HP16-DeathontheNile

AgathaChristie

PartI-ENGLAND

Chapter1

"LinnetRidgeway!"

"That'sher!"saidMrBurnaby,thelandlordoftheThreeCrowns.

Henudgedhiscompanion.

Thetwomenstaredwithroundbucoliceyesandslightlyopenmouths.AbigscarletRollsRoycehad
juststoppedinfrontofthelocalpostoffice.

Agirljumpedout,agirlwithoutahatandwearingafrockthatlooked(butonlylooked)simple.Agirl
withgoldenhairandstraightautocraticfeatures-agirlwithalovelyshape-agirlsuchaswasseldom
seeninMalton-under-Wode.Withaquickimperativestepshepassedintothepostoffice.

"That'sher!"saidMrBurnabyagain.Andhewentoninalowawedvoice:"Millionsshe'sgot...Going
to spend thousands on the place. Swimming pools there's going to be, and Italian gardens and a
ballroomandhalfofthehousepulleddownandrebuilt..."

"She'll bring money into the town," said his friend. He was a lean seedy-looking man. His tone was
enviousandgrudging.

MrBurnabyagreed.

"Yes,it'sagreatthingforMalton-under-Wode.Agreatthingitis."MrBurnabywascomplacentabout
it.

"Wakeusallupproper,"headded.

"BitofadifferencefromSirGeorge,"saidtheother.

"Ah,itwasthe'orsesdidforhim,"saidMrBurnabyindulgently."Never'adnoluck."

"Whatdidhegetfortheplace?"

"Acoolsixty-thousand,soI'veheard."

Theleanmanwhistled.

MrBurnabywentontriumphantly:"Andtheysayshe'llhavespentanothersixty-thousandbeforeshe's
finished!"

"Wicked!"saidtheleanman."Where'dshegetallthatmoneyfrom?"

"America,soI'veheard.Hermotherwastheonlydaughterofoneofthosemillionaireblokes.Quitelike
thePictures,isn'tit?"

Thegirlcameoutofthepostofficeandclimbedintothecar.Asshedroveofftheleanmanfollowedher
withhiseyes.Hemuttered:

"Itseemsallwrongtome-herlookinglikethat.Moneyandlooks-it'stoomuch!Ifagirl'sasrichas
thatshe'snorighttobeagood-lookeraswell.Andsheisagood-looker.Goteverything,thatgirlhas.
Doesn'tseemfair."

Chapter2

ExtractfromtheSocialcolumnoftheDailyBlague.

Among those supping at Chez Ma Tante I noticed beautiful Linnet Ridgeway. She was with the Hon.
JoannaSouthwood,LordWindleshamandMrTobyBryce.MissRidgeway,aseveryoneknows,isthe
daughterofMelhuishRidgewaywhomarriedAnnaHartz.Sheinheritsfromhergrandfather,Leopold
Hartz,animmensefortune.ThelovelyLinnetisthesensationofthemomentanditisrumouredthatan

engagementmaybeannouncedshortly.CertainlyLordWindleshamseemedveryépris!

Chapter3

TheHon.JoannaSouthwoodsaid:"Darling,Ithinkit'sgoingtobeallperfectlymarvellous!"

ShewassittinginLinnetRidgeway'sbedroomatWodeHall.

Fromthewindowtheeyepassedoverthegardenstoopencountrywithblueshadowsofwoodlands.

"It'sratherperfect,isn'tit?"saidLinnet.

She leaned her arms on the window sill. Her face was eager, alive, dynamic. Beside her, Joanna
Southwoodseemed,somehow,alittledim-atallthinyoungwomanoftwenty-seven,withalongclever
faceandfreakishlypluckedeyebrows.

"Andyou'vedonesomuchinthetime!Didyouhavelotsofarchitectsandthings?"

"Three."

"Whatarearchitectslike?Idon'tthinkI'veeverseenany."

"Theywereallright.Ifoundthemratherunpracticalsometimes."

"Darling,yousoonputthatright!Youarethemostpracticalcreature!"

Joannapickedupastringofpearlsfromthedressing-table.

"Isupposethesearereal,aren'tthey,Linnet?"

"Ofcourse."

"I know it's 'of course' to you, my sweet, but it wouldn't be to most people. Heavily cultured or even
Woolworth! Darling, they really are incredible, so exquisitely matched. They must be worth the most
fabuloussums!"

"Rathervulgar,youthink?"

"No,notatall-justpurebeauty.Whataretheyworth?"

"Aboutfiftythousand."

"Whatalovelylotofmoney!Aren'tyouafraidofhavingthemstolen?"

"No,Ialwayswearthem-andanywaythey'reinsured."

"Letmewearthemtilldinnertime,willyou,darling?Itwouldgivemesuchathrill."

Linnetlaughed.

"Ofcourse,ifyoulike."

"Youknow, Linnet, Ireally do envyyou. You've simply goteverything. Here youare at twenty, your
ownmistress,withanyamountofmoney,looks,superbhealth.You'veevengotbrains!Whenareyou
twenty-one?"

"NextJune.Ishallhaveagrandcoming-of-agepartyinLondon."

"AndthenareyougoingtomarryCharlesWindlesham?Allthedreadfullittlegossipwritersaregetting
soexcitedaboutit.Andhereallyisfrightfullydevoted."Linnetshruggedhershoulders.

"Idon'tknow.Idon'treallywanttomarryanyoneyet."

"Darling,howrightyouare!It'sneverquitethesameafterward,isit?"

ThetelephoneshrilledandLinnetwenttoit.

"Yes?Yes?"

Thebutler'svoiceansweredher.

"MissdeBellefortisontheline.ShallIputherthrough?"

"Bellefort?Oh,ofcourse,yes,putherthrough."

Aclickandavoice,aneager,soft,slightlybreathlessvoice:"Hullo,isthatMissRidgeway?Linnet!"

"Jackiedarling!Ihaven'theardanythingofyouforagesandages!"

"Iknow.It'sawful.Linnet,Iwanttoseeyouterribly."

"Darling,can'tyoucomedownhere?Mynewtoy.I'dlovetoshowittoyou."

"That'sjustwhatIwanttodo."

"Well,jumpintoatrainoracar."

"Right,Iwill.Afrightfullydilapidatedtwo-seater.Iboughtitforfifteenpounds,andsomedaysitgoes
beautifully.Butithasmoods.IfIhaven'tarrivedbyteatimeyou'llknowit'shadamood.Solong,my
sweet."

Linnetreplacedthereceiver.ShecrossedbacktoJoanna.

"That'smyoldestfriend,JacquelinedeBellefort.WeweretogetherataconventinParis.She'shadthe
mostterriblybadluck.HerfatherwasaFrenchCount,hermotherwasAmerican-aSoutherner.The
father went off with some woman, and her mother lost all her money in the Wall Street crash. Jackie
wasleftabsolutelybroke.Idon'tknowhowshe'smanagedtogetalongthelasttwoyears."

Joannawaspolishingherdeep-blood-colourednailswithherfriend'snailpad.Sheleantbackwithher
headononesidescrutinizingtheeffect.

"Darling," she drawled, "won't that be rather tiresome? If any misfortunes happen to my friends I
alwaysdropthematonce!Itsoundsheartless,butitsavessuchalotoftroublelater!Theyalwayswant
toborrowmoneyoffyou,orelsetheystartadressmakingbusinessandyouhavetogetthemostterrible
clothesfromthem.Ortheypaintlampshades,ordoBatikscarves."

"SoifIlostallmymoney,you'ddropmetomorrow?"

"Yes,darling,Iwould.Youcan'tsayI'mnothonestaboutit!Ionlylikesuccessfulpeople.Andyou'll
findthat'strueofnearlyeverybody-onlymostpeoplewon'tadmitit.Theyjustsaythatreallytheycan't
putupwithMaryorEmilyorPamelaanymore!'Hertroubleshavemadehersobitterandpeculiar,poor
dear!"'

"Howbeastlyyouare,Joanna!"

"I'monlyonthemake,likeeveryoneelse."

"I'mnotonthemake!"

"Forobviousreasons!Youdon'thavetobesordidwhengood-looking,middle-agedAmericantrustees
payyouoveravastallowanceeveryquarter."

"Andyou'rewrongaboutJacqueline,"saidLinnet."She'snotasponge.I'vewantedtohelpher,butshe
won'tletme.She'sasproudasthedevil."

"What'ssheinsuchahurrytoseeyoufor?I'llbetshewantssomething!Youjustwaitandsee."

"Shesoundedexcitedaboutsomething,"admittedLinnet."Jackiealwaysdidgetfrightfullyworkedup
overthings.Sheoncestuckapenknifeintosomeone!"

"Darling,howthrilling!"

"Aboywhowasteasingadog.Jackietriedtogethimtostop.Hewouldn't.Shepulledhimandshook

himbuthewasmuchstrongerthanshewas,andatlastshewhippedoutapenknifeandplungeditright
intohim.Therewasthemostawfulrow!"

"Ishouldthinkso.Itsoundsmostuncomfortable!"

Linnet's maid entered the room. With a murmured word of apology, she took down a dress from the
wardrobeandwentoutoftheroomwithit.

"What'sthematterwithMarie?"askedJoanna."She'sbeencrying."

"Poorthing.YouknowItoldyoushewantedtomarryamanwhohasajobinEgypt.Shedidn'tknow
much about him, so I thought I'd better make sure he was all right. It turned out that he had a wife
already-andthreechildren."

"Whatalotofenemiesyoumustmake,Linnet."

"Enemies?"Linnetlookedsurprised.

Joannanoddedandhelpedherselftoacigarette.

"Enemies,mysweet.You'resodevastatinglyefficient.Andyou'resofrightfullygoodatdoingtheright
thing."

Linnetlaughed.

"Why,Ihaven'tgotanenemyintheworld!"

Chapter4

Lord Windlesham sat under the cedar tree. His eyes rested on the graceful proportions of Wode Hall.
Therewasnothingtomaritsoldworldbeauty;thenewbuildingsandadditionswereoutofsightround
thecorner.ItwasafairandpeacefulsightbathedintheAutumnsunshine.Nevertheless,ashegazed,it
was no longer Wode Hall that Charles Windlesham saw. Instead, he seemed to see a more imposing
Elizabethan mansion, a long sweep of park, a more bleak background. It was his own family seat,
Charltonbury,andintheforegroundstoodafigure-agirl'sfigure,withbrightgoldenhairandaneager
confidentface...LinnetasmistressofCharltonbury!

Hefeltveryhopeful.Thatrefusalofhershadnotbeenatalladefiniterefusal.Ithadbeenlittlemore
thanapleafortime.Well,hecouldaffordtowaitalittle.

How amazingly suitable the whole thing was. It was certainly advisable that he should marry money,
butnotsuchamatterofnecessitythathecouldregardhimselfasforcedtoputhisownfeelingsonone
side. And he loved Linnet. He would have wanted to marry her even if she had been practically
penniless, instead of one of the richest girls in England. Only, fortunately, she was one of the richest
girlsinEngland...

His mind played with attractive plans for the future. The Mastership of the Roxdale perhaps, the
restorationofthewestwing,noneedtolettheScotchshooting...

CharlesWindleshamdreamedinthesun.

Chapter5

Itwasfouro'clockwhenthedilapidatedlittletwo-seaterstoppedwithasoundofcrunchinggravel.A
girlgotoutofit-asmallslendercreaturewithamopofdarkhair.Sheranupthestepsandtuggedat
the bell. A few minutes later she was being ushered into the long stately drawing-room, and an
ecclesiasticalbutlerwassayingwiththepropermournfulintonation,"MissdeBellefort."

"Linnet!"

"Jackie!"

Windleshamstoodalittleaside,watchingsympatheticallyasthisfierylittlecreatureflungherselfopen-
armeduponLinnet.

"LordWindlesham-MissdeBellefort-mybestfriend."

Aprettychild,hethought-notreallyprettybutdecidedlyattractive,withherdarkcurlyhairandher
enormouseyes.Hemurmuredafewtactfulnothingsandthenmanagedunobtrusivelytoleavethetwo
friendstogether.

Jacquelinepounced-inafashionthatLinnetrememberedasbeingcharacteristicofher.

"Windlesham? Windlesham? That's the man the papers always say you're going to marry! Are you,
Linnet?Areyou?"

Linnetmurmured,"Perhaps."

"Darling-I'msoglad!Helooksnice."

"Oh,don'tmakeupyourmindaboutit-Ihaven'tmadeupmyownmindyet."

"Ofcoursenot!Queensalwaysproceedwithduedeliberationtothechoosingofaconsort!"

"Don'tberidiculous,Jackie."

"Butyouareaqueen,Linnet!Youalwayswere.SaMajesté,lareineLinette.Linettelablonde!AndI-
I'mtheQueen'sconfidante!ThetrustedMaidofHonour."

"Whatnonsenseyoutalk,Jackiedarling!Wherehaveyoubeenallthistime?Youjustdisappear.And
youneverwrite."

"Ihatewritingletters.WherehaveIbeen?Oh,aboutthreepartssubmerged,darling.Injobs,youknow.
Grimjobswithgrimwomen!"

"Darling,Iwishyou'd-"

"TaketheQueen'sbounty?Well,frankly,darling,that'swhatI'mherefor.No,nottoborrowmoney.It's
notgottothatyet!ButI'vecometoaskagreatbigimportantfavour!"

"Goon."

"Ifyou'regoingtomarrytheWindleshamman,you'llunderstand,perhaps."

Linnetlookedpuzzledforaminute;thenherfacecleared.

"Jackie,doyoumean-"

"Yes,darling,I'mengaged!"

"Sothat'sit!Ithoughtyouwerelookingparticularlyalivesomehow.Youalwaysdo,ofcourse,buteven
morethanusual."

"That'sjustwhatIfeellike."

"Tellmeallabouthim."

"Hisname'sSimonDoyle.He'sbigandsquareandincrediblysimpleandboyishandutterlyadorable!
He's poor - got no money. He's what you call 'county' all right - but very impoverished county - a
youngersonandallthat.HispeoplecomefromDevonshire.Helovescountryandcountrythings.And
forthelastfiveyearshe'sbeeninthecityinastuffyoffice.Andnowthey'recuttingdownandhe'sout
ofajob.Linnet,IshalldieifIcan'tmarryhim!Ishalldie!Ishalldie!Ishalldie."

"Don'tberidiculous,Jackie."

"Ishalldie,Itellyou!I'mcrazyabouthim.He'scrazyaboutme.Wecan'tlivewithouteachother."

"Darling,youhavegotitbadly!"

"Iknow.It'sawful,isn'tit?Thislovebusinessgetsholdofyouandyoucan'tdoanythingaboutit."

Shepausedforaminute.Herdarkeyesdilated,lookedsuddenlytragic.Shegavealittleshiver.

"It's-evenfrighteningsometimes!SimonandIweremadeforeachother.Ishallnevercareforanyone
else.Andyou'vegottohelpus,Linnet.Iheardyou'dboughtthisplaceanditputanideaintomyhead.
Listen,you'llhavetohavealandagent-perhapstwo.IwantyoutogivethejobtoSimon."

"Oh!"Linnetwasstartled.

Jacquelinerushedon:"He'sgotallthatsortofthingathisfingertips.Heknowsallaboutestates-was

broughtuponone.Andhe'sgothisbusinesstrainingtoo.Oh,Linnet,youwillgivehimajob,won't
you,forloveofme?Ifhedoesn'tmakegood,sackhim.Buthewill.Andwecanliveinalittlehouse,
andIshallseelotsofyou,andeverythinginthegardenwillbetoo,toodivine."Shegotup.

"Sayyouwill,Linnet.Sayyouwill.BeautifulLinnet!TallgoldenLinnet!MyownveryspecialLinnet!
Sayyouwill!"

"Jackie-"

"Youwill?"

Linnetburstoutlaughing.

"RidiculousJackie!Bringalongyouryoungmanandletmehavealookathimandwe'lltalkitover."

Jackiedartedather,kissingherexuberantly:

"DarlingLinnet-you'rearealfriend!Iknewyouwere.Youwouldn'tletmedown-ever.You'rejustthe
loveliestthingintheworld.Good-bye."

"But,Jackie,you'restaying."

"Me?No,I'mnot.I'mgoingbacktoLondon,andtomorrowI'llcomebackandbringSimonandwe'll
settleitallup.You'lladorehim.Hereallyisapet."

"Butcan'tyouwaitandjusthavetea?"

"No,Ican'twait,Linnet.I'mtooexcited.ImustgetbackandtellSimon.IknowI'mmad,darling,butI
can'thelpit.Marriagewillcureme,Iexpect.Italwaysseemstohaveaverysoberingeffectonpeople."

Sheturnedatthedoor,stoodamoment,thenrushedbackforalastquickbird-likeembrace.

"DearLinnet-there'snoonelikeyou."

Chapter6

M.GastonBlondin,theproprietorofthatmodishlittlerestaurantChezMaTante,wasnotamanwho
delightedtohonourmanyofhisclientéle.Therich,thebeautiful,thenotoriousandthewell-bornmight
waitinvaintobesignalledoutandpaidspecialattention.OnlyintherarestcasesdidM.Blondin,with
gracious condescension, greet a guest, accompany him to a privileged table, and exchange with him
suitableandappositeremarks.

On this particular night, M. Blondin had exercised his royal prerogative three times - once for a
Duchess,onceforafamousracingpeer,andonceforalittlemanofcomicalappearancewithimmense
black moustaches, who, a casual onlooker would have thought, could bestow no favour on Chez Ma
Tantebyhispresencethere.

M.Blondin,however,waspositivelyfulsomeinhisattentions.Thoughclientshadbeentoldforthelast
halfhourthatatablewasnottobehad,onenowmysteriouslyappeared,placedinamostfavourable
position.

M.Blondinconductedtheclienttoitwitheveryappearanceofempressement.

"Butnaturally,foryouthereisalwaysatable,MonsieurPoirot!HowIwishthatyouwouldhonourus
oftener."

HerculePoirotsmiled,rememberingthatpastincidentwhereinadeadbody,awaiter,M.Blondin,anda
verylovelyladyhadplayedapart.

"Youaretooamiable,MonsieurBlondin,"hesaid.

"Andyouarealone,MonsieurPoirot?"

"Yes,Iamalone."

"Oh, well, Jules here will compose for you a little meal that will be a poem - positively a poem!
Women,howevercharming,havethisdisadvantage:theydistractthemindfromfood!Youwillenjoy
yourdinner,MonsieurPoirot;Ipromiseyouthat.Now,astowine-"

Atechnicalconversationensued,Jules,themaitred'hôtel,assisting.

Beforedeparting,M.Blondinlingeredamoment,loweringhisvoiceconfidentially.

"Youhavegraveaffairsonhand?"

Poirotshookhishead.

"Iam,hélas,amanofleisure,"hesaidsadly."IhavemadetheeconomiesinmytimeandIhavenow
themeanstoenjoyalifeofidleness."

"Ienvyyou."

"No,no,youwouldbeunwisetodoso.Icanassureyou,itisnotsogayasitsounds."Hesighed."How
trueisthesayingthatmanwasforcedtoinventworkinordertoescapethestrainofhavingtothink."

M.Blondinthrewuphishands.

"Butthereissomuch!Thereistravel!"

"Yes, there is travel. Already I have done not so badly. This winter I shall visit Egypt, I think. The
climate,theysay,issuperb!Onewillescapefromthefogs,thegreyness,themonotonyoftheconstantly
fallingrain."

"Ah!Egypt,"breathedM.Blondin.

"Onecanevenvoyagetherenow,Ibelieve,bytrain,escapingallseatravelexcepttheChannel."

"Ah,thesea,itdoesnotagreewithyou?"

HerculePoirotshookhisheadandshudderedslightly.

"I,too,"saidM.Blondinwithsympathy."Curioustheeffectithasuponthestomach."

"Butonlyuponcertainstomachs!Therearepeopleonwhomthemotionmakesnoimpressionwhatever.
Theyactuallyenjoyit!"

"AnunfairnessofthegoodGod,"saidM.Blondin.

Heshookhisheadsadly,and,broodingontheimpiousthought,withdrew.

Smooth-footed, deft-handed waiters ministered to the table. Toast Melba, butter, an ice pail, all the
adjunctstoamealofquality.

TheNegroorchestrabrokeintoanecstasyofstrangediscordantnoises.Londondanced.

HerculePoirotlookedon,registeringimpressionsinhisneatorderlymind.

How bored and weary most of the faces were! Some of those stout men, however, were enjoying
themselves...whereasapatientenduranceseemedtobethesentimentexhibitedontheirpartners'faces.
Thefatwomaninpurplewaslookingradiant...Undoubtedlythefathadcertaincompensationsinlife...
azest-agusto-deniedtothoseofmorefashionablecontours.

Agoodsprinklingofyoungpeople-somevacantlooking-somebored-somedefinitelyunhappy.How
absurdtocallyouththetimeofhappiness-youth,thetimeofgreatestvulnerability!

His glance softened as it rested on one particular couple. A well-matched pair - tall broad-shouldered
man, slender delicate girl. Two bodies that moved in a perfect rhythm of happiness. Happiness in the
place,thehour,andineachother.

The dance stopped abruptly. Hands clapped and it started again. After a second encore the couple
returned to their table close by Poirot. The girl was flushed, laughing. As she sat, he could study her
face,liftedlaughingtohercompanion.Therewassomethingelsebesidelaughterinhereyes.

HerculePoirotshookhisheaddoubtfully.

"Shecarestoomuch,thatlittleone,"hesaidtohimself."Itisnotsafe.No,itisnotsafe."

Andthenawordcaughthisear,"Egypt."

Their voices came to him clearly - the girl's young, fresh, arrogant, with just a trace of soft-sounding
foreignR's,andtheman'spleasant,low-toned,well-bredEnglish.

"I'mnotcountingmychickensbeforethey'rehatched,Simon.ItellyouLinnetwon'tletusdown!"

"Imightletherdown."

"Nonsense-it'sjusttherightjobforyou."

"AsamatteroffactIthinkitis...Ihaven'treallyanydoubtsastomycapability.AndImeantomake
good-foryoursake!"

Thegirllaughedsoftly,alaughofpurehappiness.

"We'llwaitthreemonths-tomakesureyoudon'tgetthesack-andthen-"

"AndthenI'llendowtheewithmyworldlygoods-that'sthehangofit,isn'tit?"

"And,asIsay,we'llgotoEgyptforourhoneymoon.Damntheexpense!I'vealwayswantedtogoto
Egyptallmylife.TheNileandthepyramidsandthesand..."

Hesaid,hisvoiceslightlyindistinct:"We'llseeittogether,Jackie...together.Won'titbemarvellous?"

"Iwonder.Willitbeasmarvelloustoyouasitistome?Doyoureallycare-asmuchasIdo?"

Hervoicewassuddenlysharp-hereyesdilated-almostwithfear.

Theman'sanswercamequicklycrisp,"Don'tbeabsurd,Jackie."

Butthegirlrepeated,"Iwonder..."

Thensheshruggedhershoulders.

"Let'sdance."

HerculePoirotmurmuredtohimself:

"Unquiaimeetunquiselaisseaimer.Yes,Iwondertoo."

Chapter7

JoannaSouthwoodsaid,"Andsupposehe'saterribletough?"

Linnetshookherhead."Oh,hewon'tbe.IcantrustJacqueline'staste."

Joannamurmured,"Ah,butpeopledon'truntruetoforminloveaffairs."

Linnetshookherheadimpatiently.Thenshechangedthesubject."ImustgoandseeMrPierceabout
thoseplans!"

"Plans?"

"Yes,somedreadfulinsanitaryoldcottages.I'mhavingthempulleddownandthepeoplemoved."

"Howsanitaryandpublic-spiritedofyou,darling!"

"They'dhavehadtogoanyway.Thosecottageswouldhaveoverlookedmynewswimmingpool."

"Dothepeoplewholivedinthemlikegoing?"

"Mostofthemaredelighted.Oneortwoarebeingratherstupidaboutit-reallytiresomeinfact.They
don'tseemtorealizehowvastlyimprovedtheirlivingconditionswillbe!"

"Butyou'rebeingquitehigh-handedaboutit,Ipresume."

"MydearJoanna,it'stotheiradvantagereally."

"Yes,dear,I'msureitis.Compulsorybenefit."

Linnetfrowned.Joannalaughed.

"Comenow,youareatyrant,admitit.Abeneficenttyrantifyoulike!"

"I'mnottheleastbitatyrant."

"Butyoulikeyourownway!"

"Notespecially."

"LinnetRidgeway,canyoulookmeinthefaceandtellmeofanyoneoccasiononwhichyou'vefailed
todoexactlyasyouwanted?"

"Heapsoftimes."

"Oh,yes,'heapsoftimes'-justlikethat-butnoconcreteexample.Andyousimplycan'tthinkupone,
darling,howeverhardyoutry!ThetriumphalprogressofLinnetRidgewayinhergoldencar."

Linnetsaidsharply,"YouthinkI'mselfish?"

"No - just irresistible. The combined effect of money and charm. Everything goes down before you.
What you can't buy with cash you buy with a smile. Result: Linnet Ridgeway, the Girl Who Has
Everything."

"Don'tberidiculous,Joanna!"

"Well,haven'tyougoteverything?"

"IsupposeIhave...Itsoundsratherdisgusting,somehow!"

"Of course it's disgusting, darling! You'll probably get terribly bored and blasé by and by. In the
meantime,enjoythetriumphalprogressinthegoldencar.OnlyIwonder,Ireallydowonder,whatwill
happenwhenyouwanttogodownastreetwhichhasaboardupsaying'NoThoroughfare.'"

"Don't be idiotic, Joanna." As Lord Windlesham joined them, Linnet said, turning to him, "Joanna is
sayingthenastiestthingstome."

"Allspite,darling,allspite,"saidJoannavaguelyasshegotupfromherseat.Shemadenoapologyfor
leavingthem.ShehadcaughttheglintinWindlesham'seye.

Hewassilentforaminuteortwo.Thenhewentstraighttothepoint.

"Haveyoucometoadecision,Linnet?"

Linnetsaidslowly:"AmIbeingabrute?Isuppose,ifI'mnotsure,Ioughttosay'No'-"

Heinterruptedher.

"Don't say it. You shall have time - as much time as you want. But I think, you know, we should be
happytogether."

"Yousee,"Linnet'stonewasapologetic,almostchildish,"I'menjoyingmyselfsomuch-especiallywith
allthis."Shewavedahand."IwantedtomakeWodeHallintomyrealidealofacountryhouse,andI
dothinkI'vegotitnice,don'tyou?"

"It'sbeautiful.Beautifullyplanned.Everythingperfect.You'reveryclever,Linnet."

He paused a minute and went on: "And you like Charltonbury, don't you? Of course it wants
modernizingandallthat-butyou'resocleveratthatsortofthing.You'denjoyit."

"Why,ofcourse,Charltonbury'sdivine."

Shespokewithreadyenthusiasm,butinwardlyshewasconsciousofasuddenchill.Analiennotehad
sounded,disturbinghercompletesatisfactionwithlife.Shedidnotanalysethefeelingatthemoment,

butlater,whenWindleshamhadgoneintothehouse,shetriedtoprobeintotherecessesofhermind.
Charltonbury-yes,thatwasit-shehadresentedthementionofCharltonbury.Butwhy?Charltonbury
wasmodestlyfamous.Windlesham'sancestorshadhelditsincethetimeofElizabeth.Tobemistressof
Charltonburywasapositionunsurpassedinsociety.Windleshamwasoneofthemostdesirablepartisin
England.

Naturallyhecouldn'ttakeWodeseriously...ItwasnotinanywaytobecomparedwithCharltonbury.

Ah,butWodewashers!Shehadseenit,acquiredit,rebuiltandre-dressedit,lavishedmoneyonit.It
washerownpossession-herkingdom.

Butinasenseitwouldn'tcountifshemarriedWindlesham.Whatwouldtheywantwithtwocountry
places?Andofthetwo,naturallyWodeHallwouldbetheonetobegivenup.

She, Linnet Ridgeway, wouldn't exist any longer. She would be Countess of Windlesham, bringing a
finedowrytoCharltonburyanditsmaster.Shewouldbequeenconsort,notqueenanylonger.

"I'mbeingridiculous,"saidLinnettoherself.

ButitwascurioushowshedidhatetheideaofabandoningWode...

Andwasn'ttheresomethingelsenaggingather?

Jackie's voice with that queer blurred note in it saying: "I shall die if I can't marry him! I shall die. I
shalldie..."

Sopositive,soearnest.Didshe,Linnet,feellikethataboutWindlesham?

Assuredlyshedidn't.Perhapsshecouldneverfeellikethataboutanyone.Itmustbe-ratherwonderful-
tofeellikethat...

Thesoundofacarcamethroughtheopenwindow.

Linnetshookherselfimpatiently.ThatmustbeJackieandheryoungman.She'dgooutandmeetthem.

ShewasstandingintheopendoorwayasJacquelineandSimonDoylegotoutofthecar.

"Linnet!"Jackierantoher."ThisisSimon.Simon,here'sLinnet.She'sjustthemostwonderfulperson
intheworld."

Linnetsawatall,broad-shoulderedyoungman,withverydarkblueeyes,crisplycurlingbrownhair,a
squarechinandaboyish,appealinglysimplesmile...

Shestretchedoutahand.Thehandthatclaspedherswasfirmandwarm...Shelikedthewayhelooked
ather,thenaïvegenuineadmiration.

Jackiehadtoldhimshewaswonderful,andheclearlythoughtthatshewaswonderful...

Awarmsweetfeelingofintoxicationranthroughherveins.

"Isn'tthisalllovely?"shesaid."Comein,Simon,andletmewelcomemynewlandagentproperly."

Andassheturnedtoleadthewayshethought:"I'mfrightfully-frightfullyhappy.IlikeJackie'syoung
man...Ilikehimenormously..."

Andthenwithasuddenpang,"LuckyJackie."

Chapter8

TimAllertonleantbackinhiswickerchairandyawnedashelookedoutoverthesea.Heshotaquick
sidelongglanceathismother.

MrsAllertonwasagood-looking,white-hairedwomanoffifty.Byimpartinganexpressionofpinched
severity to her mouth every time she looked at her son, she sought to disguise the fact of her intense
affection for him. Even total strangers were seldom deceived by this device and Tim himself saw
throughitperfectly.

Hesaid,"DoyoureallylikeMajorca,Mother?"

"Well,"MrsAllertonconsidered,"it'scheap."

"Andcold,"saidTimwithaslightshiver.

Hewasatall,thinyoungman,withdarkhairandarathernarrowchest.Hismouthhadaverysweet
expression;hiseyesweresadandhischinwasindecisive.Hehadlongdelicatehands.

Threatenedbyconsumptionsomeyearsago,hehadneverdisplayedareallyrobustphysique.Hewas
popularly supposed "to write," but it was understood among his friends that inquiries as to literary
outputwerenotencouraged.

"Whatareyouthinkingof,Tim?"

MrsAllertonwasalert.Herbright,dark-browneyeslookedsuspicious.TimAllertongrinnedather.

"IwasthinkingofEgypt."

"Egypt?"

MrsAllertonsoundeddoubtful.

"Realwarmth,darling.Lazygoldensands.TheNile.I'dliketogouptheNile,wouldn'tyou?"

"Oh,I'dlikeit."Hertonewasdry."ButEgypt'sexpensive,mydear.Notforthosewhohavetocountthe
pennies."

Timlaughed.Herose,stretchedhimself.Suddenlyhelookedaliveandeager.Therewasanexcitednote
inhisvoice.

"The expense will be my affair. Yes, darling. A little flutter on the Stock Exchange. With thoroughly
satisfactoryresults.Iheardthismorning."

"Thismorning?"saidMrsAllertonsharply."Youonlyhadoneletterandthat-"Shestoppedandbither
lip.

Timlookedmomentarilyundecidedwhethertobeamusedorannoyed.Amusementgainedtheday.

"AndthatwasfromJoanna,"hefinishedcoolly."Quiteright,Mother.WhataQueenofdetectivesyou'd
make!ThefamousHerculePoirotwouldhavetolooktohislaurelsifyouwereabout."

MrsAllertonlookedrathercross.

"Ijusthappenedtoseethehandwriting-"

"Andknewitwasn'tthatofastockbroker?Quiteright.AsamatteroffactitwasyesterdayIheardfrom
them. Poor Joanna's handwriting is rather noticeable - sprawls about all over the envelope like an
inebriatedspider."

"WhatdoesJoannasay?Anynews?"

MrsAllertonstrovetomakehervoicesoundcasualandordinary.Thefriendshipbetweenhersonand
hissecondcousin,JoannaSouthwood,alwaysirritatedher.Not,assheputittoherself,thattherewas
"anything in it." She was quite sure there wasn't. Tim had never manifested a sentimental interest in
Joanna,norsheinhim.Theirmutualattractionseemedtobefoundedongossipandthepossessionofa
largenumberoffriendsandacquaintancesincommon.Theybothlikedpeopleanddiscussingpeople.
Joannahadanamusingifcaustictongue.ItwasnotbecauseMrsAllertonfearedthatTimmightfallin
lovewithJoannathatshefoundherselfalwaysbecomingalittlestiffinmannerifJoannawerepresent
orwhenlettersfromherarrived.

It was some other feeling hard to define - perhaps an unacknowledged jealousy in the unfeigned
pleasure Tim always seemed to take in Joanna's society. He and his mother were such perfect
companions that the sight of him absorbed and interested in another woman always startled Mrs
Allertonslightly.Shefancied,too,thatherownpresenceontheseoccasionssetsomebarrierbetween
thetwomembersoftheyoungergeneration.Oftenshehadcomeuponthemeagerlyabsorbedinsome
conversation and, at sight of her, their talk had wavered, had seemed to include her rather too
purposefullyandasindutybound.Quitedefinitely,MrsAllertondidnotlikeJoannaSouthwood.She
thought her insincere, affected and essentially superficial. She found it very hard to prevent herself
sayingsoinunmeasuredtones.

Inanswertoherquestion,Timpulledtheletteroutofhispocketandglancedthroughit.Itwasquitea
longletter,hismothernoted.

"Nothing much," he said. "The Devenishes are getting a divorce. Old Monty's been had up for being

drunk in charge of a car. Windlesham's gone to Canada. Seems he was pretty badly hit when Linnet
Ridgewayturnedhimdown.She'sdefinitelygoingtomarrythislandagentperson."

"Howextraordinary!Isheverydreadful?"

"No, no, not at all. He's one of the Devonshire Doyles. No money, of course - and he was actually
engagedtooneofLinnet'sbestfriends.Prettythick,that."

"Idon'tthinkit'satallnice,"saidMrsAllerton,flushing.

Timflashedheraquickaffectionateglance.

"Iknow,darling.Youdon'tapproveofsnappingotherpeople'shusbandsandallthatsortofthing."

"In my day we had our standards," said Mrs Allerton. "And a very good thing too! Nowadays young
peopleseemtothinktheycanjustgoaboutdoinganythingtheychoose."

Timsmiled.

"Theydon'tonlythinkit.Theydoit.VideLinnetRidgeway!"

"Well,Ithinkit'shorrid!"

Timtwinkledather.

"Cheer up, you old die-hard! Perhaps I agree with you. Anyway, I haven't helped myself to anyone's
wifeorfiancéeyet."

"I'msureyou'dneverdosuchathing,"saidMrsAllerton.Sheaddedwithspirit,"I'vebroughtyouup
properly."

"Sothecreditisyours,notmine."

Hesmiledteasinglyatherashefoldedtheletterandputitawayagain.

MrsAllertonletthethoughtjustflashacrosshermind:"Mostlettersheshowstome.Heonlyreadsme
snippetsfromJoanna's."

Butsheputtheunworthythoughtawayfromher,anddecided,asever,tobehavelikeagentlewoman.

"IsJoannaenjoyinglife?"sheasked.

"Soso.SaysshethinksofopeningadelicatessenshopinMayfair."

"She always talks about being hard up," said Mrs Allerton with a tinge of spite, "but she goes about
everywhereandherclothesmustcostheralot.She'salwaysbeautifullydressed."

"Ah, well," said Tim, "she probably doesn't pay for them. No, Mother, I don't mean what your
Edwardianmindsuggeststoyou.Ijustmeanquiteliterallythatsheleavesherbillsunpaid."

MrsAllertonsighed.

"Ineverknowhowpeoplemanagetodothat."

"It'sakindofspecialgift,"saidTim."Ifonlyyouhavesufficientlyextravaganttastes,andabsolutelyno
senseofmoneyvalues,peoplewillgiveyouanyamountofcredit."

"Yes,butyoucometotheBankruptcyCourtintheendlikepoorSirGeorgeWode."

"Youhaveasoftspotforthatoldhorsecoper-probablybecausehecalledyouarosebudineighteen
seventy-nineatadance."

"I wasn't born in eighteen seventy-nine," Mrs Allerton retorted with spirit. "Sir George has charming
manners,andIwon'thaveyoucallinghimahorsecoper."

"I'veheardfunnystoriesabouthimfrompeoplethatknow."

"YouandJoannadon'tmindwhatyousayaboutpeople;anythingwilldosolongasit'ssufficientlyill-
natured."

Timraisedhiseyebrows.

"Mydear,you'requiteheated.Ididn'tknowoldWodewassuchafavouriteofyours."

"Youdon'trealizehowharditisforhim,havingtosellWodeHall.Hecaredterriblyaboutthatplace."

Timsuppressedtheeasyretort.Afterall,whowashetojudge?Insteadhesaidthoughtfully:

"Youknow,Ithinkyou'renotfarwrongthere.Linnetaskedhimtocomedownandseewhatshe'ddone
totheplace,andherefusedquiterudely."

"Ofcourse.Sheoughttohaveknownbetterthantoaskhim."

"AndIbelievehe'squitevenomousabouther-muttersthingsunderhisbreathwheneverheseesher.
Can'tforgiveherforhavinggivenhimanabsolutelytoppricefortheworm-eatenfamilyestate."

"Andyoucan'tunderstandthat?"MrsAllertonspokesharply.

"Frankly,"saidTimcalmly,"Ican't.Whyliveinthepast?Whyclingontothingsthathavebeen?"

"Whatareyougoingtoputintheirplace?"

Heshruggedhisshoulders."Excitement,perhaps.Novelty.Thejoyofneverknowingwhatmayturnup
fromdaytoday.Insteadofinheritinganuselesstractofland,thepleasureofmakingmoneyforyourself
-byyourownbrainsandskill."

"AsuccessfuldealontheStockExchangeinfact!"

Helaughed."Whynot?"

"AndwhataboutanequallossontheStockExchange?"

"That,dear,israthertactless.Andquiteinappropriatetoday.WhataboutthisEgyptplan?"

"Well-"

Hecutin,smilingather:"That'ssettled.We'vebothalwayswantedtoseeEgypt."

"Whendoyousuggest?"

"Oh,nextmouth.January'saboutthebesttimethere.We'llenjoythedelightfulsocietyinthishotela
fewweekslonger."

"Tim,"saidMrsAllertonreproachfully.Thensheaddedguiltily:"I'mafraidIpromisedMrsLeechthat
you'dgowithhertothepolicestation.Shedoesn'tunderstandanySpanish."

Timmadeagrimace.

"Aboutherring?Theblood-redrubyofthehorseleech'sdaughter?Doesshestillpersistinthinkingit's
beenstolen?I'llgoifyoulike,butit'sawasteoftime.Shellonlygetsomewretchedchambermaidinto
trouble.Idistinctlysawitonherfingerwhenshewentintotheseathatday.Itcameoffinthewaterand
shenevernoticed."

"Shesayssheisquitesureshetookitoffandleftitonherdressing-table."

"Well, she didn't. I saw it with my own eyes. The woman's a fool. Any woman's a fool who goes
prancingintotheseainDecember,pretendingthewater'squitewarmjustbecausethesunhappenstobe
shiningratherbrightlyatthemoment.Stoutwomenoughtn'ttobeallowedtobatheanyway;theylook
sorevoltinginbathingdresses."

MrsAllertonmurmured,"IreallyfeelIoughttogiveupbathing."

Timgaveashoutoflaughter.

"You?Youcangivemostoftheyoungthingspointsandtospare."

MrsAllertonsighedandsaid,"Iwishtherewereafewmoreyoungpeopleforyouhere."

TimAllertonshookhisheaddecidedly.

"Idon't.YouandIgetalongrathercomfortablywithoutoutsidedistractions."

"You'dlikeitifJoannawerehere."

"I wouldn't." His tone was unexpectedly resolute. "You're all wrong there. Joanna amuses me, but I
don't really like her, and to have her around much gets on my nerves. I'm thankful she isn't here. I
shouldbequiteresignedifIwerenevertoseeJoannaagain."

He added, almost below his breath, "There's only one woman in the world I've got a real respect and
admirationfor,andIthink,MrsAllerton,youknowverywellwhothatwomanis."

Hismotherblushedandlookedquiteconfused.

Tim said gravely: "There aren't very many really nice women in the world. You happen to be one of
them."

Chapter9

In an apartment overlooking Central Park in New York, Mrs Robson exclaimed: "If that isn't just too
lovely!Youreallyaretheluckiestgirl,Cornelia."

CorneliaRobsonflushedresponsively.Shewasabigclumsy-lookinggirlwithbrowndoglikeeyes.

"Oh,itwillbewonderful!"shegasped.

OldMissVanSchuylerinclinedherheadinasatisfiedfashionatthiscorrectattitudeonthepartofpoor
relations.

"I'vealwaysdreamedofatriptoEurope,"sighedCornelia,"butIjustdidn'tfeelI'devergetthere."

"Miss Bowers will come with me as usual, of course," said Miss Van Schuyler, "but as a social
companionIfindherlimited-verylimited.TherearemanylittlethingsthatCorneliacandoforme."

"I'djustloveto,CousinMarie,"saidCorneliaeagerly.

"Well,well,thenthat'ssettled,"saidMissVanSchuyler."JustrunandfindMissBowers,mydear.It's
timeformyeggnog."

Corneliadeparted.Hermothersaid:"MydearMarie,I'mreallymostgratefultoyou!YouknowIthink
Cornelia suffers a lot from not being a social success. It makes her feel kind of mortified. If I could
affordtotakehertoplaces-butyouknowhowit'sbeensinceNeddied."

"I'mverygladtotakeher,"saidMissVanSchuyler."Corneliahasalwaysbeenanicehandygirl,willing
torunerrands,andnotsoselfishassomeoftheseyoungpeoplenowadays."

MrsRobsonroseandkissedherrichrelative'swrinkledandslightlyyellowface.

"I'mjusteversograteful,"shedeclared.

Onthestairsshemetatallcapablelookingwomanwhowascarryingaglasscontainingayellowfoamy
liquid.

"Well,MissBowers,soyou'reofftoEurope?"

"Why,yes,MrsRobson."

"Whatalovelytrip!"

"Why,yes,Ishouldthinkitwouldbeveryenjoyable."

"Butyou'vebeenabroadbefore?"

"Oh, yes, Mrs Robson. I went over to Paris with Miss Van Schuyler last Fall. But I've never been to
Egyptbefore."

MrsRobsonhesitated.

"Idohope-therewon'tbeany-trouble."

Shehadloweredhervoice.MissBowers,however,repliedinherusualtone:

"Oh,no,MrsRobson;Ishalltakegoodcareofthat.Ikeepaverysharplook-outalways."

ButtherewasstillafaintshadowonMrsRobson'sfaceassheslowlycontinueddownthestairs.

Chapter10

In his office down town Mr Andrew Pennington was opening his personal mail. Suddenly his fist
clencheditselfandcamedownonhisdeskwithabang;hisfacecrimsonedandtwobigveinsstoodout
on his forehead. He pressed a buzzer on his desk and a smart looking stenographer appeared with
commendablepromptitude."TellMrRockfordtostepinhere."

"Yes,MrPennington."

Afewminuteslater,StemdaleRockford,Pennington'spartner,enteredtheoffice.Thetwomenwerenot
unlike-bothtall,spare,withgreyinghairandclean-shaven,cleverfaces.

"What'sup,Pennington?"

Penningtonlookedupfromtheletterhewasre-reading.Hesaid,"Linnet'smarried."

"What?"

"YouheardwhatIsaid!LinnetRidgeway'smarried!"

"How?When?Whydidn'twehearaboutit?"

Penningtonglancedatthecalendaronhisdesk.

"She wasn't married when she wrote this letter, but she's married now. Morning of the fourth. That's
today."

Rockforddroppedintoachair.

"Whew!Nowarning?Nothing?Who'stheman?"

Penningtonreferredagaintotheletter.

"Doyle.SimonDoyle."

"Whatsortofafellowishe?Everheardofhim?"

"No.Shedoesn'tsaymuch..."Hescannedthelinesofclear,uprighthandwriting."Gotanideathere's
somethinghole-and-corneraboutthebusiness....Thatdoesn'tmatter.Thewholepointis,she'smarried."

Theeyesofthetwomenmet.Rockfordnodded.

"Thisneedsabitofthinkingout,"hesaidquietly.

"Whatarewegoingtodoaboutit?"

"I'maskingyou."

Thetwomensatsilent.ThenRockfordasked,"Gotanyplan?"

Penningtonsaidslowly:"TheNormandiesailstoday.Oneofuscouldjustmakeit."

"You'recrazy!What'sthebigidea?"

Penningtonbegan,"ThoseBritishlawyers-"andstopped.

"Whatabout'em?Surelyyou'renotgoingovertotackle'em?You'remad!"

"I'mnotsuggestingthatyou-orI-shouldgotoEngland."

"What'sthebigidea,then?"

Penningtonsmoothedouttheletteronthetable.

"Linnet'sgoingtoEgyptforherhoneymoon.Expectstobethereamonthormore."

"Egypt-eh?"

Rockfordconsidered.Thenhelookedupandmettheother'sglance.

"Egypt,"hesaid,"that'syouridea!"

"Yes-achancemeeting.Overonatrip.Linnetandherhusband-honeymoonatmosphere.Itmightbe
done."

Rockfordsaiddoubtfully,"She'ssharp,Linnetis...but-"

Penningtonwentonsoftly,"Ithinktheremightbewaysofmanagingit."

Againtheireyesmet.Rockfordnodded.

"Allright,bigboy."

Penningtonlookedattheclock.

"We'llhavetohustle-whicheverofusisgoing."

"You go," said Rockford promptly. "You always made a hit with Linnet. 'Uncle Andrew.' That's the
ticket!"

Pennington'sfacehadhardened.Hesaid,"IhopeIcanpullitoff."

"You'vegottopullitoff,"hispartnersaid."Thesituation'scritical..."

Chapter11

William Carmichael said to the thin, weedy youth who opened the door inquiringly, "Send Mr Jim to
me,please."

JimFanthorpenteredtheroomandlookedinquiringlyathisuncle.Theoldermanlookedupwithanod
andagrunt.

"Humph,thereyouare."

"Youaskedforme?"

"Justcastaneyeoverthis."

Theyoungmansatdownanddrewthesheafofpaperstowardhim.Theeldermanwatchedhim.

"Well?"

Theanswercamepromptly,"Looksfishytome,sir."

AgaintheseniorpartnerofCarmichael,Grant&Carmichaelutteredhischaracteristicgrunt.

JimFanthorpre-readtheletterwhichhadjustarrivedbyairmailfromEgypt:

...Itseemswickedtobewritingbusinesslettersonsuchaday.WehavespentaweekatMenaHouse
andmadeanexpeditiontotheFayum.ThedayaftertomorrowwearegoinguptheNiletoLuxorand

Assuanbysteamer,andperhapsontoKhartoum.WhenwewentintoCook'sthismorningtoseeabout
ourticketswhodoyouthinkwasthefirstpersonIsaw?-myAmericantrustee,AndrewPennington.I
thinkyoumethimtwoyearsagowhenhewasover.IhadnoideahewasinEgyptandhehadnoidea
thatIwas!NorthatIwasmarried!Myletter,tellinghimofmymarriage,mustjusthavemissedhim.He
isactuallygoinguptheNileonthesametripthatweare.Isn'titacoincidence?Thankyousomuchfor
allyouhavedoneinthisbusytime.I...

Astheyoungmanwasabouttoturnthepage,MrCarmichaeltooktheletterfromhim.

"That'sall,"hesaid."Therestdoesn'tmatter.Well,whatdoyouthink?"

Hisnephewconsideredforamoment-thenhesaid:"Well-Ithink-notacoincidence."

Theothernoddedapproval.

"LikeatriptoEgypt?"hebarkedout.

"Youthinkthat'sadvisable?"

"Ithinkthere'snotimetolose."

"Butwhyme?"

"Useyourbrains,boy;useyourbrains.LinnetRidgewayhasnevermetyou;nomorehasPennington.If
yougobyairyoumaygetthereintime."

"I-Idon'tlikeit,sir.WhatamItodo?"

"Useyoureyes.Useyourears.Useyourbrains-ifyou'vegotany.And,ifnecessary-act."

"I-Idon'tlikeit."

"Perhapsnot-butyou'vegottodoit."

"It's-necessary?"

"Inmyopinion,"saidMrCarmichael,"it'sabsolutelyvital."

Chapter12

Mrs Otterbourne, readjusting the turban of native material that she wore draped round her head, said
fretfully:

"Ireallydon'tseewhyweshouldn'tgoontoEgypt.I'msickandtiredofJerusalem."

Asherdaughtermadenoreply,shesaid,"Youmightatleastanswerwhenyou'respokento."

