Hercule Poirot's Casebook

like to see Miss Farley. Do you think you could ask her to

come here for a minute or two?'

159

'If you like.'

Stillingfieet glanced at him curiously, then left the room. r2

.another minute or two the door opened and Joanna Farley care

m.

'You do not mind, Mademoiselle, if I ask you a few questions ?

She returned his glance coolly. 'Please ask anything you

choose. '

'Did you know that your father kept a revolver in his desk.)' 'No.'

'Where were you and your mother - that is to say your

stepmother- that is fight?'

'Yes, Louise is my father's second wife. She is only eight

years older than I am. You were about to say-?'

'Where were you and she on Thursday of last week? That is

to say, on Thursday night.'

She reflected for a minute or two.

'Thursday? Let me see. Oh, yes, we had gone to the theatre.

To see Little Dog Laughed.'

'Your father did not suggest accompanying you?'

'He never went out to theatres.'

'What did he usually do in the evenings?'

'He sat in here and read.'

'He was not a very sociable man?'

The girl looked at him directly. 'My father,' she said, 'had a

singularly unpleasant personality. No one who lived in close

association with him could possibly be fond of him.'

'That, Mademoiselle, is a very candid statement.'

'I am saving you time, M. Poirot. I realize quite well what

you are getting at. My stepmother married my father for his

money. I live here because I have no money to live elsewhere.

There is a man I wish to marry- a poor man; my father saiv to it

that he lost his job. He wanted me, you see, to mar well - an

easy matter since I was to be his heiress!'

'Your father's fortune passes to you?'

'Yes. That is, he left Louise, my stepmother, a quarter of a

160

million free of tax, and there are other legacies, but the residue

goes to me.' She smiled suddenly. 'So you see, M. Poirot, I had

every reason to desire my father's death!'

'I see, Mademoiselle, that you have inherited your father's

intdligence.'

She said thoughtfully, 'Father was'clever .... One felt that

with him - that he had force - driving power - but it had all

turned sour- bitter- there was no humanity left .... '

Hercule Poirot said softly, 'Grand Dieu, but what an imbecile

Joanna Farley turned towards the door. 'Is there anything

more?'

'Two little questions. These tongs here,' he picked up the

lazy-tongs, 'were they always on the table?'

'Yes. Father used them for picking up things. He didn't like

stooping.'

'One other question. Was your father's eyesight good?'

She stared at him.

'Oh, no - he couldn't see at all - I mean he couldn't see

without his glasses. His sight had always been bad from a boy.'

'But with his glasses?'

'Oh, he could see all right then, of course.'

'He could read newspapers and frae print?'

'Oh, yes.'

'That is all, Mademoiselle.'

She went out of the room.

Poirot murmured, 'I was stupid. It was there, all the time,

under my nose. And because it was so near I could not see it.'

He leaned out of the window once more. Down below, in the

narrow way between the house and the factory, he saw a small

dark object.

Hercule Poirot nodded, satisfied, and went downstairs again.

The others were still in the library. Poirot addressed himself

to the secretary:

'I want you, Mr Comworthy, to recount to me in detail the

161

exact circumstances of Mr Farley's summons to me. When,

for instance, did Mr Farley dictate that letter?'

'On Wednesday afternoon - at five-thirty, as far as I can

remember.'

'Were there any special directions about posting it?'

'He told me to post it myself.'

'And you did so?'

'Yes.'

'Did he give any special instructions to the butler abou,.

admitting me?'

'Yes. He told me to tell Holmes (Holmes is the butler) that

a gentleman would be calling at nine-thirty. He was to ask the

gentleman's name. He was also to ask to see the letter.'

'Rather peculiar precaution to take, don't you think?'

Cornworthy shrugged his shoulders.

'Mr Farley,' he said carefully, 'was rather a peculiar man.'

'Any other instructions?'

'Yes. He told me to take the evening off.'

'Did you do so?'

'Yes, immediately after dinner I went to the cinema.'

'When did you return?'

'I let myself in about a quarter past eleven.'

'Did you see Mr Farley again that evening?'.

'No.'

'And he did not mention the matter the next morning?'

Poirot paused a moment, then resumed, 'When I arrived I

was not shown into Mr Farley's own room.'

'No. He told me that I was to tell Holmes to show you into

my room.'

'Why was that? Do you know?'

Comworthy shook his head. 'I never questioned any of Mr

Farley's orders,' he said dryly. 'He would have resented it if I

had.'

'Did he usually receive visitors in his own room?'

162

'Ustally, but not always. Sometimes he saw them in my room.'

'Was there any reason for that?'

Hugo Comworthy considered.

'No- I hardly think so- I've never really thought about it.'

Turning to Mrs Farley, Poirot asked:

'You permit that I ring for your butler?'

'Certainly, M. Poirot.'

Very correct, very urbane, Holmes answered the bell.

'You rang, madam?'

Mrs Farley indicated Poirot with a gesture. Holmes mined.

politely. 'Yes, sir?'