  heredity! They deceived me! But for a lucky accident, and test

  question to Mrs Oglander by which I got her to contradict her

  daughter's account of how they were sitting, the Oglander

  family would have put a defeat on Hercule Poirot.'

  'What shall you tell the Prince?'

  'That Valerie could not possibly have committed the crime,

  and that I doubt if that tramp will ever be found. Also, to

  convey my compliments to Zara. A curious coincidence, that!

  I think I shall call this little affair the Adventure of the King of

  Clubs. What do you think, my friend?'

  250

  THE ADVENTURE OF THE CLAPHAM COOK

  At the time that I was sharing rooms with my friend Hercule

  Poirot, it was my custom to read aloud to him the headlines in

  the morning newspaper, the Daily Blare.

  The Daily Blare was a paper that made the most of any

  opportunity for sensationalism. Robberies and murders did

  not lurk obscurely in its back pages. Instead they hit you in the

  eye in large type on the front page.

  ABSCONDING BANK CLERK DISAPPEARS WITH FIFTY THOUSAND

  POUNDS' WORTH OF NEGOTIABIE SECURITIES) I read.

  HUSBAND PUTS HIS HEAD IN GAS-OVEN. UNHAPPY HOME

  LIFE. MISSING TYPIST. PREIFY GIRL OF TWENTY-ONE. WHERE

  IS EDNA FIELD?

  'There you are, Poirot, plenty to choose from. An absconding

  bank clerk, a mysterious suidde, a missing typist - which

  will you have?'

  My friend was in a placid mood. He quietly shook his head.

  'I am not greatly attracted to any of them, mon am/. Today I

  feel inclined for the life of ease. It would have to be a very

  interesting problem to tempt me from my chair. See you, I

  have affairs of importance of my own to attend m.'

  'Such as?'

  'My wardrobe, Hastings. If I mistake not, there is on my

  new grey suit the spot of grease - only the unique spot, but it is ,ufficient to trouble me. Then there is my winter overcoat I

  must lay him aside in the powder of Keatin. And I think yes,

  I think - the moment is ripe for the trimmings of my

  moustaches - and afterwards I must apply the pomade.'

  'Well,' I said, strolling to the window, 'I doubt if you'll be

  able to carry out this delirious programme. That wa
s a ring at

  the bell. You have a diem.'

  251

  'Unless the affair is one of national importance,

  not,' declared Poirot with dignity.

  I touch it

  A moment later our privacy was invaded by a stout

  lady who panted audibly as a result of her ran:J

  aced

  stairs.

  ,pau aSCent of the

  'You're M. Poirot?' she demanded, as she sank into chair.

  'I am Hercule Poirot, yes, madame.,

  a

  '.You.'.re not a bit lie whatI thought,,,., ,.-, .

  eyem-g him with some disfavour ,,A."."-u--°? S.d the

  paper saying what a clever ---' · ",,u ly tot the bit in

  it in themselves?'

  ,-, u=tccuve you were, or did they

  'Madame!' said Poirot, drawing himself up.

  'I'm sorry, I'm sure, but you know what these papers are

  nowadays. You begin reading a nice micle "What a bride Said

  to he.r plain unmarried friend", and it's al/about- :

  you buy at the chemist's arid sl,

  a

  .npie

  but puff. But no offence taken I hope? I'll

  tell you what I want

  you to do for me. I want

  you to f'md my cook.'

  Poirot stared at her; for once his

  ready tongue failed him. I

  turned aside to hide the broadening

  smile I could not control.

  'It's all this wicked dole,'

  continued the lady. 'Putting ideas

  into servants' heads, wanting to be

  typists and what nots. Stop

  the dole, that's what I say. I'd li

  e to know what my sen'ants

  have to complain of

  - afternoon and evening off a week,

  alternate Sundays, washing put out,

  same food as we have - and

  never a bit of margarine in

  the

  house, nothing but the very best

  butter.'

  She paused for

  want of breath and Poirot seized his

  opportunity. He spoke

  in his haughtiest manner, rising

  to

  his

  feet as he did so. .

  'I fear you are making

  a mistake, madame. I am not holding an inquiry into the conditions

  of domestic

  service. I am a private detective.'

  'I know that,' said our visitor. 'Didn't

  I tell you I wanted you to find my cook for me?

  Walked out of the house on Wednesday, without so much as a

  word

  to

  me,

  and

  never

  came

  back.'

  252

  'I am sorry, madame, but I do not touch this particular find

  of business. I wish you good morning.'

  Our visitor snorted with indignation.

  'That's it, is it, my frae fellow? Too proud, eh? Only deal

  with Government secrets and countesses' jewels? Let mee tell

  you a servant's every bit as important as a tiara to a woro. am in

  my position. We can't all be fine ladies going out in our motors

  with our diamonds and our pearls. A good cook's a good ook - and when you lose her, it's as much to you as her pearl are

  to some time lady.'

  For a moment or two it appeared to be a toss up bet,,een

  Poirot's dignity and his sense of humour. Finally he laughed

  and sat down again.

  'Madame, you are in the right, and I am in the wrong. ?srour

  remarks are just and intelligent. This case will be a novelty.