RosalieOtterbournewaslookingatanewspaperreproductionofaface.Belowitwasprinted:

MrsSimonDoyle,whobeforehermarriagewasthewell-knownsocietybeauty,MissLinnetRidgeway.
MrandMrsDoylearespendingtheirholidayinEgypt.

Rosaliesaid,"You'dliketomoveontoEgypt,Mother?"

"Yes,Iwould,"MrsOtterbournesnapped."Iconsiderthey'vetreatedusinamostpeculiarfashionhere.
Mybeinghereisanadvertisement-Ioughttogetaspecialreductioninterms.WhenIhintedasmuch,
Iconsidertheyweremostimpertinent-mostimpertinent.ItoldthemexactlywhatIthoughtofthem."

Thegirlsighed.Shesaid:"Oneplaceisverylikeanother.Iwishwecouldgorightaway."

"And this morning," went on Mrs Otterbourne, "the manager actually had the impertinence to tell me
thatalltheroomshadbeenbookedinadvanceandthathewouldrequireoursintwodays'time."

"Sowe'vegottogosomewhere."

"Notatall.I'mquitepreparedtofightformyrights."

Rosaliemurmured:"IsupposewemightaswellgoontoEgypt.Itdoesn'tmakeanydifference."

"It'scertainlynotamatteroflifeordeath,"agreedMrsOtterbourne.

Butthereshewasquitewrong-foramatteroflifeanddeathwasexactlywhatitwas.

PartII-EGYPT

Chapter1

"That'sHerculePoirot,thedetective,"saidMrsAllerton.

She and her son were sitting in brightly painted scarlet basket chairs outside the Cataract Hotel at
Assuan.Theywerewatchingtheretreatingfiguresoftwopeople-ashortmandressedinawhitesilk
suitandatallslimgirl.TimAllertonsatupinanunusuallyalertfashion.

"Thatfunnylittleman?"heaskedincredulously.

"Thatfunnylittleman!"

"Whatonearth'shedoingouthere?"Timasked.

His mother laughed. "Darling, you sound quite excited. Why do men enjoy crime so much? I hate
detectivestoriesandneverreadthem.ButIdon'tthinkMonsieurPoirotisherewithanyulteriormotive.
He'smadeagooddealofmoneyandhe'sseeinglife,Ifancy."

"Seemstohaveaneyeforthebestlookinggirlintheplace."

MrsAllertontiltedherheadalittleononesideassheconsideredtheretreatingbacksofM.Poirotand
hiscompanion.

The girl by his side over-topped him by some three inches. She walked well, neither stiffly nor
slouchingly.

"Isupposesheisquitegood-looking,"saidMrsAllerton.

SheshotalittleglancesidewaysatTim.Somewhattoheramusementthefishroseatonce.

"She'smorethanquite.Pityshelookssobad-temperedandsulky."

"Perhapsthat'sjustexpression,dear."

"Unpleasantyoungdevil,Ithink.Butshe'sprettyenough."

ThesubjectoftheseremarkswaswalkingslowlybyPoirot'sside.RosalieOtterbournewastwirlingan
unopenedparasol,andherexpressioncertainlyboreoutwhatTimhadjustsaid.Shelookedbothsulky
andbad-tempered.Hereyebrowsweredrawntogetherinafrownandthescarletlineofhermouthwas
drawndownward.

Theyturnedtotheleftoutofthehotelgateandenteredthecoolshadeofthepublicgardens.

HerculePoirotwasprattlinggently,hisexpressionthatofbeatificgoodhumour.Heworeawhitesilk
suit,carefullypressed,andapanamahatandcarriedahighlyornamentalflywhiskwithashamamber
handle.

"-itenchantsme,"hewassaying."TheblackrocksofElephantine,andthesun,andthelittleboatson
theriver.Yes,itisgoodtobealive."Hepausedandthenadded,"Youdonotfinditso,Mademoiselle?"

RosalieOtterbournesaidshortly:"It'sallright,Isuppose.IthinkAssuan'sagloomysortofplace.The
hotel'shalfempty,andeveryone'saboutahundred-"

Shestopped-bitingherlip.

HerculePoirot'seyestwinkled.

"Itistrue,yes,Ihaveoneleginthegrave."

"I-Iwasn'tthinkingofyou,"saidthegirl."I'msorry.Thatsoundedrude."

"Notatall.Itisnaturalyoushouldwishforcompanionsofyourownage.Ah,well,thereisoneyoung

man,atleast."

"Theonewhositswithhismotherallthetime?Ilikeher-butIthinkhelooksdreadful-soconceited!"

Poirotsniffed.

"AndI-amIconceited?"

"Oh,Idon'tthinkso."

Shewasobviouslyuninterested-butthefactdidnotseemtoannoyPoirot.Hemerelyremarkedwith
placidsatisfaction,"MybestfriendsaysthatIamveryconceited."

"Oh,well,"saidRosalievaguely,"Isupposeyouhavesomethingtobeconceitedabout.Unfortunately
crimedoesn'tinterestmeintheleast."

Poirotsaidsolemnly,"Iamdelightedtolearnthatyouhavenoguiltysecrettohide."

Just for a moment the sulky mask of her face was transformed as she shot him a swift questioning
glance.Poirotdidnotseemtonoticeitashewenton:"Madame,yourmother,wasnotatlunchtoday.
Sheisnotindisposed,Itrust?"

"Thisplacedoesn'tsuither,"saidRosaliebriefly."Ishallbegladwhenweleave."

"Wearefellowpassengers,arewenot?WebothmaketheexcursionuptoWâdiHalfaandtheSecond
Cataract?"

"Yes."

Theycameoutfromtheshadeofthegardensontoadustystretchofroadborderedbytheriver.Five
watchfulbeadsellers,twovendorsofpostcards,threesellersofplasterscarabs,acoupleofdonkeyboys
andsomedetachedbuthopefulinfantileriff-raffclosedinuponthem."Youwantbeads,sir?Verygood,
sir.Verycheap."

"Lady,youwantscarab?Look-greatqueen-verylucky."

"Youlook,sir-reallapis.Verygood,verycheap..."

"Youwantridedonkey,sir?Thisverygooddonkey.ThisdonkeyWhiskyandSoda,sir..."

"Youwanttogogranitequarries,sir?Thisverygooddonkey.Otherdonkeyverybad,sir,thatdonkey
falldown..."

"Youwantpostcard-verycheap-verynice..."

"Look,lady...Onlytenpiastres-veryivory..."

"Thisverygoodflywhisk-this-allamber."

"Yougooutinboat,sir?Igotverygoodboat,sir."

"Youridebacktohotel,lady?Thisfirstclassdonkey."

HerculePoirotmadevaguegesturestoridhimselfofthishumanclusterofflies.Rosaliestalkedthrough
themlikeasleepwalker.

"It'sbesttopretendtobedeafandblind,"sheremarked.

Theinfantileriff-raffranalongsidemurmuringplaintively:"Bakshish?Bakshish?Hiphiphurrah-very
good,verynice..."

Theirgailycolouredragstrailedpicturesquely,andtheflieslayinclustersontheireyelids.Theywere
themostpersistent.Theothersfellbackandlaunchedafreshattackonthenextcomer.

NowPoirotandRosalieonlyranthegauntletoftheshops-suave,persuasiveaccentshere...

"Youvisitmyshoptoday,sir?"

"Youwantthativorycrocodile,sir?"

"Younotbeeninmyshopyet,sir?Ishowyouverybeautifulthings."

TheyturnedintothefifthshopandRosaliehandedoverseveralrollsoffilms-theobjectofthewalk.

Thentheycameoutagainandwalkedtowardtheriver'sedge.

OneoftheNilesteamerswasjustmooring.PoirotandRosalielookedinterestedlyatthepassengers.

"Quitealot,aren'tthere?"commentedRosalie.

SheturnedherheadasTimAllertoncameupandjoinedthem.Hewasalittleoutofbreathasthoughhe
hadbeenwalkingfast.

TheystoodthereforamomentortwoandthenTimspoke.

"An awful crowd as usual, I suppose," he remarked disparagingly, indicating the disembarking
passengers.

"They'reusuallyquiteterrible,"agreedRosalie.

Allthreeworetheairofsuperiorityassumedbypeoplewhoarealreadyinaplacewhenstudyingnew
arrivals.

"Hullo!"exclaimedTim,hisvoicesuddenlyexcited."I'mdamnedifthatisn'tLinnetRidgeway."

IftheinformationleftPoirotunmoved,itstirredRosalie'sinterest.Sheleanedforwardandhersulkiness
quitedroppedfromherassheasked:

"Where?Thatoneinwhite?"

"Yes, there with the tall man. They're coming ashore now. He's the new husband, I suppose. Can't
rememberhernamenow."

"Doyle,"saidRosalie."SimonDoyle.Itwasinallthenewspapers.She'ssimplyrolling,isn'tshe?"

"OnlyabouttherichestgirlinEngland,"repliedTimcheerfully.

Thethreelookers-onweresilentwatchingthepassengerscomeashore.

Poirot gazed with interest at the subject of the remarks of his companions. He murmured, "She is
beautiful."

"Somepeoplehavegoteverything,"saidRosaliebitterly.

There was a queer grudging expression on her face as she watched the other girl come up the
gangplank.

LinnetDoylewaslookingasperfectlyturnedoutasifsheweresteppingontothecentreofthestageof
aRevue.Shehadsomethingtoooftheassuranceofafamousactress.Shewasusedtobeinglookedat,
tobeingadmired,tobeingthecentreofthestagewherevershewent.

Shewasawareofthekeenglancesbentuponher-andatthesametimealmostunawareofthem;such
tributeswerepartofherlife.

She came ashore playing a rôle, even though she played it unconsciously. The rich beautiful society
brideonherhoneymoon.Sheturned,withalittlesmileandalightremark,tothetallmanbyherside.
Heanswered,andthesoundofhisvoiceseemedtointerestHerculePoirot.Hiseyeslitupandhedrew
hisbrowstogether.

Thecouplepassedclosetohim.HeheardSimonDoylesay:

"We'lltryandmaketimeforit,darling.Wecaneasilystayaweekortwoifyoulikeithere."

Hisfacewasturnedtowardher,eager,adoring,alittlehumble.

Poirot'seyesranoverhimthoughtfully-thesquareshoulders,thebronzedface,thedarkblueeyes,the
ratherchildlikesimplicityofthesmile.

"Luckydevil,"saidTimaftertheyhadpassed."Fancyfindinganheiresswhohasn'tgotadenoidsand
flatfeet!"

"Theylookfrightfullyhappy,"saidRosaliewithanoteofenvyinhervoice.Sheaddedsuddenly,butso
low that Tim did not catch the words, "It isn't fair." Poirot heard, however. He had been frowning
somewhatperplexedlybutnowheflashedaquickglancetowardher.

Timsaid,"Imustcollectsomestuffformymothernow."

Heraisedhishatandmovedoff.PoirotandRosalieretracedtheirstepsslowlyinthedirectionofthe
hotel,wavingasidefreshproffersofdonkeys."Soitisnotfair,Mademoiselle?"askedPoirotgently.

Thegirlflushedangrily.

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean."

"Iamrepeatingwhatyousaidjustnowunderyourbreath.Oh,yes,youdid."

RosalieOtterbourneshruggedhershoulders.

"Itreallyseemsalittletoomuchforoneperson.Money,goodlooks,marvellousfigureand-"

ShepausedandPoirotsaid:

"Andlove?Eh?Andlove?Butyoudonotknow-shemayhavebeenmarriedforhermoney!"

"Didn'tyouseethewayhelookedather?"

"Oh,yes,Mademoiselle.Isawalltherewastosee-indeedIsawsomethingthatyoudidnot."

"Whatwasthat?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"Isaw,Mademoiselle,darklinesbelowawoman'seyes.Isawahandthatclutcheda
sunshadesotightthattheknuckleswerewhite..."

Rosaliewasstaringathim.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"I mean that all is not the gold that glitters. I mean that, though this lady is rich and beautiful and
beloved,thereisallthesamesomethingthatisnotright.AndIknowsomethingelse."

"Yes?"

"I know," said Poirot, frowning, "that somewhere, at some time, I have heard that voice before - the
voiceofMonsieurDoyle-andIwishIcouldrememberwhere."

But Rosalie was not listening. She had stopped dead. With the point of her sunshade she was tracing
patternsintheloosesand.

Suddenlyshebrokeoutfiercely:

"I'mawful,I'mquiteodious.I'mjustabeastthroughandthrough.I'dliketoteartheclothesoffherback
andstamponherlovely,arrogant,self-confidentface.I'mjustajealouscat-butthat'swhatIfeellike.
She'ssohorriblysuccessfulandpoisedandassured."

HerculePoirotlookedalittleastonishedbytheoutburst.Hetookherbythearmandgaveherafriendly
littleshake.

"Tenez-youwillfeelbetterforhavingsaidthat!"

"Ijusthateher!I'veneverhatedanyonesomuchatfirstsight."

"Magnificent!"

Rosalielookedathimdoubtfully.Thenhermouthtwitchedandshelaughed.

"Bien,"saidPoirot,andlaughedtoo.

Theyproceededamicablybacktothehotel.

"ImustfindMother,"saidRosalie,astheycameintothecool,dimhall.

PoirotpassedoutontheothersideontotheterraceoverlookingtheNile.Herewerelittletablessetfor
tea,butitwasearlystill.Hestoodforafewmomentslookingattheriver,thenstrolleddownthrough
thegardens.

Some people were playing tennis in the hot sun. He paused to watch them for a while, then went on
downthesteeppath.Itwasthere,sittingonabenchoverlookingtheNile,thathecameuponthegirlof
ChezMaTante.Herecognizedheratonce.Herface,ashehadseenitthatnight,wassecurelyetched
uponhismemory.Theexpressiononitnowwasverydifferent.Shewaspaler,thinner,andtherewere
linesthattoldofagreatwearinessandmiseryofspirit.Hedrewbackalittle.Shehadnotseenhim,and
hewatchedherforawhilewithouthersuspectinghispresence.Hersmallfoottappedimpatientlyon
theground.Hereyes,darkwithakindofsmoulderingfire,hadaqueerkindofsufferingdarktriumph
inthem.ShewaslookingoutacrosstheNilewherethewhitesail-boatsglidedupanddowntheriver.

Aface-andavoice.Herememberedthemboth.Thisgirl'sfaceandthevoicehehadheardjustnow,
thevoiceofanewlymadebridegroom...

Andevenashestoodthereconsideringtheunconsciousgirl,thenextsceneinthedramawasplayed.

Voicessoundedabove.Thegirlontheseatstartedtoherfeet.LinnetDoyleandherhusbandcamedown
thepath.Linnet'svoicewashappyandconfident.Thelookofstrainandtensenessofmusclehadquite
disappeared.Linnetwashappy.

Thegirlwhowasstandingtheretookasteportwoforward.Theothertwostoppeddead.

"Hullo,Linnet,"saidJacquelinedeBellefort."Sohereyouare!Weneverseemtostoprunningintoeach
other.Hullo,Simon,howareyou?"

LinnetDoylehadshrunkbackagainsttherockwithalittlecry.SimonDoyle'sgood-lookingfacewas
suddenly convulsed with rage. He moved forward as though he would have liked to strike the slim
girlishfigure.

With a quick bird-like turn of her head she signalled her realization of a stranger's presence. Simon
turnedhisheadandnoticedPoirot.Hesaidawkwardly,"Hullo,Jacqueline;wedidn'texpecttoseeyou
here."

Thewordswereunconvincingintheextreme.

Thegirlflashedwhiteteethatthem.

"Quiteasurprise?"sheasked.Then,withalittlenod,shewalkedupthepath.Poirotmoveddelicatelyin
theoppositedirection.AshewentheheardLinnetDoylesay:

"Simon-forGod'ssake!Simon-whatcanwedo?"

Chapter2

Dinnerwasover.TheterraceoutsidetheCataractHotelwassoftlylit.Mostoftheguestsstayingatthe
hotelweretheresittingatlittletables.

Simon and Linnet Doyle came out, a tall, distinguished looking grey-haired man, with a keen, clean-
shavenAmericanface,besidethem.

Asthelittlegrouphesitatedforamomentinthedoorway,TimAllertonrosefromhischairnearbyand
cameforward.

"Youdon'trememberme,I'msure,"hesaidpleasantlytoLinnet,"butI'mJoannaSouthwood'scousin."

"Ofcourse-howstupidofme!You'reTimAllerton.Thisismyhusband-"afainttremorinthevoice,
pride,shyness?-"andthisismyAmericantrustee,MrPennington."

Timsaid,"Youmustmeetmymother."

Afewminuteslatertheyweresittingtogetherinaparty-Linnetinthecorner,TimandPenningtoneach
sideofher,bothtalkingtoher,vyingforherattention.MrsAllertontalkedtoSimonDoyle.

Theswingdoorsrevolved.Asuddentensioncameintothebeautifuluprightfiguresittinginthecorner
betweenthetwomen.Thenitrelaxedasasmallmancameoutandwalkedacrosstheterrace.

MrsAllertonsaid:"You'renottheonlycelebrityhere,mydear.ThatfunnylittlemanisHerculePoirot."

Shehadspokenlightly,justoutofinstinctivesocialtacttobridgeanawkwardpause,butLinnetseemed
struckbytheinformation.

"HerculePoirot?Ofcourse-I'veheardofhim..."

Sheseemedtosinkintoafitofabstraction.Thetwomenoneithersideofherweremomentarilyata
loss.

Poirothadstrolledacrosstotheedgeoftheterrace,buthisattentionwasimmediatelysolicited.

"Sitdown,MonsieurPoirot.Whatalovelynight."

Heobeyed.

"Maisoui,Madame,itisindeedbeautiful."

HesmiledpolitelyatMrsOtterbourne.Whatdraperiesofblackninonandthatridiculousturbaneffect!
Mrs Otterbourne went on in her high complaining voice: "Quite a lot of notabilities here now, aren't
there?Iexpectweshallseeaparagraphaboutitinthepaperssoon.Societybeauties,famousnovelists-
"Shepausedwithaslightmock-modestlaugh.

Poirotfelt,ratherthansaw,thesulkyfrowninggirloppositehimflinchandsethermouthinasulkier
linethanbefore.

"Youhaveanovelonthewayatpresent,Madame?"heinquired.

MrsOtterbournegaveherlittleself-consciouslaughagain.

"I'm being dreadfully lazy. I really must set to. My public is getting terribly impatient - and my
publisher,poorman!Appealsbyeverypost!Evencables!"Againhefeltthegirlshiftinthedarkness.

"Idon'tmindtellingyou,MonsieurPoirot,Iampartlyhereforlocalcolour.SnowontheDesert'sFace-
thatisthetitleofmynewbook.Powerful-suggestive.Snow-onthedesert-meltedinthefirstflaming
breathofpassion."Rosaliegotup,mutteringsomething,andmovedawaydownintothedarkgarden.

"Onemustbestrong,"wentonMrsOtterbourne,waggingtheturbanemphatically."Strongmeat-that
iswhatmybooksare-allimportant.Librariesbanned-nomatter!Ispeakthetruth.Sex-ah!Monsieur
Poirot-whyiseveryonesoafraidofsex?Thepivotoftheuniverse!Youhavereadmybooks?"

"Alas,Madame!Youcomprehend,Idonotreadmanynovels.Mywork-"

Mrs Otterbourne said firmly: "I must give you a copy of Under the Fig Tree. I think you will find it
significant.Itisoutspoken-butitisreal!"

"Thatismostkindofyou,Madame.Iwillreaditwithpleasure."

MrsOtterbournewassilentaminuteortwo.Shefidgetedwithalongchainofbeadsthatwaswound
twiceroundherneck.Shelookedswiftlyfromsidetoside."Perhaps-I'lljustslipupandgetitforyou
now."

"Oh,Madame,praydonottroubleyourself.Later-"

"No,no.It'snotrouble."Sherose."I'dliketoshowyou-"

"Whatisit,Mother?"

Rosaliewassuddenlyatherside.

"Nothing,dear.IwasjustgoinguptogetabookforMonsieurPoirot."

"TheFigTree?I'llgetit."

"Youdon'tknowwhereitis,dear.I'llgo."

"Yes,Ido."

Thegirlwentswiftlyacrosstheterraceandintothehotel.

"Letmecongratulateyou,Madame,onaverylovelydaughter,"saidPoirot,withabow.

"Rosalie?Yes,yes-sheisgood-looking.Butshe'sveryhard,MonsieurPoirot.Andnosympathywith
illness. She always thinks she knows best. She imagines she knows more about my health than I do
myself-"

Poirotsignalledtoapassingwaiter.

"Aliqueur,Madame?Achartreuse?Acrémedementhe?"

MrsOtterbourneshookherheadvigorously.

"No, no. I am practically a tee-totaller. You may have noticed I never drink anything but water - or
perhapslemonade.Icannotbearthetasteofspirits."

"ThenmayIorderyoualemonsquash,Madame?"

Hegavetheorder-onelemonsquashandoneBenedictine.

Theswingdoorrevolved.Rosaliepassedthroughandcametowardthem,abookinherhand.

"Hereyouare,"shesaid.Hervoicewasquiteexpressionless-almostremarkablyso.

"MonsieurPoirothasjustorderedmealemonsquash,"saidhermother.

"Andyou,Mademoiselle,whatwillyoutake?"

"Nothing."Sheadded,suddenlyconsciousofthecurtness,"Nothing,thankyou."

PoirottookthevolumewhichMrsOtterbourneheldouttohim.Itstillboreitsoriginaljacket,agaily
colouredaffairrepresentingalady,withsmartlyshingledhairandscarletfingernails,sittingonatiger
skin,inthetraditionalcostumeofEve.Aboveherwasatreewiththeleavesofanoak,bearinglarge
andimprobablycolouredapples.

It was entitled Under the Fig Tree, by Salome Otterbourne. On the inside was a publisher's blurb. It
spokeenthusiasticallyofthesuperbcourageandrealismofthisstudyofamodernwoman'slovelife.
"Fearless,unconventional,realistic,"weretheadjectivesused.

Poirotbowedandmurmured,"Iamhonoured,Madame."

Asheraisedhishead,hiseyesmetthoseoftheauthoress'sdaughter.Almostinvoluntarilyhemadea
littlemovement.Hewasastonishedandgrievedattheeloquentpaintheyrevealed.

It was at that moment that the drinks arrived and created a welcome diversion. Poirot lifted his glass
gallantly.

"Avotresanté,Madame-Mademoiselle."

MrsOtterbourne,sippingherlemonade,murmured,"Sorefreshing-delicious!"

Silencefellonthethreeofthem.TheylookeddowntotheshiningblackrocksintheNile.Therewas
somethingfantasticabouttheminthemoonlight.Theywerelikevastprehistoricmonsterslyinghalfout
ofthewater.Alittlebreezecameupsuddenlyandassuddenlydiedaway.Therewasafeelingintheair
ofhush-ofexpectancy.

HerculePoirotbroughthisgazebacktotheterraceanditsoccupants.Washewrong,orwastherethe
samehushofexpectancythere?Itwaslikeamomentonthestagewhenoneiswaitingfortheentrance
oftheleadinglady.Andjustatthatmomenttheswingdoorsbegantorevolveoncemore.Thistimeit
seemedasthoughtheydidsowithaspecialairofimportance.Everyonehadstoppedtalkingandwas
lookingtowardthem.

A dark slender girl in a wine coloured evening frock came through. She paused for a minute, then
walked deliberately across the terrace and sat down at an empty table. There was nothing flaunting,
nothing out of the way about her demeanour, and yet it had somehow the studied effect of a stage
entrance.

"Well,"saidMrsOtterbourne.Shetossedherturbanedhead."Sheseemstothinksheissomebody,that
girl!"

Poirot did not answer. He was watching. The girl had sat down in a place where she could look
deliberately across at Linnet Doyle. Presently, Poirot noticed, Linnet Doyle leant forward and said
somethingandamomentlatergotupandchangedherseat.Shewasnowsittingfacingintheopposite
direction.

Poirotnoddedthoughtfullytohimself.

Itwasaboutfiveminuteslaterthattheothergirlchangedherseattotheoppositesideoftheterrace.She
satsmokingandsmilingquietly,thepictureofcontentedease.Butalways,asthoughunconsciously,her
meditativegazewasonSimonDoyle'swife.

AfteraquarterofanhourLinnetDoylegotupabruptlyandwentintothehotel.Herhusbandfollowed
heralmostimmediately.

Jacqueline de Bellefort smiled and twisted her chair round. She lit a cigarette and stared out over the
Nile.Shewentonsmilingtoherself.

Chapter3

"MonsieurPoirot."

Poirotgothastilytohisfeet.Hehadremainedsittingoutontheterracealoneaftereveryoneelsehad
left.Lostinmeditationhehadbeenstaringatthesmoothshinyblackrockswhenthesoundofhisname
recalledhimtohimself.Itwasawell-bred,assuredvoice,acharmingvoice,althoughperhapsatrifle
arrogant.

HerculePoirot,risingquickly,lookedintothecommandingeyesofLinnetDoyle.Sheworeawrapof
richpurplevelvetoverherwhitesatingownandshelookedmorelovelyandmoreregalthanPoirothad
imaginedpossible.

"YouareMonsieurHerculePoirot?"saidLinnet.

Itwashardlyaquestion.

"Atyourservice,Madame."

"YouknowwhoIam,perhaps?"

"Yes,Madame.Ihaveheardyourname.Iknowexactlywhoyouare."Linnetnodded.Thatwasonly
whatshehadexpected.Shewenton,inhercharmingautocraticmanner:"Willyoucomewithmeinto
thecardroom,MonsieurPoirot?Iamveryanxioustospeaktoyou."

"Certainly,Madame."

Sheledthewayintothehotel.Hefollowed.Sheledhimintothedesertedcardroomandmotionedhim
toclosethedoor.Thenshesankdownonachairatoneofthetablesandhesatdownoppositeher.She
plunged straightaway into what she wanted to say. There were no hesitations. Her speech came
flowingly.

"I have heard a great deal about you, Monsieur Poirot, and I know that you are a very clever man. It
happensthatIamurgentlyinneedofsomeonetohelpme-andIthinkverypossiblythatyouarethe
manwhocoulddoit."

Poirotinclinedhishead.

"Youareveryamiable,Madame,butyousee,Iamonholiday,andwhenIamonholidayIdonottake
cases."

"Thatcouldbearranged."

It was not offensively said - only with the quiet confidence of a young woman who had always been
abletoarrangematterstohersatisfaction.

Linnet Doyle went on: "I am the subject, Monsieur Poirot, of an intolerable persecution. That
persecutionhasgottostop!Myownideawastogotothepoliceaboutit,butmy-myhusbandseemsto

thinkthatthepolicewouldbepowerlesstodoanything."

"Perhaps-ifyouwouldexplainalittlefurther?"murmuredPoirotpolitely.

"Oh,yes,Iwilldoso.Thematterisperfectlysimple."

There was still no hesitation - no faltering. Linnet Doyle had a clear-cut businesslike mind. She only
pausedaminutesoastopresentthefactsasconciselyaspossible.

"BeforeImetmyhusband,hewasengagedtoaMissdeBellefort.Shewasalsoafriendofmine.My
husbandbrokeoffhisengagementtoher-theywerenotsuitedinanyway.She,Iamsorrytosay,took
itratherhard...I-amverysorryaboutthat-butthesethingscannotbehelped.Shemadecertain-well,
threats-towhichIpaidverylittleattention,andwhich,Imaysay,shehasnotattemptedtocarryout.
Butinsteadshehasadoptedtheextraordinarycourseof-offollowingusaboutwhereverwego."Poirot
raisedhiseyebrows.

"Ah-ratheranunusual-er-revenge."

"Veryunusual-andveryridiculous!Butalso-annoying."

Shebitherlip.

Poirotnodded.

"Yes,Icanimaginethat.Youare,Iunderstand,onyourhoney-moon?"

"Yes.Ithappened-thefirsttime-atVenice.Shewasthere-atDanielli.Ithoughtitjustanembarrasing
coincidence-thatwasall.ThenwefoundheronboardtheboatatBrindisi.We'veunderstoodthatshe
was going on to Palestine. We left her, as we thought, on the boat. But - but when we got to Mena
Houseshewasthere-waitingforus."

Poirotnodded.

"Andnow?"

"WecameuptheNilebyboat.I-Iwashalfexpectingtofindheronboard.Whenshewasn'tthereI
thoughtshehadstoppedbeingso-sochildish.Butwhenwegothere-she-shewashere-waiting."

Poirot eyed her keenly for a moment. She was still perfectly composed, but the knuckles of the hand
thatwasgrippingthetablewerewhitewiththeforceofhergrip.

Hesaid,"Andyouareafraidthisstateofthingsmaycontinue?"

"Yes."Shepaused."Ofcoursethewholethingisidiotic!Jacquelineismakingherselfutterlyridiculous.
Iamsurprisedshehasn'tgotmorepride-moredignity."

Poirotmadeaslightgesture.

"Therearetimes,Madame,whenprideanddignity-theygobytheboard!Thereareother-stronger
emotions."

"Yes,possibly."Linnetspokeimpatiently."Butwhatonearthcanshehopetogainbyallthis?"

"Itisnotalwaysaquestionofgain,Madame."

Something in his tone struck Linnet disagreeably. She flushed and said quickly: "You are right. A
discussionofmotivesisbesidethepoint.Thecruxofthematteristhatthishasgottobestopped."

"Andhowdoyouproposethatthatshouldbeaccomplished,Madame?"Poirotasked.

"Well-naturally-myhusbandandIcannotcontinuebeingsubjectedtothisannoyance.Theremustbe
somekindoflegaladdressagainstsuchathing."

Shespokeimpatiently.Poirotlookedatherthoughtfullyasheasked:

"Has she threatened you in actual words in public? Used insulting language? Attempted any bodily
harm?"

"No."

"Then,frankly,Madame,Idonotseewhatyoucando.Ifitisayounglady'spleasuretotravelincertain
places,andthoseplacesarethesamewhereyouandyourhusbandfindyourselves-ehbien-whatof
it?Theairisfreetoall!Thereisnoquestionofherforcingherselfuponyourprivacy?Itisalwaysin
publicthattheseencounterstakeplace?"

"YoumeanthereisnothingthatIcandoaboutit?"

Linnetsoundedincredulous.

Poirotsaidplacidly:"NothingatallasfarasIcansee.MademoiselledeBellefortiswithinherrights."

"But-butitismaddening!ItisintolerablethatIshouldhavetoputupwiththis!"

Poirotsaiddrily,"Isympathizewithyou,Madame-especiallyasIimaginethatyouhavenotoftenhad
toputupwiththings."

Linnetwasfrowning.

"Theremustbesomewayofstoppingit,"shemurmured.

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Youcanalwaysleave-moveonsomewhereelse,"hesuggested.

"Thenshewillfollow!"

"Verypossibly-yes."

"It'sabsurd!"

"Precisely."

"Anyway,whyshouldI-we-runaway?Asthough-asthough-"Shestopped.

"Exactly,Madame.Asthough-!Itisallthere,isitnot?"

Linnetliftedherheadandstaredathim.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

Poirot altered his tone. He leant forward; his voice was confidential, appealing. He said very gently,
"Whydoyoumindsomuch,Madame?"

"Why?Butit'smaddening!Irritatingtothelastdegree!I'vetoldyouwhy!"

Poirotshookhishead.

"Notaltogether."

"Whatdoyoumean?"Linnetaskedagain.

Poirot leant back, folded his arms and spoke in a detached impersonal manner. "Ecoutez, Madame. I
willrecounttoyoualittlehistory.Itisthatoneday,amonthortwoago,Iamdininginarestaurantin
London.Atthetablenexttomearetwopeople,amanandagirl.Theyareveryhappy,soitseems,very
muchinlove.Theytalkwithconfidenceofthefuture.ItisnotthatIlistentowhatisnotmeantforme;
theyarequiteobliviousofwhohearsthemandwhodoesnot.Theman'sbackistome,butIcanwatch
thegirl'sface.Itisveryintense.Sheisinlove-heart,soulandbody-andsheisnotofthosewholove
lightlyandoften.Withheritisclearlythelifeandthedeath.Theyareengagedtobemarried,thesetwo;
thatiswhatIgather;andtheytalkofwheretheyshallpassthedaysoftheirhoneymoon.Theyplanto
gotoEgypt."

Hepaused.Linnetsaidsharply"Well?"

Poirotwenton:"Thatisamonthortwoago,butthegirl'sface-Idonotforgetit.IknowthatIshall
rememberifIseeitagain.AndIremembertootheman'svoice.AndIthinkyoucanguess,Madame,
whenitisIseetheoneandheartheotheragain.ItishereinEgypt.Themanisonhishoneymoon,yes-
butheisonhishoneymoonwithanotherwoman."

Linnetsaidsharply:"Whatofit?Ihadalreadymentionedthefacts."

"Thefacts-yes."

"Wellthen?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"Thegirlintherestaurantmentionedafriend-afriendwho,shewasverypositive,
wouldnotletherdown.Thatfriend,Ithink,wasyou,Madame."

Linnetflushed.

"Yes.Itoldyouwehadbeenfriends."

"Andshetrustedyou?"

"Yes."

Shehesitatedforamoment,bitingherlipimpatiently;then,asPoirotdidnotseemdisposedtospeak,
shebrokeout:

"Ofcoursethewholethingwasveryunfortunate.Butthesethingshappen,MonsieurPoirot."

"Ah!Yes,theyhappen,Madame."Hepaused."YouareoftheChurchofEnglandIpresume?"

"Yes."Linnetlookedslightlybewildered.

"ThenyouhaveheardportionsoftheBiblereadaloudinchurch.YouhaveheardofKingDavidandof
therichmanwhohadmanyflocksandherdsandthepoormanwhohadoneewelamb-andofhowthe
richmantookthepoorman'soneewelamb.Thatwassomethingthathappened,Madame."

Linnetsatup.Hereyesflashedangrily.

"Iseeperfectlywhatyouaredrivingat,MonsieurPoirot!Youthink,toputitvulgarly,thatIstolemy
friend'syoungman.Lookingatthemattersentimentally-whichis,Isuppose,thewaypeopleofyour
generationcannothelplookingatthings-thatispossiblytrue.Buttherealhardtruthisdifferent.Idon't
deny that Jackie was passionately in love with Simon, but I don't think you take into account that he
maynothavebeenequallydevotedtoher.Hewasveryfondofher,butIthinkthatevenbeforehemet
me he was beginning to feel that he had made a mistake. Look at it clearly, Monsieur Poirot. Simon
discoversthatitisIheloves,notJackie.Whatishetodo?Beheroicallynobleandmarryawomanhe
does not care for - and thereby probably ruin three lives - for it is doubtful whether he could make
Jackiehappyunderthosecircumstances?IfhewereactuallymarriedtoherwhenhemetmeIagreethat
itmightbehisdutytosticktoher-thoughI'mnotreallysureofthat.Ifonepersonisunhappytheother
sufferstoo.Butanengagementisnotreallybinding.Ifamistakehasbeenmade,thensurelyitisbetter
tofacethefactbeforeitistoolate.IadmitthatitwasveryhardonJackie,andI'mterriblysorryaboutit
-butthereitis.Itwasinevitable."

"Iwonder."

Shestaredathim.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Itisverysensible,verylogical-allthatyousay!Butitdoesnotexplainonething."

"Whatisthat?"

"Yourownattitude,Madame.Seeyou,thispursuitofyou,youmighttakeitintwoways.Itmightcause
youannoyance-yes,oritmightstiryourpity-thatyourfriendshouldhavebeensodeeplyhurtasto
throw all regards for the conventions aside. But that is not the way you react. No, to you this
persecutionisintolerable-andwhy?Itcanbeforonereasononly-thatyoufeelasenseofguilt."

Linnetsprangtoherfeet.

"Howdareyou?Really,MonsieurPoirot,thisisgoingtoofar."

"ButIdodare,Madame!Iamgoingtospeaktoyouquitefrankly.Isuggesttoyouthat,althoughyou
may have endeavoured to gloss over the fact to yourself, you did deliberately set about taking your
husband from your friend. I suggest that you felt strongly attracted to him at once. But I suggest that
there was a moment when you hesitated, when you realized that there was a choice - that you could

refrain or go on. I suggest that the initiative rested with you - not with Monsieur Doyle. You are
beautiful, Madame; you are rich; you are clever, intelligent - and you have charm. You could have
exercisedthatcharmoryoucouldhaverestrainedit.Youhadeverything,Madame,thatlifecanoffer.
Your friend's life was bound up in one person. You knew that, but, though you hesitated, you did not
holdyourhand.Youstretcheditoutand,liketherichmanintheBible,youtookthepoorman'sone
ewelamb."

Therewasasilence.Linnetcontrolledherselfwithaneffortandsaidinacoldvoice,"Allthisisquite
besidethepoint!"

"No, it is not beside the point. I am explaining to you just why the unexpected appearances of
MademoiselledeBelleforthaveupsetyousomuch.Itisbecause,thoughshemaybeunwomanlyand
undignifiedinwhatsheisdoing,youhavetheinnerconvictionthatshehasrightonherside."

"That'snottrue!"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Yourefusetobehonestwithyourself."

"Notatall."

Poirotsaidgently,"Ishouldsay,Madame,thatyouhavehadahappylife,thatyouhavebeengenerous
andkindlyinyourattitudetowardothers."

"Ihavetriedtobe,"saidLinnet.Theimpatientangerdiedoutofherface.Shespokesimply-almost
forlornly.

"Andthatiswhythefeelingthatyouhavedeliberatelycausedinjurytosomeoneupsetsyousomuch,
and why you are so reluctant to admit the fact. Pardon me if I have been impertinent, but the
psychology,itisthemostimportantfactinacase."

Linnetsaidslowly:"Evensupposingwhatyousayweretrue-andIdon'tadmitit,mind-whatcanbe
doneaboutitnow?Onecan'talterthepast;onemustdealwiththingsastheyare."

Poirotnodded.

"Youhavetheclearbrain.Yes,onecannotgobackoverthepast.Onemustacceptthingsastheyare.
Andsometimes,Madame,thatisallonecando-accepttheconsequencesofone'spastdeeds."

"Youmean,"askedLinnetincredulously,"thatIcandonothing-nothing?"

"Youmusthavecourage,Madame;thatiswhatitseemsliketome."

Linnetsaidslowly:

"Couldn'tyou-talktoJackie-toMissdeBellefort?Reasonwithher?"

"Yes,Icoulddothat.Iwilldothatifyouwouldlikemetodoso.Butdonotexpectmuchresult.Ifancy
thatMademoiselledeBellefortissomuchinthegripofafixedideathatnothingwillturnherfromit."

"Butsurelywecandosomethingtoextricateourselves?"

"Youcould,ofcourse,returntoEnglandandestablishyourselfinyourownhouse."

"Eventhen,Isuppose,Jacquelineiscapableofplantingherselfinthevillage,sothatIshouldseeher
everytimeIwentoutofthegrounds."

"True."

"Besides,"saidLinnetslowly,"Idon'tthinkthatSimonwouldagreetorunaway."

"Whatishisattitudeinthis?"

"He'sfurious-simplyfurious."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.

Linnetsaidappealingly,"Youwill-talktoher?"

"Yes,Iwilldothat.ButitismyopinionthatIshallnotbeabletoaccomplishanything."

Linnetsaidviolently:"Jackieisextraordinary!Onecan'ttellwhatshewilldo!"

"Youspokejustnowofcertainthreatsshehadmade.Wouldyoutellmewhatthosethreatswere?"

Linnetshruggedhershoulders.

"Shethreatenedto-well-killusboth.Jackiecanberather-Latinsometimes."

"Isee."

Poirot'stonewasgrave.

Linnetturnedtohimappealingly.

"Youwillactforme?"

"No,Madame."Histonewasfirm."Iwillnotacceptacommissionfromyou.IwilldowhatIcaninthe
interestsofhumanity.That,yes.Thereishereasituationthatisfullofdifficultyanddanger.Iwilldo
whatIcantoclearitup-butIamnotverysanguineastomychanceofsuccess."

LinnetDoylesaidslowly,"Butyouwillnotactforme?"

"No,Madame,"saidHerculePoirot.

Chapter4

HerculePoirotfoundJacquelinedeBellefortsittingontherocksdirectlyoverlookingtheNile.Hehad
feltfairlycertainthatshehadnotretiredforthenightandthathewouldfindhersomewhereaboutthe
groundsofthehotel.Shewassittingwithherchincuppedinthepalmsofherhands,andshedidnot
turnherheadorlookroundatthesoundofhisapproach.

"MademoiselledeBellefort?"askedPoirot."YoupermitthatIspeaktoyouforalittlemoment?"

Jacquelineturnedherheadslightly.Afaintsmileplayedroundherlips.

"Certainly,"shesaid."YouareMonsieurHerculePoirot,Ithink?ShallImakeaguess?Youareacting
forMrsDoyle,whohaspromisedyoualargefeeifyousucceedinyourmission."

Poirotsatdownonthebenchnearher.

"Yourassumptionispartiallycorrect,"hesaid,smiling."IhavejustcomefromMadameDoyle,butI
amnotacceptinganyfeefromherand,strictlyspeaking,Iamnotactingforher."

"Oh!"

Jacquelinestudiedhimattentively.

"Thenwhyhaveyoucome?"sheaskedabruptly.

HerculePoirot'sreplywasintheformofanotherquestion.

"Haveyoueverseenmebefore,Mademoiselle?"

Sheshookherhead.

"No,Idonotthinkso."

"YetIhaveseenyou.IsatnexttoyouonceatChezMaTante.YouweretherewithMonsieurSimon
Doyle."

Astrangemask-likeexpressioncameoverthegirl'sface.Shesaid,"Irememberthatevening..."

"Sincethen,"saidPoirot,"manythingshaveoccurred."

"Asyousay,manythingshaveoccurred."

Hervoicewashardwithanundertoneofdesperatebitterness.

"Mademoiselle,Ispeakasafriend.Buryyourdead!"

Shelookedstartled.

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Giveupthepast!Turntothefuture!Whatisdoneisdone.Bitternesswillnotundoit."

"I'msurethatthatwouldsuitdearLinnetadmirably."

Poirotmadeagesture.

"Iamnotthinkingofheratthismoment!Iamthinkingofyou.Youhavesuffered-yes-butwhatyou
aredoingnowwillonlyprolongthatsuffering."

Sheshookherhead.

"You'rewrong.TherearetimeswhenIalmostenjoymyself."

"Andthat,Mademoiselle,istheworstofall."

Shelookedupswiftly.

"You'renotstupid,"shesaid.Sheaddedslowly,"Ibelieveyoumeantobekind."

"Gohome,Mademoiselle.Youareyoung;youhavebrains;theworldisbeforeyou."

Jacquelineshookherheadslowly.

"Youdon'tunderstand-oryouwon't.Simonismyworld."

"Loveisnoteverything,Mademoiselle,"Poirotsaidgently."Itisonlywhenweareyoungthatwethink
itis."

Butthegirlstillshookherhead.

"Youdon'tunderstand."Sheshothimaquicklook."Youknowallaboutit,ofcourse?You'vetalkedto
Linnet?Andyouwereintherestaurantthatnight...SimonandIlovedeachother."

"Iknowthatyoulovedhim."

Shewasquicktoperceivetheinflectionofhiswords.Sherepeatedwithemphasis:

"Welovedeachother.AndIlovedLinnet...Itrustedher.Shewasmybestfriend.AllherlifeLinnethas
beenabletobuyeverythingshewanted.She'sneverdeniedherselfanything.WhenshesawSimonshe
wantedhim-andshejusttookhim."

"Andheallowedhimselftobe-bought?"

Jacquelineshookherdarkheadslowly.

"No,it'snotquitelikethat.Ifitwere,Ishouldn'tbeherenow...You'resuggestingthatSimonisn'tworth
caringfor...!Ifhe'dmarriedLinnetforhermoney,thatwouldbetrue.Buthedidn'tmarryherforher
money.It'smorecomplicatedthanthat.There'ssuchathingasglamour,MonsieurPoirot.Andmoney
helpsthat.Linnethadan'atmosphere,'yousee.Shewasthequeenofakingdom-theyoungprincess-
luxurioustoherfingertips.Itwaslikeastagesetting.Shehadtheworldatherfeet,oneoftherichest
and most sought after peers in England wanting to marry her. And she stoops instead to the obscure
SimonDoyle...Doyouwonderitwenttohishead?"Shemadeasuddengesture."Lookatthemoonup
there.Youseeherveryplainly,don'tyou?She'sveryreal.Butifthesunweretoshineyouwouldn'tbe
abletoseeheratall.Itwasratherlikethat.Iwasthemoon...Whenthesuncameout,Simoncouldn't
seemeanymore...Hewasdazzled.Hecouldn'tseeanythingbutthesun-Linnet."

Shepausedandthenwenton:"Soyouseeitwas-glamour.Shewenttohishead.Andthenthere'sher

completeassurance-herhabitofcommand.She'ssosureofherselfthatshemakesotherpeoplesure.
Simonwasweak,perhaps;butthenhe'saverysimpleperson.Hewouldhavelovedmeandmeonlyif
Linnethadn'tcomealongandsnatchedhimupinhergoldenchariot.AndIknow-Iknowperfectly-
thathewouldn'teverhavefalleninlovewithherifshehadn'tmadehim."

"Thatiswhatyouthink-yes."

"Iknowit.Helovedme-hewillalwaysloveme."

Poirotsaid,"Evennow?"

A quick answer seemed to rise to her lips, then be stifled. She looked at Poirot and a deep burning
colourspreadoverherface.Shelookedaway;herheaddroppeddown.Shesaidinalowstifledvoice:

"Yes,Iknow.Hehatesmenow.Yes,hatesme...He'dbetterbecareful!"

Withaquickgestureshefumbledinalittlesilkbagthatlayontheseat.Thensheheldoutherhand.On
thepalmofitwasasmallpearl-handledpistol-adaintytoyitlooked.

"Nice little thing, isn't it?" she said. "Looks too foolish to be real, but it is real! One of those bullets
wouldkillamanorawoman.AndI'magoodshot."Shesmiledafaraway,reminiscentsmile."WhenI
wenthomeasachildwithmymother,toSouthCarolina,mygrandfathertaughtmetoshoot.Hewas
theold-fashionedkindthatbelievesinshooting-especiallywherehonourisconcerned.Myfather,too,
hefoughtseveralduelsasayoungman.Hewasagoodswordsman.Hekilledamanonce.Thatwas
over a woman. So you see, Monsieur Poirot -" she met his eyes squarely - "I've hot blood in me! I
bought this when it first happened. I meant to kill one or other of them - the trouble was I couldn't
decide which. Both of them would have been unsatisfactory. If I'd thought Linnet would have looked
afraid-butshe'sgotplentyofphysicalcourage.Shecanstanduptophysicalaction.AndthenIthought
I'd-wait!Thatappealedtomemoreandmore.Afterall,Icoulddoitanytime;itwouldbemorefunto
waitand-thinkaboutit!Andthenthisideacametomymind-tofollowthem!Whenevertheyarrived
atsomefarawayspotandweretogetherandhappy,theyshouldseeme!Anditworked!ItgotLinnet
badly-inawaynothingelsecouldhavedone!Itgotrightunderherskin...ThatwaswhenIbeganto
enjoymyself.Andthere'snothingshecandoaboutit!I'malwaysperfectlypleasantandpolite!There's
notawordtheycantakeholdof!It'spoisoningeverything-everything-forthem."

Herlaughrangout,clearandsilvery.

Poirotgraspedherarm.

"Bequiet.Quiet,Itellyou."

Jacquelinelookedathim.

"Well?"sheasked.Hersmilewasdefinitelychallenging.

"Mademoiselle,Ibeseechyou,donotdowhatyouaredoing."

"LeavedearLinnetalone,youmean?"

"Itisdeeperthanthat.Donotopenyourhearttoevil."

Herlipsfellapart;alookofbewildermentcameintohereyes.

Poirotwentongravely:"Because-ifyoudo-evilwillcome...Yes,verysurelyevilwillcome...Itwill
enterinandmakeitshomewithinyou,andafteralittlewhileitwillnolongerbepossibletodriveit
out."

Jacquelinestaredathim.Herglanceseemedtowaver,toflickeruncertainly.Shesaid,"I-don'tknow-"
Thenshecriedoutdefiantly,"Youcan'tstopme."

"No,"saidHerculePoirot."Icannotstopyou."

Hisvoicewassad.

"EvenifIwereto-killher,youcouldn'tstopme."

"No-notifyouwerewillingtopaytheprice."

JacquelinedeBellefortlaughed.

"Oh,I'mnotafraidofdeath!WhathaveIgottolivefor,afterall?Isupposeyoubelieveit'sverywrong

tokillapersonwhohasinjuredyou-evenifthey'vetakenawayeverythingyouhadintheworld?"

Poirotsaidsteadily:"Yes,Mademoiselle.Ibelieveitistheunforgivableoffence-tokill."

Jacquelinelaughedagain.

"Thenyououghttoapproveofmypresentschemeofrevenge;because,yousee,aslongasitworks,I
shan'tusethatpistol...ButI'mafraid-yes,afraidsometimes-itallgoesred-Iwanttohurther-to
stickaknifeintoher,toputmydearlittlepistolcloseagainstherheadandthen-justpresswithmy
finger-Oh!"Theexclamationstartledhim.

"Whatisit,Mademoiselle?"

Shehadturnedherheadandwasstaringintotheshadows.

"Someone-standingoverthere.He'sgonenow."

HerculePoirotlookedroundsharply.

Theplaceseemedquitedeserted.

