Hercule Poirot's Casebook

Japp noted the gold and platinum with a nod.

'And I've got these.'

He rose, opened a drawer and taking out a case, he opened it

and shoved it rudely almost under Japp's nose.

'Very nice design,' said the chief inspector. 'I see one is

broken - bit of enamel chipped off.'

'What of it?'

'You don't remember when that happened, I suppose?'

'A day or two ago, not longer.'

'Would you be surprised to hear that it happened when you

were visiting Mrs Allen?'

'Why shouldn't it? I've not denied that I was there.' The

major spoke haughtily. He continued to bluster, to act the part

of the justly indignant man, but his hands were trembling.

Japp leaned forward and said with emphasis:

'Yes, but that bit of cuff link wasn't found in the sitting-room.

It was found upstairs in Mrs Allen's boudoir - there in the

room where she was killed, and where a man sat smoking the

same kind of dgarettes as you smoke.'

The shot told. Eustace fell back into his chair. His eyes went

from side to side. The collapse of the bully and the appearance

of the craven was not a pretty sight.

'You've got nothing on me.' His voice was almost a whine.

'You're trying to frame me ... But you can't do it. I've got an

alibi ... I never came near the house again that night...'

Poirot in his mm, spoke.

'No, you did not come near the house again... You did not

103

need to... For perhaps Mrs Allen was already dead when you

leftit.'

'That's impossible - impossible - She was just inside the

door - she spoke to me - People must have heard her - seen

her...'

Poirot said softly:

'They heard you speaking to her.., and pretending to wait

for her answer and then speaking again... It is an old trick that

... People may have assumed she was there, but they did not see her, because they could not even say whether she was wean'ng

evening dress or not - not even mention what colour she was

wearing...'

'My God - it isn't true - it isn't true-'

He was shaking now - collapsed...

Japp looked at him with disgust. He spoke crisply.

'I'll have to ask you, si?, to come with me.'

'You're arresting me?'

'Detained for inquiry - we'll put it that way.'

The silence was broken with a long, shuddering sigh. The

despairing voice of the erstwhile blustering Major Eustace

said:

'I'm sunk...'

Hercule Poirot rubbed his hands together and smiled

cheerfully. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

CHAPTER 9 'Pretty

the way he went all to pieces,' said Japp

professional appreciation, later that day.

He and Poirot were driving in a car along the Bromp'.on

Road.

'He knew the game was up,' said Poirot absently.

'We've got plenty on him,' said Japp. 'Two or three different

104

aliases, a tricky business over a cheque, and a very nice affair

when he stayed at the Ritz and called himself Colonel de Bathe.

Swindled half a dozen Piccadilly tradesmen. We're holding

him on that charge for the moment - until we get this affair

finally squared up. What's the idea of this rush to the country,

old man?'

'My friend, an affair must be rounded off properly.

Everything must be explained. I am on the quest of the

mystery you suggested. The Mystery of the Missing AttacheCase.'

'The

Mystery of the Small Attache-Case - that's what I

called it - It isn't missing that I know of.'

'Wait, mon am/.?

The car turned into the mews. At the door of No. 14, Jane

Plenderleith was just alighting from a small Austin Seven. She

was in golfing clothes.

She looked from one to the other of the two men, then

produced a key and opened the door.

'Come in, won't you?'

She led the way. Japp followed her into the sitting=room.

Poirot remained for a minute or two in the hall, muttering

something about:

'C'est embtant - how difficult to get out of these sleeves.'

In a moment or two he also entered the sitting=room minus

his overcoat but Japp's lips twitched under his moustache. He

had heard the very faint squeak of an opening cupboard door.

Japp threw Poirot an inquiring glance and the other gave a

hardly perceptible nod.

'We won't detain you, Miss Plenderleith,' said Japp briskly.

'Only came to ask if you could tell us the name of Mrs Allen's

solicitor.'

i 'Her solicitor?' The girl shook her head. 'I dont even know

t she had one.'

Well, when she rented this house with you, someone must

have drawn up the agreement?'

'No, I don't think so. You see, I took the house, the lease is

105

in my name. Barbara paid me half the rent. It was quite

informal.'

'I see. Oh! well, I suppose there's nothing doing then.'

'I'm sorry I can't help you,' said Jane politely.

'It doesn't really matter very much.' Japp turned towards

the door. 'Been playing golf?.'

'Yes.' She flushed. 'I suppose it seems rather heartless to

you. But as a matter of fact it got me down rather, being here

in this house. I felt I must go out and do something - tire myself

- or I'd choke?

She spoke with intensity.

Poirot said quickly:

'I comprehend, mademoiselle. It is most understandable most

natural. To sit in this house and think - no, it would not

be pleasant.'

'So long as you understand,' said Jane'shortly.

'You belong to a club?'

'Yes, I play at Wentworth.'

'It has been a pleasant day,' said Poirot.