Hercule Poirot's Casebook

'I don't know that I've thought about him one way or the

other. He's young - not more than thirty-one or two ambitious

- a good public speaker - means to get on in the

world.'

'That is on the credit side - and on the debit?'

'Well,' Miss Plenderleith considered for a moment or two.

'In my opinion he's commonplace - his ideas are not

particularly original - and he's slightly pompous.'

'Those are not very serious faults, mademoiselle,' said

Poimt, smiling.

'Don't you think so?'

Her tone was slightly ironic.

'They might be to you.'

He was watching her, saw her look a little disconcerted. He

pursued his advantage.

'But to Mrs Allen - no, she would not notice them.'

'You're perfectly right. Barbara thought he was wonderful took

him entirely at his own valuation.'

Poirot said gently:

'You were fond of your friend?'

He saw the hand clench on her knee, the tightening of the

line of the jaw, yet the answer came in a matter-of-fact voice

free from emotion.

'You are quite right. I was.'

Japp said:

'Just one other thing, Miss Plenderleith. You and she didn't

have a quarrel? There was no upset between you?'

'None whatever.' 71

'Not over this engagemem business?'

'Certainly not. I was glad she was able to be so happy ab.ut

it.'

There was a momentary pause, then Japp said:

'As far as you know, did Mrs Allen have any enemies?'

This time there was a definite interval before Jane Plenc rleith

replied. When she did so, her tone had altered v 'v

slightly.

'I don't know quite what you mean by enemies?'

'Anyone, for instance, who would profit by her death?'

'Oh, no, that would be ridiculous. She had a very snall

income anyway.'

'And who inherits that income?'

Jane Plenderleith's voice sounded mildly surprised as she

said:

'Do you know, I really don't know. I shouldn't be surprised

if I did. That is, if she ever made a will.'

'And no enemies in any other sense?' Japp slid offto another

aspect quickly. 'People with a grudge against her?'

'I don't think anyone had a grudge against her. She was a

very gentle creature, always anxious to please. She had a really

sweet, lovable nature.'

For the lb-St time that hard, matter-of=fact voice broke a

little. Poirot nodded gently.

Japp said:

'So it amounts to this - Mrs Allen has been in good spirits

lately, she wasn't in any financial difficulty, she was engaged to

be married and was happy in her engagement. There was

nothing in the world to make her commit suicide. That's right,

isn't it?'

There was a momentary silence before Jane said:

'Yes.' Japp rose.

'Excuse me, I must have a word with Inspector Jameson?

He left the room.

Hercule Poirot remained tte d tete with Jane Plenderleith.

72

CHAPTER 3

For a few minutes there was silence.

Jane Plenderleith shot a swift appraising glance at the little

man, but after that she stared in front of her and did not speak.

Yet a consciousness of his presence showed itself in a certain

nervous tension. Her body was still but not relaxed. When at

last Poirot did break the silence the mere sound of his voice

seemed to give her a certain relief. In an agreeable everyday

voice he asked a question.

'When did you light the fire, mademoiselle?'

'The fire?' Her voice sounded vague and rather absentminded.

'Oh, as soon as I arrived this morning.'

'Before you went upstairs or afterwards?'

'Before.'

'I see. Yes, naturally... And it was already laid - or did you

have to lay it?'

'It was laid. I only had to put a match to it.'

There was a slight impatience in her voice. Clearly she

suspected him of making conversation. Possibly that was what

he was doing. At any rate he went on in quiet conversational

tones.

'But your friend - in her room I noticed there was a gas fac

only?'

Jane Plenderleith answered mechanically.

'This is the only. coal fire we have - the others are all gas

fes.'

'And you cook with gas, too?'

'I ttdnk everyone does nowadays.'

'True. It is much labour saving.'

The little interchange died down. Jane Plenderleith tapped

on the ground with her shoe. Then she said abruptly:

'That man - Chief Inspector Japp - is he considered clever?'

73

'He is very sound. Yes, he is well thought of. He works hard

and painstakingly and very little escapes him.'

'I wonder -' muttered the girl.

Poirot watched her. His eyes looked very green in

firelight. He asked quietly:

'It was a great shock to you, your friend's death?'

'Terrible.'

She spoke with abrupt sincerity.

'You did not expect it - no?'

'Of course not.'

"So that it seemed to you at first, perhaps, that it was

impossible - that it could not be?'

The quiet sympathy of his tone seemed to break down Jane

Plenderleith's defences. She replied eagerly, naturally, without

stiffness.

'That's just it. Even if Barbara didkill herself, I can't imagine

her In?ling herself that way.'

'Yet she had a pistol?'

Jane Plenderleith made an impatient gesture.

'Yes, but that pistol was a - oh! a hang over. She'd been in

out-of-the-way places. She kept it out of habit - not with any

other idea. I'm sure of that.'

'Ah! and why are you sure of that?'

'Oh, because of the things she said.'

'Such as ?'