"Thereseemsnooneherebutourselves,Mademoiselle."Hegotup."InanycaseIhavesaidallIcame
tosay.Iwishyougood-night."

Jacquelinegotuptoo.Shesaidalmostpleadingly,"Youdounderstand-thatIcan'tdowhatyouaskme
todo?"

Poirotshookhishead.

"No-foryoucoulddoit!Thereisalwaysamoment!YourfriendLinnet-therewasamoment,too,in
whichshecouldhaveheldherhand...Sheletitpassby.Andifonedoesthat,thenoneiscommittedto
theenterpriseandtherecomesnosecondchance."

"Nosecondchance..."saidJacquelinedeBellefort.

Shestoodbroodingforamoment;thensheliftedherheaddefiantly.

"Good-night,MonsieurPoirot."

Heshookhisheadsadlyandfollowedherupthepathtothehotel.

Chapter5

OnthefollowingmorningSimonDoylejoinedHerculePoirotasthelatterwasleavingthehoteltowalk
downtothetown.

"Good-morning,MonsieurPoirot."

"Good-morning,MonsieurDoyle."

"Yougoingtothetown?MindifIstrollalongwithyou?"

"Butcertainly.Ishallbedelighted."

Thetwomenwalkedsidebyside,passedoutthroughthegatewayandturnedintothecoolshadeofthe
gardens.ThenSimonremovedhispipefromhismouthandsaid,"Iunderstand,MonsieurPoirot,that
mywifehadatalkwithyoulastnight?"

"Thatisso."

SimonDoylewasfrowningalittle.Hebelongedtothattypeofmenofactionwhofinditdifficulttoput
thoughtsintowordsandwhohavetroubleinexpressingthemselvesclearly.

"I'm glad of one thing," he said. "You've made her realize that we're more or less powerless in the
matter."

"Thereisclearlynolegalredress,"agreedPoirot.

"Exactly.Linnetdidn'tseemtounderstandthat."Hegaveafaintsmile.

"Linnet'sbeenbroughtuptobelievethateveryannoyancecanautomaticallybereferredtothepolice."

"Itwouldbepleasantifsuchwerethecase,"saidPoirot.

Therewasapause.ThenSimonsaidsuddenly,hisfacegoingveryredashespoke:"It's-it'sinfamous
thatsheshouldbevictimizedlikethis!She'sdonenothing!IfanyonelikestosayIbehavedlikeacad,
they'rewelcometosayso!IsupposeIdid.ButIwon'thavethewholethingvisitedonLinnet.Shehad
nothingwhatevertodowithit."

Poirotbowedhisheadgravelybutsaidnothing.

"Didyou-er-haveyou-talkedtoJackie-MissdeBellefort?"

"Yes,Ihavespokenwithher."

"Didyougethertoseesense?"

"I'mafraidnot."

Simonbrokeoutirritably:"Can'tsheseewhatanassshe'smakingofherself?Doesn'tsherealizethatno
decentwomanwouldbehaveassheisdoing?Hasn'tshegotanyprideorself-respect?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Shehasonlyasenseof-injury,shallwesay?"hereplied.

"Yes,butdamnitall,man,decentgirlsdon'tbehavelikethis!IadmitIwasentirelytoblame.Itreated
herdamnedbadlyandallthat.Ishouldquiteunderstandherbeingthoroughlyfedupwithmeandnever
wishingtoseemeagain.Butthisfollowingmeround-it's-it'sindecent!Makingashowofherself!
Whatthedevildoesshehopetogetoutofit?"

"Perhaps-revenge!"

"Idiotic!I'dreallyunderstandbetterifshe'dtriedtodosomethingmelodramatic-liketakingapotshot
atme."

"Youthinkthatwouldbemorelikeher-yes?"

"FranklyIdo.She'shot-blooded-andshe'sgotanungovernabletemper.Ishouldn'tbesurprisedather
doinganythingwhileshewasinawhite-hotrage.Butthisspyingbusiness-"Heshookhishead.

"Itismoresubtle-yes!Itisintelligent!"

Doylestaredathim.

"Youdon'tunderstand.It'splayinghellwithLinnet'snerves."

"Andyours?"

Simonlookedathimwithmomentarysurprise.

"Me?I'dliketowringthelittledevil'sneck."

"Thereisnothing,then,oftheoldfeelingleft?"

"My dear Monsieur Poirot - how can I put it? It's like the moon when the sun comes out. You don't
knowit'sthereanymore.WhenonceI'dmetLinnet-Jackiedidn'texist."

"Tiens,c'estdrôleça!"mutteredPoirot.

"Ibegyourpardon."

"Yoursimileinterestedme,thatisall."

Again flushing, Simon said: "I suppose Jackie told you that I'd only married Linnet for her money?

Well,that'sadamnedlie!Iwouldn'tmarryanywomanformoney!WhatJackiedoesn'tunderstandis
thatit'sdifficultforafellowwhen-when-awomancaresforhimasshecaredforme."

Poirotlookedupsharply.

Simonblunderedon,"It-it-soundsacaddishthingtosay,butJackiewastoofondofme!"

"Unquiaimeetunquiselaisseaimer,"murmuredPoirot.

"Eh?What'sthatyousay?Yousee,amandoesn'twanttofeelthatawomancaresmoreforhimthanhe
doesforher."Hisvoicegrewwarmashewenton."Hedoesn'twanttofeelownedbodyandsoul.It's
that damned possessive attitude! This man is mine - he belongs to me! That's the sort of thing I can't
stick-nomancouldstick!Hewantstogetaway-togetfree.Hewantstoownhiswoman;hedoesn't
wanthertoownhim."

Hebrokeoff,andwithfingersthattrembledslightlyhelitacigarette.

Poirotsaid,"AnditislikethatthatyoufeltwithMademoiselleJacqueline?"

"Eh?"Simonstaredandthenadmitted:"Er-yes-well,yes,asamatteroffactIdid.Shedoesn'trealize
that,ofcourse.Andit'snotthesortofthingIcouldevertellher.ButIwasfeelingrestless-andthenI
metLinnet,andshejustsweptmeoffmyfeet!I'dneverseenanythingsolovely.Itwasallsoamazing.
Everyone kowtowing to her - and then her singling out a poor chump like me." His tone held boyish
aweandastonishment.

"Isee,"saidPoirot.Henoddedthoughtfully."Yes-Isee."

"Whycan'tJackietakeitlikeaman?"demandedSimonresentfully.AveryfaintsmiletwitchedPoirot's
upperlip.

"Well,yousee,MonsieurDoyle,tobeginwithsheisnotaman."

"No,no-butImeanttakeitlikeagoodsport!Afterall,you'vegottotakeyourmedicinewhenitcomes
toyou.Thefault'sallmine,Iadmit.Butthereitis!Ifyounolongercareforagirl,it'ssimplymadness
tomarryher.And,nowthatIseewhatJackie'sreallylikeandthelengthssheislikelytogoto,Ifeel
I'vehadratheraluckyescape."

"Thelengthssheislikelytogoto,"Poirotrepeatedthoughtfully."Haveyouanidea,MonsieurDoyle,
whatthoselengthsare?"

Simonfrowned,thenshookhishead.

"No-atleast,whatdoyoumean?"

"Youknowshecarriesapistolaboutwithher."

Simonlookedathim,ratherstartled.

"Idon'tbelieveshe'llusethat-now.Shemighthavedonesoearlier.ButIbelieveit'sgotpastthat.She's
justspitefulnow-tryingtotakeitoutofusboth."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Itmaybeso,"hesaiddoubtfully.

"It'sLinnetI'mworryingabout,"declaredSimon,somewhatunnecessarily.

"Iquiterealizethat,"saidPoirot.

"I'm not really afraid of Jackie doing any melodramatic shooting stuff, but this spying and following
business has absolutely got Linnet on the raw. I'll tell you the plan I've made, and perhaps you can
suggestimprovementsonit.Tobeginwith,I'veannouncedfairlyopenlythatwe'regoingtostayhere
ten days. But tomorrow the steamer Karnak starts from Shellâl to Wâdi Halfa. I propose to book
passagesonthatunderanassumedname.Tomorrowwe'llgoonanexcursiontoPhilae.Linnet'smaid
cantaketheluggage.We'lljointheKarnakatShellâl.WhenJackiefindswedon'tcomeback,itwillbe
toolate-weshallbewellonourway.She'llassumewehavegivenhertheslipandgonebacktoCairo.
InfactImightevenbribetheportertosayso.Inquiryatthetouristofficeswon'thelpher,becauseour
nameswon'tappear.Howdoesthatstrikeyou?"

"Itiswellimagined,yes.Andsupposeshewaitsheretillyoureturn?"

"Wemaynotreturn.WecouldgoontoKharthoumandthenperhapsbyairtoKenya.Shecan'tfollow
usallovertheglobe."

"No;theremustcomeatimewhenfinancialreasonsforbid.Shehasverylittlemoney,Iunderstand."

Simonlookedathimwithadmiration.

"That'scleverofyou.Doyouknow,Ihadn'tthoughtofthat.Jackie'saspoorastheymakethem."

"Andyetshehasmanagedtofollowyousofar?"

Simonsaiddoubtfully:

"She'sgotasmallincome,ofcourse.Somethingundertwohundredayear,Iimagine.Isuppose-yes,I
supposeshemusthavesoldoutthecapitaltodowhatshe'sdoing."

"Sothatthetimewillcomewhenshehasexhaustedherresourcesandisquitepenniless?"

"Yes."

Simon wriggled uneasily. The thought seemed to make him uncomfortable. Poirot watched him
attentively.

"No,"heremarked."No,itisnotaprettythought.

Simonsaidratherangrily,"Well,Ican'thelpit!"Thenheadded,"Whatdoyouthinkofmyplan?"

"Ithinkitmaywork,yes.Butitis,ofcourse,aretreat."

Simonflushed.

"Youmean,we'rerunningaway?Yes,that'strue...ButLinnet-"

Poirotwatchedhim,thengaveashortnod.

"Asyousay,itmaybethebestway.Butremember,MademoiselledeBelleforthasbrains."

Simon said sombrely: "Someday, I feel, we've got to make a stand and fight it out. Her attitude isn't
reasonable."

"Reasonable,monDieu!"criedPoirot.

"There'snoreasonwhywomenshouldn'tbehavelikerationalbeings,"Simonassertedstolidly.

Poirotsaiddrily:"Quitefrequentlytheydo.Thatisevenmoreupsetting!"

Headded:"I,too,shallbeontheKarnak.Itispartofmyitinerary."

"Oh!"Simonhesitated,thensaid,choosinghiswordswithsomeembarrassment:"Thatisn't-isn't-er-
onouraccountinanyway?ImeanIwouldn'tliketothink-"

Poirotdisabusedhimquickly.

"Notatall.ItwasallarrangedbeforeIleftLondon.Ialwaysmakemyplanswellinadvance."

"Youdon'tjustmoveonfromplacetoplaceasthefancytakesyou?Isn'tthelatterreallypleasanter?"

"Perhaps.Buttosucceedinlifeeverydetailshouldbearrangedwellbeforehand."

Simonlaughedandsaid,"Thatishowthemoreskilfulmurdererbehaves,Isuppose."

"Yes - though I must admit that the most brilliant crime I remember and one of the most difficult to
solvewascommittedonthespurofthemoment."

Simonsaidboyishly,"YoumusttellussomethingaboutyourcasesonboardtheKarnak."

"No,no;thatwouldbetotalk-whatdoyoucallit-theshop."

"Yes,butyourkindofshopisratherthrilling.MrsAllertonthinksso.She'slongingtogetachanceto
cross-questionyou."

"MrsAllerton?Thatisthecharminggrey-hairedwomanwhohassuchadevotedson?"

"Yes.She'llbeontheKarnaktoo."

"Doessheknowthatyou-?"

"Certainly not," said Simon with emphasis. "Nobody knows. I've gone on the principle that it's better
nottotrustanybody."

"Anadmirablesentiment-andonewhichIalwaysadopt.Bytheway,thethirdmemberofyourparty,
thetallgrey-hairedman-"

"Pennington?"

"Yes.Heistravellingwithyou?"

Simon said grimly: "Not very usual on a honeymoon, you were thinking? Pennington is Linnet's
Americantrustee.WeranacrosshimbychanceinCairo."

"Ahvraiment!Youpermitaquestion?Sheisofage,Madameyourwife?"Simonlookedamused.

"Sheisn't actually twenty-oneyet - butshe hadn't got toask anyone's consentbefore marrying me. It
was the greatest surprise to Pennington. He left New York on the Carmanic two days before Linnet's
lettergottheretellinghimofourmarriage,soheknewnothingaboutit."

"TheCarmanic-"murmuredPoirot.

"ItwasthegreatestsurprisetohimwhenweranintohimatShepheard'sinCairo."

"Thatwasindeedthecoincidence!"

"Yes,andwefoundthathewascomingonthisNiletrip-sonaturallyweforegathered;couldn'thave
done anything else decently. Besides that, it's been - well, a relief in some ways." He looked
embarrassed again. "You see, Linnet's been all strung up - expecting Jackie to turn up anywhere and
everywhere. While we were alone together, the subject kept coming up. Andrew Pennington's a help
thatway;wehavetotalkofoutsidematters."

"YourwifehasnotconfidedinMrPennington?"

"No."Simon'sjawlookedaggressive."It'snothingtodowithanyoneelse.Besides,whenwestartedon
thisNiletripwethoughtwe'dseentheendofthebusiness."

Poirotshookhishead.

"Youhavenotseentheendofityet.No-theendisnotyetathand.Iamverysureofthat."

"Isay,MonsieurPoirot,you'renotveryencouraging."

Poirot looked at him with a slight feeling of irritation. He thought to himself: "The Anglo Saxon, he
takesnothingseriouslybutplayinggames!Hedoesnotgrowup."

Linnet Doyle - Jacqueline de Bellefort - both of them took the business seriously enough. But in
Simon'sattitudehecouldfindnothingbutmaleimpatienceandannoyance.Hesaid:"Youwillpermit
meanimpertinentquestion?WasityourideatocometoEgyptforyourhoneymoon?"

Simonflushed.

"No,ofcoursenot.AsamatteroffactI'dratherhavegoneanywhereelse,butLinnetwasabsolutelyset
uponit.Andso-andso-"

Hestoppedratherlamely.

"Naturally,"saidPoirotgravely.

Heappreciatedthefactthat,ifLinnetDoylewassetuponanything,thatthinghadtohappen.

He thought to himself: "I have now heard three separate accounts of the affair - Linnet Doyle's,
JacquelinedeBellefort's,SimonDoyle's.Whichofthemisnearesttothetruth?"

Chapter6

Simon and Linnet Doyle set off on their expedition to Philae about eleven o'clock the following
morning.JacquelinedeBellefort,sittingonthehotelbalcony,watchedthemsetoffinthepicturesque
sailingboat.Whatshedidnotseewasthedepartureofacar-ladenwithluggage,andinwhichsata
demure-lookingmaid-fromthefrontdoorofthehotel.ItturnedtotherightinthedirectionofShellâl.
Hercule Poirot decided to pass the remaining two hours before lunch on the island of Elephantine,
immediatelyoppositethehotel.

Hewentdowntothelandingstage.Thereweretwomenjuststeppingintooneofthehotelboats,and
Poirotjoinedthem.Themenwereobviouslystrangerstoeachother.Theyoungerofthemhadarrived
bytrainthedaybefore.Hewasatall,dark-hairedyoungman,withathinfaceandapugnaciouschin.
He was wearing an extremely dirty pair of grey flannel trousers and a high-necked polo jumper
singularlyunsuitedtotheclimate.Theotherwasaslightlypodgymiddle-agedmanwholostnotimein
enteringintoconversationwithPoirotinidiomaticbutslightlybrokenEnglish.Farfromtakingpartin
theconversation,theyoungermanmerelyscowledatthembothandthendeliberatelyturnedhisback
onthemandproceededtoadmiretheagilitywithwhichtheNubianboatmansteeredtheboatwithhis
toesashemanipulatedthesailwithhishands.

Itwasverypeacefulonthewater,thegreatsmoothslipperyblackrocksglidingbyandthesoftbreeze
fanning their faces. Elephantine was reached very quickly and on going ashore Poirot and his
loquacious acquaintance made straight for the Museum. By this time the latter had produced a card
whichhehandedtoPoirotwithalittlebow.Itboretheinscription:SignorGuidoRichetti,Archeologo.

Nottobeoutdone,Poirotreturnedthebowandextractedhisowncard.

Theseformalitiescompleted,thetwomensteppedintotheMuseumtogether,theItalianpouringfortha
streamoferuditeinformation.TheywerebynowconversinginFrench.

TheyoungmanintheflanneltrousersstrolledlistlesslyroundtheMuseum,yawningfromtimetotime,
andthenescapedtotheouterair.

Poirot and Signor Richetti at last followed him. The Italian was energetic in examining the ruins, but
presentlyPoirot,espyingagreen-linedsunshadewhichherecognizedontherocksdownbytheriver,
escapedinthatdirection.

MrsAllertonwassittingonalargerock,asketch-bookbyhersideandabookonherlap.

PoirotremovedhishatpolitelyandMrsAllertonatonceenteredintoconversation.

"Good-morning," she said. "I suppose it would be quite impossible to get rid of some of these awful
children."

A group of small black figures surrounded her, all grinning and posturing and holding out imploring
handsastheylisped"Bakshish"atintervals,hopefully.

"I thought they'd get tired of me," said Mrs Allerton sadly. "They've been watching me for over two
hoursnow-andtheycloseinonmelittlebylittle;andthenIyell'Inshi'andbrandishmysunshadeat
themandtheyscatterforaminuteortwo.Andthentheycomebackandstareandstare,andtheireyes
aresimplydisgusting,andsoaretheirnoses,andIdon'tbelieveIreallylikechildren-notunlessthey're
moreorlesswashedandhavetherudimentsofmanners."

Shelaughedruefully.

Poirot gallantly attempted to disperse the mob for her, but without avail. They scattered and then
reappeared,closinginoncemore.

"IftherewereonlyanypeaceinEgypt,Ishouldlikeitbetter,"saidMrsAllerton."Butyoucanneverbe
alone anywhere. Someone is always pestering you for money, or offering you donkeys, or beads, or
expeditionstonativevillages,orduckshooting."

"Itisthegreatdisadvantage,thatistrue,"agreedPoirot.

Hespreadhishandkerchiefcautiouslyontherockandsatsomewhatgingerlyuponit.

"Yoursonisnotwithyouthismorning?"hewenton.

"No,Timhadsomeletterstogetoffbeforeweleave.We'redoingthetriptotheSecondCataract,you
know."

"I,too."

"I'msoglad.IwanttotellyouthatI'mquitethrilledtomeetyou.WhenwewereinMajorca,therewas
aMrsLeechthere,andshewastellingusthemostwonderfulthingsaboutyou.She'dlostarubyring
bathing,andshewasjustlamentingthatyouweren'ttheretofinditforher."

"Ah,parbleu,butIamnotthedivingseal!"

Theybothlaughed.

MrsAllertonwenton:

"IsawyoufrommywindowwalkingdownthedrivewithSimonDoylethismorning.Dotellmewhat
youmakeofhim?We'reallsoexcitedabouthim."

"Ah?Truly?"

"Yes. You know his marriage to Linnet Ridgeway was the greatest surprise. She was supposed to be
goingtomarryLordWindleshamandthensuddenlyshegetsengagedtothismannoonehadeverheard
of!"

"Youknowherwell,Madame?"

"No,butacousinofmine,JoannaSouthwood,isoneofherbestfriends."

"Ah, yes, I have read that name in the papers." He was silent a moment and then went on, "She is a
youngladyverymuchinthenews,MademoiselleJoannaSouthwood."

"Oh,sheknowshowtoadvertiseherselfallright,"snappedMrsAllerton.

"Youdonotlikeher,Madame?"

"Thatwasanastyremarkofmine."MrsAllertonlookedpenitent."YouseeI'mold-fashioned.Idon't
likehermuch.Timandshearethegreatestfriends,though."

"Isee,"saidPoirot.

Hiscompanionshotaquicklookathim.Shechangedthesubject.

"Howveryfewyoungpeoplethereareouthere!Thatprettygirlwiththechestnuthairandtheappalling
motherintheturbanisalmosttheonlyyoungcreatureintheplace.Youhavetalkedtoheragooddeal,I
notice.Sheinterestsme,thatchild."

"Whyisthat,Madame?"

"Ifeelsorryforher.Youcansuffersomuchwhenyouareyoungandsensitive.Ithinksheissuffering."

"Yes,sheisnothappy,poorlittleone."

"TimandIcallherthe'sulkygirl.'I'vetriedtotalktoheronceortwice,butshe'ssnubbedmeoneach
occasion.HoweverIbelieveshe'sgoingonthisNiletriptoo,andIexpectwe'llhavetobemoreorless
allmateytogether,shan'twe?"

"Itisapossiblecontingency,Madame."

"I'mverymateyreally-peopleinterestmeenormously.Allthedifferenttypes."Shepaused,thensaid:
"Tim tells me that that dark girl - her name is de Bellefort - is the girl who was engaged to Simon
Doyle.It'sratherawkwardforthem-meetinglikethis."

"Itisawkward-yes,"agreedPoirot.

MrsAllertonshotaquickglanceathim.

"Youknow,itmaysoundfoolish,butshealmostfrightenedme.Shelookedso-intense."

Poirotnoddedhisheadslowly.

"Youwerenotfarwrong,Madame.Agreatforceofemotionisalwaysfrightening."

"Dopeopleinterestyoutoo,MonsieurPoirot?Ordoyoureserveyourinterestforpotentialcriminals?"

"Madame-thatcategorywouldnotleavemanypeopleoutsideit."

MrsAllertonlookedatriflestartled.

"Doyoureallymeanthat?"

"Giventheparticularincentive,thatistosay,"Poirotadded.

"Whichwoulddiffer?"

"Naturally."

MrsAllertonhesitated-alittlesmileonherlips.

"EvenIperhaps?"

"Mothers,Madame,areparticularlyruthlesswhentheirchildrenareindanger."

Shesaidgravely,"Ithinkthat'strue-yes,you'requiteright."

Shewassilentaminuteortwo,thenshesaid,smiling:"I'mtryingtoimaginemotivesforcrimesuitable
foreveryoneinthehotel.It'squiteentertaining.SimonDoyleforinstance?"

Poirotsaid,smiling:"Averysimplecrime-adirectshortcuttohisobjective.Nosubtletyaboutit."

"Andthereforeveryeasilydetected?"

"Yes;hewouldnotbeingenious."

"AndLinnet?"

"ThatwouldbeliketheQueeninyourAliceinWonderland,'Offwithherhead.'"

"Of course. The divine right of monarchy! Just a little bit of the Naboth's vineyard touch. And the
dangerousgirl-JacquelinedeBellefort-couldshedoamurder?"

Poirothesitatedforaminuteortwo,thenhesaiddoubtfully,"Yes,Ithinkshecould."

"Butyou'renotsure?"

"No.Shepuzzlesme,thatlittleone."

"Idon'tthinkMrPenningtoncoulddoone,doyou?Helookssodesiccatedanddyspeptic-withnored
bloodinhim."

"Butpossiblyastrongsenseofself-preservation."

"Yes,Isupposeso.AndpoorMrsOtterbourneinherturban?"

"Thereisalwaysvanity."

"Asamotiveformurder?"MrsAllertonaskeddoubtfully.

"Motivesformurderaresometimesverytrivial,Madame."

"Whatarethemostusualmotives,MonsieurPoirot?"

"Most frequent - money. That is to say, gain in its various ramifications. Then there is revenge - and
love,andfear,andpurehate,andbeneficence-"

"MonsieurPoirot!"

"Oh,yes,Madame.Ihaveknownof-shallwesayA?-beingremovedbyBsolelyinordertobenefit
C.Politicalmurdersoftencomeunderthatheading.Someoneisconsideredtobeharmfultocivilization
andisremovedonthataccount.SuchpeopleforgetthatlifeanddeatharetheaffairofthegoodGod."
Hespokegravely.

MrsAllertonsaidquietly:"Iamgladtohearyousaythat.Allthesame,Godchooseshisinstruments."

"Thereisdangerinthinkinglikethat,Madame."

Sheadoptedalightertone.

"Afterthisconversation,MonsieurPoirot,Ishallwonderthatthereisanyoneleftalive!"

Shegotup.

"Wemustbegettingback.Wehavetostartimmediatelyafterlunch."

Whentheyreachedthelandingstagetheyfoundtheyoungmaninthepolojumperjusttakinghisplace
intheboat.TheItalianwasalreadywaiting.AstheNubianboatmancastthesaillooseandtheystarted,
Poirotaddressedapoliteremarktothestranger.

"ThereareverywonderfulthingstobeseeninEgypt,aretherenot?"

The young man was now smoking a somewhat noisome pipe. He removed it from his mouth and
remarkedbrieflyandveryemphatically,inastonishinglywell-bredaccents,"Theymakemesick."

MrsAllertonputonherpince-nezandsurveyedhimwithpleasurableinterest.

"Indeed?Andwhyisthat?"Poirotasked.

"Take the Pyramids. Great blocks of useless masonry, put up to minister to the egoism of a despotic
bloatedking.Thinkofthesweatedmasseswhotoiledtobuildthemanddieddoingit.Itmakesmesick
tothinkofthesufferingandtorturetheyrepresent."

Mrs Allerton said cheerfully, "You'd rather have no Pyramids, no Parthenon, no beautiful tombs or
temples-justthesolidsatisfactionofknowingthatpeoplegotthreemealsadayanddiedintheirbeds."

Theyoungmandirectedhisscowlinherdirection.

"Ithinkhumanbeingsmattermorethanstones."

"Buttheydonotendureaswell,"remarkedHerculePoirot.

"I'd rather see a well fed worker than any so-called work of art. What matters is the future - not the
past."

ThiswastoomuchforSignorRichetti,whoburstintoatorrentofimpassionedspeechnottooeasyto
follow.

Theyoungmanretortedbytellingeverybodyexactlywhathethoughtofthecapitalistsystem.Hespoke
withtheutmostvenom.

Whenthetiradewasovertheyhadarrivedatthehotellandingstage.

MrsAllertonmurmuredcheerfully,"Well,well,"andsteppedashore.Theyoungmandirectedabaleful
glanceafterher.

In the hall of the hotel Poirot encountered Jacqueline de Bellefort. She was dressed in riding clothes.
Shegavehimanironicallittlebow."I'mgoingdonkeyriding.Doyourecommendthenativevillages,
MonsieurPoirot?"

"Is that your excursion today, Mademoiselle? Eh bien, they are picturesque - but do not spend large
sumsonnativecurios."

"WhichareshippedherefromEurope?No,Iamnotsoeasytodeceiveasthat."Withalittlenodshe
passedoutintothebrilliantsunshine.

Poirot completed his packing - a very simple affair, since his possessions were always in the most

meticulousorder.Thenherepairedtothedining-roomandateanearlylunch.

AfterlunchthehotelbustookthepassengersfortheSecondCataracttothestationwheretheywereto
catchthedailyexpressfromCairoontoShellâl-aten-minuterun.

TheAllertons,Poirot,theyoungmaninthedirtyflanneltrousersandtheItalianwerethepassengers.
MrsOtterbourneandherdaughterhadmadetheexpeditiontotheDamandtoPhilaeandwouldjointhe
steameratShellâl.

ThetrainfromCairoandLuxorwasabouttwentyminuteslate.However,itarrivedatlast,andtheusual
scenes of wild activity occurred. Native porters taking suitcases out of the train collided with other
portersputtingthemin.Finally,somewhatbreathless,Poirotfoundhimself,withanassortmentofhis
own,theAllertons'andsometotallyunknownluggage,inonecompartment,whileTimandhismother
were elsewhere with the remains of the assorted baggage. The compartment in which Poirot found
himself was occupied by an elderly lady with a very wrinkled face, a stiff white stock, a good many
diamondsandanexpressionofreptiliancontemptforthemajorityofmankind.

ShetreatedPoirottoanaristocraticglareandretiredbehindthepagesofanAmericanmagazine.Abig
ratherclumsyyoungwomanofunderthirtywassittingoppositeher.Shehadeagerbrowneyes,rather
likeadog's,untidyhair,andaterrificairofwillingnesstoplease.Atintervalstheoldladylookedover
thetopofhermagazineandsnappedanorderather."Cornelia,collecttherugs.""Whenwearrivelook
after my dressing-case. On no account let anyone else handle it." "Don't forget my paper-cutter." The
train run was brief. In ten minutes' time they came to rest on the jetty where the S.S. Karnak was
awaiting them. The Otterbournes were already on board. The Karnak was a smaller steamer than the
PapyrusandtheLotus,theFirstCataractsteamers,whicharetoolargetopassthroughthelocksofthe
Assuandam.Thepassengerswentonboardandwereshowntheiraccommodation.Sincetheboatwas
notfull,mostofthepassengershadaccommodationonthepromenadedeck.Theentireforwardpartof
thisdeckwasoccupiedbyanobservationsaloon,allglass-enclosed,wherethepassengerscouldsitand
watchtheriverunfoldbeforethem.Onthedeckbelowwereasmoking-roomandasmalldrawing-room
andonthedeckbelowthat,thedining-saloon.

Having seen his possessions disposed in his cabin, Poirot came out on the deck again to watch the
processofdeparture.HejoinedRosalieOtterbourne,whowasleaningovertheside.

"SonowwejourneyintoNubia.Youarepleased,Mademoiselle?"

Thegirldrewadeepbreath.

"Yes.Ifeelthatone'sreallygettingawayfromthingsatlast."

Shemadeagesturewithherhand.Therewasasavageaspectaboutthesheetofwaterinfrontofthem,
the masses of rock without vegetation that came down to the water's edge - here and there a trace of
houses abandoned and ruined as a result of the damming up of the waters. The whole scene had a
melancholy,almostsinistercharm.

"Awayfrompeople,"saidRosalieOtterbourne.

"Exceptthoseofourownnumber,Mademoiselle?"

Sheshruggedhershoulders.Thenshesaid:"There'ssomethingaboutthiscountrythatmakesmefeel-
wicked. It brings to the surface all the things that are boiling inside one. Everything's so unfair - so
unjust."

"Iwonder.Youcannotjudgebymaterialevidence."

Rosaliemuttered:"Lookat-atsomepeople'smothers-andlookatmine.ThereisnoGodbutSex,and
SalomeOtterbourneisitsProphet."Shestopped."Ishouldn'thavesaidthat,Isuppose."

Poirotmadeagesturewithhishands.

"Whynotsayit-tome?Iamoneofthosewhohearmanythings.If,asyousay,youboilinside-like
thejam-ehbien,letthescumcometothesurface,andthenonecantakeitoffwithaspoon,so."

HemadethegestureofdroppingsomethingintotheNile.

"There,ithasgone."

"What an extraordinary man you are!" Rosalie said. Her sulky mouth twisted into a smile. Then she
suddenlystiffenedassheexclaimed:"Why,hereareMrsDoyleandherhusband!I'dnoideatheywere
comingonthistrip!"

Linnethadjustemergedfromacabinhalfwaydownthedeck.Simonwasbehindher.Poirotwasalmost
startledbythelookofher-soradiant,soassured.Shelookedpositivelyarrogantwithhappiness.Simon
Doyle, too, was a transformed being. He was grinning from ear to ear and looking like a happy
schoolboy.

"Thisisgrand,"hesaidashetooleanedontherail."I'mreallylookingforwardtothistrip,aren'tyou,
Linnet? It feels somehow, so much less touristy - as though we were really going into the heart of
Egypt."

Hiswiferespondedquickly:"Iknow.It'ssomuch-wilder,somehow."

Herhandslippedthroughhisarm.Hepresseditclosetohisside."We'reoff,Lin,"hemurmured.

The steamer was drawing away from the jetty. They had started on their seven-day journey to the
SecondCataractandback.

Behindthemalightsilverylaughrangout.Linnetwhippedround.

JacquelinedeBellefortwasstandingthere.Sheseemedamused.

"Hullo,Linnet!Ididn'texpecttofindyouhere.IthoughtyousaidyouwerestayingatAssuananother
tendays.Thisisasurprise!"

"You- you didn't-" Linnet's tonguestammered. She forced aghastly conventional smile."I - I didn't
expecttoseeyoueither."

"No?"

Jacquelinemovedawaytotheothersideoftheboat.Linnet'sgrasponherhusband'sarmtightened.

"Simon-Simon-"

AllDoyle'sgood-naturedpleasurehadgone.Helookedfurious.Hishandsclenchedthemselvesinspite
ofhiseffortatself-control.

Thetwoofthemmovedalittleaway.WithoutturninghisheadPoirotcaughtscrapsofdisjointedwords:

"...turnback...impossible...wecould..."andthen,slightlylouder,Doyle'svoice,despairingbutgrim:
"Wecan'trunawayforever,Lin.We'vegottogothroughwithitnow..."

It was some hours later. Daylight was just fading. Poirot stood in the glass-enclosed saloon looking
straight ahead. The Karnak was going through a narrow gorge. The rocks came down with a kind of
sheerferocitytotheriverflowingdeepandswiftbetweenthem.TheywereinNubianow.Hehearda
movement and Linnet Doyle stood by his side. Her fingers twisted and untwisted themselves; she
lookedashehadneveryetseenherlook.Therewasabouthertheairofabewilderedchild.Shesaid:

"Monsieur Poirot, I'm afraid - I'm afraid of everything. I've never felt like this before. All these wild
rocksandtheawfulgrimnessandstarkness.Wherearewegoing?What'sgoingtohappen?I'mafraid,I
tellyou.Everyonehatesme.I'veneverfeltlikethatbefore.I'vealwaysbeennicetopeople-I'vedone
things for them - and they hate me - lots of people hate me. Except for Simon, I'm surrounded by
enemies...It'sterribletofeel-thattherearepeoplewhohateyou..."

"Butwhatisallthis,Madame?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Isuppose-it'snerves...Ijustfeelthat-everything'sunsafeallroundme."Shecastaquicknervous
glanceoverhershoulder.Thenshesaidabruptly:"Howwillallthisend?We'recaughthere.Trapped!
There'snowayout.We'vegottogoon.I-Idon'tknowwhereIam."

She slipped down onto a seat. Poirot looked down on her gravely; his glance was not untinged with
compassion.

"Howdidsheknowwewerecomingonthisboat?"shesaid."Howcouldshehaveknown?"

Poirotshookhisheadasheanswered,"Shehasbrains,youknow."

"IfeelasthoughIshallneverescapefromher."

Poirotsaid:"Thereisoneplanyoumighthaveadopted.InfactIamsurprisedthatitdidnotoccurto
you. After all, with you, Madame, money is no object. Why did you not engage your own private
dahabiyeh?"

Linnetshookherheadratherhelplessly.

"Ifwe'dknownaboutallthis-butyouseewedidn't-then.Anditwasdifficult...."Sheflashedoutwith
suddenimpatience:"Oh!youdon'tunderstandhalfmydifficulties.I'vegottobecarefulwithSimon...
He's-he'sabsurdlysensitive-aboutmoney.Aboutmyhavingsomuch!Hewantedmetogotosome
little place in Spain with him - he - he wanted to pay all our honeymoon expenses himself. As if it
mattered!Menarestupid!He'sgottogetusedto-to-livingcomfortably.Themereideaofadahabiyeh
upsethim-the-theneedlessexpense.I'vegottoeducatehim-gradually."

Shelookedup,bitherlipvexedly,asthoughfeelingthatshehadbeenledintodiscussingherdifficulties
rathertoounguardedly.

Shegotup.

"Imustchange.I'msorry,MonsieurPoirot.I'mafraidI'vebeentalkingalotoffoolishnonsense."

Chapter7

Mrs Allerton, looking quiet and distinguished in her simple black lace evening gown, descended two
deckstothedining-room.Atthedoorofithersoncaughtherup.

"Sorry,darling.IthoughtIwasgoingtobelate."

"Iwonderwherewesit."Thesaloonwasdottedwithlittletables.MrsAllertonpausedtillthesteward,
whowasbusyseatingapartyofpeople,couldattendtothem.

"Bytheway,"sheadded,"IaskedlittleHerculePoirottositatourtable."

"Mother,youdidn't!"Timsoundedreallytakenabackandannoyed.

Hismotherstaredathiminsurprise.Timwasusuallysoeasygoing."Mydear,doyoumind?"

"Yes,Ido.He'sanunmitigatedlittlebounder!"

"Oh,no,Tim!Idon'tagreewithyou."

"Anyway,whatdowewanttogetmixedupwithanoutsiderfor?Coopeduplikethisonasmallboat,
thatsortofthingisalwaysabore.He'llbewithusmorning,noonandnight."

"I'm sorry, dear." Mrs Allerton looked distressed. "I thought really it would amuse you. After all, he
musthavehadavariedexperience.Andyoulovedetectivestories."

Timgrunted.

"Iwishyouwouldn'thavethesebrightideas,Mother.Wecan'tgetoutofitnow,Isuppose?"

"Really,Tim,Idon'tseehowwecan."

"Oh,well,weshallhavetoputupwithit,Isuppose."

The steward came to them at this minute and led them to a table. Mrs Allerton's face wore rather a
puzzled expression as she followed him. Tim was usually so easy-going and good-tempered. This
outburstwasquiteunlikehim.Itwasn'tasthoughhehadtheordinaryBritisher'sdislike-andmistrust-
of foreigners. Tim was very cosmopolitan. Oh, well - she sighed. Men were incomprehensible! Even
one'snearestanddearesthadunsuspectedreactionsandfeelings.

Astheytooktheirplaces,HerculePoirotcamequicklyandsilentlyintothedining-saloon.Hepaused
withhishandonthebackofthethirdchair.

"Youreallypermit,Madame,thatIavailmyselfofyourkindsuggestion?"

"Ofcourse.Sitdown,MonsieurPoirot."

"Youaremostamiable."

Shewasuneasilyconsciousthat,asheseatedhimself,heshotaswiftglanceatTim,andthatTimhad
notquitesucceededinmaskingasomewhatsullenexpression.

MrsAllertonsetherselftoproduceapleasantatmosphere.Astheydranktheirsoup,shepickedupthe
passengerlistwhichhadbeenplacedbesideherplate."Let'stryandidentifyeverybody,"shesuggested

cheerfully."Ialwaysthinkthat'sratherfun."

Shebeganreading:"MrsAllerton,MrT.Allerton.That'seasyenough!MissdeBellefort.They'veput
heratthesametableastheOtterbournes,Isee.IwonderwhatsheandRosaliewillmakeofeachother.
Whocomesnext?DrBessner.DrBessner?WhocanidentifyDrBessner?"

Shebentherglanceonatableatwhichfourmensattogether.

"I think he must be the fat one with the closely shaved head and the moustache. A German, I should
imagine.Heseemstobeenjoyinghissoupverymuch."Certainsucculentnoisesfloatedacrosstothem.

MrsAllertoncontinued:"MissBowers?CanwemakeaguessatMissBowers?Therearethreeorfour
women-No,we'llleaveherforthepresent.MrandMrsDoyle.Yes,indeed,thelionsofthistrip.She
reallyisverybeautiful,andwhataperfectlylovelyfrocksheiswearing."

Timturnedroundinhischair.LinnetandherhusbandandAndrewPenningtonhadbeengivenatablein
thecorner.Linnetwaswearingawhitedressandpearls.

"Itlooksfrightfullysimpletome,"saidTim."Justalengthofstuffwithakindofcordroundthemiddle
"

"Yes,darling,"saidhismother."Averynicemanlydescriptionofaneighty-guineamodel."

"Ican'tthinkwhywomenpaysomuchfortheirclothes,"Timsaid."Itseemsabsurdtome."

MrsAllertonproceededwithherstudyofherfellowpassengers.

"MrFanthorpmustbeoneofthefouratthattable.Theintenselyquietyoungmanwhoneverspeaks.
Ratheraniceface,cautiousbutintelligent."

Poirotagreed.

"Heisintelligent-yes.Hedoesnottalk,buthelistensveryattentively,andhealsowatches.Yes,he
makesgooduseofhiseyes.Notquitethetypeyouwouldexpecttofindtravellingforpleasureinthis
partoftheworld.Iwonderwhatheisdoinghere."

"Mr Ferguson," read Mrs Allerton. "I feel that Ferguson must be our anti-capitalist friend. Mrs
Otterbourne,MissOtterbourne.Weknowallaboutthem.MrPennington?AliasUncleAndrew.He'sa
good-lookingman,Ithink-"

"Now,Mother,"saidTim.

"Ithinkhe'sverygood-lookinginadrysortofway,"saidMrsAllerton."Ratheraruthlessjaw.Probably
thekindofmanonereadsaboutinthepaper,whooperatesonWallStreet-orisitinWallStreet?I'm
surehemustbeextremelyrich.Next-MonsieurHerculePoirot-whosetalentsarereallybeingwasted.
Can'tyougetupacrimeforMonsieurPoirot,Tim?"

Butherwell-meantbanteronlyseemedtoannoyhersonanew.HescowledandMrsAllertonhurried
on: "Mr Richetti. Our Italian archaeological friend. Then Miss Robson and last of all Miss Van
Schuyler.Thelast'seasy.TheveryuglyoldAmericanladywhoobviouslyfeelsherselfthequeenofthe
boat and who is clearly going to be very exclusive and speak to nobody who doesn't come up to the
most exacting standards! She's rather marvellous, isn't she, really? A kind of period piece. The two
womenwithhermustbeMissBowersandMissRobson-perhapsasecretary,thethinonewithpince-
nez,andapoorrelation,theratherpatheticyoungwomanwhoisobviouslyenjoyingherselfinspiteof
beingtreatedlikeablackslave.IthinkRobson'sthesecretarywomanandBowersisthepoorrelation."

"Wrong,Mother,"saidTim,grinning.Hehadsuddenlyrecoveredhisgoodhumour.

"Howdoyouknow?"

"BecauseI was inthe lounge beforedinner and the oldbean said tothe companion woman: 'Where's
MissBowers?Fetchheratonce,Cornelia.'AndawaytrottedCornelialikeanobedientdog."

"IshallhavetotalktoMissVanSchuyler,"musedMrsAllerton.

Timgrinnedagain.

"She'llsnubyou,Mother."

"Notatall.Ishallpavethewaybysittingnearherandconversing,inlow(butpenetrating),well-bred
tones, about any titled relations and friends I can remember. I think a casual mention of your second
cousin,onceremoved,theDukeofGlasgow,wouldprobablydothetrick."

"Howunscrupulousyouare,Mother!"

Eventsafterdinnerwerenotwithouttheiramusingsidetoastudentofhumannature.

Thesocialisticyoungman(whoturnedouttobeMrFergusonasdeduced)retiredtothesmoking-room,
scorningtheassemblageofpassengersintheobservationsaloononthetopdeck.

MissVanSchuylerdulysecuredthebestandmostundraughtypositiontherebyadvancingfirmlyona
table at which Mrs Otterbourne was sitting and saying, "You'll excuse me, I am sure, but I think my
knittingwaslefthere!"Fixedbyahypnoticeye,theturbanroseandgaveground.MissVanSchuyler
established herself and her suite. Mrs Otterbourne sat down near by and hazarded various remarks,
which were met with such chilling politeness that she soon gave up. Miss Van Schuyler then sat in
glorious isolation. The Doyles sat with the Allertons. Dr Bessner retained the quiet Mr Fanthorp as a
companion. Jacqueline de Bellefort sat by herself with a book. Rosalie Otterbourne was restless. Mrs
Allerton spoke to her once or twice and tried to draw her into their group, but the girl responded
ungraciously.

M.HerculePoirotspenthiseveninglisteningtoanaccountofMrsOtterbourne'smissionasawriter.

OnhiswaytohiscabinthatnightheencounteredJacquelinedeBellefort.Shewasleaningovertherail
and,assheturnedherhead,hewasstruckbythelookofacutemiseryonherface.Therewasnowno
insouciance,nomaliciousdefiance,nodarkflamingtriumph.

"Good-night,Mademoiselle."

"Good-night,MonsieurPoirot."Shehesitated,thensaid,"Youweresurprisedtofindmehere?"

"Iwasnotsomuchsurprisedassorry-verysorry."

Hespokegravely.

"Youmeansorry-forme?"

"ThatiswhatImeant.Youhavechosen,Mademoiselle,thedangerouscourse...Aswehereinthisboat

haveembarkedonajourney,soyoutoohaveembarkedonyourownprivatejourney-ajourneyona
swift-movingriver,betweendangerousrocks,andheadingforwhoknowswhatcurrentsofdisaster."

"Whydoyousayallthis?"

"Becauseitistrue...Youhavecutthebondsthatmooredyoutosafety.Idoubtnowifyoucouldturn
backifyouwould."

Shesaidveryslowly,"Thatistrue.

Thensheflungherheadback.

"Ah,well-onemustfollowone'sstar,whereveritleads."

"Beware,Mademoiselle,thatitisnotafalsestar..."

Shelaughedandmimickedtheparrotcryofthedonkeyboys:

"Thatverybadstar,Sir!Thatstarfalldown..."

Hewasjustdroppingofftosleepwhenthemurmurofvoicesawokehim.ItwasSimonDoyle'svoice
heheard,repeatingthesamewordshehadusedwhenthesteamerleftShellâl.

"We'vegottogothroughwithitnow..."

"Yes,"thoughtHerculePoirottohimself,"wehavegottogothroughwithitnow."

Hewasnothappy.

Chapter8

ThesteamerarrivedearlynextmorningatEz-Sebûa.

CorneliaRobson,herfacebeaming,alargeflappinghatonherhead,wasoneofthefirsttohurryon
shore. Cornelia was not good at snubbing people. She was of an amiable disposition and disposed to
likeallherfellowcreatures.ThesightofHerculePoirot,inawhitesuit,pinkshirt,largeblackbowtie
andawhitetopee,didnotmakeherwinceasthearistocraticMissVanSchuylerwouldassuredlyhave
winced.Astheywalkedtogetherupanavenueofsphinxes,sherespondedreadilytohisconventional
opening.

"Yourcompanionsarenotcomingashoretoviewthetemple?"

"Well,yousee,CousinMarie-that'sMissVanSchuyler-nevergetsupveryearly.Shehastobevery,
verycarefulofherhealth.AndofcourseshewantedMissBowers,that'sherhospitalnurse,todothings
forher.Andshesaid,too,thatthisisn'toneofthebesttemples-butshewasfrightfullykindandsaidit
wouldbequiteallrightformetocome."

"Thatwasverygraciousofher,"saidPoirotdrily.

TheingenuousCorneliaagreedunsuspectingly.

"Oh,she'sverykind.It'ssimplywonderfulofhertobringmeonthistrip.IdofeelI'maluckygirl.I
justcouldhardlybelieveitwhenshesuggestedtoMotherthatIshouldcometoo."

"Andyouhaveenjoyedit-yes?"

"Oh, it's been wonderful! I've seen Italy - Venice and Padua and Pisa - and then Cairo - only Cousin
Mariewasn'tverywellinCairo,soIcouldn'tgetaroundmuch,andnowthiswonderfultripuptoWâdi
Halfaandback."

Poirotsaid,smiling,"Youhavethehappynature,Mademoiselle."

Helookedthoughtfullyfromhertothesilent,frowningRosalie,whowaswalkingaheadbyherself.

"She'sverynice-looking,isn'tshe?"saidCornelia,followinghisglance."Onlykindofscornfullooking.
She'sveryEnglish,ofcourse.She'snotaslovelyasMrsDoyle.IthinkMrsDoyle'stheloveliest,the
most elegant woman I've ever seen! And her husband just worships the ground she walks on, doesn't
he?Ithinkthatgrey-hairedladyiskindofdistinguishedlooking,don'tyou?She'scousintoaDuke,I
believe.Shewastalkingabouthimrightnearuslastnight.Butsheisn'tactuallytitledherself,isshe?"

She prattled on until the dragoman in charge called a halt and began to intone: "This temple was
dedicatedtoEgyptianGodAmunandtheSunGodRé-Harakhte-whosesymbolwasahawk'shead..."

Itdronedon.DrBessner,Baedekerinhand,mumbledtohimselfinGerman.Hepreferredthewritten
word.

TimAllertonhadnotjoinedtheparty.HismotherwasbreakingtheicewiththereservedMrFanthorp.
Andrew Pennington, his arm through Linnet Doyle's, was listening attentively, seemingly most
interestedinthemeasurementsasrecitedbytheguide.

"Sixty-fivefeethigh,isthatso?Looksalittlelesstome.Greatfellow,thisRameses.AnEgyptianlive
wire."

"Abigbusinessman,UncleAndrew."

AndrewPenningtonlookedatherappreciatively.

"Youlookfinethismorning,Linnet.I'vebeenamiteworriedaboutyoulately.You'velookedkindof
peaky."

Chattingtogether,thepartyreturnedtotheboat.OncemoretheKarnakglideduptheriver.Thescenery
waslesssternnow.Therewerepalms,cultivation.

Itwasasthoughthechangeinthesceneryhadrelievedsomesecretoppressionthathadbroodedover
the passengers. Tim Allerton had got over his fit of moodiness. Rosalie looked less sulky. Linnet
seemed almost light-hearted. Pennington said to her, "It's tactless to talk business to a bride on her
honeymoon,buttherearejustoneortwothings-"

"Why, of course, Uncle Andrew." Linnet at once became businesslike. "My marriage has made a
difference,ofcourse."

"That'sjustit.SometimeorotherIwantyoursignaturetoseveraldocuments."