  Never yet have I hunted a missing domestic. Truly here i- s the

  .problem of national importance that I was demanding of fate just before your arrival. En avant! You say this jewelofa cook

  went out on Wednesday and did not return. That is the day

  before yesterday.'

  i! 'Yes, it was her day out.'

  'But probably, madame, she has met with some acciient.

  Have you inquired at any of the hospitals?'

  'That's exactly what I thought yesterday, but this motoring,

  if you please, she sent for her box. And not so much as a Ii-ne to

  me! If I'd been at home, I'd not have let it go - treating m-e like

  that! But I'd just stepped out to the butcher.'

  'Will you describe her to me?'

  'She was middle.-aged, stout, black hair turning grey - most

  respectable. She'd been ten years in her last place. Eliza lunn,

  her name was.'

  'And you had had - no disagreement with her oz' the

  Wednesday?'

  'None whatsoever. That's what makes it all so queer.'

  'How many servants do you keep, madame?'

  'Two. The house-parlourmaid, Annie, is a very nice -irl. A

  bit forgetful and her head full of young men, but a good servant

  if you keep her up to her work.'

  253

  'Did'she and the cook get on well logether?'

  'They had their ups and downs, of course - but on t'r:

  very well.'

  'And the girl can throw no light on the mystery?'

  'She says not o but you know what servants are - they 11

  hang together.'

  'Well, well, we must look into this. Where did you say you

  resided, madame?'

  'At Clapham; 88 Prince Albert Road.'

  'B/m, madame, I will wish you good morning, and you may could upon seeing me at your residence during the course of

  the day.'

  Mrs Todd, for such was our new friend's name, then

  her departure. Poirot looked at me somewhat ruefully.

  'Well, well, Hastings, this is a novel affair that we have here,

  The Disappearance of the Clapham Cook! Never, never, must

  our friend Inspector Japp get to hear of this!'

  He then proceeded to heat an iron ava carefully remove¢i

  grease spot from his grey suit by means of a piece of blomag-paper.

  His moustaches he regretfully postpov, ed to another

  day, and we set out for Clapham.

  Prince Albert Road proved to be a street of small prim

  houses, all exactly alike, with neat lace curtains re'fling the

  windows, and well-polished brass knockers on the doors.

  We rang the bell at No. 88, and the door was opened by a

  neat maid with a pretty face. Mrs Todd crone out in the hall to

  greet us.

  'Don't go, Annie,' she cried. 'This genflenmn's a detective

  and he'll want to ask you some questions.' '

  Annie's face displayed a struggle between alarm and a

  'leasurable excitement.

  'I thank you, madame,' said Poirot bowing. 'I would like to

  question your maid now - and to see her alone, if I may.'

  We were shown into a small drawing-room, and when Mrs

  Todd, with obvious reluctance, had left the room, Poirot

  commenced his cross-examination.

  'Voyons, MademoiSelle Ann/e, all that you shall tell us will be

  254

  im trance. You alone can shed any light on the

  fthe greatest po

  v.- . assistance

  1 am u, ,.,,------.

  .

  .

  case. Wtt Y c

  --- ,,, oirl's face and the pleasuramc

  The alarm vamsn

  excitement became more strongly marked.

  'I'm sure, sir,' she said 'I'll tell you anything I can.'

  'That is good.' Poirot beamed approval on her. 'Now, first of

  all what is your own idea? You are a girl of remarkable

 
telligence. That can be seen at once! What is your own

  explanation of FAi's disappearance?'

  Thus encouraged, Annie fairly flowed into excited speech.

  'White slavers, sir, I've said so all alongt Cook was always

  warning me against them. "Don't you sniff no scent, or est any

  sweets - no matter how gentlemanly the fellow!" Those were

  her words to me. And now they've got her! I'm sure of it. As

  likely as not, she's been shipped to Turkey or one of them

  Eastern places where I've heard they like them fat?

  Poirot preserved an admirable gravity.

  'But in that case - and it is indeed an idea! - would she have

  sent roi her trunk?'

  'Well, I don't know, sir. She'd want her things - even in

  those foreign places.'

  'Who came for the mmic - a man?'

  'It was Carter Paterson, sir.'

  'Did you pack it?'

  'Nb, sir, it was already packed and corded.'

  'Ah! That's interesting. That shows that when she left the

  house on Wednesday, she had already determined not to

  return. You see that do you not?'

  'Yes, sir.' Annie looked slightly taken aback. 'I hadn't

  thought of that. But it might still have been white slaver,

  mighm't it, sir? she added wistfully.

  'Undoubtedly? said Poirot gravely. He went on: 'Did you

  both occupy the same bedroom?'

  'No, sir, we had separate rooms.'

  'And had Eliza expressed any dissatisfaction with her

  present post to you at all? Were you both happy here?'

  'She'd never mentioned leaving. The place is all right -' The

  girl hesitated. 255

  'Speak freely,' said Poirot kindly. 'I shall not our StSS.'

  'Well, of course, sir, she's a caution, .Missus is. But t ocl's

  good. Plenty of it, and no stinting. Something hot for su:per,

  good outings, and as much frying-fat as you like. And anyway,

  if Eliza did want to make a change, she'd never have gone off

  this way, I'm sure. She'd have stayed her month. Why, Missus

  could have a month's wages out of her for doing this!'