"Whynotnow?"

AndrewPenningtonglancedround.Theircorneroftheobservationsaloonwasquiteuntenanted.Most
ofthepeoplewereoutsideonthedeckspacebetweentheobservationsaloonandthecabins.Theonly
occupantsofthesaloonwereMrFerguson-whowasdrinkingbeeratasmalltableinthemiddle,his
legs,encasedintheirdirtyflanneltrousers,stuckoutinfrontofhim,whilsthewhistledtohimselfinthe
intervals of drinking - M. Hercule Poirot, who was sitting close up to the front glass, intent on the
panoramaunfoldingbeforehim,andMissVanSchuyler,whowassittinginacornerreadingabookon
Egypt.

"That'sfine,"saidAndrewPennington.Heleftthesaloon.

LinnetandSimonsmiledateachother-aslowsmilethattookafewminutestocometofullfruition.

"Allright,sweet?"heasked.

"Yes,stillallright...FunnyhowI'mnotrattledanymore."

Simonsaidwithdeepconvictioninhistone,"You'remarvellous."

Penningtoncameback.Hebroughtwithhimasheafofcloselywrittendocuments.

"Mercy!"criedLinnet."HaveIgottosignallthese?"

AndrewPenningtonwasapologetic.

"It'stoughonyou,Iknow,butI'djustliketogetyouraffairsputinpropershape.Firstofallthere'sthe
leaseoftheFifthAvenueproperty...thentherearetheWesternLandsConcessions..."

Hetalkedon,rustlingandsortingthepapers.Simonyawned.

The door to the deck swung open and Mr Fanthorp came in. He gazed aimlessly round, then strolled
forwardandstoodbyPoirotlookingoutatthepalebluewaterandtheyellowenvelopingsands...

"-yousignjustthere,"concludedPennington,spreadingapaperbeforeLinnetandindicatingaspace.

Linnet picked up the document and glanced through it. She turned back once to the first page, then,
takingupthefountainpenPenningtonhadlaidbesideher,shesignedhername-LinnetDoyle.

Penningtontookawaythepaperandspreadoutanother.

Fanthorp wandered over in their direction. He peered out through the side window at something that
seemedtointeresthimonthebanktheywerepassing.

"That'sjustthetransfer,"saidPennington."Youneedn'treadit."

ButLinnettookabriefglancethroughit.Penningtonlaiddownathirdpaper.AgainLinnetperusedit
carefully.

"They'reallquitestraightforward,"saidAndrew."Nothingofinterest.Onlylegalphraseology."

Simonyawnedagain.

"Mydeargirl,you'renotgoingtoreadthewholelotthrough,areyou?You'llbeatittilllunchtimeand
longer."

"Ialwaysreadeverythingthrough,"saidLinnet."Fathertaughtmetodothat.Hesaidtheremightbe
someclericalerror."

Penningtonlaughedratherharshly.

"You'reagrandwomanofbusiness,Linnet."

"She'smuchmoreconscientiousthanI'dbe,"saidSimon,laughing."I'veneverreadalegaldocumentin
mylife.Isignwheretheytellmetosignonthedottedline-andthat'sthat."

"That'sfrightfullyslipshod,"saidLinnetdisapprovingly.

"I'venobusinesshead,"declaredSimoncheerfully."Neverhad.Afellowtellsmetosign-Isign.It's
muchthesimplestway."

AndrewPenningtonwaslookingathimthoughtfully.Hesaiddrily,strokinghisupperlip,"Alittlerisky
sometimes,Doyle?"

"Nonsense,"repliedSimon."I'mnotoneofthosepeoplewhobelievethewholeworldisouttodoone
down.I'matrustingkindoffellow-anditpays,youknow.I'vehardlyeverbeenletdown."

Suddenly,toeveryone'ssurprise,thesilentMrFanthorpswungroundandaddressedLinnet.

"IhopeI'mnotbuttingin,butyoumustletmesayhowmuchIadmireyourbusinesslikecapacity.Inmy
profession-er-Iamalawyer-Ifindladiessadlyunbusinesslike.Nevertosignadocumentbeforeyou
readitthroughisadmirable-altogetheradmirable."

Hegavealittlebow.Then,ratherredintheface,heturnedoncemoretocontemplatethebanksofthe
Nile.

Linnetsaidratheruncertainly,"Er-thankyou."Shebitherliptorepressagiggle.Theyoungmanhad
lookedsopreternaturallysolemn.

AndrewPenningtonlookedseriouslyannoyed.

SimonDoylelookeduncertainwhethertobeannoyedoramused.

ThebacksofMrFanthorp'searswerebrightcrimson.

"Next,please,"saidLinnet,smilingupatPennington.

ButPenningtonwaslookingdecidedlyruffled.

"Ithinkperhapssomeothertimewouldbebetter,"hesaidstiffly."As-er-Doylesays,ifyouhaveto
readthroughalltheseweshallbeheretilllunchtime.Wemustn'tmissenjoyingthescenery.Anyway
thosefirsttwopapersweretheonlyurgentones.We'llsettledowntobusinesslater."

"It'sfrightfullyhotinhere,"Linnetsaid."Let'sgooutside."

The three of them passed through the swing door. Hercule Poirot turned his head. His gaze rested
thoughtfullyonMrFanthorp'sback;thenitshiftedtotheloungingfigureofMrFergusonwhohadhis
headthrownbackandwasstillwhistlingsoftlytohimself.

FinallyPoirotlookedoverattheuprightfigureofMissVanSchuylerinhercorner.MissVanSchuyler
wasglaringatMrFerguson.

TheswingdoorontheportsideopenedandCorneliaRobsonhurriedin.

"You'vebeenalongtime,"snappedtheoldlady."Where'veyoubeen?"

"I'msosorry,CousinMarie.Thewoolwasn'twhereyousaiditwas.Itwasinanothercasealtogether-"

"Mydearchild,youareperfectlyhopelessatfindinganything!Youarewilling,Iknow,mydear,but
youmusttrytobealittleclevererandquicker.Itonlyneedsconcentration."

"I'msosorry,CousinMarie.I'mafraidIamverystupid."

"Nobody need be stupid if they try, my dear. I have brought you on this trip, and I expect a little
attentioninreturn."

Corneliaflushed.

"I'mverysorry,CousinMarie."

"AndwhereisMissBowers?Itwastimeformydropstenminutesago.Pleasegoandfindheratonce.
Thedoctorsaiditwasmostimportant-"

ButatthisstageMissBowersentered,carryingasmallmedicineglass.

"Yourdrops,MissVanSchuyler."

"I should have had them at eleven," snapped the old lady. "If there's one thing I detest it's

unpunctuality."

"Quite,"saidMissBowers.Sheglancedatherwristwatch."It'sexactlyhalfaminutetoeleven."

"Bymywatchit'stenpast."

"Ithinkyou'llfindmywatchisright.It'saperfecttime-keeper.Itneverlosesorgains."MissBowers
wasquiteimperturbable.

MissVanSchuylerswallowedthecontentsofthemedicineglass.

"Ifeeldefinitelyworse,"shesnapped.

"I'msorrytohearthat,MissVanSchuyler."

MissBowersdidnotsoundsorry.Shesoundedcompletelyuninterested.Shewasobviouslymakingthe
correctreplymechanically.

"It'stoohotinhere,"snappedMissVanSchuyler."Findmeachaironthedeck,MissBowers.Cornelia,
bringmyknitting.Don'tbeclumsyordropit.AndthenIshallwantyoutowindsomewool."

Theprocessionpassedout.

Mr Ferguson sighed, stirred his legs and remarked to the world at large, "Gosh, I'd like to scrag that
dame."

Poirotaskedinterestedly,"Sheisatypeyoudislike,eh?"

"Dislike? I should say so. What good has that woman ever been to anyone or anything? She's never
workedorliftedafinger.She'sjustbattenedonotherpeople.She'saparasite-andadamnedunpleasant
parasite.TherearealotofpeopleonthisboatI'dsaytheworldcoulddowithout."

"Really?"

"Yes.Thatgirlinherejustnow,signingsharetransfersandthrowingherweightabout.Hundredsand
thousands of wretched workers slaving for a mere pittance to keep her in silk stockings and useless
luxuries.OneoftherichestwomeninEngland,sosomeonetoldme,andneverdoneahand'sturninher
life."

"WhotoldyoushewasoneoftherichestwomeninEngland?"

MrFergusoncastabelligerenteyeathim.

"Amanyouwouldn'tbeseenspeakingto!Amanwhoworkswithhishandsandisn'tashamedofit!Not
one of your dressed-up, foppish good-for-nothings." His eye rested unfavourably on the bow tie and
pinkshirt.

"Me,Iworkwithmybrainsandamnotashamedofit,"saidPoirot,answeringtheglance.

MrFergusonmerelysnorted.

"Oughttobeshot-thelotofthem!"heasserted.

"Mydearyoungman,"saidPoirot,"whatapassionyouhaveforviolence!"

"Canyoutellmeofanygoodthatcanbedonewithoutit?You'vegottobreakdownanddestroybefore
youcanbuildup."

"Itiscertainlymucheasierandmuchnoisierandmuchmorespectacular."

"Whatdoyoudoforaliving?Nothingatall,Ibet.Probablycallyourselfamiddleman."

"Iamnotamiddleman.Iamatopman,"declaredHerculePoirotwithslightarrogance.

"Whatareyou?"

"Iamadetective,"saidHerculePoirotwiththemodestairofonewhosays"IamaKing."

"GoodGod!"Theyoungmanseemedseriouslytakenaback."Doyoumeanthatgirlactuallytotesabout
adumbdick?Issheascarefulofherpreciousskinasthat?"

"I have no connection whatever with Monsieur and Madame Doyle," said Poirot stiffly. "I am on a
holiday."

"Enjoyingavacation-eh?"

"Andyou?Isitnotthatyouareonaholidayalso?"

"Holiday!"MrFergusonsnorted.Thenheaddedcryptically,"I'mstudyingconditions."

"Veryinteresting,"murmuredPoirotandmovedgentlyoutontothedeck.

Miss Van Schuyler was established in the best corner. Cornelia knelt in front of her, her arms
outstretched with a skein of grey wool upon them. Miss Bowers was sitting very upright reading the
SaturdayEveningPost.Poirotwanderedgentlyonwarddownthestarboarddeck.Ashepassedround
thesternoftheboathealmostranintoawomanwhoturnedastartledfacetowardhim-adark,piquant,
Latinface.Shewasneatlydressedinblackandhadbeenstandingtalkingtoabigburlymaninuniform
-oneoftheengineers,bythelookofhim.Therewasaqueerexpressiononboththeirfaces-guiltand
alarm.Poirotwonderedwhattheyhadbeentalkingabout.Heroundedthesternandcontinuedhiswalk
alongthe port side.A cabin dooropened and Mrs Otterbourneemerged and nearlyfell into his arms.
Shewaswearingascarletsatindressing-gown.

"Sosorry,"sheapologized."DearMrPoirot-soverysorry.Themotion-justthemotion,youknow.
Never did have any sea legs. If the boat would only keep still..." She clutched at his arm. "It's the
pitchingIcan'tstand...Neverreallyhappyatsea...Andleftallaloneherehourafterhour.Thatgirlof
mine - no sympathy - no understanding of her poor old mother who's done everything for her..." Mrs
Otterbournebegantoweep."SlavedforherIhave-wornmyselftothebone-tothebone.Agrande
amoureuse-that'swhatImighthavebeen-agrandeamoureuse-sacrificedeverything-everything...
Andnobodycares!ButI'lltelleveryone-I'lltellthemnow-howsheneglectsme-howhardsheis-
makingmecomeonthisjourney-boredtodeath...I'llgoandtellthemnow-"

Shesurgedforward.Poirotgentlyrepressedtheaction.

"Iwillsendhertoyou,Madame.Re-enteryourcabin.Itisbestthatway-"

"No.Iwanttotelleveryone-everyoneontheboat-"

"Itistoodangerous,Madame.Theseaistoorough.Youmightbesweptoverboard."

MrsOtterbournelookedathimdoubtfully.

"Youthinkso.Youreallythinkso?"

"Ido."

He was successful. Mrs Otterbourne wavered, faltered and re-entered her cabin. Poirot's nostrils
twitched once or twice. Then he nodded and walked on to where Rosalie Otterbourne was sitting
betweenMrsAllertonandTim.

"Yourmotherwantsyou,Mademoiselle."

Shehadbeenlaughingquitehappily.Nowherfacecloudedover.Sheshotaquicksuspiciouslookat
himandhurriedalongthedeck.

"I can't make that child out," said Mrs Allerton. "She varies so. One day she's friendly; the next day
she'spositivelyrude."

"Thoroughlyspoiltandbad-tempered,"saidTim.

MrsAllertonshookherhead.

"No.Idon'tthinkit'sthat.Ithinkshe'sunhappy."

Timshruggedhisshoulders.

"Oh,well,Isupposewe'veallgotourprivatetroubles."Hisvoicesoundedhardandcurt.

Aboomingnoisewasheard.

"Lunch,"criedMrsAllertondelightedly."I'mstarving."

Thatevening,PoirotnoticedthatMrsAllertonwassittingtalkingtoMissVanSchuyler.Ashepassed,
MrsAllertonclosedoneeyeandopeneditagain.Shewassaying,"OfcourseatCalfriesCastlethedear
Duke-"

Cornelia, released from attendance, was out on the deck. She was listening to Dr Bessner, who was
instructing her somewhat ponderously in Egyptology as culled from the pages of Baedeker. Cornelia
listened with rapt attention. Leaning over the rail Tim Allerton was saying, "Anyhow, it's a rotten
world..."

RosalieOtterbourneanswered,"It'sunfair;somepeoplehaveeverything."

Poirotsighed.Hewasgladthathewasnolongeryoung.

Chapter9

Onthemondaymorningvariousexpressionsofdelightandappreciationwereheardonthedeckofthe
Karnak. The steamer was moored to the bank and a few hundred yards away, the morning sun just
strikingit,wasagreattemplecarvedoutofthefaceoftherock.Fourcolossalfigures,hewnoutofthe
cliff,lookouteternallyovertheNileandfacetherisingsun.

CorneliaRobsonsaidincoherently:"Oh,MonsieurPoirot,isn'titwonderful?Imeanthey'resobigand
sopeaceful-andlookingatthemmakesonefeelthatone'ssosmalland-andratherlikeaninsect-and
thatnothingmattersverymuchreally,doesit?"

MrFanthorp,whowasstandingnearby,murmured,"Very-er-impressive."

"Grand,isn'tit?"saidSimonDoyle,strollingup.HewentonconfidentiallytoPoirot:"Youknow,I'm
notmuchofafellowfortemplesandsight-seeingandallthat,butaplacelikethissortofgetsyou,if
youknowwhatImean.ThoseoldPharaohsmusthavebeenwonderfulfellows."

Theothershaddriftedaway.Simonloweredhisvoice.

"I'mnoendgladwecameonthistrip.It's-well,it'sclearedthingsup.Amazingwhyitshould-but
thereitis.Linnet'sgothernerveback.Shesaysit'sbecauseshe'sactuallyfacedthebusinessatlast."

"Ithinkthatisveryprobable,"saidPoirot.

"ShesaysthatwhensheactuallysawJackieontheboatshefeltterrible-andthen,suddenly,itdidn't
matteranymore.We'rebothagreedthatwewon'ttryanddodgeheranymore.We'lljustmeetheron
herowngroundandshowherthatthisridiculousstuntofhersdoesn'tworryusabit.It'sjustdamned
bad form - that's all. She thought she'd got us badly rattled, but now, well, we just aren't rattled any
more.Thatoughttoshowher."

"Yes,"saidPoirotthoughtfully.

"Sothat'ssplendid,isn'tit?"

"Oh,yes,yes."

Linnet came along the deck. She was dressed in a soft shade of apricot linen. She was smiling. She
greetedPoirotwithnoparticularenthusiasm,justgavehimacoolnodandthendrewherhusbandaway.

Poirot realized with a momentary flicker of amusement that he had not made himself popular by his
critical attitude. Linnet was used to unqualified admiration of all she was or did. Hercule Poirot had
sinnednoticeablyagainstthiscreed.

MrsAllerton,joininghim,murmured:

"Whatadifferenceinthatgirl!ShelookedworriedandnotveryhappyatAssuan.Todayshelooksso
happythatonemightalmostbeafraidshewasfey."

Before Poirot could respond as he meant, the party was called to order. The official dragoman took
charge and the party was led ashore to visit Abu Simbel. Poirot himself fell into step with Andrew
Pennington.

"ItisyourfirstvisittoEgypt-yes?"heasked.

"Why,no,Iwashereinnineteentwenty-three.Thatistosay,IwasinCairo.I'veneverbeenthistripup
theNilebefore."

"YoucameoverontheCarmanic,Ibelieve-atleastsoMadameDoylewastellingme."

Penningtonshotashrewdglanceinhisdirection.

"Why,yes,thatisso,"headmitted.

"I wondered if you had happened to come across some friends of mine who were aboard - the
RushingtonSmiths."

"I can't recall anyone of that name. The boat was full and we had bad weather. A lot of passengers
hardlyappeared,andinanycasethevoyageissoshortonedoesn'tgettoknowwhoisonboardand
whoisn't."

"Yes,thatisverytrue.WhatapleasantsurpriseyourrunningintoMadameDoyleandherhusband.You
hadnoideatheyweremarried?"

"No.MrsDoylehadwrittenme,buttheletterwasforwardedonandIonlyreceiveditsomedaysafter
ourunexpectedmeetinginCairo."

"Youhaveknownherforverymanyyears,Iunderstand?"

"Why,IshouldsayIhave,MonsieurPoirot.I'veknownLinnetRidgewaysinceshewasjustacutelittle
thingsohigh-"

Hemadeanillustratinggesture.

"Her father and I were lifelong friends. A very remarkable man, Melhuish Ridgeway - and a very
successfulone."

"Hisdaughtercomesintoaconsiderablefortune,Iunderstand...Ah,pardon-perhapsitisnotdelicate
whatIsaythere."

AndrewPenningtonseemedslightlyamused.

"Oh,that'sprettycommonknowledge.Yes,Linnet'sawealthywoman."

"Isuppose,though,thattherecentslumpisboundtoaffectanystocks,howeversoundtheymaybe?"

Penningtontookamomentortwotoanswer.Hesaidatlast:"That,ofcourse,istruetoacertainextent.
Thepositionisverydifficultinthesedays."

Poirotmurmured,"Ishouldimagine,however,thatMadameDoylehasakeenbusinesshead."

"Thatisso.Yes,thatisso.Linnetisacleverpracticalgirl."

Theycametoahalt.Theguideproceededtoinstructthemonthesubjectofthetemplebuiltbythegreat
Rameses.ThefourcolossiofRameseshimself,onepaironeachsideoftheentrance,hewnoutofthe
livingrock,lookeddownonthelittlestragglingpartyoftourists.

SignorRichetti,disdainingtheremarksofthedragoman,wasbusyexaminingthereliefsofNegroand
Syriancaptivesonthebasesofthecolossioneithersideoftheentrance.

When the party entered the temple, a sense of dimness and peace came over them. The still vividly
coloured reliefs on some of the inner walls were pointed out, but the party tended to break up into
groups.

DrBessnerreadsonorouslyinGermanfromaBaedeker,pausingeverynowandthentotranslateforthe
benefit of Cornelia, who walked in a docile manner beside him. This was not to continue, however.
Miss Van Schuyler, entering on the arm of the phlegmatic Miss Bowers, uttered a commanding
"Cornelia,comehere,"andtheinstructionhadperforcetocease.DrBessnerbeamedafterhervaguely
throughhisthicklenses.

"A very nice maiden, that," he announced to Poirot. "She does not look so starved as some of these
youngwomen.No,shehasthenicecurves.Shelistenstoo,veryintelligently;itisapleasuretoinstruct
her."

ItfleetedacrossPoirot'smindthatitseemedtobeCornelia'sfateeithertobebulliedorinstructed.In

any case she was always the listener, never the talker. Miss Bowers, momentarily released by the
peremptorysummonsofCornelia,wasstandinginthemiddleofthetemple,lookingaboutherwithher
cool,incuriousgaze.Herreactiontothewondersofthepastwassuccinct.

"TheguidesaysthenameofoneofthesegodsorgoddesseswasMut.Canyoubeatit?"

Therewasaninnersanctuarywheresatfourfigureseternallypresiding,strangelydignifiedintheirdim
aloofness.

BeforethemstoodLinnetandherhusband.Herarmwasinhis,herfacelifted-atypicalfaceofthenew
civilization,intelligent,curious,untouchedbythepast.

Simon said suddenly: "Let's get out of here. I don't like these four fellows - especially the one in the
highhat."

"That's Amon, I suppose. And that one is Rameses. Why don't you like them? I think they're very
impressive."

"They're a damned sight too impressive; there's something uncanny about them. Come out into the
sunlight."

Linnetlaughedbutyielded.

Theycameoutofthetempleintothesunshinewiththesandyellowandwarmabouttheirfeet.Linnet
begantolaugh.Attheirfeetinarow,presentingamomentarilygruesomeappearanceasthoughsawn
from their bodies, were the heads of half a dozen Nubian boys. The eyes rolled, the heads moved
rhythmically from side to side, the lips chanted a new invocation: "Hip, hip hurray! Hip, hip, hurray!
Verygood,verynice.Thankyouverymuch."

"How absurd! How do they do it? Are they really buried very deep?" Simon produced some small
change.

"Verygood,verynice,veryexpensive,"hemimicked.

Twosmallboysinchargeofthe"show"pickedupthecoinsneatly.LinnetandSimonpassedon.They
had no wish to return to the boat, and they were weary of sight-seeing. They settled themselves with

theirbackstothecliffandletthewarmsunbakethemthrough.

"Howlovelythesunis,"thoughtLinnet."Howwarm-howsafe...Howlovelyitistobehappy...How
lovelytobeme-me...me...Linnet..."

Hereyesclosed.Shewashalfasleep,halfawake,driftinginthemidstofthoughtthatwaslikethesand
driftingandblowing.

Simon'seyeswereopen.Theytooheldcontentment.Whatafoolhe'dbeentoberattledthatfirstnight...
Therewasnothingtoberattledabout...Everythingwasallright...Afterall,onecouldtrustJackie-

Therewasashout-peoplerunningtowardhimwavingtheirarms-shouting...Simonstaredstupidly
foramoment.ThenhesprangtohisfeetanddraggedLinnetwithhim.

Notaminutetoosoon.Abigboulderhurtlingdownthecliffcrashedpassthem.IfLinnethadremained
whereshewasshewouldhavebeencrushedtoatoms.

White-faced they clung together. Hercule Poirot and Tim Allerton ran up to them. "Ma foi, Madame,
thatwasanearthing."

Allfourinstinctivelylookedupatthecliff.Therewasnothingtobeseen.Buttherewasapathalongthe
top.Poirotrememberedseeingsomenativeswalkingalongtherewhentheyhadfirstcomeashore.

He looked at the husband and wife. Linnet looked dazed still - bewildered. Simon, however, was
inarticulatewithrage.

"Goddamnher!"heejaculated.

HecheckedhimselfwithaquickglanceatTimAllerton.

Thelattersaid:"Phew,thatwasnear!Didsomefoolbowlthatthingover,ordiditgetdetachedonits
own?"

Linnetwasverypale.Shesaidwithdifficulty,"Ithink-somefoolmusthavedoneit."

"Mighthavecrushedyoulikeaneggshell.Sureyouhaven'tgotanenemy,Linnet?"

Linnetswallowedtwiceandfoundadifficultyinansweringthelight-heartedraillery.

"Comebacktotheboat,Madame,"Poirotsaidquickly."Youmusthavearestorative."

They walked there quietly, Simon still full of pent-up rage, Tim trying to talk cheerfully and distract
Linnet'smindfromthedangershehadrun,Poirotwithagraveface.

Andthen,justastheyreachedthegangplank,Simonstoppeddead.Alookofamazementspreadover
hisface.

Jacqueline de Bellefort was just coming ashore. Dressed in blue gingham, she looked childish this
morning.

"GoodGod!"saidSimonunderhisbreath."Soitwasanaccident,afterall."Theangerwentoutofhis
face.AnoverwhelmingreliefshowedsoplainlythatJacquelinenoticedsomethingamiss.

"Good-morning,"shesaid."I'mafraidI'malittleonthelateside."Shegavethemallanodandstepped
ashoreandproceededinthedirectionofthetemple.

SimonclutchedPoirot'sarm.Theothertwohadgoneon.

"MyGod,that'sarelief.Ithought-Ithought-"

Poirotnodded."Yes,yes,Iknowwhatyouthought."Buthehimselfstilllookedgraveandpreoccupied.
Heturnedhisheadandnotedcarefullywhathadbecomeoftherestofthepartyfromtheship.

MissVanSchuylerwasslowlyreturningonthearmofMissBowers.

A little further away Mrs Allerton was standing laughing at the little Nubian row of heads. Mrs
Otterbournewaswithher.

Theotherswerenowhereinsight.

PoirotshookhisheadashefollowedSimonslowlyontotheboat.

Chapter10

"Willyouexplaintome,Madame,themeaningoftheword'fey'?"

MrsAllertonlookedslightlysurprised.SheandPoirotweretoilingslowlyuptotherockoverlooking
theSecondCataract.Mostoftheothershadgoneuponcamels,butPoirothadfeltthatthemotionof
thecamelwasslightlyreminiscentofthatofaship.MrsAllertonhadputitonthegroundsofpersonal
dignity.

TheyhadarrivedatWâdiHalfathenightbefore.Thismorningtwolauncheshadconveyedalltheparty
totheSecondCataract,withtheexceptionofSignorRichetti,whohadinsistedonmakinganexcursion
ofhisowntoaremotespotcalledSemna,which,heexplained,wasofparamountinterestasbeingthe
gatewayofNubiainthetimeofAmenemhetIII,andwheretherewasastelerecordingthefactthaton
enteringEgyptNegroesmustpaycustomduties.Everythinghadbeendonetodiscouragethisexample
ofindividuality,butwithnoavail.SignorRichettiwasdeterminedandhadwavedasideeachobjection:
(1)thattheexpeditionwasnotworthmaking,(2)thattheexpeditioncouldnotbemade,owingtothe
impossibilityofgettingacarthere,(3)thatnocarcouldbeobtainedtodothetrip,(4)thatacarwould
beaprohibitiveprice.Havingscoffedat1,expressedincredulityat2,offeredtofindacarhimselfto3,
and bargained fluently in Arabic for 4, Signor Richetti had at last departed - his departure being
arrangedinasecretandfurtivemanner,incasesomeoftheothertouristsshouldtakeitintotheirheads
tostrayfromtheappointedpathsofsight-seeing.

"'Fey'?"MrsAllertonputherheadononesideassheconsideredherreply."Well,it'saScotchword,
really.Itmeansthekindofexaltedhappinessthatcomesbeforedisaster.Youknow-it'stoogoodtobe
true."

Sheenlargedonthetheme.Poirotlistenedattentively.

"I thank you, Madame. I understand now. It is odd that you should have said that yesterday - when
MadameDoylewastoescapedeathsoshortlyafterward."MrsAllertongavealittleshiver.

"Itmusthavebeenaverynearescape.Doyouthinksomeofthoselittleblackwretchesrolleditoverfor
fun?It'sthesortofthingboysmightdoallovertheworld-notperhapsreallymeaninganyharm."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Itmaybe,Madame."

He changed the subject, talking of Majorca and asking various practical questions from the point of
viewofapossiblevisit.

MrsAllertonhadgrowntolikethelittlemanverymuch-partlyperhapsoutofacontradictoryspirit.
Tim, she felt, was always trying to make her less friendly to Hercule Poirot, whom he summarized
firmlyas"theworstkindofbounder."Butsheherselfdidnotcallhimabounder;shesupposeditwas
his somewhat foreign exotic clothing which roused her son's prejudices. She herself found him an
intelligentandstimulatingcompanion.Hewasalsoextremelysympathetic.Shefoundherselfsuddenly
confidinginhimherdislikeofJoannaSouthwood.Iteasedhertotalkofthematter.Andafterall,why
not?HedidnotknowJoanna-wouldprobablynevermeether.Whyshouldshenoteaseherselfofthat
constantlyborneburdenofjealousthought?

AtthatsamemomentTimandRosalieOtterbourneweretalkingofher.Timhadjustbeenhalfjestingly
abusinghisluck.Hisrottenhealth,neverbadenoughtobereallyinteresting,yetnotgoodenoughfor
himtohaveledthelifehewouldhavechosen.Verylittlemoney,nocongenialoccupation.

"Athoroughlylukewarm,tameexistence,"hefinisheddiscontentedly.

Rosaliesaidabruptly,"You'vegotsomethingheapsofpeoplewouldenvyyou."

"What'sthat?"

"Yourmother."

Timwassurprisedandpleased.

"Mother?Yes,ofcoursesheisquiteunique.It'sniceofyoutoseeit."

"Ithinkshe'smarvellous.Shelookssolovely-socomposedandcalm-asthoughnothingcouldever
touchher,andyet-andyetsomehowshe'salwaysreadytobefunnyaboutthingstoo."

Rosaliewasstammeringslightlyinherearnestness.

Timfeltarisingwarmthtowardthegirl.Hewishedhecouldreturnthecompliment,but,lamentably,
MrsOtterbournewashisideaoftheworld'sgreatestmenace.Theinabilitytorespondinkindmadehim
embarrassed.

MissVanSchuylerhadstayedinthelaunch.Shecouldnotrisktheascenteitheronacameloronher
legs.Shehadsaidsnappily:

"I'msorrytohavetoaskyoutostaywithme,MissBowers.IintendedyoutogoandCorneliatostay,
butgirlsaresoselfish.Sherushedoffwithoutawordtome.AndIactuallysawhertalkingtothatvery
unpleasantandill-bredyoungman,Ferguson.Corneliahasdisappointedmesadly.Shehasabsolutely
nosocialsense."

MissBowersrepliedinherusualmatter-of-factfashion.

"That'squiteallright,MissVanSchuyler.Itwouldhavebeenahotwalkupthere,andIdon'tfancythe
lookofthosesaddlesonthecamels.Fleas,aslikelyasnot."

She adjusted her glasses, screwed up her eyes to look at the party descending the hill and remarked:
"MissRobsonisn'twiththatyoungmananymore.She'swithDrBessner."

MissVanSchuylergranted.

Since she had discovered that Dr Bessner had a large clinic in Czecho-Slovakia and a European
reputationasafashionablephysician,shewasdisposedtobegracioustohim.Besides,shemightneed
hisprofessionalservicesbeforethejourneywasover.

WhenthepartyreturnedtotheKarnakLinnetgaveacryofsurprise."Atelegramforme."

Shesnatcheditofftheboardandtoreitopen.

"Why-Idon'tunderstand-potatoes,beetroots-whatdoesitmean,Simon?"

Simonwasjustcomingtolookoverhershoulderwhenafuriousvoicesaid,

"Excuseme,thattelegramisforme,"andSignorRichettisnatcheditrudelyfromherhand,fixingher
withafuriousglareashedidso.

Linnetstaredinsurpriseforamoment,thenturnedovertheenvelope.

"Oh, Simon, what a fool I am! It's Richetti - not Ridgeway - and anyway of course my name isn't
Ridgewaynow.Imustapologize."

Shefollowedthelittlearchaeologistuptothesternoftheboat.

"Iamsosorry,SignorRichetti.YouseemynamewasRidgewaybeforeIgotmarried,andIjusthaven't
grownusedto-"

Shepaused,herfacedimpledwithsmiles,invitinghimtosmileuponayoungbride'sfauxpas.

But Richetti was obviously "not amused." Queen Victoria at her most disapproving could not have
lookedmoregrim.

"Namesshouldbereadcarefully.Itisinexcusabletobecarelessinthesematters."

Linnet bit her lip and her colour rose. She was not accustomed to have her apologies received in this
fashion.Sheturnedawayand,rejoiningSimon,saidangrily,"TheseItaliansarereallyinsupportable."

"Never mind, darling; let's go and look at that big ivory crocodile you liked." They went ashore
together.

Poirot, watching them walk up the landing stage, heard a sharp indrawn breath. He turned to see
JacquelinedeBellefortathisside.Herhandswereclenchedontherail.Theexpressiononherface,as
sheturnedittowardhim,quitestartledhim.Itwasnolongergayormalicious.Shelookeddevouredby
someinnerconsumingfire.

"They don't care any more." The words came low and fast. "They've got beyond me. I can't reach
them...Theydon'tmindifI'mhereornot...Ican't-Ican'thurtthemanymore."

Herhandsontherailtrembled.

"Mademoiselle-"

Shebrokein:"Oh,it'stoolatenow-toolateforwarning...Youwereright.Ioughtnottohavecome.
Notonthisjourney.Whatdidyoucallit?Ajourneyofthesoul?Ican'tgoback;I'vegottogoon.And
I'mgoingon.Theyshan'tbehappytogether;theyshan't.I'dkillhimsooner..."

Sheturnedabruptlyaway.Poirot,staringafterher,feltahandonhisshoulder."Yourgirlfriendseemsa
trifleupset,MonsieurPoirot."

Poirotturned.Hestaredinsurprise,seeinganoldacquaintance.

"ColonelRace."

Thetallbronzedmansmiled.

"Bitofasurprise,eh?"

Hercule Poirot had come across Colonel Race a year previously in London. They had been fellow
guestsataverystrangedinnerparty-adinnerpartythathadendedindeathforthatstrangeman,their
host.

PoirotknewthatRacewasamanofunadvertisedgoingsandcomings.Hewasusuallytobefoundin
oneoftheoutpostsofEmpirewheretroublewasbrewing.

"SoyouarehereatWâdiHalfa,"heremarkedthoughtfully.

"Iamhereonthisboat."

"Youmean?"

"ThatIammakingthereturnjourneywithyoutoShellâl."

HerculePoirot'seyebrowsrose.

"Thatisveryinteresting.Shallwe,perhaps,havealittledrink?"Theywentintotheobservationsaloon,
now quite empty. Poirot ordered a whisky for the Colonel and a double orangeade full of sugar for
himself.

"Soyoumakethereturnjourneywithus,"saidPoirotashesipped."Youwouldgofaster,wouldyou
not,ontheGovernmentsteamer,whichtravelsbynightaswellasday?"

ColonelRace'sfacecreasedappreciatively.

"You'rerightonthespotasusual,MonsieurPoirot,"hesaidpleasantly.

"Itis,then,thepassengers?"

"Oneofthepassengers."

"Nowwhichone,Iwonder?"HerculePoirotaskedoftheornateceiling.

"UnfortunatelyIdon'tknowmyself,"saidRaceruefully.

Poirotlookedinterested.

Racesaid:"There'snoneedtobemysterioustoyou.We'vehadagooddealoftroubleouthere-one
wayandanother.Itisn'tthepeoplewhoostensiblyleadtheriotersthatwe'reafter.It'sthemenwhovery
cleverlyputthematchtothegunpowder.Therewerethreeofthem.One'sdead.One'sinprison.Iwant
thethirdman-amanwithfiveorsixcold-bloodedmurderstohiscredit.He'soneofthecleverestpaid
agitatorsthateverexisted...He'sonthisboat.Iknowthatfromapassageinaletterthatpassedthrough
ourhands.Decodeditsaid:'XwillbeontheKarnaktripFebruaryseventhtothirteenth.'Itdidn'tsay
underwhatnameXwouldbepassing."

"Haveyouanydescriptionofhim?"

"No.American,IrishandFrenchdescent.Bitofamongrel.Thatdoesn'thelpusmuch.Haveyougot

anyideas?"

"Anidea-itisallverywell,"saidPoirotmeditatively.

SuchwastheunderstandingbetweenthemthatRacepressedhimnofurther.

HeknewthatHerculePoirotdidnoteverspeakunlesshewassure.

Poirotrubbedhisnoseandsaidunhappily,"Therepassesitselfsomethingonthisboatthatcausesme
muchinquietude."

Racelookedathiminquiringly.

"Picturetoyourself,"saidPoirot,"apersonAwhohasgrievouslywrongedapersonB.ThepersonB
desirestherevenge.ThepersonBmakesthethreats."

"AandBbeingbothonthisboat?"

Poirotnodded."Precisely."

"AndB,Igather,beingawoman?"

"Exactly."

Racelitacigarette.

"Ishouldn'tworry.Peoplewhogoabouttalkingofwhattheyaregoingtododon'tusuallydoit."

"Andparticularlyisthatthecasewithlesfemmes,youwouldsay!Yes,thatistrue."

Buthestilldidnotlookhappy.

"Anythingelse?"askedRace.

"Yes,thereissomething.YesterdaythepersonAhadaverynearescapefromdeath,thekindofdeath
thatmightveryconvenientlybecalledanaccident."

"EngineeredbyB?"

"No,thatisjustthepoint.Bcouldhavehadnothingtodowithit."

"Thenitwasanaccident."

"Isupposeso-butIdonotlikesuchaccidents."

"You'requitesureBcouldhavehadnohandinit?"

"Absolutely."

"Oh,well,coincidencesdohappen.WhoisA,bytheway?Aparticularlydisagreeableperson?"

"Onthecontrary.Aisacharming,richandbeautifulyounglady."

Racegrinned."Soundsquitelikeanovelette."

"Peut-être.ButItellyou,Iamnothappy,myfriend.IfIamright,andafterallIamconstantlyinthe
habitofbeingright-"Racesmiledintohismoustacheatthistypicalutterance-"thenthereismatterfor
graveinquietude.Andnow,youcometoaddyetanothercomplication.Youtellmethatthereisaman
ontheKarnakwhokills.

"Hedoesn'tusuallykillcharmingyoungladies."

Poirotshookhisheadinadissatisfiedmanner.

"Iamafraid,myfriend,"hesaid."Iamafraid...Today,Iadvisedthislady,MadameDoyle,togowith

herhusbandtoKhartoun,nottoreturnonthisboat.Buttheywouldnotagree.IpraytoHeaventhatwe
mayarriveatShellâlwithoutcatastrophe."

"Aren'tyoutaking,ratheracynicalview?"

Poirotshookhishead.

"Iamafraid,"hesaidsimply."Yes,I,HerculePoirot,amafraid."

Chapter11

CorneliaRobsonstoodinsidethetempleofAbuSimbel.Itwastheeveningofthefollowingday-ahot
stillevening.TheKarnakwasanchoredoncemoreatAbuSimbeltopermitasecondvisittobemadeto
the temple, this time by artificial light. The difference this made was considerable, and Cornelia
commentedwonderinglyonthefacttoMrFerguson,whowasstandingbyherside.

"Why,youseeiteversomuchbetternow!"sheexclaimed."Allthoseenemieshavingtheirheadscut
offbytheKing-theyjuststandrightout.That'sacutekindofcastletherethatInevernoticedbefore.I
wishDrBessnerwashere,he'dtellmewhatitwas."

"Howyoucanstandthatoldfoolbeatsme,"saidFergusongloomily.

"Why,he'sjustoneofthekindestmenI'veevermet!"

"Pompousoldbore."

"Idon'tthinkyououghttospeakthatway."

The young man gripped her suddenly by the arm. They were just emerging from the temple into the
moonlight.

"Whydoyoustickbeingboredbyfatoldmen-andbulliedandsnubbedbyaviciousoldharridan?"

"Why,MrFerguson!"

"Haven'tyougotanyspirit?Don'tyouknowyou'rejustasgoodassheis?"

"ButI'mnot!"Corneliaspokewithhonestconviction.

"You'renotasrich;that'sallyoumean."

"No,itisn't.CousinMarie'svery,verycultured,and-"

"Cultured!" The young man let go of her arm as suddenly as he had taken it. "That word makes me
sick."

Cornelialookedathiminalarm.

"Shedoesn'tlikeyoutalkingtome,doesshe?"askedtheyoungman.

Corneliablushedandlookedembarrassed.

"Why?BecauseshethinksI'mnothersocialequal!Pah!Doesn'tthatmakeyouseered?"

Corneliafalteredout,"Iwishyouwouldn'tgetsomadaboutthings."

"Don'tyourealize-andyouanAmerican-thateveryoneisbornfreeandequal?"

"They'renot,"saidCorneliawithcalmcertainty.

"Mygoodgirl,it'spartofyourconstitution!"

"CousinMariesayspoliticiansaren'tgentlemen,"saidCornelia."Andofcoursepeoplearen'tequal.It
doesn'tmakesense.IknowI'mkindofhomelylooking,andIusedtofeelmortifiedaboutitsometimes,
butI'vegotoverthat.I'dliketohavebeenbornelegantandbeautifullikeMrsDoyle,butIwasn't,soI
guessit'snouseworrying."

"MrsDoyle!"exclaimedFergusonwithdeepcontempt."She'sthesortofwomanwhooughttobeshot

asanexample."

Cornelialookedathimanxiously.

"Ibelieveit'syourdigestion,"shesaidkindly."I'vegotaspecialkindofpepsinthatCousinMarietried
once.Wouldyouliketotryit?"

MrFergusonsaid,"You'reimpossible!"

He turned and strode away. Cornelia went on toward the boat. Just as she was crossing onto the
gangway,hecaughtheruponcemore.

"You'rethenicestpersonontheboat,"hesaid."Andmindyourememberit."

BlushingwithpleasureCorneliarepairedtotheobservationsaloon.MissVanSchuylerwasconversing
withDrBessner-anagreeableconversationdealingwithcertainroyalpatientsofhis.

Corneliasaidguiltily,"IdohopeIhaven'tbeenalongtime,CousinMarie."

Glancingatherwatchtheoldladysnapped:"Youhaven'texactlyhurried,mydear.Andwhathaveyou
donewithmyvelvetstole?"

Cornelialookedround.

"ShallIseeifit'sinthecabin,CousinMarie?"

"Ofcourseitisn't!Ihaditjustafterdinnerinhere,andIhaven'tmovedoutoftheplace.Itwasonthat
chair."

Corneliamadeadesultorysearch.

"Ican'tseeitanywhere,CousinMarie."

"Nonsense!"saidMissVanSchuyler."Lookabout."

MrFanthorp,whowassittingataneighbouringtabledecidedtohelpthegirl,butthestolewasn'tfound.

Itwasahotdayandpeoplehadretiredearlyaftergoingashoretoviewthetemple.TheDoyleswere
playingBridgewithPenningtonandRaceatatableinacorner.Theonlyotheroccupantofthesaloon
wasHerculePoirot,whowasyawninghisheadoffatasmalltablenearthedoor.

MissVanSchuyler,makingaRoyalProgressbedward,withCorneliaandMissBowersinattendance,
pausedbyhischair.Hesprangpolitelytohisfeet,stiflingayawnofgargantuandimensions.

MissVanSchuylersaid:"Ihaveonlyjustrealizedwhoyouare,MonsieurPoirot.ImaytellyouthatI
haveheardofyoufrommyoldfriendRufusVanAldin.Youmusttellmeaboutyourcasessometime."

Poirot, his eyes twinkling a little through their sleepiness, bowed in an exaggerated manner. With a
kindlybutcondescendingnod,MissVanSchuylerpassedon.

Poirotyawnedoncemore.Hefeltheavyandstupidwithsleepandcouldhardlykeephiseyesopen.He
glancedoverattheBridgeplayers,absorbedintheirgame,thenatyoungFanthorp,whowasdeepina
book.Apartfromthemthesaloonwasempty.

Hepassedthroughtheswingingdooroutontothedeck.JacquelinedeBellefort,comingprecipitately
alongthedeck,almostcollidedwithhim.

"Pardon,Mademoiselle."

Shesaid,"Youlooksleepy,MonsieurPoirot."

Headmitteditfrankly.

"Maisoui-Iamconsumedwithsleep.Icanhardlykeepmyeyesopen.Ithasbeenadayverycloseand
oppressive."

"Yes."Sheseemedtobroodoverit."It'sbeenthesortofdaywhenthings-snap!Break!Whenonecan't
goon..."

Hervoicewaslowandchargedwithpassion.Shelookednotathim,buttowardthesandyshore.Her
handswereclenched,rigid...

Suddenlythetensionrelaxed.Shesaid,"Good-night,MonsieurPoirot."

"Good-night,Mademoiselle."

Hereyesmethis,justforaswiftmoment.Thinkingitoverthenextday,hecametotheconclusionthat
therehadbeenappealinthatglance.Hewastorememberitafterward...

AfterCorneliacarriedoutallofMissVanSchuyler'sorders,shedecidedtogobacktothesalon,asshe
herselfdidnotfeelintheleastsleepy.Onthecontraryshefeltwideawakeandslightlyexcited.

TheBridgefourwerestillatit.InanotherchairthequietFanthorpreadabook.Corneliasatdownto
herneedlework.

Suddenly the door opened and Jacqueline de Bellefort came in. She stood in the doorway, her head
thrownback.ThenshepressedabellandsaunteredacrosstoCorneliaandsatdown.

"Beenashore?"sheasked.

"Yes.Ithoughtitwasjustfascinatinginthemoonlight."

Jacquelinenodded.

"Yes,lovelynight...Arealhoneymoonnight."

HereyeswenttotheBridgetable-restedamomentonLinnetDoyle.Theboycameinanswertothe
bell.Jacquelineorderedadoublegin.AsshegavetheorderSimonDoyleshotaquickglanceather.A
faintlineofanxietyshowedbetweenhiseyebrows.

Hiswifesaid,"Simon,we'rewaitingforyoutocall."

Jacquelinehummedalittletunetoherself.Whenthedrinkcame,shepickeditup,said,"Well,here'sto
crime,"drankitoffandorderedanother.

AgainSimonlookedacrossfromtheBridgetable.Hiscallsbecameslightlyabsent-minded.Hispartner,
Pennington,tookhimtotask.

Jacquelinebegantohumagain,atfirstunderherbreath,thenlouder:"Hewashermanandhedidher
wrong."

"Sorry,"saidSimontoPennington."Stupidofmenottoreturnyourlead.Thatgives'emrubber."

Linnetrosetoherfeet.

"I'msleepy.IthinkI'llgotobed."

"Abouttimetoturnin,"saidColonelRace.

"I'mwithyou,"agreedPennington.

"Coming,Simon?"

Doyle said slowly: "Not just yet. I think I'll have a drink first." Linnet nodded and went out. Race
followedher.Penningtonfinishedhisdrinkandthenfollowedsuit.

Corneliabegantogatherupherembroidery.

"Don't go to bed, Miss Robson," said Jacqueline. "Please don't. I feel like making a night of it. Don't
desertme."

Corneliasatdownagain.

"Wegirlsmuststicktogether,"saidJacqueline.

Shethrewbackherheadandlaughed-ashrilllaughwithoutmerriment.Theseconddrinkcame.

"Havesomething,"saidJacqueline.

"No,thankyouverymuch,"repliedCornelia.

Jacquelinetiltedbackherchair.Shehummednowloudly:

"Hewashermanandhedidherwrong..."

MrFanthorpturnedapageof'EuropefromWithin'.

SimonDoylepickedupamagazine.

"Really,IthinkI'llgotobed,"saidCornelia."It'sgettingverylate."

"Youcan'tgotobedyet,"Jacquelinedeclared."Iforbidyouto.Tellmeallaboutyourself."

"Well-Idon'tknow.Thereisn'tmuchtotell,"Corneliafaltered."I'vejustlivedathome,andIhaven't
beenaroundmuch.ThisismyfirsttriptoEurope.I'mjustlovingeveryminuteofit."

Jacquelinelaughed.

"You'reahappysortofperson,aren'tyou?God,I'dliketobeyou."

"Oh!wouldyou?ButImean-I'msure-"

Cornelia felt flustered. Undoubtedly Miss de Bellefort was drinking too much. That wasn't exactly a
novelty to Cornelia. She had seen plenty of drunkenness during Prohibition years. But there was
somethingelse...

JacquelinedeBellefortwastalkingtoher-waslookingather-andyet,Corneliafelt,itwasasthough,
somehow,shewastalkingtosomeoneelse...

But there were only two other people in the room, Mr Fanthorp and Mr Doyle. Mr Fanthorp seemed
quite absorbed in his book. Mr Doyle was looking rather odd - a queer sort of watchful look on his
face...

Jacquelinesaidagain,"Tellmeallaboutyourself."

Always obedient, Cornelia tried to comply. She talked, rather heavily, going into unnecessary small
details about her daily life. She was so unused to being the talker. Her rôle was so constantly that of
listener.AndyetMissdeBellefortseemedtowanttoknow.WhenCorneliafalteredtoastandstill,the
othergirlwasquicktoprompther.

"Goon-tellmemore."

And so Cornelia went on ("Of course, Mother's very delicate - some days she touches nothing but
cereals-")unhappilyconsciousthatallshesaidwassupremelyuninteresting,yetflatteredbytheother
girl'sseeminginterest.Butwassheinterested?Wasn'tshe,somehow,listeningtosomethingelse-or,
perhaps, for something else? She was looking at Cornelia, yes, but wasn't there really someone else,
sittingintheroom.

"And of course we get very good art classes, and last winter I had a course of -" (How late was it?
Surelyverylate.Shehadbeentalkingandtalking.Ifonlysomethingdefinitewouldhappen...)

And immediately, as though in answer to the wish, something did happen. Only, at the moment, it
seemedverynatural.

JacquelineturnedherheadandspoketoSimonDoyle.

"Ringthebell,Simon.Iwantanotherdrink."

SimonDoylelookedupfromhismagazineandsaidquietly:"Thestewardshavegonetobed.It'safter
midnight."

"ItellyouIwantanotherdrink."

Simonsaid,"You'vehadquiteenoughdrinks,Jackie."

Sheswungroundathim.

"Whatdamnedbusinessisitofyours?"

Heshruggedhisshoulders."None."

Shewatchedhimforaminuteortwo.Thenshesaid:"What'sthematter,Simon?Areyouafraid?"

Simondidnotanswer.Ratherelaboratelyhepickeduphismagazineagain.

Corneliamurmured,"Oh,dear-aslateasthat-Imust-"

Shebegantofumble,droppedathimble...

Jacquelinesaid:"Don'tgotobed.I'dlikeanotherwomanhere-tosupportme."

Shebegantolaughagain."DoyouknowwhatSimonoverthereisafraidof?He'safraidI'mgoingto
tellyouthestoryofmylife."

"Oh-er-"Corneliasplutteredalittle.

Jacquelinesaidclearly,"Yousee,heandIwereonceengaged."

"Oh,really?"

Cornelia was the prey of conflicting emotions. She was deeply embarrassed but at the same time
pleasurablythrilled.How-howblackSimonDoylewaslooking.

"Yes,it'saverysadstory,"saidJacqueline;hersoftvoicewaslowandmocking."Hetreatedmerather
badly,didn'tyou,Simon?"

SimonDoylesaidbrutally:"Gotobed,Jackie.You'redrunk."

"Ifyou'reembarrassed,Simondear,you'dbetterleavetheroom."

SimonDoylelookedather.Thehandthatheldthemagazineshookalittle,buthespokebluntly.

"I'mstaying,"hesaid.

Corneliamurmuredforthethirdtime,"Ireallyjust-it'ssolate-"

"You'renottogo,"saidJacqueline.Herhandshotoutandheldtheothergirlinherchair."You'retostay
andhearwhatI'vegottosay."

"Jackie,"saidSimonsharply,"you'remakingafoolofyourself!ForGod'ssake,gotobed."

Jacquelinesatupsuddenlyinherchair.Wordspouredfromherrapidlyinasofthissingstream.

"You're afraid of a scene, aren't you? That's because you're so English - so reticent! You want me to
behave'decently,'don'tyou?ButIdon'tcarewhetherIbehavedecentlyornot!You'dbettergetoutof
herequickly-becauseI'mgoingtotalk-alot."

Jim Fanthorp carefully shut his book, yawned, glanced at his watch, got up and strolled out. It was a
veryBritishandutterlyunconvincingperformance.Jacquelineswungroundinherchairandglaredat
Simon.

"You damned fool," she said thickly, "do you think you can treat me as you have done and get away
withit?"

SimonDoyleopenedhislips,thenshutthemagain.Hesatquitestillasthoughhewerehopingthather
outburstwouldexhaustitselfifhesaidnothingtoprovokeherfurther.

Jacqueline'svoicecamethickandblurred.ItfascinatedCornelia,totallyunusedtonakedemotionsof
anykind.

"I told you," said Jacqueline, "that I'd kill you sooner than see you go to another woman... You don't
thinkImeantthat?You'rewrong.I'veonlybeen-waiting!You'remyman!Doyouhear?Youbelongto
me."

StillSimondidnotspeak.Jacqueline'shandfumbledamomentortwoonherlap.Sheleantforward.

"ItoldyouI'dkillyou,andImeantit."

Herhandcameupsuddenlywithsomethinginitthatflashedandgleamed.

"I'llshootyoulikeadog-likethedirtydogyouare."

NowatlastSimonacted.Hesprangtohisfeet,butatthesamemomentshepulledthetrigger...

Simon-halftwisted-fellacrossachair...Corneliascreamedandrushedtothedoor.JimFanthorpwas
onthedeckleaningovertherail.Shecalledtohim."MrFanthorp...MrFanthorp."

Herantoher;sheclutchedathimincoherently.

"She'sshothim-Oh!she'sshothim..."

SimonDoylestilllayashehadfallenhalfintoandacrossachair...

Jacquelinestoodasthoughparalysed.Shewastremblingviolently,andhereyes,dilatedandfrightened,
werestaringatthecrimsonstainslowlysoakingthroughSimon'strouserlegjustbelowthekneewhere
heheldahandkerchiefcloseagainstthewound.

Shestammeredout:

"Ididn'tmean...Oh,myGod,Ididn'treallymean..."

Thepistoldroppedfromhernervousfingerswithaclatteronthefloor.Shekickeditawaywithherfoot.
Itslidunderoneofthesettees.

Simon,hisvoicefaint,murmured:"Fanthorp,forHeaven'ssake-there'ssomeonecoming...Sayit'sall
right-anaccident-something.Theremustn'tbeascandaloverthis."

Fanthorpnoddedinquickcomprehension.HewheeledroundtothedoorwhereastartledNubianface
showed.Hesaid:"Allright-allright!Justfun!"

The black face looked doubtful, puzzled, then reassured. The teeth showed in a wide grin. The boy
noddedandwentoff.

Fanthorpturnedback.

"That's all right. Don't think anybody else heard. Only sounded like a cork, you know. Now the next
thing-"

Hewasstartled.Jacquelinesuddenlybegantoweephysterically.

"Oh,God,IwishIweredead...I'llkillmyself.I'llbebetterdead...Oh,whathaveIdone-whathaveI
done?"

Corneliahurriedtoher.

"Hush,dear,hush."

Simon,hisbrowwet,hisfacetwistedwithpain,saidurgently:

"Get her away. For God's sake, get her out of here! Get her to her cabin, Fanthorp. Look here, Miss
Robson,getthathospitalnurseofyours."Helookedappealinglyfromonetotheotherofthem."Don't
leaveher.Makequitesureshe'ssafewiththenurselookingafterher.ThengetholdofoldBessnerand
bringhimhere.ForGod'ssake,don'tletanynewsofthisgettomywife."

JimFanthorpnoddedcomprehendingly.Thequietyoungmanwascoolandcompetentinanemergency.

BetweenthemheandCorneliagottheweeping,strugglinggirloutofthesaloonandalongthedeckto
hercabin.Theretheyhadmoretroublewithher.Shefoughttofreeherself;hersobsredoubled.

"I'lldrownmyself...I'lldrownmyself.I've...Oh,Simon-Simon!"

FanthorpsaidtoCornelia:"BettergetholdofMissBowers.I'llstaywhileyougether."

Cornelianoddedandhurriedout.

Assoonassheleft,JacquelineclutchedFanthorp.

"I'mnotfittolive...Hisleg-it'sbleeding-broken...Hemaybleedtodeath.Imustgotohim...Oh,
Simon-Simon-howcouldI?"

Hervoicerose.Fanthorpsaidurgently:"Quietly-quietly.He'llbeallright."

Shebegantostruggleagain.

"Letmego!Letmethrowmyselfoverboard...Letmekillmyself!"

Fanthorp,holdingherbytheshoulders,forcedherbackontothebed."Youmuststayhere.Don'tmakea
fuss.Pullyourselftogether.It'sallright,Itellyou."

To his relief, the distraught girl did manage to control herself a little, but he was thankful when the
curtainswerepushedasideandtheefficientMissBowers,neatlydressedinahideouskimono,entered,
accompaniedbyCornelia.

"Nowthen,"saidMissBowersbriskly,"what'sallthis?"Shetookchargewithoutanysignofsurprise
andalarm.

Fanthorp thankfully left the overwrought girl in her capable hands and hurried along to the cabin
occupiedbyDrBessner.Heknockedandenteredonthetopoftheknock.

"DrBessner?"

Aterrificsnoreresolveditself,andastartledvoiceasked:"So?Whatisit?"BythistimeFanthorphad

switchedthelighton.Thedoctorblinkedupathim,lookingratherlikealargeowl.

"It'sDoyle.He'sbeenshot.MissdeBellefortshothim.He'sinthesaloon.Canyoucome?"

Thestoutdoctorreactedpromptly.Heaskedafewcurtquestions,pulledonhisbedroomslippersanda
dressing-gown,pickedupalittlecaseofnecessariesandaccompaniedFanthorptothelounge.

Simonhadmanagedtogetthewindowbesidehimopen.Hewasleaninghisheadagainstit,inhalingthe
air.Hisfacewasaghastlycolour.DrBessnercameovertohim.

"Ha?So?Whathavewehere?"

Ahandkerchiefsoddenwithbloodlayonthecarpetandonthecarpetitselfwasadarkstain.

Thedoctor'sexaminationwaspunctuatedwithTeutonicgruntsandexclamations."Yes,itisbadthis...
Theboneisfractured.Andabiglossofblood.HerrFanthorp,youandImustgethimtomycabin.So-
likethis.Hecannotwalk.Wemustcarryhim,thus."

AstheyliftedhimCorneliaappearedinthedoorway.Catchingsightofher,thedoctorutteredagruntof
satisfaction.

"Ach,itisyou?Goot.Comewithus.Ihaveneedofassistance.Youwillbebetterthanmyfriendhere.
Helooksalittlepalealready."

Fanthorpemittedarathersicklysmile.

"ShallIgetMissBowers?"heasked.

DrBessnerthrewaconsideringglanceoverCornelia.

"Youwilldoverywell,younglady,"heannounced."Youwillnotfaintorbefoolish,hein?"

"Icandowhatyoutellme,"saidCorneliaeagerly.

Bessnernoddedinasatisfiedfashion.

Theprocessionpassedalongthedeck.

ThenexttenminuteswaspurelysurgicalandMrJimFanthorpdidnotenjoyitatall.Hefeltsecretly
ashamedofthesuperiorfortitudeexhibitedbyCornelia.

"So,thatisthebestIcando,"announcedDrBessneratlast.

"Youhavebeenahero,myfriend."HepattedSimonapprovinglyontheshoulder.Thenherolleduphis
sleeveandproducedahypodermicneedle.

"AndnowIwillgiveyousomethingtomakeyousleep.Yourwife,whatabouther?"

Simonsaidweakly:"Sheneedn'tknowtillthemorning."

Hewenton:"I-youmustn'tblameJackie...It'sbeenallmyfault.Itreatedherdisgracefully-poorkid-
shedidn'tknowwhatshewasdoing..."

DrBessnernoddedcomprehendingly.

"Yes,yes-Iunderstand..."

"Myfault-"Simonurged.HiseyeswenttoCornelia."Someone-oughtto-staywithher.Shemight-
hurtherself-"

Dr Bessner injected the needle. Cornelia said, with quiet competence: "It's all right, Mr Doyle. Miss
Bowersisgoingtostaywithherallnight..."

AgratefullookflashedoverSimon'sface.Hisbodyrelaxed.Hiseyesclosed.Suddenlyhejerkedthem
open."Fanthorp?"

"Yes,Doyle."

"Thepistol...oughtnottoleaveit...lyingabout.Theboyswillfinditinthemorning."

Fanthorpnodded."Quiteright.I'llgoandgetholdofitnow."

Hewentoutofthecabinandalongthedeck.MissBowersappearedatthedoorofJacqueline'scabin.

"She'llbeallrightnow,"sheannounced."I'vegivenheramorphineinjection."

"Butyou'llstaywithher?"

"Oh,yes.Morphiaexcitessomepeople.Ishallstayallnight."

Fanthorpwentontothelounge.SomethreeminuteslatertherewasataponBessner'scabindoor.

"DrBessner?"

"Yes?"Thestoutmanappeared.Fanthorpbeckonedhimoutonthedeck.

"Lookhere-Ican'tfindthatpistol."

"Whatisthat?"

"Thepistol.Itdroppedoutofthegirl'shand.Shekickeditawayanditwentunderasettee.Itisn'tunder
thatsetteenow."

Theystaredateachother.

"Butwhocanhavetakenit?"

Fanthorpshruggedhisshoulders.

Bessnersaid:"Itiscurious,that.ButIdonotseewhatwecandoaboutit."

Puzzledandvaguelyalarmed,thetwomenseparated.

Chapter12

HerculePoirotwasjustwipingthelatherfromhisfreshlyshavedfacewhentherewasaquicktaponthe
door,andhardontopofitColonelRaceenteredunceremoniously.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim.

Hesaid:"Yourinstinctwasquitecorrect.It'shappened."

Poirotstraightenedupandaskedsharply:"Whathashappened?"

"LinnetDoyle'sdead-shotthroughtheheadlastnight."

Poirotwassilentforaminute,twomemoriesvividlybeforehim-agirlinagardenatAssuansayingin
ahardbreathlessvoice,"I'dliketoputmydearlittlepistolagainstherheadandjustpressthetrigger,"
andanothermorerecentmemory,thesamevoicesaying,"Onefeelsonecan'tgoon-thekindofday
whensomethingbreaks"-andthatstrangemomentaryflashofappealinhereyes.Whathadbeenthe
matterwithhimnottorespondtothatappeal?Hehadbeenblind,deaf,stupidwithhisneedforsleep.

Racewenton:"I'vegotsomeslightofficialstanding;theysentforme,putitinmyhands.Theboat's
duetostartinhalfanhour,butitwillbedelayedtillIgivetheword.There'sapossibility,ofcourse,that
themurderercamefromtheshore."

Poirotshookhishead.

Raceacquiescedinthegesture.

"Iagree.Onecanprettywellrulethatout.Well,man,it'suptoyou.Thisisyourshow."

Poirothadbeenattiringhimselfwithaneat-fingeredcelerity.Hesaidnow,"Iamatyourdisposal."

Thetwomensteppedoutonthedeck.

Racesaid:"Bessnershouldbetherebynow.Isentthestewardforhim."

There were four cabins de luxe, with bathrooms, on the boat. Of the two on the port side one was
occupiedbyDrBessner,theotherbyAndrewPennington.Onthestarboardsidethefirstwasoccupied
byMissVanSchuyler,andtheonenexttoitbyLinnetDoyle.Herhusband'sdressingcabinwasnext
door.

Awhite-facedstewardwasstandingoutsidethedoorofLinnetDoyle'scabin.Heopenedthedoorfor
them and they passed inside. Dr Bessner was bending over the bed. He looked up and grunted as the
othertwoentered.

"Whatcanyoutellus,Doctor,aboutthisbusiness?"askedRace.

Bessnerrubbedhisunshavenjawmeditatively.

"Ach! She was shot - shot at close quarters. See - here, just above the ear - that is where the bullet
entered.Averylittlebullet-Ishouldsayatwenty-two.Thepistol,itwasheldcloseagainstherhead;
see,thereisblackeninghere,theskinisscorched."

Again in a sick wave of memory Poirot thought of those words uttered at Assuan. Bessner went on:
"Shewasasleep;therewasnostruggle;themurderercreptupinthedarkandshotherasshelaythere."

"Ah! non!" Poirot cried out. His sense of psychology was outraged. Jacqueline de Bellefort creeping
intoadarkenedcabin,pistolinhand-No,itdidnot"fit,"thatpicture.

Bessnerstaredathimthroughhisthicklenses.

"Butthatiswhathappened,Itellyou."

"Yes,yes.Ididnotmeanwhatyouthought.Iwasnotcontradictingyou."

Bessnergaveasatisfiedgrunt.

Poirotcameupandstoodbesidehim.LinnetDoylewaslyingonherside.Herattitudewasnaturaland
peaceful.Butabovetheearwasatinyholewithanincrustationofdriedbloodroundit.

Poirotshookhisheadsadly.

Thenhisgazefellonthewhitepaintedwalljustinfrontofhimandhedrewinhisbreathsharply.Its
whiteneatnesswasmarredbyabigwaveringletterJscrawledinsomebrownish-redmedium.

Poirotstaredatit,thenheleanedoverthedeadgirlandverygentlypickedupherrighthand.Onefinger
ofitwasstainedabrownish-red.

"Nomd'unnomd'unnom!"ejaculatedHerculePoirot.

"Eh?Whatisthat?"

DrBessnerlookedup.

"Ach!That."

Racesaid:"Well,I'mdamned.Whatdoyoumakeofthat,Poirot?"

Poirotswayedalittleonhistoes.

"YouaskmewhatImakeofit.Ehbien,itisverysimple,isitnot?MadameDoyleisdying;shewishes
toindicatehermurderer,andsoshewriteswithherfinger,dippedinherownblood,theinitialletterof
hermurderer'sname.Oh,yes,itisastonishinglysimple."

"Ach!but-"

DrBessnerwasabouttobreakout,butaperemptorygesturefromRacesilencedhim.

"Soitstrikesyoulikethat?"heaskedslowly.

Poirotturnedroundonhimnoddinghishead.

"Yes,yes.Itis,asIsay,ofanastonishingsimplicity!Itissofamiliar,isitnot?Ithasbeendonesooften,
inthepagesoftheromanceofcrime!Itisnow,indeed,alittlevieuxjeu!Itleadsonetosuspectthatour
murdereris-old-fashioned!"

Racedrewalongbreath.

"Isee,"hesaid."Ithoughtatfirst-"Hestopped.

Poirotsaidwithaveryfaintsmile:"ThatIbelievedinalltheoldclichésofmelodrama?Butpardon,Dr
Bessner,youwereabouttosay-?"

Bessnerbrokeoutgutturally:"WhatdoIsay?Pah!Isayitisabsurd;itisthenonsense!Thepoorlady
shediedinstantaneously.Todipherfingerintheblood(andasyousee,thereishardlyanyblood)and
writetheletterJuponthewall-Bah-itisthenonsense-themelodramaticnonsense!"

"Cesl'enfantillage,"agreedPoirot.

"Butitwasdonewithapurpose,"suggestedRace.

"That-naturally,"agreedPoirot,andhisfacewasgrave.

"WhatdoesJstandfor?"askedRace.

Poirot replied promptly: "J stands for Jacqueline de Bellefort, a young lady who declared to me less
thanaweekagothatshewouldlikenothingbetterthanto-"hepausedandthendeliberatelyquoted,
"'toputmydearlittlepistolcloseagainstherheadandthenjustpresswithmyfinger.'"

"GottimHimmel!"exclaimedDrBessner.

Therewasamomentarysilence.ThenRacedrewadeepbreathandsaid:

"Whichisjustwhatwasdonehere?"

Bessnernodded.

"Thatisso,yes.Itwasapistolofverysmallcalibre-asIsayprobablyatwenty-two.Thebullethasgot
tobeextracted,ofcourse,beforewecansaydefinitely."

Racenoddedinswiftcomprehension.Thenheasked:"Whatabouttimeofdeath?"

Bessnerstrokedhisjawagain.Hisfingermadearaspingsound.

"Iwouldnotcaretobetooprecise.Itisnoweighto'clock.Iwillsay,withdueregardtothetemperature
lastnight,thatshehasbeendeadcertainlysixhoursandprobablynotlongerthaneight."

"ThatputsitbetweenmidnightandtwoA.M."

"Thatisso."

Therewasapause.Racelookedround.

"Whataboutherhusband?Isupposehesleepsinthecabinnextdoor."

"Atthemoment,"saidDrBessner,"heisasleepinmycabin."

Bothmenlookedverysurprised.

Bessnernoddedhisheadseveraltimes.

"Ach,so.Iseeyouhavenotbeentoldaboutthat.MrDoylewasshotlastnightinthesaloon."

"Shot?Bywhom?"

"Bytheyounglady,JacquelinedeBellefort."

Raceaskedsharply,"Ishebadlyhurt?"

"Yes, the bone was splintered. I have done all that is possible at the moment, but it is necessary, you
understand,thatthefractureshouldbeX-rayedassoonaspossibleandpropertreatmentgivensuchas
isimpossibleonthisboat."

Poirotmurmured,"JacquelinedeBellefort."

HiseyeswentagaintotheJonthewall.

Race said abruptly: "If there is nothing more we can do here for the moment, let's go below. The
managementhasputthesmoking-roomatourdisposal.Wemustgetthedetailsofwhathappenedlast
night."

Theyleftthecabin.Racelockedthedoorandtookthekeywithhim.

"Wecancomebacklater,"hesaid."Thefirstthingtodoistogetallthefactsclear."

Theywentdowntothedeckbelow,wheretheyfoundtheManageroftheKarnakwaitinguneasilyin
thedoorwayofthesmoking-room.

The poor man was terribly upset and worried over the whole business, and was eager to leave
everythinginColonelRace'shands.

"IfeelIcan'tdobetterthanleaveittoyou,Sir,seeingyourofficialposition.I'dhadorderstoputmyself
atyourdisposalinthe-er-othermatter.Ifyouwilltakecharge,I'llseethateverythingisdoneasyou
wish."

"Good man! To begin with I'd like this room kept clear for me and for Monsieur Poirot during the
inquiry."

"Certainly,sir."

"That'sallatpresent.Goonwithyourownwork.Iknowwheretofindyou."

LookingslightlyrelievedtheManagerlefttheroom.

Racesaid,"Sitdown,Bessner,andlet'shavethewholestoryofwhathappenedlastnight."

Theylistenedinsilencetothedoctor'srumblingvoice.

"Clearenough,"saidRace,whenhehadfinished."Thegirlworkedherselfup,helpedbyadrinkortwo,
andfinallytookapotshotatthemanwithatwenty-twopistol.ThenshewentalongtoLinnetDoyle's
cabinandshotheraswell."

ButDrBessnerwasshakinghishead.

"No,no.Idonotthinkso.Idonotthinkthatwaspossible.Foronethingshewouldnotwriteherown
initialonthewall;itwouldberidiculous,nichtwahr?"

"Shemight,"Racedeclared,"ifshewereasblindlymadandjealousasshesounds;shemightwantto-
well-signhernametothecrime,sotospeak."Poirotshookhishead.

"No,no,Idonotthinkshewouldbeas-ascrudeasthat."

"Then there's only one reason for that J. It was put there by someone else deliberately to throw
suspiciononher."

Bessnernodded.

"Yes,andthecriminalwasunlucky,because,yousee,itisnotonlyunlikelythattheyoungFräuleindid
themurder;itisalsoIthinkimpossible."

"How'sthat?"

Bessner explained Jacqueline's hysterics and the circumstances which had led Miss Bowers to take
chargeofher.

"AndIthink-Iamsure-thatMissBowersstayedwithherallnight."

Racesaid,"Ifthat'sso,it'sgoingtosimplifymattersverymuch."

"Whodiscoveredthecrime?"Poirotasked.

"MrsDoyle'smaid,LouiseBourget.Shewenttocallhermistressasusual,foundherdead,andcame
outandfloppedintothesteward'sarmsinadeadfaint.HewenttotheManager,whocametome.Igot
holdofBessnerandthencameforyou."

Poirotnodded.

Racesaid:"Doyle'sgottoknow.Yousayhe'sasleepstill?"

Bessnernodded."Yes,he'sstillasleepinmycabin.Igavehimastrongopiatelastnight."

RaceturnedtoPoirot.

"Well,"hesaid,"Idon'tthinkweneeddetainthedoctoranylonger,eh?Thankyou,Doctor."

Bessnerrose."Iwillhavemybreakfast,yes.AndthenIwillgobacktomycabinandseeifMrDoyleis
readytowake."

"Thanks."

Bessnerwentout.Thetwomenlookedateachother.

"Well,whataboutit,Poirot?"Raceasked."You'rethemanincharge.I'lltakemyordersfromyou.You
saywhat'stobedone."

Poirotbowed.

"Ehbien,"hesaid;"wemustholdthecourtofinquiry.Firstofall,Ithinkwemustverifythestoryofthe
affair last night. That is to say, we must question Fanthorp and Miss Robson, who were the actual
witnessesofwhatoccurred.Thedisappearanceofthepistolisverysignificant."

Racerangabellandsentamessagebythesteward.

Poirotsighedandshookhishead."Itisbad,this,"hemurmured."Itisbad."

"Haveyouanyideas?"askedRacecuriously.

"Myideasconflict.Theyarenotwellarranged;theyarenotorderly.Thereis,yousee,thebigfactthat
thisgirlhatedLinnetDoyleandwantedtokillher."

"Youthinkshe'scapableofit?"

"Ithinkso-yes."Poirotsoundeddoubtful.

"Butnotinthisway?That'swhat'sworryingyou,isn'tit?Nottocreepintohercabininthedarkand
shootherwhileshewassleeping.It'sthecold-bloodednessthatstrikesyouasnotringingtrue?"

"Inasense,yes."

"Youthinkthatthisgirl,JacquelinedeBellefort,isincapableofapremeditatedcold-bloodedmurder?"

Poirotsaidslowly:"Iamnotsure,yousee.Shewouldhavethebrains-yes.ButIdoubtif,physically,
shecouldbringherselftodotheact..."

Race nodded. "Yes, I see... Well, according to Bessner's story, it would also have been physically
impossible."

"Ifthatistrueitclearsthegroundconsiderably.Letushopeitistrue."

Poirot paused and then added simply: "I shall be glad if it is so, for I have for that little one much
sympathy."

ThedooropenedandFanthorpandCorneliacamein.Bessnerfollowedthem.

Corneliagaspedout:"Isn'tthisjustawful?Poor,poorMrsDoyle!Andshewassolovelytoo.Itmust
havebeenarealfiendwhocouldhurther!AndpoorMrDoyle;he'lljustgohalfcrazywhenheknows!
Why,evenlastnighthewassofrightfullyworriedlestsheshouldhearabouthisaccident."

"Thatisjustwhatwewantyoutotellusabout,MissRobson,"saidRace."Wewanttoknowexactly
whathappenedlastnight."

Corneliabeganalittleconfusedly,butaquestionortwofromPoirothelpedmatters.

"Ah, yes, I understand. After the Bridge, Madame Doyle went to her cabin. Did she really go to her
cabin,Iwonder?"

"Shedid,"saidRace."Iactuallysawher.Isaidgood-nighttoheratthedoor."

"Andthetime?"

"Mercy,Icouldn'tsay,"repliedCornelia.

"Itwastwentypasteleven,"saidRace.

"Bien.Thenattwentypasteleven,MadameDoylewasaliveandwell.Atthatmomenttherewas,inthe
saloon,who?"

Fanthorpanswered:"Doylewasthere.AndMissdeBellefort.MyselfandMissRobson."

"That'sso,"agreedCornelia."MrPenningtonhadadrinkandthenwentofftobed."

"Thatwashowmuchlater?"

"Oh,aboutthreeorfourminutes."

"Beforehalfpasteleven,then?"

"Oh,yes.

"Sothattherewereleftinthesaloonyou,MademoiselleRobson,MademoiselledeBellefort,Monsieur
DoyleandMonsieurFanthorp.Whatwereyoualldoing?"

"MrFanthorpwasreadingabook.I'dgotsomeembroidery.MissdeBellefortwas-shewas-"

Fanthorpcametotherescue."Shewasdrinkingprettyheavily."

"Yes,"agreedCornelia."Shewastalkingtomemostlyandaskingmeaboutthingsathome.Andshe
keptsayingthings-tomemostly,butIthinktheywerekindofmeantforMrDoyle.Hewasgetting
kind of mad at her, but he didn't say anything. I think he thought if he kept quiet she might simmer
down."

"Butshedidn't?"

Corneliashookherhead.

"Itriedtogoonceortwice,butshemademestay,andIwasgettingvery,veryuncomfortable.Andthen
MrFanthorpgotupandwentout-"

"Itwasalittleembarrassing,"saidFanthorp."IthoughtI'dmakeanunobtrusiveexit.MissdeBellefort
wasclearlyworkingupforascene."

"Andthenshepulledoutthepistol,"wentonCornelia,"andMrDoylejumpeduptotryandgetitaway
fromher,anditwentoffandshothimthroughtheleg;andthenshebegantosobandcry-andIwas
scared to death and ran out after Mr Fanthorp, and he came back with me, and Mr Doyle said not to
makeafuss,andoneoftheNubianboysheardthenoiseoftheshotandcamealong,butMrFanthorp
toldhimitwasallright;andthenwegotJacquelineawaytohercabin,andMrFanthorpstayedwithher
whileIgotMissBowers."

Corneliapausedbreathless.

"Whattimewasthis?"askedRace.

Corneliasaidagain,"Mercy,Idon'tknow,"butFanthorp,answeredpromptly:"Itmusthavebeenabout
twentyminutespasttwelve.IknowthatitwasactuallyhalfpasttwelvewhenIfinallygottomycabin."

"Nowletmebequitesureononeortwopoints,"saidPoirot."AfterMadameDoyleleftthesaloon,did
anyofyoufourleaveit?"

"No."

"YouarequitecertainMademoiselledeBellefortdidnotleavethesaloonatall?"

Fanthorpansweredpromptly:"Positive.NeitherDoyle,MissdeBellefort,MissRobson,normyselfleft
thesaloon."

"Good.ThatestablishesthefactthatMademoiselledeBellefortcouldnotpossiblyhaveshotMadame
Doyle before - let us say - twenty past twelve. Now, Mademoiselle Robson, you went to fetch
MademoiselleBowers.WasMademoiselledeBellefortaloneinhercabinduringthatperiod?"

"No,MrFanthorpstayedwithher."

"Good!Sofar,MademoiselledeBelleforthasaperfectalibi.MademoiselleBowersisthenextperson
to interview, but, before I send for her, I should like to have your opinion on one or two points.
Monsieur Doyle, you say, was very anxious that Mademoiselle de Bellefort should not be left alone.
Washeafraid,doyouthink,thatshewascontemplatingsomefurtherrashact?"

"Thatismyopinion,"saidFanthorp.

"HewasdefinitelyafraidshemightattackMadameDoyle?"

"No."Fanthorpshookhishead."Idon'tthinkthatwashisideaatall.Ithinkhewasafraidshemight-er
-dosomethingrashtoherself."

"Suicide?"

"Yes.Yousee,sheseemedcompletelysoberedandheartbrokenatwhatshehaddone.Shewasfullof

self-reproach.Shekeptsayingshewouldbebetterdead."

Corneliasaidtimidly:"Ithinkhewasratherupsetabouther.Hespoke-quitenicely.Hesaiditwasall
hisfault-thathe'dtreatedherbadly.He-hewasreallyverynice."

HerculePoirotnoddedthoughtfully.

"Nowaboutthepistol,"hewenton."Whathappenedtothat?"

"Shedroppedit,"saidCornelia.

"Andafterward?"

Fanthorpexplainedhowhehadgonebacktosearchforit,buthadnotbeenabletofindit.

"Aha!"saidPoirot."Nowwebegintoarrive.Letus,Iprayyou,beveryprecise.Describetomeexactly
whathappened."

"MissdeBellefortletitfall.Thenshekickeditawayfromherwithherfoot."

"Shesortofhatedit,"explainedCornelia."Iknowjustwhatshefelt."

"Anditwentunderasettee,yousay.Nowbeverycareful.MademoiselledeBellefortdidnotrecover
thatpistolbeforesheleftthesaloon?"

BothFanthorpandCorneliawerepositiveonthatpoint.

"Précisément. I seek only to be very exact, you comprehend. Then we arrive at this point. When
MademoiselledeBellefortleavesthesaloonthepistolisunderthesettee,and,sinceMademoisellede
Bellefortisnotleftalone-MonsieurFanthorp,MademoiselleRobsonorMademoiselleBowersbeing
with her - she has no opportunity to get back the pistol after she left the saloon. What time was it,
MonsieurFanthorp,whenyouwentbacktolookforit?"

"Itmusthavebeenjustbeforehalfpasttwelve."

"AndhowlongwouldhaveelapsedbetweenthetimeyouandDrBessnercarriedMonsieurDoyleout
ofthesaloonuntilyoureturnedtolookforthepistol?"

"Perhapsfiveminutes-perhapsalittlemore."

"Theninthatfiveminutessomeoneremovesthatpistolfromwhereitlayoutofsightunderthesettee.
ThatsomeonewasnotMademoiselledeBellefort.Whowasit?Itseemshighlyprobablethattheperson
who removed it was the murderer of Madame Doyle. We may assume, too, that that person had
overheardorseensomethingoftheeventsimmediatelypreceding."

"Idon'tseehowyoumakethatout,"objectedFanthorp.

"Because,"saidHerculePoirot,"youhavejusttoldusthatthepistolwasoutofsightunderthesettee.
Thereforeitishardlycrediblethatitwasdiscoveredbyaccident.Itwastakenbysomeonewhoknewit
wasthere.Thereforethatsomeonemusthaveassistedatthescene."

Fanthorpshookhishead."IsawnoonewhenIwentoutonthedeckjustbeforetheshotwasfired."

"Ah,butyouwentoutbythedooronthestarboardside."

"Yes.Thesamesideasmycabin."

"Then if there had been anybody at the port door looking through the glass you would not have seen
him?"

"No,"admittedFanthorp.

"DidanyoneheartheshotexcepttheNubianboy?"

"NotasfarasIknow."

Fanthorp went on: "You see, the windows in here were all closed. Miss Van Schuyler felt a draught
earlierintheevening.Theswingdoorswereshut.Idoubtiftheshotwouldbeatallclearlyheard.It
wouldonlysoundlikethepopofacork."

Race said, "As far as I know, no one seems to have heard the other shot - the shot that killed Mrs
Doyle."

"That we will inquire into presently," said Poirot. "For the moment we still concern ourselves with
Mademoiselle de Bellefort. We must speak to Mademoiselle Bowers. But first, before you go -" he
arrestedFanthorpandCorneliawithagesture-"youwillgivemealittleinformationaboutyourselves.
Thenitwillnotbenecessarytocallyouagainlater.Youfirst,Monsieur-yourfullname."

"JamesLechdaleFanthorp."

"Address?"

"GlasmoreHouse,MarketDonnington,Northamptonshire."

"Yourprofession?"

"Iamalawyer."

"Andyourreasonsforvisitingthiscountry?"

Therewasapause.ForthefirsttimetheimpassiveMrFanthorpseemedtakenaback.Hesaidatlast-
almostmumblingthewords,"Er-pleasure."

"Aha!"saidPoirot."Youtaketheholiday;thatisit,yes?"

"Er-yes."

"Very well, Monsieur Fanthorp. Will you give me a brief account of your own movements last night
aftertheeventswehavejustbeennarrating?"

"Iwentstraighttobed."

"Thatwasat-?"

"Justafterhalfpasttwelve."

"Yourcabinisnumbertwenty-twoonthestarboardside-theonenearestthesaloon?"

"Yes."

"I will ask you one more question. Did you hear anything - anything at all - after you went to your
cabin?"

Fanthorpconsidered.

"Iturnedinveryquickly.IthinkIheardakindofsplashjustasIwasdroppingofftosleep.Nothing
else."

"Youheardakindofsplash?Nearathand?"

Fanthorpshookhishead.

"Really,Icouldn'tsay.Iwashalfasleep."

"Andwhattimewouldthatbe?"

"Itmighthavebeenaboutoneo'clock.Ican'treallysay."

"Thankyou,MonsieurFanthorp.Thatisall."

PoirotturnedhisattentiontoCornelia.

"Andnow,MademoiselleRobson?Yourfullname?"

"CorneliaRuth.AndmyaddressisTheRedHouse,Bellfield,Connecticut."

"WhatbroughtyoutoEgypt?"

"CousinMarie,MissVanSchuyler,broughtmealongonatrip."

"HadyouevermetMadameDoyleprevioustothisjourney?"

"No,never."

"Andwhatdidyoudolastnight?"

"IwentrighttobedafterhelpingDrBessnerwithMrDoyle'sleg."

"Yourcabinis-?"

"Forty-threeontheportside-rightnextdoortoMissdeBellefort."

"Anddidyouhearanything?"

Corneliashookherhead.

"Ididn'thearathing."

"Nosplash?"

"No,butthenIwouldn't,becausetheboat'sagainstthebankonmyside."

Poirotnodded.

"Thankyou,MademoiselleRobson.NowperhapsyouwillbesokindastoaskMademoiselleBowers
tocomehere."

FanthorpandCorneliawentout.

"That seems clear enough," said Race. "Unless three independent witnesses are lying, Jacqueline de
Bellefortcouldn'thavegotholdofthepistol.Butsomebodydid.Andsomebodyoverheardthescene.
AndsomebodywasboldenoughtowriteabigJonthewall."

There was a tap on the door and Miss Bowers entered. The hospital nurse sat down in her usual
composed,efficientmanner.InanswertoPoirotshegavehername,address,andqualifications,adding,
"I'vebeenlookingafterMissVanSchuylerforovertwoyearsnow."

"IsMademoiselleVanSchuyler'shealthverybad?"

"Why, no, I wouldn't say that," replied Miss Bowers. "She's not very young, and she's nervous about
herself,andshelikestohaveanursearoundhandy.There'snothingseriousthematterwithher.Shejust
likesplentyofattention,andshe'swillingtopayforit."

Poirot nodded comprehendingly. Then he said, "I understand that Mademoiselle Robson fetched you
lastnight?"

"Why,yes,that'sso."

"Willyoutellmeexactlywhathappened?"

"Well, Miss Robson just gave me a brief outline of what had occurred, and I came along with her. I
foundMissdeBellefortinaveryexcited,hystericalcondition."

"DidsheutteranythreatsagainstMadameDoyle?"

"No,nothingofthatkind.Shewasinaconditionofmorbidself-reproach.She'dtakenagooddealof
alcohol,Ishouldsay,andshewassufferingfromreaction.Ididn'tthinksheoughttobeleft.Igavehera
shotofmorphiaandsatupwithher."

"Now,MademoiselleBowers,Iwantyoutoanswerthis.DidMademoiselledeBellefortleavehercabin
atall?"

"No,shedidnot."

"Andyouyourself?"

"Istayedwithheruntilearlythismorning."

"Youarequitesureofthat."

"Absolutelysure."

"Thankyou,MademoiselleBowers."

Thenursewentout.Thetwomenlookedateachother.

JacquelinedeBellefortwasdefinitelyclearedofthecrime.WhothenhadshotLinnetDoyle?

Chapter13

Race said: "Someone pinched the pistol. It wasn't Jacqueline de Bellefort. Someone knew enough to
feelthathiscrimewouldbeattributedtoher.Butthatsomeonedidnotknowthatahospitalnursewas

going to give her morphia and sit up with her all night. Add one thing more. Someone had already
attemptedtokillLinnetDoylebyrollingaboulderoverthecliff;thatsomeonewasnotJacquelinede
Bellefort.Whowasit?"

Poirot said: "It will be simpler to say who it could not have been. Neither Monsieur Doyle, Madame
Allerton, Monsieur Tim Allerton, Mademoiselle Van Schuyler nor Mademoiselle Bowers could have
hadanythingtodowithit.Theywereallwithinmysight."

"H'm,"saidRace;"thatleavesratheralargefield.Whataboutmotive?"

"ThatiswhereIhopeMonsieurDoylemaybeabletohelpus.Therehavebeenseveralincidents-"

ThedooropenedandJacquelinedeBellefortentered.Shewasverypaleandshestumbledalittleasshe
walked.

"Ididn'tdoit,"shesaid.Hervoicewasthatofafrightenedchild."Ididn'tdoit.Oh,pleasebelieveme.
EveryonewillthinkIdidit-butIdidn't-Ididn't.It's-it'sawful.Iwishithadn'thappened.Imight
havekilledSimonlastnight;Iwasmad,Ithink.ButIdidn'tdotheother..."

Shesatdownandburstintotears.

Poirotpattedherontheshoulder.

"There,there.WeknowthatyoudidnotkillMadameDoyle.Itisproved-yes,proved,monenfant.It
wasnotyou."

Jackiesatupsuddenly,herwethandkerchiefclaspedinherhand.

"Butwhodid?"

"That,"saidPoirot,"isjustthequestionweareaskingourselves.Youcannothelpusthere,mychild?"

Jacquelineshookherhead.

"Idon'tknow...Ican'timagine...No,Ihaven'tthefaintestidea."Shefrowneddeeply.

"No,"shesaidatlast."Ican'tthinkofanyonewhowantedherdead,"hervoicefalteredalittle,"except
me."

Racesaid,"Excusemeaminute-justthoughtofsomething."Hehurriedoutoftheroom.

Jacqueline de Bellefort sat with her head downcast, nervously twisting her fingers. She broke out
suddenly:"Death'shorrible-horrible!I-Ihatethethoughtofit."

Poirotsaid:"Yes.Itisnotpleasanttothink,isit,thatnow,atthisverymoment,someoneisrejoicingat
thesuccessfulcarryingoutofhisorherplan."

"Don't-don't!"criedJackie."Itsoundshorrible,thewayyouputit."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Itistrue."

Jackiesaidinalowvoice:"I-Iwantedherdead-andsheisdead...And,whatisworse...shedied-just
likeIsaid."

"Yes,Mademoiselle.Shewasshotthroughthehead."

Shecriedout:"ThenIwasright,thatnightattheCataractHotel.Therewassomeonelistening!"

"Ah!"Poirotnoddedhishead."Iwonderedifyouwouldrememberthat.Yes,itisaltogethertoomuch
ofacoincidence-thatMadameDoyleshouldbekilledinjustthewayyoudescribed."

Jackieshuddered.

"Thatmanthatnight-whocanhehavebeen?"

Poirotwassilentforaminuteortwo,thenhesaidinquiteadifferenttoneofvoice,"Youaresureitwas
aman,Mademoiselle?"

Jackielookedathiminsurprise.

"Yes,ofcourse.Atleast-"

"Well,Mademoiselle?"

Shefrowned,halfclosinghereyesinanefforttoremember.Shesaidslowly,"Ithoughtitwasaman."

"Butnowyouarenotsosure?"

Jackiesaidslowly:"No,Ican'tbecertain.Ijustassumeditwasaman-butitwasreallyjusta-afigure
-ashadow..."

Shepausedandthen,asPoirotdidnotspeak,sheasked:"Youthinkitmusthavebeenawoman?But
surelynoneofthewomenonthisboatcanhavewantedtokillLinnet?"

Poirotmerelymovedhisheadfromsidetoside.

ThedooropenedandBessnerappeared.

"WillyoucomeandspeakwithMrDoyle,please,MonsieurPoirot.Hewouldliketoseeyou."

Jackiesprangup.ShecaughtBessnerbythearm.

"Howishe?Ishe-allright?"

"Naturally he is not all right," replied Dr Bessner reproachfully. "The bone is fractured, you
understand."

"Buthe'snotgoingtodie?"criedJackie.

"Ach,whosaidanythingaboutdying?WewillgethimtocivilizationandtherewewillhaveanX-ray

andpropertreatment."

"Oh!"Thegirl'shandscametogetherinaconvulsivepressure.Shesankdownagainonachair.

PoirotsteppedoutontothedeckwiththedoctorandatthatmomentRacejoinedthem.Theywentupto
thepromenadedeckandalongtoBessner'scabin.SimonDoylewaslyingproppedwithcushionsand
pillows,animprovisedcageoverhisleg.Hisfacewasghastlyincolour,theravagesofpainwithshock
ontopofit.Butthepredominantexpressiononhisfacewasbewilderment-thesickbewildermentofa
child.

Hemuttered:"Pleasecomein.Thedoctor'stoldme-toldmeaboutLinnet.Ican'tbelieveit.Isimply
can'tbelieveit'strue."

"Iknow.It'sabadknock,"saidRace.

Simonstammered:"Youknow-Jackiedidn'tdoit.I'mcertainJackiedidn'tdoit!Itlooksblackagainst
her,Idaresay,butshedidn'tdoit.She-shewasabittightlastnight,andallworkedup,andthat'swhy
shewentforme.Butshewouldn't-shewouldn'tdomurder...notcold-bloodedmurder..."

Poirot said gently: "Do not distress yourself, Monsieur Doyle. Whoever shot your wife, it was not
MademoiselledeBellefort."

Simonlookedathimdoubtfully.

"Isthatonthesquare?"

"ButsinceitwasnotMademoiselledeBellefort,"continuedPoirot,"canyougiveusanyideaofwhoit
mighthavebeen?"

Simonshookhishead.Thelookofbewildermentincreased.

"It'scrazy-impossible.ApartfromJackienobodycouldhavewantedtodoherin."

"Reflect,MonsieurDoyle.Hasshenoenemies?Istherenoonewhohasagrudgeagainsther?"

AgainSimonshookhisheadwiththesamehopelessgesture.

"Itsoundsabsolutelyfantastic.There'sWindlesham,ofcourse.Shemoreorlesschuckedhimtomarry
me - but I can't see a polite stick like Windlesham committing murder, and anyway he's miles away.
SamethingwitholdSirGeorgeWode.He'dgotadownonLinnetoverthehouse-dislikedthewayshe
was pulling it about; but he's miles away in London, and anyway to think of murder in such a
connectionwouldbefantastic."

"Listen,MonsieurDoyle."Poirotspokeveryearnestly."OnthefirstdaywecameonboardtheKarnakI
wasimpressedbyalittleconversationwhichIhadwithMadameyourwife.Shewasveryupset-very
distraught. She said - mark this well - that everybody hated her. She said she felt afraid - unsafe - as
thougheveryoneroundherwereanenemy."

"ShewasprettyupsetatfindingJackieaboard.SowasI,"saidSimon.

"Thatistrue,butitdoesnotquiteexplainthosewords.Whenshesaidshe-wassurroundedbyenemies,
shewasalmostcertainlyexaggerating,butallthesameshedidmeanmorethanoneperson."

"Youmayberightthere,"admittedSimon."IthinkIcanexplainthat.Itwasanameinthepassengerlist
thatupsether."

"Anameinthepassengerlist?Whatname?"

"Well,yousee,shedidn'tactuallytellme.AsamatteroffactIwasn'tevenlisteningverycarefully.I
wasgoingovertheJacquelinebusinessinmymind.AsfarasIremember,Linnetsaidsomethingabout
doingpeopledowninbusiness,andthatitmadeheruncomfortabletomeetanyonewhohadagrudge
against her family. You see, although I don't really know the family history very well, I gather that
Linnet'smotherwasamillionaire'sdaughter.Herfatherwasonlyjustordinaryplainwealthy,butafter
hismarriagehenaturallybeganplayingthemarketsorwhateveryoucallit.Andasaresultofthat,of
course,severalpeoplegotitintheneck.Youknow,affluenceoneday,thegutterthenext.Well,Igather
there was someone on board whose father had got up against Linnet's father and taken a pretty hard
knock.IrememberLinnetsaying,'It'sprettyawfulwhenpeoplehateyouwithoutevenknowingyou.'"

"Yes," said Poirot thoughtfully. "That would explain what she said to me. For the first time she was
feelingtheburdenofherinheritanceandnotitsadvantages.Youarequitesure,MonsieurDoyle,that
shedidnotmentionthisman'sname?"

Simonshookhisheadruefully.

"I didn't really pay much attention. Just said: 'Oh, nobody minds what happened to their fathers
nowadays.Lifegoestoofastforthat.'Somethingofthatkind."

Bessnersaiddrily:"Ach,butIcanhaveaguess.Thereiscertainlyayoungmanwithagrievanceon
board."

"YoumeanFerguson?"askedPoirot.

"Yes.HespokeagainstMrsDoyleonceortwice.Imyselfhaveheardhim."

"Whatcanwedotofindout?"askedSimon.

Poirotreplied:"ColonelRaceandImustinterviewallthepassengers.Untilwehavegottheirstoriesit
would be unwise to form theories. Then there is the maid. We ought to interview her first of all. It
would,perhaps,beaswellifwedidthathere.MonsieurDoyle'spresencemightbehelpful."

"Yes,that'sagoodidea,"saidSimon.

"HadshebeenwithMrsDoylelong?"

"Justacoupleofmonths,that'sall."

"Onlyacoupleofmonths!"exclaimedPoirot.

"Why,youdon'tthink-"

"HadMadameanyvaluablejewellery?"

"Therewere her pearls,"said Simon. "Sheonce told me theywere worth fortyor fifty thousand." He
shivered."MyGod,doyouthinkthosedamnedpearls-"

"Robberyisapossiblemotive,"saidPoirot."Allthesameitseemshardlycredible...Well,weshallsee.
Letushavethemaidhere."

LouiseBourgetwasthatsamevivaciousLatinbrunettewhomPoirothadseenonedayandnoticed.

Shewasanythingbutvivaciousnow.Shehadbeencryingandlookedfrightened.Yettherewasakind
ofsharpcunningapparentinherfacewhichdidnotprepossessthetwomenfavourablytowardher.

"YouareLouiseBourget?"

"Yes,Monsieur."

"WhendidyoulastseeMadameDoylealive?"

"Lastnight,Monsieur.Iwaitinhercabintoundressher."

"Whattimewasthat?"

"Itwassometimeaftereleven,Monsieur.Icannotsayexactlywhen.IundressMadameandputherto
bed,andthenIleave."

"Howlongdidallthattake?"

"Tenminutes,Monsieur.Madamewastired.ShetoldmetoputthelightsoutwhenIwent."

"Andwhenyouhadlefther,whatdidyoudo?"

"Iwenttomyowncabin,Monsieur,onthedeckbelow."

"Andyouheardorsawnothingmorethatcanhelpus?"

"HowcouldI,Monsieur?"

"That,Mademoiselle,isforyoutosay,notforus,"HerculePoirotretorted.

Shestoleasidewaysglanceathim.

"But,Monsieur,Iwasnowherenear...WhatcouldIhaveseenorheard?Iwasonthedeckbelowwhen
it happened, on the other side of the boat, even. It is impossible that I should have heard anything.
Naturally,ifIhadbeenunabletosleep,ifIhadmountedthestairs,thenperhapsImighthaveseenthis
assassin,thismonster,enterorleaveMadame'scabin,butasitis-"

ShethrewoutherhandsappealinglytoSimon.

"Monsieur,Iimploreyou-youseehowitis?WhatcanIsay?"

"Mygoodgirl,"saidSimonharshly,"don'tbeafool.Nobodythinksyousaworheardanything.You'll
bequiteallright.I'lllookafteryou.Nobody'saccusingyouofanything."

Louisemurmured,"Monsieurisverygood,"anddroppedhereyelidsmodestly.

"Wetakeit,then,thatyousawandheardnothing?"askedRaceimpatiently.

"ThatiswhatIsaid,Monsieur."

"Andyouknowofnoonewhohadagrudgeagainstyourmistress?"

TothesurpriseofherlistenersLouisenoddedherheadvigorously."Oh,yes.ThatIdoknow.Tothat
questionIcananswerYesmostemphatically."

Poirotsaid,"YoumeanMademoiselledeBellefort?"

"She,certainly.ButitisnotofherIspeak.TherewassomeoneelseonthisboatwhodislikedMadame,
whowasveryangrybecauseofthewayMadamehadinjuredhim."

"GoodLord!"Simonexclaimed."What'sallthis?"

Louisewenton,stillemphaticallynoddingherheadwiththeutmostvigour.

"Yes, yes, yes, it is as I say! It concerns the former maid of Madame - my predecessor. There was a
man,oneoftheengineersonthisboat,whowantedhertomarryhim.Andmypredecessor,Marieher
namewas,shewouldhavedoneso.ButMadameDoyle,shemadeinquiriesandshediscoveredthatthis
Fleetwoodalreadyhehadawife-awifeofcolouryouunderstand,awifeofthiscountry.Shehadgone
backtoherownpeople,buthewasstillmarriedtoher,youunderstand.AndsoMadameshetoldallthis
to Marie, and Marie she was very unhappy and she would not see Fleetwood any more. And this
Fleetwood, he was infuriated, and when he found out that this Madame Doyle had formerly been
MademoiselleLinnetRidgewayhetellsmethathewouldliketokillher!Herinterferenceruinedhis
life,hesaid."

Louisepausedtriumphantly.

"Thisisinteresting,"saidRace.

PoirotturnedtoSimon.

"Hadyouanyideaofthis?"

"Nonewhatever,"Simonrepliedwithpatentsincerity."IdoubtifLinnetevenknewthemanwasonthe
boat.Shehadprobablyforgottenallabouttheincident."

Heturnedsharplytothemaid.

"DidyousayanythingtoMrsDoyleaboutthis?"

"No,Monsieur,ofcoursenot."

Poirotasked,"Doyouknowanythingaboutyourmistress'spearls?"

"Herpearls?"Louise'seyesopenedverywide."Shewaswearingthemlastnight."

"Yousawthemwhenshecametobed?"

"Yes,Monsieur."

"Wheredidsheputthem?"

"Onthetablebythesideasalways."

"Thatiswhereyoulastsawthem?"

"Yes,Sir."

"Didyouseethemtherethismorning?"

Astartledlookcameintothegirl'sface.

"MonDieu!Ididnotevenlook.Icomeuptothebed,Isee-IseeMadame;andthenIcryoutandrush
outofthedoor,andIfaint."

HerculePoirotnoddedhishead.

"Youdidnotlook.ButI,Ihavetheeyeswhichnotice,andtherewerenopearlsonthetablebesidethe
bedthismorning."

Chapter14

HerculePoirot'sobservationhadnotbeenatfault.TherewerenopearlsonthetablebyLinnetDoyle's
bed.

LouiseBourgetwasbiddentomakeasearchamongLinnet'sbelongings.

Accordingtoher,allwasinorder.Onlythepearlshaddisappeared.Astheyemergedfromthecabina
stewardwaswaitingtotellthemthatbreakfasthadbeenservedinthesmoking-room.

Astheypassedalongthedeck,Racepausedtolookovertherail.

"Ah!Iseeyouhavehadanidea,myfriend."

"Yes.Itsuddenlycametome,whenFanthorpmentionedthinkinghehadheardasplash,thatItoohad
been awakened sometime last night by a splash. It's perfectly possible that, after the murder, the
murdererthrewthepistoloverboard."

Poirotsaidslowly,"Youreallythinkthatispossible,myfriend?"Raceshruggedhisshoulders.

"It'sasuggestion.Afterall,thepistolwasn'tanywhereinthecabin.FirstthingIlookedfor."

"Allthesame,"saidPoirot,"itisincrediblethatitshouldhavebeenthrownoverboard."

Raceasked,"Whereisitthen?"

Poirot replied thoughtfully, "If it is not in Madame Doyle's cabin, there is, logically, only one other
placewhereitcouldbe."

"Where'sthat?"

"InMademoiselledeBellefort'scabin."

Racesaidthoughtfully:"Yes.Isee-"

Hestoppedsuddenly.

"She'soutofhercabin.Shallwegoandhavealooknow?"

Poirotshookhishead.

"No,myfriend,thatwouldbeprecipitate.Itmaynotyethavebeenputthere."

"Whataboutanimmediatesearchofthewholeboat?"

"Thatwayweshouldshowourhand.Wemustworkwithgreatcare.Itisverydelicate,ourposition,at
themoment.Letusdiscussthesituationasweeat."

Raceagreed.Theywentintothesmoking-room.

"Well,"saidRaceashepouredhimselfoutacupofcoffee,"we'vegottwodefiniteleads.There'sthe
disappearance of the pearls. And there's the man Fleetwood. As regards the pearls, robbery seems
indicated,but-Idon'tknowwhetheryou'llagreewithme-"

Poirotsaidquickly,"Butitwasanoddmomenttochoose?"

"Exactly.Tostealthepearlsatsuchamomentinvitesaclosesearchofeverybodyonboard.Howthen
couldthethiefhopetogetawaywithhisbooty?"

"Hemighthavegoneashoreanddumpedit."

"Thecompanyalwayshasawatchmanonthebank."

"Thenthatisnotfeasible.Wasthemurdercommittedtodivertattentionfromtherobbery?No,thatdoes
notmakesense;itisprofoundlyunsatisfactory.ButsupposingthatMadameDoylewokeupandcaught
thethiefintheact?"

"Andthereforethethiefshother?Butshewasshotwhilstsheslept."

"Sothattoodoesnotmakesense...Youknow,Ihavealittleideaaboutthosepearls-andyet-no-itis
impossible.Becauseifmyideawasrightthepearlswouldnothavedisappeared.Tellme,whatdidyou
thinkofthemaid?"

"Iwondered,"saidRaceslowly,"ifsheknewmorethanshesaid."

"Ah,youtoohadthatimpression."

"Definitelynotanicegirl,"saidRace.

HerculePoirotnodded."Yes,Iwouldnottrusther,thatone."

"Youthinkshehadsomethingtodowiththemurder?"

"No,Iwouldnotsaythat."

"Withthetheftofthepearls,then?"

"That is more probable. She had only been with Madame Doyle a very short time. She may be a
memberofagangthatspecializesinjewelrobberies.Insuchacasethereisoftenamaidwithexcellent
references. Unfortunately we are not in a position to seek information on these points. And yet that
explanationdoesnotquitesatisfyme...Thosepearls-ah,sacré,mylittleideaoughttoberight.Andyet
nobodywouldbesoimbecile-"Hebrokeoff.

"WhataboutthemanFleetwood?"

"Wemustquestionhim.Itmaybethatwehavetherethesolution.IfLouiseBourget'sstoryistrue,he
hadadefinitemotiveforrevenge.HecouldhaveoverheardthescenebetweenJacquelineandMonsieur
Doyle, and when they have left the saloon he could have darted in and secured the gun. Yes, it is all
quitepossible.AndthatletterJscrawledinblood.That,too,wouldaccordwithasimple,rathercrude
nature."

"Infact,he'sjustthepersonwearelookingfor?"

"Yes - only -" Poirot rubbed his nose. He said with a slight grimace: "See you, I recognize my own
weaknesses.IthasbeensaidofmethatIliketomakeacasedifficult.Thissolutionthatyouputtome-
itistoosimple,tooeasy.Icannotfeelthatitreallyhappened.Andyet,thatmaybesheerprejudiceon
mypart."

"Well,we'dbetterhavethefellowhere."

Racerangthebellandgavetheorder.Thenheasked,"Anyother-possibilities?"

"Plenty,myfriend.Thereis,forexample,theAmericantrustee."

"Pennington?"

"Yes,Pennington.Therewasacuriouslittlesceneinheretheotherday."Henarratedthehappeningsto
Race. "You see - it is significant. Madame, she wanted to read all the papers before signing. So he
makestheexcuseofanotherday.Andthen,thehusband,hemakesaverysignificantremark."

"Whatwasthat?"

"Hesays-'Ineverreadanything.IsignwhereIamtoldtosign.'Youperceivethesignificanceofthat.
Penningtondid.Isawitinhiseye.HelookedatDoyleasthoughanentirelynewideahadcomeintohis
head. Just imagine, my friend, that you have been left trustee to the daughter of an intensely wealthy
man.Youuse,perhaps,thatmoneytospeculatewith.Iknowitissoinalldetectivenovels-butyou
readofittoointhenewspapers.Ithappens,myfriend,ithappens."

"Idon'tdisputeit,"saidRace.

"Thereis,perhaps,stilltimetomakegoodbyspeculatingwildly.Yourwardisnotyetofage.Andthen
-shemarries!Thecontrolpassesfromyourhandsintohersatamoment'snotice!Adisaster!Butthere
isstillachance.Sheisonahoneymoon.Shewillperhapsbecarelessaboutbusiness.Acasualpaper,
slippedinamongothers,signedwithoutreading...ButLinnetDoylewasnotlikethat.Honeymoonor
no honeymoon, she was a business woman. And then her husband makes a remark, and a new idea
comes to that desperate man who is seeking a way out from ruin. If Linnet Doyle were to die, her
fortunewouldpasstoherhusband-andhewouldbeeasytodealwith;hewouldbeachildinthehands
ofanastutemanlikeAndrewPennington.MoncherColonel,ItellyouIsawthethoughtpassthrough
AndrewPennington'shead.'IfonlyitwereDoyleIhadgottodealwith.'Thatiswhathewasthinking."

"Quitepossible,Idaresay,"saidRacedrily,"butyou'venoevidence."

"Alas,no."

"Then there's young Ferguson," said Race. "He talks bitterly enough. Not that I go by talk. Still, he
mightbethefellowwhosefatherwasruinedbyoldRidgeway.It'salittlefar-fetched-butit'spossible.
Peopledobroodoverbygonewrongssometimes."

Hepausedaminuteandthensaid,"Andthere'smyfellow."

"Yes,thereis'yourfellow'asyoucallhim."

"He'sakiller,"saidRace."Weknowthat.Ontheotherhand,Ican'tseeanywayinwhichhecouldhave
comeupagainstLinnetDoyle.Theirorbitsdon'ttouch."Poirotsaidslowly,"Unless,accidentally,she
hadbecomepossessedofevidenceshowinghisidentity."

"That'spossible,butitseemshighlyunlikely."Therewasaknockatthedoor."Ah,here'sourwould-be
bigamist."

Fleetwoodwasabig,truculentlookingman.Helookedsuspiciouslyfromonetotheotherofthemashe
enteredtheroom.PoirotrecognizedhimasthemanhehadseentalkingtoLouiseBourget.

Fleetwoodaskedsuspiciously,"Youwantedtoseeme?"

"Wedid,"saidRace."Youprobablyknowthatamurderwascommittedonthisboatlastnight?"

Fleetwoodnodded.

"AndIbelieveitistruethatyouhadreasontofeelangeragainstthewomanwhowaskilled."

AlookofalarmsprangupinFleetwood'seyes.

"Whotoldyouthat?"

"YouconsideredthatMrsDoylehadinterferedbetweenyouandayoungwoman."

"Iknowwhotoldyouthat-thatlyingFrenchhussy.She'saliarthroughandthrough,thatgirl."

"Butthisparticularstoryhappenstobetrue."

"It'sadirtylie!"

"Yousaythat,althoughyoudon'tknowwhatitisyet."

Theshottold.Themanflushedandgulped.

"It is true, is it not, that you were going to marry the girl Marie, and that she broke it off when she
discoveredthatyouwereamarriedmanalready?"

"Whatbusinesswasitofhers?"

"Youmean,whatbusinesswasitofMrsDoyle's?Well,youknow,bigamyisbigamy."

"Itwasn'tlikethat.Imarriedoneofthelocalsouthere.Itdidn'tanswer.Shewentbacktoherpeople.
I'venotseenherforhalfadozenyears."

"Stillyouweremarriedtoher."

Themanwassilent.Racewenton:

"MrsDoyle,orMissRidgewayasshethenwas,foundoutallthis?"

"Yes,shedid,curseher!Nosingaboutwherenooneeveraskedherto.I'dhavetreatedMarieright.I'd
have done anything for her. And she'd never have known about the other, if it hadn't been for that
meddlesome young lady of hers. Yes, I'll say it, I did have a grudge against the lady, and I felt bitter
aboutitwhenIsawheronthisboat,alldressedupinpearlsanddiamondsandlordingitalloverthe
place, with never a thought that she'd broken up a man's life for him! I felt bitter all right, but if you
thinkI'madirtymurderer-ifyouthinkIwentandshotherwithagun,well,that'sadamnedlie!Inever
touchedher.Andthat'sGod'struth."Hestopped.Thesweatwasrollingdownhisface.

"Wherewereyoulastnightbetweenthehoursoftwelveandtwo?"

"Inmybunkasleep-andmymatewilltellyouso."

"Weshallsee,"saidRace.Hedismissedhimwithacurtnod."That'lldo."

"Ehbien?"inquiredPoirotasthedoorclosedbehindFleetwood.

Raceshruggedhisshoulders."Hetellsquiteastraightstory.He'snervous,ofcourse,butnotundulyso.
We'll have to investigate his alibi - though I don't suppose it will be decisive. His mate was probably
asleep,andthisfellowcouldhaveslippedinandoutifhewantedto.Itdependswhetheranyoneelse
sawhim."

"Yes,onemustinquireastothat."

"Thenextthing,Ithink,"saidRace,"iswhetheranyoneheardanythingwhichmightgiveusaclueto
thetimeofthecrime.Bessnerplacesitashavingoccurredbetweentwelveandtwo.Itseemsreasonable
tohopethatsomeoneamongthepassengersmayhaveheardtheshot-eveniftheydidnotrecognizeit
forwhatitwas.Ididn'thearanythingofthekindmyself.Whataboutyou?"

Poirotshookhishead.

"Me,Isleptabsolutelylikethelog.Iheardnothing-butnothingatall.Imighthavebeendrugged,I
sleptsosoundly."

"A pity," said Race. "Well, let's hope we have a bit of luck with the people who have cabins on the
starboardside.Fanthorpwe'vedone.TheAllertonscomenext.I'llsendthestewardtofetchthem."

MrsAllertoncameinbriskly.Shewaswearingasoftgreystripedsilkdress.Herfacelookeddistressed.

"It'stoohorrible,"shesaidassheacceptedthechairthatPoirotplacedforher."Icanhardlybelieveit.
Thatlovelycreature,witheverythingtolivefor-dead.IalmostfeelIcan'tbelieveit."

"Iknowhowyoufeel,Madame,"saidPoirotsympathetically.

"I'mgladyouareonboard,"saidMrsAllertonsimply."You'llbeabletofindoutwhodidit.I'msoglad
itisn'tthatpoortragicgirl."

"YoumeanMademoiselledeBellefort.Whotoldyoushedidnotdoit?"

"CorneliaRobson,"repliedMrsAllerton,withafaintsmile."Youknow,she'ssimplythrilledbyitall.

It'sprobablytheonlyexcitingthingthathaseverhappenedtoher,andprobablytheonlyexcitingthing
thateverwillhappentoher.Butshe'ssonicethatshe'sterriblyashamedofenjoyingit.Shethinksit's
awfulofher."

Mrs Allerton gave a look at Poirot and then added: "But I mustn't chatter. You want to ask me
questions."

"Ifyouplease.Youwenttobedatwhattime,Madame?"

"Justafterhalfpastten."

"Andyouwenttosleepatonce?"

"Yes.Iwassleepy."

"Anddidyouhearanything-anythingatall-duringthenight?"

MrsAllertonwrinkledherbrows.

"Yes,IthinkIheardasplashandsomeonerunning-orwasittheotherwayabout?I'mratherhazy.I
justhadavagueideathatsomeonehadfallenoverboardatsea-adream,youknow-andthenIwoke
upandlistened,butitwasallquitequiet."

"Doyouknowwhattimethatwas?"

"No,I'mafraidIdon't.ButIdon'tthinkitwasverylongafterIwenttosleep.Imeanitwaswithinthe
firsthourorso."

"Alas,Madame,thatisnotverydefinite."

"No,Iknowitisn't.Butit'snogoodmytryingtoguess,isit,whenIhaven'treallythevaguestidea?"

"Andthatisallyoucantellus,Madame?"

"I'mafraidso."

"HadyoueveractuallymetMadameDoylebefore?"

"No,Timhadmether.AndI'dheardagooddealaboutherthroughacousinofours,JoannaSouthwood,
butI'dneverspokentohertillwemetatAssuan."

"Ihaveoneotherquestion,Madame,ifyouwillpardonmeforasking."

MrsAllertonmurmuredwithafaintsmile,"Ishouldlovetobeaskedanindiscreetquestion."

"It is this. Did you, or your family, ever suffer any financial loss through the operations of Madame
Doyle'sfather,MelhuishRidgeway?"

MrsAllertonlookedthoroughlyastonished.

"Oh,no!Thefamilyfinanceshaveneversufferedexceptbydwindling...youknow,everythingpaying
lessinterestthanitusedto.There'sneverbeenanythingmelodramaticaboutourpoverty.Myhusband
leftverylittlemoney,butwhatheleftIstillhave,thoughitdoesn'tyieldasmuchasitusedtoyield."

"Ithankyou,Madame.Perhapsyouwillaskyoursontocometous."

Timsaidlightly,whenhismothercametohim:

"Ordealover?Myturnnow!Whatsortofthingsdidtheyaskyou?"

"OnlywhetherIheardanythinglastnight,"saidMrsAllerton."AndunluckilyIdidn'thearanythingat
all.Ican'tthinkwhynot.Afterall,Linnet'scabinisonlyoneawayfrommine.IshouldthinkI'dhave
beenboundtoheartheshot.Goalong,Tim;they'rewaitingforyou."

ToTimAllertonPoirotrepeatedhispreviousquestion.

Tim answered: "I went to bed early, half past ten or so. I read for a bit. Put out my light just after

eleven."

"Didyouhearanythingafterthat?"

"Heardaman'svoicesayinggood-night,Ithink,notfaraway."

"ThatwasIsayinggood-nighttoMrsDoyle,"saidRace.

"Yes. After that I went to sleep. Then, later, I heard a kind of hullabaloo going on, somebody calling
Fanthorp,Iremember."

"MademoiselleRobsonwhensheranoutfromtheobservationsaloon."

"Yes, I suppose that was it. And then a lot of different voices. And then somebody running along the
deck.Andthenasplash.AndthenIheardoldBessnerboomingoutsomethingabout'Carefulnow'and
'Nottooquick.'"

"Youheardasplash?"

"Well,somethingofthatkind."

"Youaresureitwasnotashotyouheard?"

"Yes, I suppose it might have been... I did hear a cork pop. Perhaps that was the shot. I may have
imaginedthesplashfromconnectingtheideaofthecorkwithliquidpouringintoaglass...Iknowmy
foggyideawasthattherewassomekindofpartyon,andIwishedthey'dallgotobedandshutup."

"Anythingmoreafterthat?"

Timthought.

"OnlyFanthorpbargingroundinhiscabinnextdoor.Ithoughthe'dnevergettobed."

"Andafterthat?"

Timshruggedhisshoulders.

"Afterthat-oblivion."

"Youheardnothingmore?"

"Nothingwhatever."

"Thankyou,MonsieurAllerton."

Timgotupandleftthecabin.

Chapter15

RacepouredthoughtfullyoveraplanofthepromenadedeckoftheKarnak.

"Fanthorp, young Allerton, Mrs Allerton. Then an empty cabin, Simon Doyle's... Now who's on the
othersideofMrsDoyle's?TheoldAmericandame.Ifanyoneheardanything,sheshouldhavedone.If
she'supwe'dbetterhaveheralong."

MissVanSchuylerenteredtheroom.Shelookedevenolderandyellowerthanusualthismorning.Her
small,darkeyeshadanairofvenomousdispleasureinthem.Raceroseandbowed.

"We'reverysorrytotroubleyou,MissVanSchuyler.It'sverygoodofyou.Pleasesitdown."

MissVanSchuylersaidsharply:"Idislikebeingmixedupinthis.Iresentitverymuch.Idonotwishto
beassociatedinanywaywiththis-er-veryunpleasantaffair."

"Quite-quite.IwasjustsayingtoMonsieurPoirotthatthesoonerwetookyourstatementthebetter,as
thenyouneedhavenofurthertrouble."

MissVanSchuylerlookedatPoirotwithsomethingapproachingfavour."I'mgladyoubothrealizemy

feelings.Iamnotaccustomedtoanythingofthiskind."

Poirotsaidsoothingly:"Precisely,Mademoiselle.Thatiswhywewishtofreeyoufromunpleasantness
asquicklyaspossible.Nowyouwenttobedlastnight-atwhattime?"

"Teno'clockismyusualtime.LastnightIwasratherlater,asCorneliaRobson,veryinconsiderately,
keptmewaiting."

"Trèsbien,Mademoiselle.Nowwhatdidyouhearafteryouhadretired?"

MissVanSchuylersaid:"Isleepverylightly."

"Amerveille!Thatisveryfortunateforus."

"I was awakened by that rather flashy young woman, Mrs Doyle's maid, who said, 'Bonne nuit,
Madame'inwhatIcannotbutthinkanunnecessarilyloudvoice."

"Andafterthat?"

"Iwenttosleepagain.Iwokeupthinkingsomeonewasinmycabin,butIrealizedthatitwassomeone
inthecabinnextdoor."

"InMadameDoyle'scabin?"

"Yes.ThenIheardsomeoneoutsideonthedeckandthenasplash."

"Youhavenoideawhattimethiswas?"

"Icantellyouthetimeexactly.Itwastenminutespastone."

"Youaresureofthat?"

"Yes.Ilookedatmylittleclockthatstandsbymybed."

"Youdidnothearashot?"

"No,nothingofthekind."

"Butitmightpossiblyhavebeenashotthatawakenedyou?"

MissVanSchuylerconsideredthequestion,hertoadlikeheadononeside.

"Itmight,"sheadmittedrathergrudgingly.

"Andyouhavenoideawhatcausedthesplashyouheard?"

"Notatall-Iknowperfectly."

ColonelRacesatupalertly.

"Youknow?"

"Certainly.Ididnotlikethissoundofprowlingaround,Igotupandwenttothedoorofmycabin.Miss
Otterbournewasleaningovertheside.Shehadjustdroppedsomethingintothewater."

"MissOtterbourne?"Racesoundedreallysurprised.

"Yes."

"YouarequitesureitwasMissOtterbourne?"

"Isawherfacedistinctly."

"Shedidnotseeyou?"

"Idonotthinkso."

Poirotleanedforward.

"Andwhatdidherfacelooklike,Mademoiselle?"

"Shewasinaconditionofconsiderableemotion."

RaceandPoirotexchangedaquickglance.

"Andthen?"Raceprompted.

"MissOtterbournewentawayroundthesternoftheboatandIreturnedtobed."Therewasaknockat
thedoorandtheManagerentered.Hecarriedinhishandadrippingbundle.

"We'vegotit,Colonel."

Race took the package. He unwrapped fold after fold of sodden velvet. Out of it fell a coarse
handkerchief,faintlystainedwithpink,wrappedroundasmallpearl-handledpistol.

RacegavePoirotaglanceofslightlymalicioustriumph.

"Yousee,"hesaid,"myideawasright.Itwasthrownoverboard."

Heheldthepistoloutonthepalmofhishand.

"Whatdoyousay,MonsieurPoirot?IsthisthepistolyousawattheCataractHotelthatnight?"

Poirotexamineditcarefully;thenhesaidquietly:"Yes-thatisit.Thereistheornamentalworkonit-
andtheinitialsJ.B.Itisanarticledeluxe,averyfeminineproduction,butitisnonethelessalethal
weapon."

"Twenty-two,"murmuredRace.Hetookouttheclip."Twobulletsfired.Yes,theredoesn'tseemmuch

doubtaboutit."

MissVanSchuylercoughedsignificantly.

"Andwhataboutmystole?"shedemanded.

"Yourstole,Mademoiselle?"

"Yes,thatismyvelvetstoleyouhavehere."

Racepickedupthedrippingfoldsofmaterial.

"Thisisyours,MissVanSchuyler?"

"Certainlyit'smine!"theoldladysnapped."Imisseditlastnight.Iwasaskingeveryoneifthey'dseen
it."

PoirotquestionedRacewithaglance,andthelattergaveaslightnodofassent."Wheredidyouseeit
last,MissVanSchuyler?"

"Ihaditinthesaloonyesterdayevening.WhenIcametogotobedIcouldnotfinditanywhere."

Racesaidquietly,"Yourealizewhatit'sbeenusedfor?"

Hespreaditout,indicatingwithafingerthescorchingandseveralsmallholes.

"Themurdererwrappeditroundthepistoltodeadenthenoiseoftheshot."

"Impertinence!"snappedMissVanSchuyler.Thecolourroseinherwizenedcheeks.

Race said, "I shall be glad, Miss Van Schuyler, if you will tell me the extent of your previous
acquaintancewithMrsDoyle."

"Therewasnopreviousacquaintance."

"Butyouknewofher?"

"Iknewwhoshewas,ofcourse."

"Butyourfamilieswerenotacquainted?"

"As a family we have always prided ourselves on being exclusive, Colonel Race. My dear mother
would never have dreamed of calling upon any of the Hartz family, who, outside their wealth, were
nobodies."

"Thatisallyouhavetosay,MissVanSchuyler?"

"IhavenothingtoaddtowhatIhavetoldyou.LinnetRidgewaywasbroughtupinEnglandandInever
sawhertillIcameaboardthisboat."

Sherose.Poirotopenedthedoorforherandshemarchedout.

Theeyesofthetwomenmet.

"That'sherstory,"saidRace,"andshe'sgoingtosticktoit!Itmaybetrue.Idon'tknow.But-Rosalie
Otterbourne?Ihadn'texpectedthat."

Poirotshookhisheadinaperplexedmanner.Thenhebroughtdownhishandonthetablewithasudden
bang.

"Butitdoesnotmakesense,"hecried."Nomd'unnomd'unnom!Itdoesnotmakesense."

Racelookedathim.

"Whatdoyoumeanexactly?"

"I mean that up to a point it is all the clear sailing. Someone wished to kill Linnet Doyle. Someone
overheard the scene in the saloon last night. Someone sneaked in there and retrieved the pistol -
JacquelinedeBellefort'spistol,remember.SomebodyshotLinnetDoylewiththatpistolandwrotethe
letterJonthewall...Allsoclear,isitnot?AllpointingtoJacquelinedeBellefortasthemurderess.And
thenwhatdoesthemurdererdo.Leavethepistol-thedamningpistol-JacquelinedeBellefort'spistol,
for everyone to find? No, he - or she - throws the pistol, that particularly damning bit of evidence,
overboard.Why,myfriend,why?"

Raceshookhishead."It'sodd."

"Itismorethanodd-itisimpossible!"

"Notimpossible,sinceithappened?"

"Idonotmeanthat.Imeanthatthesequenceofeventsisimpossible.Somethingiswrong."

Chapter16

ColonelRaceglancedcuriouslyathiscolleague.Herespected-hehadreasontorespect-thebrainof
Hercule Poirot. Yet for the moment he did not follow the other's process of thought. He asked no
question, however. He seldom did ask questions. He proceeded straightforwardly with the matter in
hand.

"What'sthenextthingtobedone?QuestiontheOtterbournegirl?"

"Yes,thatmayadvanceusalittle."

RosalieOtterbourneenteredungraciously.Shedidnotlooknervousorfrightenedinanyway-merely
unwillingandsulky.

"Well,"sheasked,"whatisit?"

Racewasthespokesman.

"We'reinvestigatingMrsDoyle'sdeath,"heexplained.

Rosalienodded.

"Willyoutellmewhatyoudidlastnight?"

Rosaliereflectedaminute.

"MotherandIwenttobedearly-beforeeleven.Wedidn'thearanythinginparticular,exceptabitof
fussoutsideDrBessner'scabin.Iheardtheoldman'sGermanvoiceboomingaway.OfcourseIdidn't
knowwantitwasallabouttillthismorning."

"Youdidn'thearashot?"

"No."

"Didyouleaveyourcabinatalllastnight?"

"No."

"Youarequitesureofthat?"

Rosaliestaredathim.

"Whatdoyoumean?OfcourseI'msureofit."

"Youdidnot,forinstance,goroundtothestarboardsideoftheboatandthrowsomethingoverboard?"

Thecolourroseinherface.

"Isthereanyruleagainstthrowingthingsoverboard?"

"No,ofcoursenot.Thenyoudid?"

"No,Ididn't.Ineverleftmycabin,Itellyou."

"Thenifanyonesaysthattheysawyou-"

Sheinterruptedhim."Whosaystheysawme?"

"MissVanSchuyler."

"MissVanSchuyler?"Shesoundedgenuinelyastonished.

"Yes.MissVanSchuylersaysshelookedoutofhercabinandsawyouthrowsomethingovertheside."

Rosaliesaidclearly,"That'sadamnedlie."

Then,asthoughstruckbyasuddenthought,sheasked,"Whattimewasthis?"

ItwasPoirotwhoanswered.

"Itwastenminutespastone,Mademoiselle."

Shenoddedherheadthoughtfully."Didsheseeanythingelse?"

Poirotlookedathercuriously.Hestrokedhischin.

"See-no,"hereplied,"butsheheardsomething."

"Whatdidshehear?"

"SomeonemovingaboutinMadameDoyle'scabin."

"Isee,"mutteredRosalie.

Shewaspalenow-deadlypale.

"Andyoupersistinsayingthatyouthrewnothingoverboard,Mademoiselle?"

"WhatonearthshouldIrunaboutthrowingthingsoverboardforinthemiddleofthenight?"

"Theremightbeareason-aninnocentreason."

"Innocent?"repeatedthegirlsharply.

"That'swhatIsaid.Yousee,Mademoiselle,somethingwasthrownoverboardlastnight-somethingthat
wasnotinnocent."

Racesilentlyheldoutthebundleofstainedvelvet,openingittodisplayitscontents.

RosalieOtterbourneshrankback."Wasthat-what-shewaskilledwith?"

"Yes,Mademoiselle."

"AndyouthinkthatI-Ididit?Whatutternonsense!WhyonearthshouldIwanttokillLinnetDoyle?I
don'tevenknowher!"

Shelaughedandstoodupscornfully."Thewholethingistooridiculous."

"Remember,MissOtterbourne,"saidRace,"thatMissVanSchuylerispreparedtoswearshesawyour
facequiteclearlyinthemoonlight."

Rosalielaughedagain."Thatoldcat?She'sprobablyhalfblindanyway.Itwasn'tmeshesaw."

Shepaused."CanIgonow?"

RacenoddedandRosalieOtterbournelefttheroom.

Theeyesofthetwomenmet.Racelightedacigarette.

"Well,that'sthat.Flatcontradiction.Whichof'emdowebelieve?"

Poirotshookhishead."Ihavealittleideathatneitherofthemwasbeingquitefrank."

"That's the worst of our job," said Race despondently. "So many people keep back the truth for
positivelyfutilereasons.What'sournextmove?Getonwiththequestioningofthepassengers?"

"Ithinkso.Itisalwayswelltoproceedwithorderandmethod."

Racenodded.

MrsOtterbourne,dressedinfloatingbatikmaterial,succeededherdaughter.ShecorroboratedRosalie's
statementthattheyhadbothgonetobedbeforeeleveno'clock.Sheherselfhadheardnothingofinterest
during the night. She could not say whether Rosalie had left their cabin or not. On the subject of the
crimeshewasinclinedtoholdforth.

"The crime passionnel!" she exclaimed. "The primitive instinct - to kill! So closely allied to the sex
instinct. That girl, Jacqueline, half Latin, hot-blooded, obeying the deepest instincts of her being,
stealingforth,revolverinhand-"

"But Jacqueline de Bellefort did not shoot Madame Doyle. That we know for certain. It is proved,"
explainedPoirot.

"Herhusband,then,"saidMrsOtterbourne,rallyingfromtheblow."Thebloodlustandthesexinstinct
-asexualcrime.Therearemanywell-knowninstances."

"Mr Doyle was shot through the leg and he was quite unable to move - the bone was fractured,"
explainedColonelRace."HespentthenightwithDrBessner."

MrsOtterbournewasevenmoredisappointed.Shesearchedhermindhopefully.

"Ofcourse!"shesaid."Howfoolishofme!MissBowers!"

"MissBowers?"

"Yes.Naturally.It'ssoclearpsychologically.Repression!Therepressedvirgin!Maddenedbythesight
of these two - a young husband and wife passionately in love with each other. Of course it was her!
She'sjustthetype-sexuallyunattractive,innatelyrespectable.Inmybook,TheBarrenVine-"

Colonel Race interposed tactfully: "Your suggestions have been most helpful, Mrs Otterbourne. We
mustgetonwithourjobnow.Thankyousomuch."

Heescortedhergallantlytothedoorandcamebackwipinghisbrow.

"Whatapoisonouswoman!Whew!Whydidn'tsomebodymurderher?"

"Itmayyethappen,"Poirotconsoledhim.

"Theremightbesomesenseinthat.Whomhavewegotleft?Pennington-we'llkeephimfortheend,I
think.Richetti-Ferguson."

SignorRichettiwasveryvoluble,veryagitated.

"Butwhatahorror,whataninfamy-awomansoyoungandsobeautiful-indeedaninhumancrime!"

SignorRichetti'shandsflewexpressivelyupintheair.

Hisanswerswereprompt.Hehadgonetobedearly-veryearly.Infactimmediatelyafterdinner.He
had read for a while - a very interesting pamphlet lately published - Prähistorische Forschung in
Kleinasien-throwinganentirelynewlightonthepaintedpotteryoftheAnatolianfoothills.

Hehadputouthislightsometimebeforeeleven.No,hehadnotheardanyshot.Noranysoundlikethe
popofacork.Theonlythinghehadheard-butthatwaslater,inthemiddleofthenight-wasasplash,
abigsplash,justnearhisporthole.

"Yourcabinisonthelowerdeck,onthestarboardside,isitnot?"

"Yes,yes,thatisso.AndIhearthebigsplash."Hisarmsflewuponcemoretodescribethebignessof
thesplash.

"Canyoutellmeatallwhattimethatwas?"

SignorRichettireflected.

"Itwasone,two,threehoursafterIgotosleep.Perhapstwohours."

"Abouttenminutespastone,forinstance?"

"Itmightverywellbe,yes.Ah!butwhataterriblecrime-howinhuman...Socharmingawoman..."

ExitSignorRichetti,stillgesticulatingfreely.

Race looked at Poirot. Poirot raised his eyebrows expressively, then shrugged his shoulders. They
passedontoMrFerguson.

Fergusonwasdifficult.Hesprawledinsolentlyinachair.

"Grand to-do about this business!" he sneered. "What's it really matter? Lot of superfluous women in
theworld!"

Racesaidcoldly,"Canwehaveanaccountofyourmovementslastnight,MrFerguson?"

"Don't see why you should, but I don't mind. I mooched around a good bit. Went ashore with Miss
Robson. When she went back to the boat I mooched around by myself for a while. Came back and
turnedinroundaboutmidnight."

"Yourcabinisonthelowerdeck,starboardside?"

"Yes.I'mnotupamongthenobs."

"Didyouhearashot?Itmightonlyhavesoundedlikethepoppingofacork."

Fergusonconsidered."Yes,IthinkIdidhearsomethinglikeacork...Can'trememberwhen-beforeI
wenttosleep.Buttherewerestillalotofpeopleaboutthen-commotion,runningaboutonthedeck
above."

"ThatwasprobablytheshotfiredbyMissdeBellefort.Youdidn'thearanother?"Fergusonshookhis
head.

"Norasplash?"

"Asplash?Yes,IbelieveIdidhearasplash.ButtherewassomuchrowgoingonIcan'tbesureabout
it."

"Didyouleaveyourcabinduringthenight?"

Fergusongrinned."No,Ididn't.AndIdidn'tparticipateinthegoodwork,worseluck."

"Come,come,MrFerguson,don'tbehavechildishly."

Theyoungmanreactedangrily.

"Whyshouldn'tIsaywhatIthink?Ibelieveinviolence."

"Butyoudon'tpractisewhatyoupreach?"murmuredPoirot."Iwonder."

Heleanedforward.

"Itwastheman,Fleetwood,wasitnot,whotoldyouthatLinnetDoylewasoneoftherichestwomenin
England?"

"What'sFleetwoodgottodowiththis?"

"Fleetwood, my friend, had an excellent motive for killing Linnet Doyle. He had a special grudge
againsther."

MrFergusoncameupoutofhisseatlikeaJackintheBox.

"So that's your dirty game, is it?" he demanded wrathfully. "Put it on to a poor devil like Fleetwood,
whocan'tdefendhimself,who'sgotnomoneytohirelawyers.ButItellyouthis-ifyoutryandsaddle
Fleetwoodwiththisbusinessyou'llhavemetodealwith."

"Andwhoexactlyareyou?"askedPoirotsweetly.

MrFergusongotratherred.

"Icanstickbymyfriendsanyway,"hesaidgruffly.

"Well, Mr Ferguson, I think that's all we need for the present," said Race. As the door closed behind
Fergusonheremarkedunexpectedly,"Ratheralikableyoungcub,really."

"Youdon'tthinkheisthemanyouareafter?"askedPoirot.

"Ihardlythinkso.Isupposeheisonboard.Theinformationwasveryprecise.Oh,well,onejobata
time.Let'shaveagoatPennington."

Chapter17

Andrew Pennington displayed all the conventional reactions of grief and shock. He was, as usual,
carefully dressed. He had changed into a black tie. His long clean-shaven face bore a bewildered
expression.

"Gentlemen,"hesaidsadly,"thisbusinesshasgotmerightdown!LittleLinnet-why,Irememberher
asthecutestlittlethingyoucanimagine.HowproudofherMelhuishRidgewayusedtobe,too!Well,
there'snopointingoingintothat.JusttellmewhatIcando;that'sallIask."

Racesaid,"Tobeginwith,MrPennington,didyouhearanythinglastnight?"

"No, sir, I can't say I did. I have the cabin right next to Dr Bessner's, number forty - forty-one, and I
heardacertaincommotiongoingoninthereroundaboutmidnightorso.OfcourseIdidn'tknowwhat
itwasatthetime."

"Youheardnothingelse?Noshots?"

AndrewPenningtonshookhishead.

"Nothingwhateverofthatkind."

"Andyouwenttobedatwhattime?"

"Musthavebeensometimeaftereleven."

Heleantforward.

"Idon'tsupposeit'snewstoyoutoknowthatthere'splentyofrumoursgoingabouttheboat.Thathalf
Frenchgirl-JacquelinedeBellefort-therewassomethingfishythere,youknow.Linnetdidn'ttellme
anything,butnaturallyIwasn'tbornblindanddeaf.There'dbeensomeaffairbetweenherandSimon,
some time, hadn't there? Cherchez la femme - that's a pretty good sound rule, and I should say you
wouldn'thavetocherchezfar."

"YoumeanthatinyourbeliefJacquelinedeBellefortshotMadameDoyle?"Poirotasked.

"That'swhatitlooksliketome.OfcourseIdon'tknowanything..."

"Unfortunatelywedoknowsomething!"

"Eh?"MrPenningtonlookedstartled.

"WeknowthatitisquiteimpossibleforMademoiselledeBelleforttohaveshotMadameDoyle."

Heexplainedcarefullythecircumstances.Penningtonseemedreluctanttoacceptthem.

"Iagreeitlooksallrightonthefaceofit-butthishospitalnursewoman,I'llbetshedidn'tstayawake
allnight.Shedozedoffandthegirlslippedoutandinagain."

"Hardlylikely,MonsieurPennington.Shehadadministeredastrongopiate,remember.Andanywaya
nurseisinthehabitofsleepinglightlyandwakingwhenherpatientwakes."

"Itallsoundsratherfishytome,"declaredPennington.

Racesaid,inagentlyauthoritativemanner:"Ithinkyoumusttakeitfromme,MrPennington,thatwe
haveexaminedallthepossibilitiesverycarefully.Theresultisquitedefinite-JacquelinedeBellefort
didnotshootMrsDoyle.Soweareforcedtolookelsewhere.Thatiswherewehopeyoumaybeableto
helpus."

"I?"Penningtongaveanervousstart.

"Yes.Youwereanintimatefriendofthedeadwoman's.Youknowthecircumstancesofherlife,inall
probability,muchbetterthanherhusbanddoes,sinceheonlymadeheracquaintanceafewmonthsago.
You would know, for instance, of anyone who had a grudge against her. You would know, perhaps,
whethertherewasanyonewhohadamotivefordesiringherdeath."

AndrewPenningtonpassedhistongueoverratherdrylookinglips.

"I assure you, I have no idea... You see Linnet was brought up in England. I know very little of her
surroundingsandassociations."

"And yet," mused Poirot, "there was someone on board who was interested in Madame Doyle's
removal. She had a near escape before, you remember, at this very place, when that boulder crashed
down.Ah!butyouwerenotthere,perhaps?"

"No.Iwasinsidethetempleatthetime.Iheardaboutitafterward,ofcourse.Averynearescape.But
possiblyanaccident,don'tyouthink?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Onethoughtsoatthetime.Now-onewonders."

"Yes-yes,ofcourse."Penningtonwipedhisfacewithafinesilkhandkerchief.

ColonelRacewenton:"MrsDoylehappenedtomentionsomeonebeingonboardwhoboreagrudge-
notagainstherpersonally,butagainstherfamily.Doyouknowwhothatcouldbe?"

Penningtonlookedgenuinelyastonished.

"No,I'venoidea."

"Shedidn'tmentionthemattertoyou?"

"No."

"Youwereanintimatefriendofherfather's-youcannotrememberanybusinessoperationsofhisthat
mighthaveresultedinruinforsomebusinessopponent?"

Penningtonshookhisheadhelplessly.

"Nooutstandingcase.Suchoperationswerefrequent,ofcourse,butIcan'trecallanyonewhouttered
threats-nothingofthatkind."

"Inshort,MrPennington,youcannothelpus?"

"Itseemsso.Ideploremyinadequacy,gentlemen."

RaceinterchangedaglancewithPoirot,thenhesaid:"I'msorrytoo.We'dhadhopes."

Hegotupasasigntheinterviewwasatanend.

Andrew Pennington said: "As Doyle's laid up, I expect he'd like me to see to things. Pardon me,
Colonel,butwhatexactlyarethearrangements?"

"Whenweleavehereweshallmakeanon-stopruntoShellâl,arrivingtheretomorrowmorning."

"Andthebody?"

"Willberemovedtooneofthecoldstoragechambers."

AndrewPenningtonbowedhishead.Thenhelefttheroom.

PoirotandRaceagaininterchangedaglance.

"MrPennington,"saidRace,lightingacigarette,"wasnotatallcomfortable."

Poirotnodded.

"And,"hesaid,"MrPenningtonwassufficientlyperturbedtotellaratherstupidlie.Hewasnotinthe
templeofAbuSimbelwhenthatboulderfell.I-moiquivousparle-cansweartothat.Ihadjustcome
fromthere."

"Averystupidlie,"saidRace,"andaveryrevealingone."

AgainPoirotnodded.

"Butforthemoment,"hesaid,andsmiled,"wehandlehimwiththeglovesofkid,isitnotso?"

"Thatwastheidea,"agreedRace.

"Myfriend,youandIunderstandeachothertoamarvel."

There was a faint grinding noise, a stir beneath their feet. The Karnak had started on her homeward
journeytoShellâl.

"Thepearls,"saidRace."Thatisthenextthingtobeclearedup."

"Youhaveaplan?"

"Yes."Heglancedathiswatch."Itwillbelunchtimeinhalfanhour.AttheendofthemealIpropose
tomakeanannouncement-juststatethefactthatthepearlshavebeenstolen,andthatImustrequest
everyonetostayinthedining-saloonwhileasearchisconducted."

Poirotnoddedapprovingly.

"It is well imagined. Whoever took the pearls still has them. By giving no warning beforehand, there
willbenochanceoftheirbeingthrownoverboardinapanic."

Racedrewsomesheetsofpapertowardhim.Hemurmuredapologetically:"Iliketomakeabriefprécis
ofthefactsasIgoalong.Itkeepsone'smindfreeofconfusion."

"Youdowell.Methodandorder,theyareeverything,"repliedPoirot.

Racewroteforsomeminutesinhissmallneatscript.Finallyhepushedtheresultofhislabourstoward
Poirot.

"Anythingyoudon'tagreewiththere?"

Poirottookupthesheets.Theywereheaded:

'MurderofMrsLinnetDoyle'

Mrs Doyle was last seen alive by her maid, Louise Bourget. Time: 11.30 (approx). From 11.30-12.20
following have alibis: Cornelia Robson, James Fanthorp, Simon Doyle, Jacqueline de Bellefort -
nobody else - but crime almost certainly committed after that time, since it is practically certain that
pistolusedwasJacquelinedeBellefort's,whichwastheninherhandbag.

Thatherpistolwasusedisnotabsolutelycertainuntilafterpost-mortemandexpertevidencerebullet-
butitmaybetakenasoverwhelminglyprobable.

Probablecourseofevents:X(murderer)waswitnessofscenebetweenJacquelineandSimonDoylein
observationsaloonandnotedwherepistolwentundersettee.Afterthesaloonwasvacant,Xprocured
pistol - his or her idea being that Jacqueline de Bellefort would be thought guilty of crime. On this
theorycertainpeopleareautomaticallyclearedofsuspicion:

CorneliaRobson,sinceshehadnoopportunitytotakepistolbeforeJamesFanthorpreturnedtosearch
forit.

MissBowers-same.

DrBessner-same.

N.B.-Fanthorpisnotdefinitelyexcludedfromsuspicion,sincehecouldactuallyhavepocketedpistol
whiledeclaringhimselfunabletofindit.

Anyotherpersoncouldhavetakenthepistolduringthattenminutes'interval.Possiblemotivesforthe
murder:

AndrewPennington.Thisisontheassumptionthathehasbeenguiltyoffraudulentpractices.Thereisa
certain amount of evidence in favour of that assumption, but not enough to justify making out a case
against him. If it was he who rolled down the boulder, he is a man who can seize a chance when it
presentsitself.Thecrime,clearly,wasnotpremeditatedexceptinageneralway.Lastnight'sshooting
scenewasanidealopportunity.

Objections to the theory of Pennington's guilt: Why did he throw the pistol overboard, since it
constitutedavaluableclueagainstJ.B.?

Fleetwood. Motive, revenge. Fleetwood considered himself injured by Linnet Doyle. Might have
overheardsceneandnotedpositionofpistol.Hemayhavetakenpistolbecauseitwasahandyweapon,
ratherthanwiththeideaofthrowingguiltonJacqueline.Thiswouldfitinwiththrowingitoverboard.
Butifthatwerethecase,whydidhewriteJinbloodonthewall?

N.B.-CheaphandkerchieffoundwithpistolmorelikelytohavebelongedtoamanlikeFleetwoodthan
tooneofthewell-to-dopassengers.

Rosalie Otterbourne. Are we to accept Miss Van Schuyler's evidence or Rosalie's denial? Something
was thrown overboard at that time and that something was presumably the pistol wrapped up in the
velvetstole.Pointstobenoted.HadRosalieanymotive?ShemayhavedislikedLinnetDoyleandeven
beenenviousofher-butasamotiveformurderthatseemsgrosslyinadequate.Theevidenceagainst
hercanbeconvincingonlyifwediscoveranadequatemotive.Asfarasweknow,thereisnoprevious
knowledgeorlinkbetweenRosalieOtterbourneandLinnetDoyle.

Miss Van Schuyler. The velvet stole in which pistol was wrapped belongs to Miss Van Schuyler.
Accordingtoherownstatementshelastsawitintheobservationsaloon.Shedrewattentiontoitsloss
duringtheevening,andasearchwasmadeforitwithoutsuccess.

HowdidthestolecomeintothepossessionofX?DidXpurloinitsometimeearlyintheevening?But
ifso,why?Nobodycouldtell,inadvance,thattherewasgoingtobeascenebetweenJacquelineand
Simon.DidXfindthestoleinthesaloonwhenhewenttogetthepistolfromunderthesettee?Butifso,
why was it not found when the search for it was made? Did it never leave Miss Van Schuyler's
possession?Thatistosay:DidMissVanSchuylermurderLinnetDoyle?IsheraccusationofRosalie
Otterbourneadeliberatelie?Ifshedidmurderher,whatwashermotive?

Otherpossibilities:

Robbery as a motive. Possible, since the pearls have disappeared, and Linnet Doyle was certainly
wearingthemlastnight.

SomeonewithagrudgeagainsttheRidgewayfamily.Possibly-againnoevidence.Weknowthatthere
is a dangerous man on board - a killer. Here we have a killer and a death. May not the two be
connected?ButweshouldhavetoshowthatLinnetDoylepossesseddangerousknowledgeconcerning
thisman.

Conclusions:Wecangroupthepersonsonboardintotwoclasses-thosewhohadapossiblemotiveor
againstwhomthereisdefiniteevidence,andthosewho,asfarasweknow,arefreeofsuspicion.

GroupI

AndrewPennington

Fleetwood

RosalieOtterbourne

MissVanSchuyler

LouiseBourget(Robbery?)

Ferguson(Political?)

GroupII

MrsAllerton

TimAllerton

CorneliaRobson

MissBowers

MrsOtterbourne

JamesFanthorp

DrBessner

SignorRichetti

Poirotpushedthepaperback.

"Itisveryjust,veryexact,whatyouhavewrittenthere."

"Youagreewithit?"

"Yes."

"Andnowwhatisyourcontribution?"

Poirotdrewhimselfupinanimportantmanner.

"Me,Iposetomyselfonequestion:'Whywasthepistolthrownoverboard?'"

"That'sall?"

"At the moment, yes. Until I can arrive at a satisfactory answer to that question, there is no sense
anywhere.Thatis-thatmustbethestartingpoint.Youwillnotice,myfriend,that,inyoursummaryof
wherewestand,youhavenotattemptedtoanswerthatpoint."

Raceshruggedhisshoulders.

"Panic."

Poirotshookhisheadperplexedly.Hepickedupthesoddenvelvetwrapandsmootheditout,wetand
limp,onthetable.Hisfingertracedthescorchedmarksandtheburntholes.

"Tellme,myfriend,"hesaidsuddenly."YouaremoreconversantwithfirearmsthanIam.Wouldsucha
thingasthis,wrappedroundapistol,makemuchdifferenceinmufflingthesound?"

"No,itwouldn't.Notlikeasilencer,forinstance."

Poirotnodded.Hewenton:"Aman-certainlyamanwhohadhadmuchhandlingoffirearms-would
knowthat.Butawoman-awomanwouldnotknow."

Racelookedathimcuriously."Probablynot."

"No.Shewouldhavereadthedetectivestorieswheretheyarenotalwaysveryexactastodetails."

Raceflickedthelittlepearl-handledpistolwithhisfinger.

"Thislittle fellow wouldn'tmake much noiseanyway," he said. "Justa pop, that'sall. With any other
noisearound,tentooneyouwouldn'tnoticeit."

"Yes,Ihavereflectedastothat."

Poirotpickedupthehandkerchiefandexaminedit.

"Aman'shandkerchief-butnotagentleman'shandkerchief.CecherWoolworth,Iimagine.Threepence
atmost."

"ThesortofhandkerchiefamanlikeFleetwoodwouldown."

"Yes.AndrewPennington,Inotice,carriesaveryfinesilkhandkerchief."

"Ferguson?"suggestedRace.

"Possibly.Asagesture.Butthenitoughttobeabandana."

"Used it instead of a glove, I suppose, to hold the pistol and obviate fingerprints." Race added, with
slightfacetiousness,"'TheClueoftheBlushingHandkerchief.'"

"Ah, yes. Quite a jeune fille colour, is it not?" He laid it down and returned to the stole, once more
examiningthepowdermarks.

"Allthesame,"hemurmured,"itisodd..."

"What'sthat?"

Poirotsaidgently:"CettepauvreMadameDoyle.Lyingtheresopeacefully...withthelittleholeinher
head.Yourememberhowshelooked?"

Racelookedathimcuriously.

"Youknow,"hesaid,"I'vegotanideayou'retryingtotellmesomething-butIhaven'tthefaintestidea
whatitis."

Chapter18

Therewasataponthedoor.

"Comein,"Racecalled.

Astewardentered.

"Excuseme,Sir,"hesaidtoPoirot,"butMrDoyleisaskingforyou."

"Iwillcome."

Poirotrose.Hewentoutoftheroomandupthecompanionwaytothepromenadedeckandalongitto
DrBessner'scabin.

Simon,hisfaceflushedandfeverish,wasproppedupwithpillows.Helookedembarrassed.

"Awfullygoodofyoutocomealong,MonsieurPoirot.Lookhere,there'ssomethingIwanttoaskyou."

"Yes?"

Simongotstillredderintheface.

"It's-it'saboutJackie.Iwanttoseeher.Doyouthink-wouldyoumind-wouldshemind,d'youthink,
ifyouaskedhertocomealonghere?YouknowI'vebeenlyingherethinking...Thatwretchedkid-she
isonlyakidafterall-andItreatedherdamnbadly-and-"

Hestammeredtosilence.

Poirotlookedathimwithinterest.

"YoudesiretoseeMademoiselleJacqueline?Iwillfetchher."

"Thanks.Awfullygoodofyou."

Poirot went on his quest. He found Jacqueline de Bellefort sitting huddled up in a corner of the
observationsaloon.Therewasanopenbookonherlapbutshewasnotreading.

Poirotsaidgently:"Willyoucomewithme,Mademoiselle?MonsieurDoylewantstoseeyou."

Shestartedup.Herfaceflushed-thenpaled.Shelookedbewildered.

"Simon?Hewantstoseeme-toseeme?"

Hefoundherincredulitymoving.

"Willyoucome,Mademoiselle?"

Shewentwithhiminadocilefashion,likeachild,butlikeapuzzledchild.

"I-yes,ofcourseIwill."

Poirotpassedintothecabin.

"HereisMademoiselle."

She stepped in after him, wavered, stood still... standing there mute and dumb, her eyes fixed on
Simon'sface.

"Hullo,Jackie."He,too,wasembarrassed.Hewenton:"Awfullygoodofyoutocome.Iwantedtosay
-Imean-whatImeanis-"

Sheinterruptedhimthen.Herwordscameoutinarush.

"Simon-Ididn'tkillLinnet.YouknowIdidn'tdothat.Iwasmadlastnight.Oh,canyoueverforgive
me?"

Wordscamemoreeasilytohimnow.

"Of course. That's all right! Absolutely all right! That's what I wanted to say. Thought you might be

worryingabit,youknow..."

"Worrying?Abit?Oh!Simon!"

"That'swhatIwantedtoseeyouabout.It'squiteallright,see,oldgirl?Youjustgotabitrattledlast
night-ashadetight.Allperfectlynatural."

"Oh,Simon!Imighthavekilledyou!"

"Notyou.Notwitharottenlittlepeashooterlikethat."

"Andyourleg!Perhapsyou'llneverwalkagain.Hermouthwentsulkyatonce.

"Now,lookhere,Jackie,don'tbemaudlin.AssoonaswegettoAssuanthey'regoingtoputtheX-rays
towork,anddigoutthattinpotbullet,andeverythingwillbeasrightasrain."

Jacquelinegulpedtwice;thensherushedforwardandkneltdownbySimon'sbed,buryingherfaceand
sobbing.Simonpattedherawkwardlyonthehead.HiseyesmetPoirot'sand,withareluctantsigh,the
latterleftthecabin.Heheardbrokenmurmursashewent:

"HowcouldIbesuchadevil?Oh,Simon!I'msodreadfullysorry..."

OutsideCorneliaRobsonwasleaningovertherail.Sheturnedherhead.

"Oh,it'syou,MonsieurPoirot.Itseemssoawfulsomehowthatitshouldbesuchalovelyday."

Poirotlookedupatthesky.

"Whenthesunshinesyoucannotseethemoon,"hesaid."Butwhenthesunisgone-ah,whenthesun
isgone."

Cornelia'smouthfellopen.

"Ibegyourpardon?"

"Iwassaying,Mademoiselle,thatwhenthesunhasgonedown,weshallseethemoon.Thatisso,isit
not?"

"Why-why,yes-certainly."

Shelookedathimdoubtfully.

Poirotlaughedgently.

"Iuttertheimbecilities,"hesaid."Takenonotice."

Hestrolledgentlytowardthesternoftheboat.Ashepassedthenextcabinhepausedforaminute.He
caughtfragmentsofspeechfromwithin:

"Utterlyungrateful-afterallI'vedoneforyou-noconsiderationforyourwretchedmother-noideaof
whatIsuffer."

Poirot'slipsstiffenedashepressedthemtogether.Heraisedahandandknocked.

TherewasastartledsilenceandMrsOtterbourne'svoicecalled:"Who'sthat?"

"IsMademoiselleRosaliethere?"

Rosalieappearedinthedoorway.Poirotwasshockedatherappearance.Thereweredarkcirclesunder
hereyesanddrawnlinesroundhermouth.

"What'sthematter?"shesaidungraciously."Whatdoyouwant?"

"Thepleasureofafewminutes'conversationwithyou,Mademoiselle.Willyoucome?"

Sheshothimasuspiciouslook.

"WhyshouldI?"

"Ientreatyou,Mademoiselle."

"Oh,Isuppose-"

Shesteppedoutonthedeck,closingthedoorbehindher.

"Well?"

Poirottookhergentlybythearmanddrewheralongthedeck,stillinthedirectionofthestern.They
hadthesternpartofthedecktothemselves.TheNileflowedawaybehindthem.

Poirotrestedhiselbowsontherail.Rosaliestoodupstraightandstiff.

"Well?"sheaskedagain,andhervoiceheldthesameungracioustone.

"I could ask you certain questions, Mademoiselle, but I do not think for one moment that you would
consenttoanswerthem."

"Seemsratherawastetobringmealongherethen."

Poirotdrewafingerslowlyalongthewoodenrail.

"Youareaccustomed,Mademoiselle,tocarryingyourownburdens...Butyoucandothattoolong.The
strainbecomestoogreat.Foryou,Mademoiselle,thestrainisbecomingtoogreat."

"Idon'tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout,"saidRosalie.

"Iamtalkingaboutfacts,Mademoiselle-plainuglyfacts.Letuscallthespadethespadeandsayitin
onelittleshortsentence.Yourmotherdrinks,Mademoiselle."

Rosaliedidnotanswer.Hermouthopened;thenshecloseditagain.Foroncesheseemedataloss.

"Thereisnoneedforyoutotalk,Mademoiselle.Iwilldoallthetalking.IwasinterestedatAssuanin
therelationsexistingbetweenyou.Isawatoncethat,inspiteofyourcarefullystudiedunfilialremarks,
youwereinrealitypassionatelyprotectingherfromsomething.Iverysoonknewwhatthatsomething
was. I knew it long before I encountered your mother one morning in an unmistakable state of
intoxication. Moreover, her case, I could see, was one of secret bouts of drinking - by far the most
difficultkindofcasewithwhichtodeal.Youwerecopingwithitmanfully.Nevertheless,shehadallthe
secret drunkard's cunning. She managed to get hold of a secret supply of spirits and to keep it
successfully hidden from you. I should not be surprised if you discovered its hiding place only
yesterday.Accordingly,lastnight,assoonasyourmotherwasreallysoundlyasleep,youstoleoutwith
thecontentsofthecache,wentroundtotheothersideoftheboat(sinceyourownsidewasupagainst
thebank)andcastitoverboardintotheNile."

Hepaused.

"Iamright,amInot?"

"Yes-you'requiteright."Rosaliespokewithsuddenpassion."Iwasafoolnottosayso,Isuppose!But
Ididn'twanteveryonetoknow.Itwouldgoallovertheboat.Anditseemedso-sosilly-Imean-thatI
-"

Poirotfinishedthesentenceforher.

"Sosillythatyoushouldbesuspectedofcommittingamurder?"

Rosalienodded.

Thensheburstoutagain:"I'vetriedsohardto-keepeveryonefromknowing...Itisn'treallyherfault.
Shegotdiscouraged.Herbooksdidn'tsellanymore.Peoplearetiredofallthatcheapsexstuff...Ithurt
her-ithurtherdreadfully.Andsoshebeganto-todrink.ForalongtimeIdidn'tknowwhyshewasso
queer.Then,whenIfoundout,Itriedto-tostopit.She'dbeallrightforabit,andthen,suddenly,she'd
start,andtherewouldbedreadfulquarrelsandrowswithpeople.Itwasawful."Sheshuddered."Ihad
alwaystobeonthewatch-togetheraway.

"Andthen-shebegantodislikemeforit.She-she'sturnedrightagainstme.Ithinkshealmosthates
mesometimes."

"Pauvrepetite,"saidPoirot.

Sheturnedonhimvehemently.

"Don'tbesorryforme.Don'tbekind.It'seasierifyou'renot."Shesighed-alongheart-rendingsigh.
"I'msotired...I'msodeadly,deadlytired."

"Iknow,"saidPoirot.

"PeoplethinkI'mawful.Stuck-upandcrossandbad-tempered.Ican'thelpit.I'veforgottenhowtobe-
tobenice."

"ThatiswhatIsaidtoyou;youhavecarriedyourburdenbyyourselftoolong."

Rosalie said slowly: "It is a relief - to talk about it. You - you've always been kind to me, Monsieur
Poirot.I'mafraidI'vebeenrudetoyouoften."

"Lapolitesse,itisnotnecessarybetweenfriends."

Thesuspicioncamebacktoherfacesuddenly.

"Areyou-areyougoingtotelleveryone?Isupposeyoumust,becauseofthosedamnedbottlesIthrew
overboard."

"No,no,itisnotnecessary.JusttellmewhatIwanttoknow.Atwhattimewasthis?Tenminutespast
one?"

"Aboutthat,Ishouldthink.Idon'trememberexactly."

"Nowtellme,Mademoiselle.MademoiselleVanSchuylersawyou,didyouseeher?"Rosalieshookher
head.

"No,Ididn't."

"Shesaysthatshelookedoutofthedoorofhercabin."

"Idon'tthinkIshouldhaveseenher.Ijustlookedalongthedeckandthenouttotheriver."

Poirotnodded.

"Anddidyouseeanyone-anyoneatall,whenyoulookeddownthedeck?"

Therewasapause-quitealongpause.Rosaliewasfrowning.Sheseemedtobethinkingearnestly.

Atlastsheshookherheadquitedecisively.

"No,"shesaid."Isawnobody."

HerculePoirotslowlynoddedhishead.Buthiseyesweregrave.

Chapter19

Peoplecreptintothedining-saloonbyonesandtwosinaverysubduedmanner.Thereseemedageneral
feeling that to sit down eagerly to food displayed an unfortunate heartlessness. It was with an almost
apologeticairthatonepassengerafteranothercameandsatdownattheirtables.TimAllertonarrived
somefewminutesafterhismotherhadtakenherseat.Hewaslookinginathoroughlybadtemper.

"Iwishwe'dnevercomeonthisblastedtrip,"hegrowled.

MrsAllertonshookherheadsadly.

"Oh,mydear,sodoI.Thatbeautifulgirl!Itallseemssuchawaste.Tothinkthatanyonecouldshoot
herincoldblood.Itseemsawfultomethatanyonecoulddosuchathing.Andthatotherpoorchild."

"Jacqueline?"

"Yes;myheartachesforher.Shelookssodreadfullyunhappy."

"Teach her not to go round loosing off toy firearms," said Tim unfeelingly as he helped himself to
butter.

"Iexpectshewasbadlybroughtup-"

"Oh,forGod'ssake,Mother,don'tgoallmaternalaboutit."

"You'reinashockingbadtemper,Tim."

"Yes,Iam.Whowouldn'tbe?"

"Idon'tseewhatthereistobecrossabout.It'sjustfrightfullysad."

Timsaidcrossly:"You'retakingtheromanticpointofview!Whatyoudon'tseemtorealizeisthatit's
nojokebeingmixedupinamurdercase."

MrsAllertonlookedalittlestartled.

"Butsurely-"

"That'sjustit.There'sno'Butsurely'aboutit.Everyoneonthisdamnedboatisundersuspicion-you
andIaswellastherestofthem."

MrsAllertondemurred."Technicallyweare,Isuppose-butactuallyit'sridiculous!"

"There's nothing ridiculous where murder's concerned! You may sit there, darling, just exuding virtue
andconsciousrectitude,butalotofunpleasantpolicemenatShellâlorAssuanwon'ttakeyouatyour
facevalue."

"Perhapsthetruthwillbeknownbeforethen."

"Whyshoulditbe?"

"MonsieurPoirotmayfindout."

"Thatoldmountebank?Hewon'tfindoutanything.He'salltalkandmoustaches."

"Well,Tim,"saidMrsAllerton,"Idaresayeverythingyousayistrue,but,evenifitis,we'vegottogo
throughwithit,sowemightaswellmakeupourmindstoitandgothroughwithitascheerfullyaswe
can."

Buthersonshowednoabatementofgloom.

"There'sthisblastedbusinessofthepearlsbeingmissing,too."

"Linnet'spearls?"

"Yes.Itseemssomebodymusthavepinched'em."

"Isupposethatwasthemotiveforthecrime,"saidMrsAllerton.

"Whyshoulditbe?You'remixinguptwoperfectlydifferentthings."

"Whotoldyouthattheyweremissing?"

"Ferguson.Hegotitfromhistoughfriendintheengineroom,whogotitfromthemaid."

"Theywerelovelypearls,"declaredMrsAllerton.

Poirotsatdownatthetable,bowingtoMrsAllerton.

"Iamalittlelate,"hesaid.

"Iexpectyouhavebeenbusy,"MrsAllertonreplied.

"Yes,Ihavebeenmuchoccupied."

Heorderedafreshbottleofwinefromthewaiter.

"We'reverycatholicinourtastes,"saidMrsAllerton."Youdrinkwinealways;Timdrinkswhiskyand
soda,andItryallthedifferentbrandsofmineralwaterinturn."

"Tiens!"saidPoirot.Hestaredatherforamoment.Hemurmuredtohimself,"Itisanidea,that..."

Then, with an impatient shrug of his shoulders, he dismissed the sudden preoccupation that had
distractedhimandbegantochatlightlyofothermatters."IsMrDoylebadlyhurt?"askedMrsAllerton.

"Yes,itisafairlyseriousinjury.DrBessnerisanxioustoreachAssuansothathislegcanbeX-rayed
andthebulletremoved.Buthehopesthattherewillbenopermanentlameness."

"PoorSimon,"saidMrsAllerton."Onlyyesterdayhelookedsuchahappyboy,witheverythinginthe
worldhewanted.Andnowhisbeautifulwifekilledandhehimselflaidupandhelpless.Idohope-"

"Whatdoyouhope,Madame?"askedPoirotasMrsAllertonpaused.

"Ihopehe'snottooangrywiththatpoorchild."

"WithMademoiselleJacqueline?Quitethecontrary.Hewasfullofanxietyonherbehalf."

HeturnedtoTim.

"Youknow,itisaprettylittleproblemofpsychology,that.AllthetimethatMademoiselleJacqueline
wasfollowingthemfromplacetoplace,hewasabsolutelyfurious;butnow,whenshehasactuallyshot
him, and wounded him dangerously - perhaps made him lame for life - all his anger seems to have
evaporated.Canyouunderstandthat?"

"Yes,"saidTimthoughtfully,"IthinkIcan.Thefirstthingmadehimfeelafool-"

Poirotnodded."Youareright.Itoffendedhismaledignity."

"Butnow-ifyoulookatitacertainway,it'sshewho'smadeafoolofherself.Everyone'sdownonher,
andso-"

"Hecanbegenerouslyforgiving,"finishedMrsAllerton."Whatchildrenmenare!"

"Aprofoundlyuntruestatementthatwomenalwaysmake,"murmuredTim.

Poirotsmiled.ThenhesaidtoTim,"Tellme,MadameDoyle'scousin,MissJoannaSouthwood,didshe
resembleMadameDoyle?"

"You'vegotitalittlewrong,MonsieurPoirot.ShewasourcousinandLinnet'sfriend."

"Ah,pardon-Iwasconfused.Sheisayoungladymuchinthenews,that.Ihavebeeninterestedinher
forsometime."

"Why?"askedTimsharply.

PoirothalfrosetobowtoJacquelinedeBellefort,whohadjustcomeinandpassedtheirtableonthe
waytoherown.Hercheekswereflushedandhereyesbright,andherbreathcamealittleunevenly.As
heresumedhisseatPoirotseemedtohaveforgottenTim'squestion.Hemurmuredvaguely,"Iwonderif
allyoungladieswithvaluablejewelswereascarelessasMadameDoylewas?"

"Itistrue,then,thattheywerestolen?"askedMrsAllerton.

"Whotoldyouso,Madame?"

"Fergusonsaidso,"Timvolunteered.

Poirotnoddedgravely.

"Itisquitetrue."

"Isuppose,"saidMrsAllertonnervously,"thatthiswillmeanalotofunpleasantnessforallofus.Tim
saysitwill."

TimseemedupsetbythiscommentandPoirotasked:

"Ah, you have had previous experience, perhaps? You have been in a house where there was a
robbery?"

"Never,"saidTim.

"Oh,yes,darling,youwereatthePortarlingtons'thattime-whenthatawfulwoman'sdiamondswere
stolen."

"Youalwaysgetthingshopelesslywrong,Mother.Iwastherewhenitwasdiscoveredthatthediamonds
shewaswearingroundherfatneckwereonlypaste!Theactualsubstitutionwasprobablydonemonths
earlier.Asamatteroffact,alotofpeoplesaidshe'dhaditdoneherself!"

"Joannasaidso,Iexpect."

"Joannawasn'tthere."

"Butsheknewthemquitewell.Andit'sverylikehertomakethatkindofsuggestion."

"You'realwaysdownonJoanna,Mother."

Poirothastilychangedthesubject.HehaditinmindtomakeareallybigpurchaseatoneoftheAssuan
shops.SomeveryattractivepurpleandgoldmaterialatoneoftheIndianmerchants.Therewould,of
course,bethedutytopay,but-

"Theytellmethattheycan-howdoyousay?-expediteitforme.Andthatthechargeswillnotbetoo
high.Howthinkyou,willitarriveallright?"

MrsAllertonsaidthatmanypeople,soshehadheard,hadhadthingssentstraighttoEnglandfromthe
shopsinquestionandthateverythinghadarrivedsafely.

"Bien. Then I will do that. But the trouble one has, when one is abroad, if a parcel comes out from
England! Have you had experience of that? Have you had any parcels arrive since you have been on
yourtravels?"

"I don't think we have, have we, Tim? You get books sometimes, but of course there is never any
troubleaboutthem."

"Ah,no,booksaredifferent."

Dessert had been served. Now, without any previous warning, Colonel Race stood up and made his
speech.

He touched on the circumstances of the crime and announced the theft of the pearls. A search of the
boat was about to be instituted, and he would be obliged if all the passengers would remain in the
saloonuntilthiswascompleted.Then,afterthat,ifthepassengersagreed,ashewassuretheywould,
theythemselveswouldbekindenoughtosubmittoasearch.Poirotslippednimblyalongtohisside.
TherewasalittlebuzzandPoirotreachedRace'ssideandmurmuredsomethinginhisearjustasthe
latterwasabouttoleavethedining-saloon.

Racelistened,noddedassent,andbeckonedasteward.Hesaidafewbriefwordstohim;then,together
withPoirot,hepassedoutontothedeck,closingthedoorbehindhim.

Theystoodforaminuteortwobytherail.Racelitacigarette.

"Notabadideaofyours,"hesaid."We'llsoonseeifthere'sanythinginit.I'llgive'emthreeminutes."

The door of the dining-saloon opened and the same steward to whom they had spoken came out. He
salutedRaceandsaid:"Quiteright,sir.There'saladywhosaysit'surgentsheshouldspeaktoyouat
oncewithoutanydelay."

"Ah!"Race'sfaceshowedhissatisfaction."Whoisit?"

"MissBowers,sir,thehospitalnurselady."

AslightshadeofsurpriseshowedonRace'sface.Hesaid:"Bringhertothesmoking-room.Don'tlet

anyoneelseleave."

"No,sir-theotherstewardwillattendtothat."

Hewentbackintothedining-room.PoirotandRacewenttothesmoking-room.

"Bowers,eh?"murmuredRace.

They had hardly got inside the smoking-room before the steward reappeared with Miss Bowers. He
usheredherinandleft,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.

"Well,MissBowers?"ColonelRacelookedatherinquiringly."What'sallthis?"MissBowerslooked
herusualcomposed,unhurriedself.Shedisplayednoparticularemotion.

"You'llexcuseme,ColonelRace,"shesaid,"butunderthecircumstancesIthoughtthebestthingtodo
wouldbetospeaktoyouatonce-"sheopenedherneatblackhandbag-"andtoreturnyouthese."

Shetookoutastringofpearlsandlaidthemonthetable.

Chapter20

If Miss Bowers had been the kind of woman who enjoyed creating a sensation, she would have been
richlyrepaidbytheresultofheraction.

AlookofutterastonishmentpassedoverColonelRace'sfaceashepickedupthepearlsfromthetable.

"Thisismostextraordinary,"hesaid."Willyoukindlyexplain,MissBowers?"

"Ofcourse.That'swhatI'vecometodo."MissBowerssettledherselfcomfortablyinachair."Naturally
it was a little difficult for me to decide what it was best for me to do. The family would naturally be
aversetoscandalofanykind,andtheytrustmydiscretion,butthecircumstancesaresoveryunusual
that it really leaves me no choice. Of course, when you didn't find anything in the cabins, your next
movewouldbeasearchofthepassengers,andifthepearlswerethenfoundinmypossessionitwould
beratheranawkwardsituationandthetruthwouldcomeoutjustthesame."

"Andjustwhatisthetruth?DidyoutakethesepearlsfromMrsDoyle'scabin?"

"Oh,no,ColonelRace,ofcoursenot.MissVanSchuylerdid."

"MissVanSchuyler?"

"Yes.Shecan'thelpit,youknow,butshedoes-er-takethings.Especiallyjewellery.That'sreallywhy
I'm always with her. It's not her health at all; it's this little idiosyncrasy. I keep on the alert, and
fortunately there's never been any trouble since I've been with her. It just means being watchful, you
know.Andshealwayshidesthethingsshetakesinthesameplace-rolledupinapairofstockings-so
thatmakesitverysimple.Ilookeachmorning.OfcourseI'malightsleeper,andIalwayssleepnext
doortoher,andwiththecommunicatingdooropenifit'sinahotel,sothatIusuallyhear.ThenIgo
afterherandpersuadehertogobacktobed.Ofcourseit'sbeenrathermoredifficultonaboat.Butshe
doesn'tusuallydoitatnight.It'smorejustpickingupthingsthatsheseesleftabout.Ofcourse,pearls
haveagreatattractionforheralways."

MissBowersceasedspeaking.

Raceasked,"Howdidyoudiscovertheyhadbeentaken?"

"Theywereinherstockingsthismorning.Iknewwhosetheywere,ofcourse.I'veoftennoticedthem.I
wentalongtoputthemback,hopingthatMrsDoylewasn'tupyetandhadn'tdiscoveredherloss.But
there was a steward standing there, and he told me about the murder and that no one could go in. So
then,yousee,Iwasinaregularquandary.ButIstillhopedtoslipthembackinthecabinlater,before
theirabsencehadbeennoticed.IcanassureyouI'vepassedaveryunpleasantmorningwonderingwhat
wasthebestthingtodo.TheVanSchuylerfamilyissotraditional.Itwouldneverdoifthisgotintothe
newspapers.Butthatwon'tbenecessary,willit?"

MissBowersreallylookedworried.

"Thatdependsoncircumstances,"saidColonelRacecautiously."Butweshalldoourbestforyou,of
course.WhatdoesMissVanSchuylersaytothis?"

"Oh, she'll deny it, of course. She always does. Says some wicked person has put it there. She never
admitstakinganything.That'swhyifyoucatchherintimeshegoesbacktobedlikealamb.Saysshe
justwentouttolookatthemoon.Somethinglikethat."

"DoesMissRobsonknowaboutthis-er-failing?"

"No,shedoesn't.Hermotherknows,butshe'saverysimplekindofgirlandhermotherthoughtitbest
she should know nothing about it. I was quite equal to dealing with Miss Van Schuyler," added the
competentMissBowers.

"Wehavetothankyou,Mademoiselle,forcomingtoussopromptly,"saidPoirot.MissBowersstood
up.

"I'msureIhopeI'veactedforthebest."

"Beassuredthatyouhave."

"Yousee,whatwiththerebeingamurderaswell-"

ColonelRaceinterruptedher.Hisvoicewasgrave.

"MissBowers,Iamgoingtoaskyouaquestion,andIwanttoimpressuponyouthatithasgottobe
answeredtruthfully.MissVanSchuylerisunhingedmentallytotheextentofbeingakleptomaniac.Has
shealsoatendencytohomicidalmania?"

MissBowers'answercameimmediately:"Oh,dearme,no!Nothingofthatkind.Youcantakemyword
foritabsolutely.Theoldladywouldn'thurtafly."

Thereplycamewithsuchpositiveassurancethatthereseemednothingmoretobesaid.Nevertheless
Poirotdidinterpolateonemildinquiry.

"DoesMissVanSchuylersufferatallfromdeafness?"

"As a matter of fact she does, Monsieur Poirot. Not so that you'd notice it any way, not if you were
speakingtoher,Imean.Butquiteoftenshedoesn'thearyouwhenyoucomeintoaroom.Thingslike
that."

"DoyouthinkshewouldhaveheardanyonemovingaboutinMrsDoyle'scabin,whichisnextdoorto
herown?"

"Oh,Ishouldn'tthinkso-notforaminute.Yousee,thebunkistheothersideofthecabin,noteven
againstthepartitionwall.No,Idon'tthinkshewouldhaveheardanything."

"Thankyou,MissBowers."

Racesaid,"Perhapsyouwillnowgobacktothedining-saloonandwaitwiththeothers?"

Heopenedthedoorforherandwatchedhergodownthestaircaseandenterthesaloon.Thenheshut
thedoorandcamebacktothetable.Poirothadpickedupthepearls.

"Well,"saidRacegrimly,"thatreactioncameprettyquickly.That'saverycool-headedandastuteyoung
woman-perfectlycapableofholdingoutonusstillfurtherifshethinksitsuitsherbook.Whatabout
MissMarieVanSchuylernow?Idon'tthinkwecaneliminateherfromthepossiblesuspects.Youknow,
she might have committed murder to get hold of those jewels. We can't take the nurse's word for it.
She'sallouttodothebestforthefamily."

Poirot nodded in agreement. He was very busy with the pearls, running them through his fingers,
holdingthemuptohiseyes.

Hesaid:"Wemaytakeit,Ithink,thatpartoftheoldlady'sstorytouswastrue.Shedidlookoutofher
cabin and she did see Rosalie Otterbourne. But I don't think she heard anything or anyone in Linnet
Doyle's cabin. I think she was just peering out from her cabin preparatory to slipping along and
purloiningthepearls."

"TheOtterbournegirlwasthere,then?"

"Yes.Throwinghermother'ssecretcacheofdrinkoverboard."

ColonelRaceshookhisheadsympathetically.

"Sothat'sit!Toughonayoungun."

"Yes,herlifehasnotbeenverygay,cettepauvrepetiteRosalie."

"Well,I'mgladthat'sbeenclearedup.Shedidn'tseeorhearanything?"

"Iaskedherthat.Sheresponded-afteralapseofquitetwentyseconds-thatshesawnobody."

"Oh?"Racelookedalert.

"Yes,itissuggestive,that."

Racesaidslowly:"IfLinnetDoylewasshotroundabouttenminutespastone,orindeedanytimeafter
theboathadquieteddown,ithasseemedamazingtomethatnooneheardtheshot.Igrantyouthata
littlepistollikethatwouldn'tmakemuchnoise,butallthesametheboatwouldbedeadlyquiet,andany
noise,evenagentlepop,shouldhavebeenheard.ButIbegintounderstandbetternow.Thecabinon
theforwardsideofherswasunoccupied-sinceherhusbandwasinDrBessner'scabin.Theoneaftwas
occupied by the Van Schuyler woman, who was deaf. That leaves only -" He paused and looked
expectantlyatPoirot,whonodded.

"The cabin on the other side. In other words - Pennington. We always seem to come back to
Pennington."

"Wewillcomebacktohimpresentlywiththekidglovesremoved!Ah,yes,Iampromisingmyselfthat
pleasure."

"In the meantime we'd better get on with our search of the boat. The pearls still make a convenient
excuse,eventhoughtheyhavebeenreturned-butMissBowersisnotlikelytoadvertisethatfact."

"Ah,thesepearls!"Poirotheldthemupagainstthelightoncemore.Hestuckouthistongueandlicked
them;heevengingerlytriedoneofthembetweenhisteeth.Then,withasigh,hethrewthemdownon
thetable.

"Herearemorecomplications,myfriend,"hesaid."Iamnotanexpertonpreciousstones,butIhave
hadagooddealtodowiththeminmytimeandIamfairlycertainofwhatIsay.Thesepearlsareonlya
cleverimitation."

Chapter21

ColonelRacesworelustily.

"Thisdamnedcasegetsmoreandmoreinvolved."Hepickedupthepearls."Isupposeyou'venotmade
amistake?Theylookallrighttome."

"Theyareaverygoodimitation-yes."

"Nowwheredoesthatleadus?IsupposeLinnetDoyledidn'tdeliberatelyhaveanimitationmadeand
bringitaboardwithherforsafety.Manywomendo."

"Ithink,ifthatwereso,herhusbandwouldknowaboutit."

"Shemaynothavetoldhim."

Poirotshookhisheadinadissatisfiedmanner.

"No,Idonotthinkthatisso.IwasadmiringMadameDoyle'spearlsthefirsteveningontheboat-their
wonderfulsheenandlustre.Iamsurethatshewaswearingthegenuineonesthen."

"Thatbringsusupagainsttwopossibilities.First,thatMissVanSchuyleronlystoletheimitationstring
after the real ones had been stolen by someone else. Second, that the whole kleptomaniac story is a
fabrication. Either Miss Bowers is a thief, and quickly invented the story and allayed suspicion by
handingoverthefalsepearls,orelsethatwholepartyisinittogether.Thatistosay,theyareagangof
cleverjewelthievesmasqueradingasanexclusiveAmericanfamily."

"Yes."Poirotmurmured"Itisdifficulttoknow.ButIwillnowputtoyouonething-tomakeaperfect
andexactcopyofthepearls,claspandall,goodenoughtostandachanceofdeceivingMadameDoyle,
isahighlyskilledtechnicalperformance.Itcouldnotbedoneinahurry.Whoevercopiedthosepearls
musthavehadagoodopportunityofstudyingtheoriginal."

Racerosetohisfeet.

"Useless to speculate about it any further now. Let's get on with the job. We've got to find the real
pearls.Andatthesametimewe'llkeepoureyesopen."

Theydisposedfirstofthecabinsoccupiedonthelowerdeck.ThatofSignorRichetticontainedvarious
archaeological works in different languages, a varied assortment of clothing, hair lotions of a highly
scentedkindandtwopersonalletters-onefromanarchaeologicalexpeditioninSyria,andonefrom,

apparently,asisterinRome.Hishandkerchiefswereallofcolouredsilk.TheypassedontoFerguson's
cabin.

Therewasasprinklingofcommunisticliterature,agoodmanysnapshots,SamuelButler'sErewhonand
acheapeditionofPepys'Diary.Hispersonalpossessionswerenotmany.Mostofwhatouterclothing
there was was torn and dirty; the underclothing, on the other hand, was of really good quality. The
handkerchiefswereexpensivelinenones.

"Someinterestingdiscrepancies,"murmuredPoirot.

Racenodded."Ratheroddthatthereareabsolutelynopersonalpapers,letters,etc."

"Yes; that gives one to think. An odd young man, Monseiur Ferguson." He looked thoughtfully at a
signetringheheldinhishand,beforereplacingitinthedrawerwherehehadfoundit.

They went along to the cabin occupied by Louise Bourget. The maid had her meals after the other
passengers, but Race had sent word that she was to be taken to join the others. A cabin steward met
them.

"I'msorry,sir,"heapologized,"butI'venotbeenabletofindtheyoungwomananywhere.Ican'tthink
whereshecanhavegotto."

Raceglancedinsidethecabin.Itwasempty.

Theywentuptothepromenadedeckandstartedonthestarboardside.Thefirstcabinwasthatoccupied
by James Fanthorp. Here all was in meticulous order. Mr Fanthorp travelled light, but all that he had
wasofgoodquality.

"Noletters,"saidPoirotthoughtfully."Heiscareful,ourMrFanthorp,todestroyhiscorrespondence."

TheypassedontoTimAllerton'scabin,nextdoor.

There were evidences here of an Anglo Catholic turn of mind - an exquisite little triptych, and a big
rosaryofintricatelycarvedwood.Besidespersonalclothing,therewasahalfcompletedmanuscript,a
good deal annotated and scribbled over, and a good collection of books, most of them recently
published.Therewerealsoaquantityoflettersthrowncarelesslyintoadrawer.Poirot,neverintheleast

scrupulousaboutreadingotherpeople'scorrespondence,glancedthroughthem.Henotedthatamongst
them there were no letters from Joanna Southwood. He picked up a tube of Seccotine, fingered it
absentlyforaminuteortwo,thensaid,"Letuspasson."

"NoWoolworthhandkerchiefs,"reportedRace,rapidlyreplacingthecontentsofadrawer.

MrsAllerton'scabinwasthenext.Itwasexquisitelyneat,andafaintold-fashionedsmelloflavender
hungaboutit.

Thetwomen'ssearchwassoonover.Raceremarkedastheyleftit,"Nicewoman,that."

The next cabin was that which had been used as a dressing-room by Simon Doyle. His immediate
necessities - pyjamas, toilet things, etc., had been moved to Bessner's cabin, but the remainder of his
possessions were still there - two good-sized leather suitcases and a kit bag. There were also some
clothesinthewardrobe.

"Wewilllookcarefullyhere,myfriend,"saidPoirot,"foritisverypossiblethatthethiefhidthepearls
here."

"Youthinkitislikely?"

"But yes, indeed. Consider! The thief, whoever he or she may be, must know that sooner or later a
searchwillbemade,andthereforeahidingplaceinhisorherowncabinwouldbeinjudiciousinthe
extreme.Thepublicroomspresentotherdifficulties.Buthereisacabinbelongingtoamanwhocannot
possiblyvisitithimself,sothat,ifthepearlsarefoundhere,ittellsusnothingatall."

Butthemostmeticuloussearchfailedtorevealanytraceofthemissingnecklace.

Poirotmurmured"Zut!"tohimselfandtheyemergedoncemoreonthedeck.

LinnetDoyle'scabinhadbeenlockedafterthebodywasremoved,butRacehadthekeywithhim.He
unlockedthedoorandthetwomensteppedinside.

Exceptfortheremovalofthegirl'sbody,thecabinwasexactlyasithadbeenthatmorning.

"Poirot,"saidRace,"ifthere'sanythingtobefoundhere,forGod'ssakegoaheadandfindit.Youcanif
anyonecan-Iknowthat."

"Thistimeyoudonotmeanthepearls,monami?"

"No.Themurder'sthemainthing.TheremaybesomethingIoverlookedthismorning-"

Quietly,deftly,Poirotwentabouthissearch.Hewentdownonhiskneesandscrutinizedthefloorinch
by inch. He examined the bed. He went rapidly through the wardrobe and chest of drawers. He went
throughthewardrobetrunkandthetwocostlysuitcases.Helookedthroughtheexpensivegold-fitted
dressing-case. Finally he turned his attention to the washstand. There were various creams, powders,
facelotions.ButtheonlythingthatseemedtointerestPoirotweretwolittlebottleslabelledNailex.He
pickedthemupatlastandbroughtthemtothedressing-table.One,whichboretheinscriptionNailex
Rose, was empty but for a drop or two of dark red fluid at the bottom. The other, the same size, but
labelledNailexCardinal,wasnearlyfull.Poirotuncorkedfirsttheempty,thenthefullone,andsniffed
thembothdelicately.

Anodourofpeardropsbillowedintotheroom.Withaslightgrimaceherecorkedthem.

"Getanything?"askedRace.

PoirotrepliedbyaFrenchproverb,"Onneprendpaslesmouchesaveclevinaigre."Thenhesaidwitha
sigh:"Myfriend,wehavenotbeenfortunate.Themurdererhasnotbeenobliging.Hehasnotdropped
forusthecufflink,thecigaretteend,thecigarash-or,inthecaseofawoman,thehandkerchief,the
lipstickorthehairslide."

"Onlythebottleofnailpolish?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Imustaskthemaid.Thereissomething-yes-alittlecuriousthere."

"Iwonderwherethedevilthegirl'sgotto?"saidRace.

Theyleftthecabin,lockingthedoorbehindthem,andpassedontothatofMissVanSchuyler.

Here again were all the appurtenances of wealth, expensive toilet fittings, good luggage, a certain
numberofprivatelettersandpapersallperfectlyinorder.Thenextcabinwasthedoubleoneoccupied
byPoirot,andbeyonditthatofRace.

"Hardlylikelytohide'emineitherofthese,"saidtheColonel.

Poirotdemurred."Itmightbe.Once,ontheOrientExpress,Iinvestigatedamurder.Therewasalittle
matterofascarletkimono.Ithaddisappeared,andyetitmustbeonthetrain.Ifoundit-wheredoyou
think?Inmyownlockedsuitcase!Ah!itwasanimpertinence,that!"

"Well,let'sseeifanybodyhasbeenimpertinentwithyouormethistime."

ButthethiefofthepearlshadnotbeenimpertinentwithHerculePoirotorwithColonelRace.

RoundingthesterntheymadeaverycarefulsearchofMissBowers'cabinbutcouldfindnothingofa
suspiciousnature.Herhandkerchiefswereofplainlinenwithaninitial.

The Otterbournes' cabin came next. Here, again, Poirot made a very meticulous search, but with no
result.

ThenextcabinwasBessner's.SimonDoylelaywithanuntastedtrayoffoodbesidehim.

"Offmyfeed,"hesaidapologetically.

He was looking feverish and very much worse than earlier in the day. Poirot appreciated Bessner's
anxietytogethimasswiftlyaspossibletohospitalandskilledappliances.

ThelittleBelgianexplainedwhatthetwoofthemweredoing,andSimonnoddedapproval.Onlearning
thatthepearlshadbeenrestoredbyMissBowers,butprovedtobemerelyimitation,heexpressedthe
mostcompleteastonishment.

"Youarequitesure,MonsieurDoyle,thatyourwifedidnothaveanimitationstringwhichshebrought
abroadwithherinsteadoftherealones?"

Simonshookhisheaddecisively.

"Oh, no. I'm quite sure of that. Linnet loved those pearls and she wore 'em everywhere. They were
insuredagainsteverypossiblerisk,soIthinkthatmadeherabitcareless."

"Thenwemustcontinueoursearch."

Hestartedopeningdrawers.Raceattackedasuitcase.

Simon stared. "Look here, you surely don't suspect old Bessner pinched them?" Poirot shrugged his
shoulders.

"Itmightbeso.Afterall,whatdoweknowofDrBessner?Onlywhathehimselfgivesout."

"Buthecouldn'thavehiddenthemhere-I'dseenhim."

"Hecouldnothavehiddenanythingtodaywithoutyourhavingseenhim.Butwedonotknowwhenthe
substitutiontookplace.Hemayhaveeffectedtheexchangesomedaysago."

"Ineverthoughtofthat."

Butthesearchwasunavailing.

ThenextcabinwasPennington's.Thetwomenspentsometimeintheirsearch.Inparticular,Poirotand
Raceexaminedcarefullyacasefulloflegalandbusinessdocuments,mostofthemrequiringLinnet's
signature.

Poirotshookhisheadgloomily."Theseseemallsquareandaboveboard.Youagree?"

"Absolutely.Still,themanisn'tabornfool.Iftherehadbeenacompromisingdocumentthere-apower
ofattorneyorsomethingofthatkind-he'dbeprettysuretohavedestroyeditfirstthing."

"Thatisso,yes."

PoirotliftedaheavyColtrevolveroutofthetopdrawerofthechestofdrawers,lookedatitandputit
back.

"So it seems there are still some people who travel with revolvers," he murmured. "Yes, a little
suggestive,perhaps.Still,LinnetDoylewasn'tshotwithathingthatsize."Racepausedandthensaid:
"You know, I've thought of a possible answer to your point about the pistol being thrown overboard.
SupposingthattheactualmurdererdidleaveitinLinnetDoyle'scabin,andthatsomeoneelse-some
secondperson-tookitawayandthrewitintotheriver?"

"Yes,thatispossible.Ihavethoughtofit.Butitopensupawholestringofquestions.Whowasthat
secondperson?WhatinteresthadtheyinendeavouringtoshieldJacquelinedeBellefortbytakingaway
thepistol?Whatwasthatsecondpersondoingthere?Theonlyotherpersonweknowofwhowentinto
the cabin was Mademoiselle Van Schuyler. Was it conceivably Mademoiselle Van Schuyler who
removed it? Why should she wish to shield Jacqueline de Bellefort? And yet - what other reason can
therebefortheremovalofthepistol?"

Racesuggested,"Shemayhaverecognizedthestoleashers,gotthewindup,andthrownthewholebag
oftricksoveronthataccount."

"The stole, perhaps, but would she have got rid of the pistol, too? Still, I agree that it is a possible
solution.Butitisclumsy-bonDieu,itisclumsy.Andyoustillhavenotappreciatedonepointaboutthe
stole-"

As they emerged from Pennington's cabin Poirot suggested that Race should search the remaining
cabins,thoseoccupiedbyJacqueline,Corneliaandtwoemptyonesattheend,whilehehimselfhada
fewwordswithSimonDoyle.Accordinglyheretracedhisstepsalongthedeckandre-enteredBessner's
cabin. Simon said: "Look here, I've been thinking. I'm perfectly sure that those pearls were all right
yesterday."

"Whyisthat,MonsieurDoyle?"

"Because,Linnet-"hewincedasheutteredhiswife'sname-"waspassingthemthroughherhandsjust
beforedinnerandtalkingaboutthem.Sheknewsomethingaboutpearls.Ifeelcertainshe'dhaveknown
iftheywereafake."

"They were a very good imitation, though. Tell me, was Madame Doyle in the habit of letting those
pearlsoutofherhands?Didsheeverlendthemtoafriend,forinstance?"

Simonflushedwithslightembarrassment.

"Yousee,MonsieurPoirot,it'sdifficultformetosay...I-I-well,yousee,Ihadn'tknownLinnetvery
long."

"Ah,no,itwasaquickromance-yours."

Simonwenton.

"Andso-really-Ishouldn'tknowathinglikethat.ButLinnetwasawfullygenerouswithherthings.I
shouldthinkshemighthavedone."

"She never for instance -" Poirot's voice was very smooth - "she never, for instance, lent them to
MademoiselledeBellefort?"

"What d'you mean?" Simon flushed brick red, tried to sit up and, wincing, fell back. "What are you
gettingat?ThatJackiestolethepearls?Shedidn't.I'llswearshedidn't.Jackie'sasstraightasadie.The
mereideaofherbeingathiefisridiculous-absolutelyridiculous."

Poirotlookedathimwithgentlytwinklingeyes.

"Oh, la, la, la!" he said unexpectedly. "That suggestion of mine, it has indeed stirred up the nest of
hornets."

Simon repeated doggedly, unmoved by Poirot's lighter note, "Jackie's straight!" Poirot remembered a
girl'svoicebytheNileinAssuansaying,"IloveSimon-andhelovesme..."

Hehadwonderedwhichofthethreestatementshehadheardthatnightwasthetrueone.Itseemedto
himthatithadturnedouttobeJacquelinewhohadcomeclosesttothetruth.

ThedooropenedandRacecamein.

"Nothing," he said brusquely. "Well, we didn't expect it. I see the stewards coming along with their
reportastothesearchingofthepassengers."

Astewardandstewardessappearedinthedoorway.Theformerspokefirst.

"Nothing,Sir."

"Anyofthegentlemenmakeanyfuss?"

"OnlytheItaliangentleman,Sir.Hecarriedonagooddeal.Saiditwasadishonour-somethingofthat
kind.He'dgotagunonhim,too."

"Whatkindofagun?"

"Mauserautomatictwenty-five,Sir."

"Italians are pretty hot-tempered," said Simon. "Richetti got in no end of a stew at Wâdi Halfa just
becauseofamistakeoveratelegram.HewasdarnedrudetoLinnetoverit."

Raceturnedtothestewardess.Shewasabighandsomelookingwoman.

"Nothingonanyoftheladies,Sir.Theymadeagooddealoffuss-exceptforMrsAllerton,whowasas
niceasnicecouldbe.Notasignofthepearls.Bytheway,theyounglady,MissRosalieOtterbourne,
hadalittlepistolinherhandbag."

"Whatkind?"

"Itwasaverysmallone,Sir,withapearlhandle.Akindoftoy."Racestared.

"Deviltakethiscase,"hemuttered."Ithoughtwe'dgotherclearedofsuspicion,andnow-Doesevery
girlonthisblinkingboatcarryaroundpearl-handledtoypistols?"

Heshotaquestionatthestewardess."Didsheshowanyfeelingoveryourfindingit?"

Thewomanshookherhead."Idon'tthinkshenoticed.IhadmybackturnedwhilstIwasgoingthrough
thehandbag."

"Still,shemusthaveknownyou'dcomeacrossit.Oh,well,itbeatsme.Whataboutthemaid?"

"We'velookedallovertheboat,Sir.Wecan'tfindheranywhere."

"What'sthis?"askedSimon.

"MrsDoyle'smaid-LouiseBourget.She'sdisappeared."

"Disappeared?"

Race said thoughtfully: "She might have stolen the pearls. She is the one person who had ample
opportunitytogetareplicamade."

"And then, when she found a search was being instituted, she threw herself overboard?" suggested
Simon.

"Nonsense,"repliedRace,irritably."Awomancan'tthrowherselfoverboardinbroaddaylight,froma
boat like this, without somebody realizing the fact. She's bound to be somewhere on board." He
addressedthestewardessoncemore."Whenwasshelastseen?"

"Abouthalfanhourbeforethebellwentforlunch,sir."

"We'llhavealookathercabinanyway,"saidRace."Thatmaytellussomething."Heledthewaytothe
deckbelow.Poirotfollowedhim.Theyunlockedthedoorofthecabinandpassedinside.

Louise Bourget, whose trade it was to keep other people's belongings in order, had taken a holiday
whereherownwereconcerned.Oddsandendslitteredthetopofthechestofdrawers;asuitcasegaped
open, with clothes hanging out of the side of it and preventing it shutting; underclothing hung limply
overthesidesofthechairs.

As Poirot, with swift neat fingers, opened the drawers of the dressing-chest, Race examined the
suitcase.

Louise'sshoeswerelinedalongbythebed.Oneofthem,ablackpatentleather,seemedtoberestingat
an extraordinary angle, almost unsupported. The appearance of it was so odd that it attracted Race's
attention.

Heclosedthesuitcaseandbentoverthelineofshoes.Thenheutteredasharpexclamation.

Poirotwhirledround.

"Qu'estcequ'ilya?"

Racesaidgrimly:"Shehasn'tdisappeared.She'shere-underthebed..."

Chapter22

Thebodyofadeadwoman,whoinlifehadbeenLouiseBourget,layonthefloorofhercabin.Thetwo
menbentoverit.

Racestraightenedhimselffirst.

"Beendeadcloseonanhour,Ishouldsay.We'llgetBessnerontoit.Stabbedtotheheart.Deathpretty
wellinstantaneous,Ishouldimagine.Shedoesn'tlookpretty,doesshe?"

"No."

Poirotshookhisheadwithaslightshudder.

The dark feline face was convulsed, as though with surprise and fury, the lips drawn back from the

teeth.

Poirot bent again gently and picked up the right hand. Something just showed within the fingers. He
detacheditandhelditouttoRace,alittlesliverofflimsypapercolouredapalemauvishpink.

"Youseewhatitis?"

"Money,"saidRace.

"Thecornerofathousandfrancnote,Ifancy."

"Well, it's clear what happened," said Race. "She knew something and she was blackmailing the
murdererwithherknowledge.Wethoughtshewasn'tbeingquitestraightthismorning."

Poirotcriedout:"Wehavebeenidiots-fools!Weshouldhaveknown-then.Whatdidshesay?'What
couldIhaveseenorheard?Iwasonthedeckbelow.Naturally,ifIhadbeenunabletosleep,ifIhad
mountedthestairs,thenperhapsImighthaveseenthisassassin,thismonster,enterorleaveMadame's
cabin,butasitis-'Ofcourse,thatiswhatdidhappen!Shedidcomeup.Shedidseesomeonegliding
intoLinnetDoyle'scabin-orcomingoutofit.And,becauseofhergreed,herinsensategreed,shelies
here-"

"Andwearenonearertoknowingwhokilledher,"finishedRacedisgustedly.

Poirot shook his head. "No, no. We know much more now. We know - we know almost everything.
Onlywhatweknowseemsincredible...Yetitmustbeso.OnlyIdonotsee.Pah!whatafoolIwasthis
morning!Wefelt-bothofusfelt-thatshewaskeepingsomethingback,andyetweneverrealizedthe
logicalreason,blackmail."

"She must have demanded hush money straight away," said Race. "Demanded it with threats. The
murdererwasforcedtoaccedetothatrequestandpaidherinFrenchnotes.Anythingthere?"

Poirotshookhisheadthoughtfully."Ihardlythinkso.Manypeopletakeareserveofmoneywiththem
whentravelling-sometimesfivepoundnotes,sometimesdollars,butveryoftenFrenchnotesaswell.
Possiblythemurdererpaidherallhehadinamixtureofcurrencies.Letuscontinueourreconstruction."

"Themurderercomestohercabin,givesherthemoney,andthen-"

"And then," said Poirot, "she counts it. Oh, yes, I know that class. She would count the money, and
while she counted it she was completely off her guard. The murderer struck. Having done so
successfully,hegatheredupthemoneyandfled-notnoticingthatthecornerofoneofthenoteswas
torn."

"Wemaygethimthatway,"suggestedRacedoubtfully.

"Idoubtit,"saidPoirot."Hewillexaminethosenotes,andwillprobablynoticethetear.Ofcourseifhe
wereofaparsimoniousdispositionhewouldnotbeabletobringhimselftodestroyamillenote-butI
fear-Iverymuchfearthathistemperamentisjusttheopposite."

"Howdoyoumakethatout?"

"BoththiscrimeandthemurderofMadameDoyledemandedcertainqualities-courage,audacity,bold
execution,lightningaction;thosequalitiesdonotaccordwithasaving,prudentdisposition."

Raceshookhisheadsadly."I'dbettergetBessnerdown,"hesaid.

Thestoutdoctor'sexaminationdidnottakelong.AccompaniedbyagoodmanyAch'sandSo's,hewent
towork.

"Shehasbeendeadnotmorethananhour,"heannounced."Deathitwasveryquick-atonce."

"Andwhatweapondoyouthinkwasused?"

"Ach,itisinteresting,that.Itwassomethingverysharp,verythin,verydelicate.Icouldshowyouthe
kindofthing."

Backagaininhiscabinheopenedacaseandextractedalong,delicate,surgicalknife.

"Itwassomethinglikethat,myfriend;itwasnotacommontableknife."

"Isuppose,"suggestedRacesmoothly,"thatnoneofyourownknivesare-er-missing,Doctor?"

Bessnerstaredathim;thenhisfacegrewredwithindignation.

"Whatisthatyousay?DoyouthinkI-I,CarlBessner-whosowell-knownisalloverAustria-Iwith
myclinics,myhighlybornpatients-Ihavekilledamiserablelittlefemmedechambre?!Ah,butitis
ridiculous-absurd,whatyousay!Noneofmyknivesaremissing-notone,Itellyou.Theyareallhere,
correct,intheirplaces.Youcanseeforyourself.AndthisinsulttomyprofessionIwillnotforget."

DrBessnerclosedhiscasewithasnap,flungitdownandstampedoutontothedeck.

"Whew!"saidSimon."You'veputtheoldboy'sbackup."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Itisregrettable."

"You'reonthewrongtrack.OldBessner'soneofthebest,eventhoughheisakindofBoche."

DrBessnerreappearedsuddenly.

"Willyoubesokindastoleavemenowmycabin?Ihavetodothedressingofmypatient'sleg."

MissBowershadenteredwithhimandstood,briskandprofessional,waitingfortheotherstogo.

RaceandPoirotcreptoutmeekly.Racemutteredsomethingandwentoff.Poirotturnedtohisleft.He
heardscrapsofgirlishconversation,alittlelaugh.JacquelineandRosalieweretogetherinthelatter's
cabin. The door was open and the two girls were standing near it. As his shadow fell on them they
lookedup.HesawRosalieOtterbournesmileathimforthefirsttime-ashywelcomingsmile-alittle
uncertaininitslines,asofonewhodoesanewandunfamiliarthing.

"Youtalkthescandal,Mesdemoiselles?"heaccusedthem.

"No,indeed,"saidRosalie."Asamatteroffactwewerejustcomparinglipsticks."

Poirotsmiled."Leschiffonsd'aujourdhui,"hemurmured.

But there was something a little mechanical about his smile, and Jacqueline de Bellefort, quicker and
moreobservantthanRosalie,sawit.Shedroppedthelipstickshewasholdingandcameoutuponthe
deck.

"Hassomething-whathashappenednow?"

"Itisasyouguess,Mademoiselle;somethinghashappened."

"What?"Rosaliecameouttoo.

"Anotherdeath,"saidPoirot.

Rosaliecaughtherbreathsharply.Poirotwaswatchinghernarrowly.Hesawalarmandsomethingmore
-consternation-showforaminuteortwoinhereyes.

"MadameDoyle'smaidhasbeenkilled,"hetoldthembluntly.

"Killed?"criedJacqueline."Killed,doyousay?"

"Yes,thatiswhatIsaid."

Thoughhisanswerwasnominallytoher,itwasRosaliewhomhewatched.ItwasRosalietowhomhe
spokeashewenton:"Yousee,thismaidshesawsomethingshewasnotintendedtosee.Andso-she
wassilenced,incasesheshouldnotholdhertongue."

"Whatwasitshesaw?"

AgainitwasJacquelinewhoasked,andagainPoirot'sanswerwastoRosalie.Itwasanoddlittlethree-
corneredscene.

"Thereis,Ithink,verylittledoubtwhatitwasshesaw,"saidPoirot."Shesawsomeoneenterandleave
LinnetDoyle'scabinonthatfatalnight."

His ears were quick. He heard the sharp intake of breath and saw the eyelids flicker. Rosalie

Otterbournehadreactedjustashehadintendedsheshould.

"Didshesaywhoitwasshesaw?"Rosalieasked.

Gently-regretfully-Poirotshookhishead.

Footstepspatteredupthedeck.ItwasCorneliaRobson,hereyeswideandstartled.

"Oh,Jacqueline,"shecried,"somethingawfulhashappened!Anotherdreadfulthing!"

Jacquelineturnedtoher.Thetwomovedafewstepsforward.AlmostunconsciouslyPoirotandRosalie
Otterbournemovedintheotherdirection.

Rosaliesaidsharply:"Whydoyoulookatme?Whathaveyougotinyourmind?"

"Thatistwo questionsyouask me.Iwill askyouonly onein return.Whydo younottell meallthe
truth,Mademoiselle?"

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumean.Itoldyou-everything-thismorning."

"No,therewerethingsyoudidnottellme.Youdidnottellmethatyoucarryaboutinyourhandbaga
small-calibrepistolwithapearlhandle.Youdidnottellmeallthatyousawlastnight."

Sheflushed.Thenshesaidsharply:"It'squiteuntrue.Ihaven'tgotarevolver."

"Ididnotsayarevolver.Isaidasmallpistolthatyoucarryaboutinyourhandbag."

She wheeled round, darted into her cabin and out again and thrust her grey leather handbag into his
hands.

"You'retalkingnonsense.Lookforyourselfifyoulike."

Poirotopenedthebag.Therewasnopistolinside.

Hehandedthebagbacktoher,meetingherscornful,triumphantglance.

"No,"hesaidpleasantly."Itisnotthere."

"Yousee.You'renotalwaysright,MonsieurPoirot.Andyou'rewrongaboutthatotherridiculousthing
yousaid."

"No,Idonotthinkso."

"You'reinfuriating!"Shestampedanangryfoot."Yougetanideaintoyourhead,andyougoonandon
andonaboutit."

"BecauseIwantyoutotellmethetruth."

"Whatisthetruth?YouseemtoknowitbetterthanIdo."

Poirotsaid:"Youwantmetotellwhatitwasyousaw?IfIamright,willyouadmitthatIamright?I
will tell you my little idea. I think that when you came round the stern of the boat you stopped
involuntarily because you saw a man come out of a cabin about half way down the deck - Linnet
Doyle'scabin,asyourealizednextday.Yousawhimcomeout,closethedoorbehindhim,andwalk
awayfromyoudownthedeckand-perhaps-enteroneofthetwoendcabins.Nowthen,amIright,
Mademoiselle?"

Shedidnotanswer.

Poirotsaid:"Perhapsyouthinkitwisernottospeak.Perhapsyouareafraidthat,ifyoudo,youtoowill
bekilled."

Foramomenthethoughtshehadrisentotheeasybait,thattheaccusationagainsthercouragewould
succeedwheremoresubtleargumentswouldhavefailed.

Herlipsopened-trembled-then,"Isawnoone,"saidRosalieOtterbourne.

Chapter23

Miss Bowers came out of Dr Bessner's cabin, smoothing her cuffs over her wrists. Jacqueline left
Corneliaabruptlyandaccostedthehospitalnurse.

"Howishe?"shedemanded.

Poirotcameupintimetoheartheanswer.MissBowerswaslookingratherworried.

"Thingsaren'tgoingtoobadly,"shesaid.

Jacquelinecried,"Youmean,he'sworse?"

"Well, I must say I shall be relieved when we get in and can get a proper X-ray done and the whole
thingcleanedupunderananaesthetic.WhendoyouthinkweshallgettoShellâl,MonsieurPoirot?"

"Tomorrowmorning."

MissBowerspursedherlipsandshookherhead.

"It'sveryunfortunate.Wearedoingallwecan,butthere'salwayssuchadangerofsepticaemia."

JacquelinecaughtMissBowers'armandshookit.

"Ishegoingtodie?Ishegoingtodie?"

"Dearme,no,MissdeBellefort.Thatis,Ihopenot,I'msure.Thewoundinitselfisn'tdangerous,but
there'snodoubtitoughttobeX-rayedassoonaspossible.Andthen,ofcourse,poorMrDoyleoughtto
have been kept absolutely quiet today. He's had far too much worry and excitement. No wonder his
temperatureisrising.Whatwiththeshockofhiswife'sdeath,andonethingandanother-"

Jacquelinerelinquishedhergraspofthenurse'sarmandturnedaway.Shestoodleaningovertheside,
herbacktotheothertwo.

"WhatIsayis,we'vegottohopeforthebestalways,"saidMissBowers."OfcourseMrDoylehasa
verystrongconstitution-onecanseethat-probablyneverhadaday'sillnessinhislife.Sothat'sinhis

favour.Butthere'snodenyingthatthisriseintemperatureisanastysignand-"

Sheshookherhead,adjustedhercuffsoncemore,andmovedbrisklyaway.

Jacqueline turned and walked gropingly, blinded by tears, toward her cabin. A hand below her elbow
steadiedandguidedher.ShelookedupthroughthetearstofindPoirotbyherside.Sheleanedonhima
littleandheguidedherthroughthecabindoor.

Shesankdownonthebedandthetearscamemorefreely,punctuatedbygreatshudderingsobs.

"He'lldie!He'lldie!Iknowhe'lldie...AndIshallhavekilledhim.Yes,Ishallhavekilledhim..."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.Heshookhisheadalittle,sadly.

"Mademoiselle,whatisdone,isdone.Onecannottakebacktheaccomplishedaction.Itistoolateto
regret."

Shecriedoutmorevehemently:"Ishallhavekilledhim!AndIlovehimso...Ilovehimso."

Poirotsighed."Toomuch..."

IthadbeenhisthoughtlongagointherestaurantofM.Blondin.Itwashisthoughtagainnow.

Hesaid,hesitatingalittle:"Donot,atallevents,gobywhatMissBowerssays.Hospitalnurses,me,I
find them always gloomy! The night nurse, always, she is astonished to find her patient alive in the
evening;thedaynurse,always,sheissurprisedtofindhimaliveinthemorning!Theyknowtoomuch,
yousee,ofthepossibilitiesthatmayarise.Whenoneismotoringonemighteasilysaytooneself,'Ifa
carcameoutfromthatcrossroad-orifthatlorrybackedsuddenly-orifthewheelcameoffthecarthat
isapproachingme-orifadogjumpedoffthehedgeontomydrivingarm-ehbien,Ishouldprobably
bekilled!'Butoneassumes,andusuallyrightly,thatnoneofthesethingswillhappen,andthatonewill
gettoone'sjourney'send.Butif,ofcourse,onehasbeeninanaccident,orseenoneormoreaccidents,
thenoneisinclinedtotaketheoppositepointofview."

Jacquelineasked,halfsmilingthroughhertears,"Areyoutryingtoconsoleme,MonsieurPoirot?"

"TheBonDieuknowswhatIamtryingtodo!Youshouldnothavecomeonthisjourney."

"No-IwishIhadn't.It'sbeen-soawful.But-itwillbesoonovernow."

"Maisoui-maisoui."

"And Simon will go to the hospital, and they'll give the proper treatment and everything will be all
right."

"Youspeaklikethechild!'Andtheylivedhappilyeverafterward.'Thatisit,isitnot?"

Sheflushedsuddenlyscarlet.

"MonsieurPoirot,Inevermeant-never-"

"Itistoosoontothinkofsuchathing!Thatistheproperhypocriticalthingtosay,isitnot?Butyouare
partlya Latin, MademoiselleJacqueline. You shouldbe able to admitfacts even ifthey do not sound
verydecorous.Leroiestmort-viveleroi!Thesunhasgoneandthemoonrises.Thatisso,isitnot?"

"Youdon'tunderstand.He'sjustsorryforme-awfullysorryforme,becauseheknowshowterribleitis
formetoknowI'vehurthimsobadly."

"Ah,well,"saidPoirot."Thepurepity,itisaveryloftysentiment."

Helookedatherhalfmockingly,halfwithsomeotheremotion.

HemurmuredsoftlyunderhisbreathwordsinFrench:

"Lavieestvaine.

Unpeudamour,

Unpeudehaine,

Etpuisbonjour

Lavieestbrève

Unpeud'espoir,

Unpeuderêve,

Etpuisbonsoir."

Hewentoutagainontothedeck.ColonelRacewasstridingalongthedeckandhailedhimatonce.

"Poirot.Goodman!Iwantyou.I'vegotanidea."

ThrustinghisarmthroughPoirot'shewalkedhimupthedeck.

"JustachanceremarkofDoyle's.Ihardlynoticeditatthetime.Somethingaboutatelegram."

"Tiens-c'estvrai."

"Nothinginit,perhaps,butonecan'tleaveanyavenueunexplored.Damnitall,man,twomurders,and
we'restillinthedark."

Poirotshookhishead."No,notinthedark.Inthelight."

Racelookedathimcuriously."Youhaveanidea?"

"Itismorethananideanow.Iamsure."

"Since-when?"

"Sincethedeathofthemaid,LouiseBourget."

"DamnedifIseeit!"

"Myfriend,itissoclear-soclear.Onlytherearedifficulties-embarrassments-impediments!Seeyou,
around a person like Linnet Doyle there is so much - so many conflicting hates and jealousies and
enviesandmeannesses.Itislikeacloudofflies,buzzing,buzzing..."

"Butyouthinkyouknow?"Theotherlookedathimcuriously."Youwouldn'tsaysounlessyouwere
sure.Can'tsayI'veanyreallight,myself.I'vesuspicions,ofcourse..."

Poirotstopped.HelaidanimpressivehandonRace'sarm.

"Youareagreatman,monColonel...Youdonotsay'Tellme.Whatisitthatyouthink?'Youknowthat
ifIcouldspeaknowIwould.Butthereismuchtobeclearedawayfirst.Butthink,thinkforamoment
alongthelinesthatIshallindicate.Therearecertainpoints...ThereisthestatementofMademoisellede
Bellefort that someone overheard our conversation that night in the garden at Assuan. There is the
statement of Monsieur Tim Allerton as to what he heard and did on the night of the crime. There are
Louise Bourget's significant answers to our questions this morning. There is the fact that Madame
Allertondrinkswater,thathersondrinkswhiskyandsodaandthatIdrinkwine.Addtothatthefactof
two bottles of nail polish and the proverb I quoted. And finally we come to the crux of the whole
business,thefactthatthepistolwaswrappedupinacheaphandkerchiefandavelvetstoleandthrown
overboard..."Racewassilentaminuteortwothenheshookhishead.

"No,"hesaid,"Idon'tseeit.Mind,I'vegotafaintideawhatyou'redrivingat,butasfarasIcansee,it
doesn'twork."

"Butyes-butyes.Youareseeingonlyhalfthetruth.Andrememberthis-wemuststartagainfromthe
beginning,sinceourfirstconceptionwasentirelywrong."

Racemadeaslightgrimace.

"I'm used to that. It often seems to me that's all detective work is, wiping out your false starts and
beginningagain."

"Yes,itisverytrue,that.Anditisjustwhatsomepeoplewillnotdo.Theyconceiveacertaintheory,
and everything has to fit into that theory. If one little fact will not fit it, they throw it aside. But it is
alwaysthefactsthatwillnotfitinthataresignificant.AllalongIhaverealizedthesignificanceofthat
pistol being removed from the scene of the crime. I knew that it meant something, but what that
somethingwasIonlyrealizedonelittlehalfhourago."

"AndIstilldon'tseeit!"

"Butyouwill!OnlyreflectalongthelinesIindicated.Andnowletusclearupthismatterofatelegram.
Thatis,iftheHerrDoktorwilladmitus."DrBessnerwasstillinaverybadhumour.Inanswertotheir
knockhedisclosedascowlingface.

"Whatisit?Oncemoreyouwishtoseemypatient?ButItellyouitisnotwise.Hehasfever.Hehas
hadmorethanenoughexcitementtoday."

"Justonequestion,"saidRace."Nothingmore,Iassureyou."

With an unwilling grunt the doctor moved aside and the two men entered the cabin. Dr Bessner,
growlingtohimself,pushedpastthem.

"Ireturninthreeminutes,"hesaid."Andthen-positively-yougo!"

Theyheardhimstumpingdownthedeck.

SimonDoylelookedfromonetotheotheroftheminquiringly.

"Yes,"hesaid,"Whatisit?"

"Averylittlething,"Racereplied."Justnow,whenthestewardswerereportingtome,theymentioned
that Signor Richetti had been particularly troublesome. You said that that didn't surprise you, as you
knewhehadabadtemper,andthathehadbeenrudetoyourwifeoversomematterofatelegram.Now
canyoutellmeaboutthatincident?"

"Easily.ItwasatWâdiHalfa.We'djustcomebackfromtheSecondCataract.Linnetthoughtshesawa
telegramforherstickingupontheboard.She'dforgotten,yousee,thatshewasn'tcalledRidgewayany
longer,andRichettiandRidgewaydolookratheralikewhenwritteninanatrocioushandwriting.Soshe
toreitopen,couldn'tmakeheadortailofit,andwaspuzzlingoveritwhenthisfellowRichetticame
along,fairlytoreitoutofherhandandgibberedwithrage.Shewentafterhimtoapologizeandhewas
frightfullyrudetoheraboutit."

Racedrewadeepbreath.

"Anddoyouknowatall,MrDoyle,whatwasinthattelegram?"

"Yes,Linnetreadpartofitoutaloud.Itsaid-"

Hepaused.Therewasacommotionoutside.Ahigh-pitchedvoicewasrapidlyapproaching.

"Where are Monsieur Poirot and Colonel Race? I must see them immediately! It is most important. I
havevitalinformation.I-AretheywithMrDoyle?"

Bessner had not closed the door. Only the curtain hung across the open doorway. Mrs Otterbourne
swept it to one side and entered like a tornado. Her face was suffused with colour, her gait slightly
unsteady,hercommandofwordsnotquiteunderhercontrol.

"MrDoyle,"shesaiddramatically,"Iknowwhokilledyourwife!"

"What?"

Simonstaredather.Sodidtheothertwo.

MrsOtterbournesweptallthreeofthemwithatriumphantglance.Shewashappy-superblyhappy.

"Yes,"shesaid."Mytheoriesarecompletelyvindicated.Thedeep,primeval,primordialurges-itmay
appearimpossible-fantastic-butitisthetruth!"

Racesaidsharply,"DoIunderstandthatyouhaveevidenceinyourpossessiontoshowwhokilledMrs
Doyle?"

MrsOtterbournesatdowninachairandleanedforward,noddingherheadvigorously.

"CertainlyIhave.Youwillagree,willyounot,thatwhoeverkilledLouiseBourgetalsokilledLinnet
Doyle-thatthetwocrimeswerecommittedbyoneandthesamehand?"

"Yes,yes,"saidSimonimpatiently."Ofcourse.Thatstandstoreason.Goon."

"Then my assertion holds. I know who killed Louise Bourget; therefore I know who killed Linnet
Doyle."

"Youmean,youhaveatheoryastowhokilledLouiseBourget,"suggestedRacesceptically.

MrsOtterbourneturnedonhimlikeatiger.

"No,Ihaveexactknowledge.Isawthepersonwithmyowneyes."

Simon,fevered,shoutedout:"ForGod'ssake,startatthebeginning.Youknowthepersonwhokilled
LouiseBourget,yousay."

MrsOtterbournenodded.

"Iwilltellyouexactlywhatoccurred."

Yes,shewasveryhappy-nodoubtofit!Thiswashermoment,hertriumph!Whatofitifherbooks
werefailingtosell,ifthestupidpublicthatoncehadboughtthemanddevouredthemvoraciouslynow
turnedtonewerfavourites?SalomeOtterbournewouldonceagainbenotorious.Hernamewouldbein
allthepapers.Shewouldbeprincipalwitnessfortheprosecutionatthetrial.

Shetookadeepbreathandopenedhermouth.

"ItwaswhenIwentdowntolunch.Ihardlyfeltlikeeating-allthehorroroftherecenttragedy-Well,I
needn't go into that. Half way down I remember that I had - er - left something in my cabin. I told
Rosalietogoonwithoutme.Shedid."

MrsOtterbournepausedaminute.

The curtain across the door moved slightly as though lifted by the wind, but none of the three men
noticedit.

"I-er-"MrsOtterbournepaused.Thinicetoskateoverhere,butitmustbedonesomehow."I-er-had
anarrangementwithoneofthe-er-personneloftheship.Hewasto-er-getmesomethingIneeded,
butIdidnotwishmydaughtertoknowofit.Sheisinclinedtobetiresomeincertainways-"

Not too good, this, but she could think of something that sounded better before it came to telling the
storyincourt.

Race'seyebrowsliftedashiseyesaskedaquestionofPoirot.

Poirotgaveaninfinitesimalnod.Hislipsformedtheword,"Drink."Thecurtainacrossthedoormoved
again.Betweenitandthedooritselfsomethingshowedwithafaintsteelbluegleam.

MrsOtterbournecontinued:"ThearrangementwasthatIshouldgoroundtothesternonthedeckbelow
this,andthereIshouldfindthemanwaitingforme.AsIwentalongthedeckacabindooropenedand
somebody looked out. It was this girl - Louise Bourget, or whatever her name is. She seemed to be
expectingsomeone.Whenshesawitwasme,shelookeddisappointedandwentabruptlyinsideagain.I
didn'tthinkanythingofit,ofcourse.IwentalongjustasIhadsaidIwouldandgotthe-thestufffrom
theman.Ipaidhimand-er-justhadawordwithhim.ThenIstartedback.JustasIcamearoundthe
cornerIsawsomeoneknockonthemaid'sdoorandgointothecabin."

Racesaid,"Andthatpersonwas-"

Bang!

Thenoiseoftheexplosionfilledthecabin.Therewasanacridsoursmellofsmoke.MrsOtterbourne
turnedslowlysideways,asthoughinsupremeinquiry,thenherbodyslumpedforwardandshefellto
thegroundwithacrash.Fromjustbehindherearthebloodflowedfromaroundneathole.

There was a moment's stupefied silence. Then both the able-bodied men jumped to their feet. The
woman'sbodyhinderedtheirmovementsalittle.RacebentoverherwhilePoirotmadeacatlikejump
forthedoorandthedeck.

Thedeckwasempty.OnthegroundjustinfrontofthesilllayabigColtrevolver.

Poirot glanced in both directions. The deck was empty. He then sprinted toward the stern. As he
roundedthecornerheranintoTimAllerton,whowascomingfulltiltfromtheoppositedirection.

"Whatthedevilwasthat?"criedTimbreathlessly.

Poirotsaidsharply,"Didyoumeetanyoneonyourwayhere?"

"Meetanyone?No."

"Then come with me." He took the young man by the arm and retraced his steps. A little crowd had
assembledbynow.Rosalie,JacquelineandCorneliahadrushedoutoftheircabins.Morepeoplewere
comingalongthedeckfromthesaloon-Ferguson,JimFanthorpandMrsAllerton.

Racestoodbytherevolver.PoirotturnedhisheadandsaidsharplytoTimAllerton,"Gotanyglovesin
yourpocket?"

Timfumbled.

"Yes,Ihave."

Poirot seized them from him, put them on, and bent to examine the revolver. Race did the same. The
otherswatchedbreathlessly.

Racesaid:"Hedidn'tgotheotherway.FanthorpandFergusonweresittingonthisdecklounge;they'd
haveseenhim."

Poirotresponded,"AndMrAllertonwouldhavemethimifhe'dgoneaft."

Racesaid,pointingtotherevolver:"Ratherfancywe'veseenthisnotsoverylongago.Mustmakesure,
though."

HeknockedonthedoorofPennington'scabin.Therewasnoanswer.Thecabinwasempty.Racestrode
totherighthanddrawerofthechestandjerkeditopen.Therevolverwasgone.

"Settlesthat,"saidRace."Nowthen,where'sPenningtonhimself?"

Theywentoutagainondeck.MrsAllertonhadjoinedthegroup.Poirotmovedswiftlyovertoher.

"Madame,takeMissOtterbournewithyouandlookafterher.Hermotherhasbeen-"heconsultedRace

withaneyeandRacenodded-"killed."

DrBessnercamebustlingalong.

"GottimHimmel!Whatistherenow?"

Theymadewayforhim.Raceindicatedthecabin.Bessnerwentinside.

"FindPennington,"saidRace."Anyfingerprintsonthatrevolver?"

"None,"saidPoirot.

TheyfoundPenningtononthedeckbelow.Hewassittinginthelittledrawing-roomwritingletters.He
liftedahandsome,cleanshavenface.

"Anythingnew?"heasked.

"Didn'tyouhearashot?"

"Why-nowyoumentionit-IbelieveIdidhearakindofabang.ButIneverdreamed-Who'sbeen
shot?"

"MrsOtterbourne."

"MrsOtterbourne?"Penningtonsoundedquiteastounded."Well,youdosurpriseme.MrsOtterbourne."
Heshookhishead."Ican'tseethatatall."Heloweredhisvoice."Strikesme,gentlemen,we'vegota
homicidalmaniacaboard.Weoughttoorganizeadefencesystem."

"MrPennington,"saidRace,"howlonghaveyoubeeninthisroom?"

"Why,letmesee."MrPenningtongentlyrubbedhischin."Ishouldsayamatteroftwentyminutesor
so."

"Andyouhaven'tleftit?"

"Whyno-certainlynot."

Helookedinquiringlyatthetwomen.

"Yousee,MrPennington,"saidRace,"MrsOtterbournewasshotwithyourrevolver."

Chapter24

MrPenningtonwasshocked.

"Why,gentlemen,"hesaid,"thisisaveryseriousmatter.Veryseriousindeed."

"Extremelyseriousforyou,MrPennington."

"For me?" Pennington's eyebrows rose in startled surprise. "But, my dear sir, I was sitting quietly
writinginherewhenthatshotwasfired."

"Youhave,perhaps,awitnesstoprovethat?"

Penningtonshookhishead.

"Why, no - I wouldn't say that. But it's clearly impossible that I should have gone to the deck above,
shotthispoorwoman(andwhyshouldIshootheranyway?)andcomedownagainwithnooneseeing
me.Therearealwaysplentyofpeopleonthedeckloungethistimeofday."

"Howdoyouaccountforyourpistolbeingused?"

"Well-I'mafraidImaybetoblamethere.Quitesoonaftergettingaboardtherewasaconversationin
the saloon one evening, I remember, about firearms, and I mentioned then that I always carried a
revolverwithmewhenItravel."

"Whowasthere?"

"Well, I can't remember exactly. Most people, I think. Quite a crowd, anyway." He shook his head
gently.

"Why,yes,"hesaid."Iamcertainlytoblamethere."

Hewenton:"FirstLinnet,thenLinnet'smaid,andnowMrsOtterbourne.Thereseemsnoreasoninit
all!"

"Therewasreason,"saidRace.

"Therewas?"

"Yes.MrsOtterbournewasonthepointoftellingusthatshehadseenacertainpersongointoLouise's
cabin.Beforeshecouldnamethatpersonshewasshotdead."

AndrewPenningtonpassedafinesilkhandkerchiefoverhisbrow.

"Allthisisterrible,"hemurmured.

Poirotsaid:"MonsieurPennington,Iwouldliketodiscusscertainaspectsofthecasewithyou.Willyou
cometomycabininhalfanhour'stime?"

"Ishouldbedelighted."

Pennington did not sound delighted. He did not look delighted either. Race and Poirot exchanged
glancesandthenabruptlylefttheroom.

"Cunningolddevil,"saidRace,"buthe'safraid.Eh?"

Poirotnodded."Yes,heisnothappy,ourMonsieurPennington."

As they reached the promenade deck again, Mrs Allerton came out of her cabin and, seeing Poirot,
beckonedhimimperiously.

"Madame?"

"Thatpoorchild!Tellme,MonsieurPoirot,isthereadoublecabinsomewherethatIcouldsharewith
her?Sheoughtn'ttogobacktotheoneshesharedwithhermother,andmineisonlyasingleone."

"Thatcanbearranged,Madame.Itisverygoodofyou."

"It'smeredecency.Besides,I'mveryfondofthegirl.I'vealwayslikedher."

"Issheveryupset?"

"Terribly.Sheseemstohavebeenabsolutelydevotedtothatodiouswoman.Thatiswhatissopathetic
aboutitall.Timsayshebelievesshedrank.Isthattrue?"

Poirotnodded.

"Oh,well,poorwoman,onemustn'tjudgeher,Isuppose;butthatgirlmusthavehadaterriblelife."

"Shedid,Madame.Sheisveryproudandshewasveryloyal."

"Yes,Ilikethat-loyalty,Imean.It'soutoffashionnowadays.She'sanoddcharacter,thatgirl-proud,
reserved,stubborn,andterriblywarm-heartedunderneath,Ifancy."

"IseethatIhavegivenherintogoodhands,Madame."

"Yes,don'tworry.I'lllookafterher.She'sinclinedtoclingtomeinthemostpatheticfashion."

MrsAllertonwentbackintothecabin.Poirotreturnedtothesceneofthetragedy.

Corneliawasstillstandingonthedeck,hereyeswide.Shesaid:"Idon'tunderstand,MonsieurPoirot.
Howdidthepersonwhoshothergetawaywithoutourseeinghim?"

"Yes,how?"echoedJacqueline.

"Ah,"saidPoirot,"itwasnotquitesuchadisappearingtrickasyouthink,Mademoiselle.Therewere
threedistinctwaysthemurderermighthavegone."

Jacquelinelookedpuzzled.Shesaid,"Three?"

"He might have gone to the right, or he might have gone to the left, but I don't see any other way,"
puzzledCornelia.

Jacquelinetoofrowned.Thenherbrowcleared.

Shesaid:"Ofcourse.Hecouldmoveintwodirectionsononeplane,buthecouldgoatrightanglesto
thatplanetoo.Thatis,hecouldn'tgoupverywell,buthecouldgodown."

Poirotsmiled."Youhavebrains,Mademoiselle."

Corneliasaid,"IknowI'mjustaplainmutt,butIstilldon'tsee."

Jacquelinesaid,"MonsieurPoirotmeans,darling,thathecouldswinghimselfovertherailanddown
ontothedeckbelow."

"My!" gasped Cornelia. "I never thought of that. He'd have to be mighty quick about it, though. I
supposehecouldjustdoit?"

"Hecoulddoiteasilyenough,"saidTimAllerton."Remember,there'salwaysaminuteofshockaftera
thinglikethis.Onehearsashotandone'stooparalysedtomoveforasecondortwo."

"Thatwasyourexperience,MonsieurAllerton?"

"Yes,itwas.Ijuststoodlikeadummyforquitefiveseconds.ThenIfairlysprintedroundthedeck."

RacecameoutofBessner'scabinandsaidauthoritatively:"Wouldyoumindallclearingoff?Wewant

tobringoutthebody."

Everyone moved away obediently. Poirot went with them. Cornelia said to him with sad earnestness:
"I'llneverforgetthistripaslongasIlive.Threedeaths....It'sjustlikelivinginanightmare."

Fergusonoverheardher.Hesaidaggressively:"That'sbecauseyou'reovercivilized.Youshouldlookon
deathastheOrientaldoes.It'samereincident-hardlynoticeable."

"That'sallverywell,"Corneliasaid."They'renoteducated,poorcreatures."

"No,andagoodthingtoo.Educationhasdevitalizedthewhiteraces.LookatAmerica-goesinforan
orgyofculture.Simplydisgusting."

"Ithinkyou'retalkingnonsense,"saidCorneliaflushing."IattendlectureseverywinteronGreekArt
andtheRenaissance,andIwenttosomeonFamousWomenofHistory."

Mr Ferguson groaned in agony. "Greek Art! Renaissance! Famous Women of History! It makes me
quitesicktohearyou.It'sthefuturethatmatters,woman,notthepast.Threewomenaredeadonthis
boat. Well, what of it? They're no loss! Linnet Doyle and her money! The French maid - a domestic
parasite.MrsOtterbourne-auselessfoolofawoman.Doyouthinkanyonereallycareswhetherthey're
deadornot?Idon't.Ithinkit'sadamnedgoodthing!"

"Thenyou'rewrong!"Corneliablazedoutathim."Anditmakesmesicktohearyoutalkandtalk,as
thoughnobodymatteredbutyou.Ididn'tlikeMrsOtterbournemuch,butherdaughterwaseversofond
ofher,andshe'sallbrokenupoverhermother'sdeath.Idon'tknowmuchabouttheFrenchmaid,butI
expect somebody was fond of her somewhere; and as for Linnet Doyle - well, apart from everything
else,shewasjustlovely!Shewassobeautifulwhenshecameintoaroomthatitmadealumpcomein
yourthroat.I'mhomelymyself,andthatmakesmeappreciatebeautyalotmore.Shewasasbeautiful-
justasawoman-asanythinginGreekArt.Andwhenanythingbeautiful'sdead,it'salosstotheworld.
Sothere!"

Mr Ferguson stepped back a space. He caught hold of his hair with both hands and tugged at it
vehemently.

"I give it up," he said. "You're unbelievable. Just haven't got a bit of natural female spite in you
anywhere."

He turned to Poirot. "Do you know, sir, that Cornelia's father was practically ruined by Linnet
Ridgeway'soldman?Butdoesthegirlgnashherteethwhensheseestheheiresssailingaboutinpearls
andParismodels?No,shejustbleatsout,'Isn'tshebeautiful?'likeablessedBaaLamb.Idon'tbelieve
sheevenfeltsoreather."

Corneliaflushed."Idid-justforaminute.Poppakindofdiedofdiscouragement,youknow,because
hehadn'tmadegood."

"Feltsoreforaminute!Iaskyou."

Corneliaflashedroundonhim.

"Well, didn't you say just now it was the future that mattered, not the past? All that was in the past,
wasn'tit?It'sover."

"Gotmethere,"saidFerguson."CorneliaRobson,you'retheonlynicewomanI'veevercomeacross.
Willyoumarryme?"

"Don'tbeabsurd."

"It's a genuine proposal - even if it is made in the presence of Old Man Sleuth. Anyway, you're a
witness, Monsieur Poirot. I've deliberately offered marriage to this female - against all my principles,
becauseIdon'tbelieveinlegalcontractsbetweenthesexes;butIdon'tthinkshe'dstandforanything
else,somarriageitshallbe.Comeon,Cornelia,sayyes."

"Ithinkyou'reutterlyridiculous,"saidCorneliaflushing.

"Whywon'tyoumarryme?"

"You'renotserious,"saidCornelia.

"Doyoumeannotseriousinproposingordoyoumeannotseriousincharacter?"

"Both,butIreallymeantcharacter.Youlaughatallsortsofseriousthings.EducationandCulture-and
-andDeath.Youwouldn'tbereliable."

Shebrokeoff,flushedagain,andhurriedalongintohercabin.

Fergusonstaredafterher."Damnthegirl!Ibelieveshereallymeansit.Shewantsamantobereliable.
Reliable-yegods!"

Hepausedandthensaidcuriously:"What'sthematterwithyou,MonsieurPoirot?Youseemverydeep
inthought."

Poirotrousedhimselfwithastart.

"Ireflect,thatisall.Ireflect."

"Meditation on Death. Death, the Recurring Decimal, by Hercule Poirot. One of his well-known
monographs."

"MonsieurFerguson,"saidPoirot,"youareaveryimpertinentyoungman."

"Youmustexcuseme.Ilikeattackingestablishedinstitutions."

"AndIamanestablishedinstitution?"

"Precisely.Whatdoyouthinkofthatgirl?"

"OfMissRobson?"

"Yes."

"Ithinkthatshehasagreatdealofcharacter."

"You'reright.She'sgotspirit.Shelooksmeek,butsheisn't.She'sgotguts.She's-oh,damnit,Iwant
thatgirl.Itmightn'tbeabadmoveifItackledtheoldlady.IfIcouldoncegetherthoroughlyagainst
me,itmightcutsomeicewithCornelia."

He wheeled and went into the observation saloon. Miss Van Schuyler was seated in her usual corner.
Shelookedevenmorearrogantthanusual.Shewasknitting.Fergusonstrodeuptoher.HerculePoirot,
enteringunobtrusively,tookaseatadiscreetdistanceawayandappearedtobeabsorbedinamagazine.

"Good-afternoon,MissVanSchuyler."

MissVanSchuylerraisedhereyesforabaresecond,droppedthemagainandmurmuredfrigidly,"Er-
good-afternoon."

"Lookhere,MissVanSchuyler,Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomethingprettyimportant.It'sjustthis.I
wanttomarryyourcousin."

MissVanSchuyler'sballofwooldroppedontothegroundandranwildlyacrossthesaloon.

Shesaid,inavenomoustone,"Youmustbeoutofyoursenses,youngman."

"Notatall.I'mdeterminedtomarryher.I'veaskedhertomarryme!"

MissVanSchuylersurveyedhimcoldly,withthekindofspeculativeinterestshemighthaveaccorded
toanoddsortofbeetle.

"Indeed?AndIpresumeshesentyouaboutyourbusiness."

"Sherefusedme."

"Naturally."

"Not'naturally'atall.I'mgoingtogoonaskinghertillsheagrees."

"Icanassureyou,sir,thatIshalltakestepstoseethatmyyoungcousinisnotsubjectedtoanysuch
persecution,"saidMissVanSchuylerinabitingtone.

"Whathaveyougotagainstme?"

Miss Van Schuyler merely raised her eyebrows and gave a vehement tug to her wool, preparatory to
regainingitandclosingtheinterview.

"Comenow,"persistedMrFerguson,"whathaveyougotagainstme?"

"Ishouldthinkthatwasquiteobvious,Mr-er-Idon'tknowyourname."

"Ferguson."

"MrFerguson."MissVanSchuylerutteredthenamewithdefinitedistaste."Anysuchideaisquiteout
ofthequestion."

"Youmean,"saidFerguson,"thatI'mnotgoodenoughforher?"

"Ishouldthinkthatwouldhavebeenobvioustoyou."

"InwhatwayamInotgoodenough?"

MissVanSchuyleragaindidnotanswer.

"I'vegottwolegs,twoarms,goodhealthandquitereasonablebrains.What'swrongwiththat?"

"Thereissuchathingassocialposition,MrFerguson."

"Socialpositionisbunk!"

ThedoorswungopenandCorneliacamein.ShestoppeddeadonseeingherredoubtableCousinMarie
inconversationwithherwould-besuitor.

TheoutrageousMrFergusonturnedhishead,grinnedbroadlyandcalledout:"Comealong,Cornelia.
I'maskingforyourhandinmarriageinthebestconventionalmanner."

"Cornelia,"saidMissVanSchuyler,andhervoicewastrulyawfulinquality,"haveyouencouragedthis
youngman?"

"I-no,ofcoursenot-atleast-notexactly-Imean-"

"Whatdoyoumean?"

"Shehasn'tencouragedme,"saidMrFergusonhelpfully."I'vedoneitall.Shehasn'tactuallypushedme
intheface,becauseshe'sgottookindaheart.Cornelia,yourcousinsaysI'mnotgoodenoughforyou.
That,ofcourse,istrue,butnotinthewayshemeansit.Mymoralnaturecertainlydoesn'tequalyours,
butherpointisthatI'mhopelesslybelowyousocially."

"That,Ithink,isequallyobvioustoCornelia,"saidMissVanSchuyler.

"Isit?"MrFergusonlookedathersearchingly."Isthatwhyyouwon'tmarryme?"

"No,itisn't."Corneliaflushed."If-ifIlikedyou,I'dmarryyounomatterwhoyouwere."

"Butyoudon'tlikeme?"

"I-Ithinkyou'rejustoutrageous.Thewayyousaythings.Thethingsyousay...I'venevermetanyone
theleastlikeyou."

Tearsthreatenedtoovercomeher.Sherushedfromtheroom.

"Onthewhole,"saidMrFerguson,"that'snottoobadforastart."

Heleanedbackinhischair,gazedattheceiling,whistled,crossedhisdisreputablekneesandremarked,
"I'llbecallingyouCousinyet."

MissVanSchuylertrembledwithrage."Leavethisroomatonce,sir,orI'llringforthesteward."

"I'vepaidformyticket,"saidMrFerguson."Theycan'tpossiblyturnmeoutofthepubliclounge.But

I'llhumouryou."

Hesangsoftly,"Yohoho,andabottleofrum."

Rising,hesaunterednonchalantlytothedoorandpassedout.ChokingwithangerMissVanSchuyler
struggledtoherfeet.

Poirot, discreetly emerging from retirement behind his magazine, sprang up and retrieved the ball of
wool.

"Thankyou,MonsieurPoirot.IfyouwouldsendMissBowerstome-Ifeelquiteupset-thatinsolent
youngman."

"Rathereccentric,I'mafraid,"saidPoirot."Mostofthatfamilyare.Spoilt,ofcourse.Alwaysinclinedto
tiltatwindmills."

Headdedcarelessly,"Yourecognizedhim,Isuppose?"

"Recognizedhim?"

"CallshimselfFergusonandwon'tusehistitlebecauseofhisadvancedideas."

"Histitle?"MissVanSchuyler'stonewassharp.

"Yes,that'syoungLordDawlish.Rollinginmoney,ofcourse,buthebecameacommunistwhenhewas
atOxford."

MissVanSchuyler,herfaceabattlegroundofcontradictoryemotions,said,"Howlonghaveyouknown
this,MonsieurPoirot?"

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.

"Therewasapictureinoneofthesepapers-Inoticedtheresemblance.ThenIfoundasignetringwith
acoatofarmsonit.Oh,there'snodoubtaboutit,Iassureyou."

HequiteenjoyedreadingtheconflictingexpressionsthatsucceededeachotheronMissVanSchuyler's
face. Finally, with a gracious inclination of the head, she said, "I am very much obliged to you,
MonsieurPoirot."

Poirotlookedafterherandsmiledasshewentoutofthesaloon.Thenhesatdownandhisfacegrew
graveoncemore.Hewasfollowingoutatrainofthoughtinhismind.Fromtimetotimehenoddedhis
head.

"Maisoui,"hesaidatlast."Itallfitsin."

Chapter25

Racefoundhimstillsittingthere.

"Well,Poirot,whataboutit?Pennington'sdueintenminutes.I'mleavingthisinyourhands."

Poirotrosequicklytohisfeet."First,getholdofyoungFanthorp."

"Fanthorp?"Racelookedsurprised.

"Yes.Bringhimtomycabin."

Racenoddedandwentoff.Poirotwentalongtohiscabin.RacearrivedwithyoungFanthorp,aminute
ortwoafterward.

Poirotindicatedchairsandofferedcigarettes.

"Now, Monsieur Fanthorp," he said, "to our business! I perceive that you wear the same tie that my
friendHastingswears."

JimFanthorplookeddownathisneckwearwithsomebewilderment.

"It'sanO.E.tie,"hesaid.

"Exactly.Youmustunderstandthat,thoughIamaforeigner,IknowsomethingoftheEnglishpointof
view.Iknow,forinstance,thatthereare'thingswhicharedone'and'thingswhicharenotdone.'"

JimFanthorpgrinned.

"Wedon'tsaythatsortofthingmuchnowadays,Sir."

"Perhapsnot,butthecustom,itstillremains.TheOldSchoolTieistheOldSchoolTie,andthereare
certainthings(Iknowthisfromexperience)thattheOldSchoolTiedoesnotdo!Oneofthosethings,
MonsieurFanthorp,istobuttintoaprivateconversationunaskedwhenonedoesnotknowthepeople
whoareconductingit."

Fanthorpstared.

Poirotwenton:"Buttheotherday,MonsieurFanthorp,thatisexactlywhatyoudiddo.Certainpersons
were quietly transacting some private business in the observation saloon. You strolled near them,
obviouslyinordertooverhearwhatitwasthatwasinprogress,andpresentlyyouactuallyturnedround
andcongratulatedalady-MadameSimonDoyle-onthesoundnessofherbusinessmethods."

JimFanthorp'sfacegotveryred.Poirotswepton,notwaitingforacomment.

"Nowthat,MonsieurFanthorp,wasnotatallthebehaviourofonewhowearsatiesimilartothatworn
by my friend Hastings! Hastings is all delicacy, would die of shame before he did such a thing!
Therefore,takingthatactionofyoursinconjunctionwiththefactthatyouareaveryyoungmantobe
abletoaffordanexpensiveholiday,thatyouareamemberofacountrysolicitor'sfirm,andtherefore
probably not extravagantly well off, and that you show no signs of recent illness such as might
necessitateaprolongedvisitabroad,Iaskmyself-andamnowaskingyou-whatisthereasonforyour
presenceonthisboat?"

JimFanthorpjerkedhisheadback.

"Ideclinetogiveyouanyinformationwhatever,MonsieurPoirot.Ireallythinkyoumustbemad."

"I am not mad. I am very, very sane. Where is your firm? In Northampton; that is not very far from
WodeHall.Whatconversationdidyoutrytooverhear?Oneconcerninglegaldocuments.Whatwasthe
object of your remark - a remark which you uttered with obvious embarrassment and malaise? Your
objectwastopreventMadameDoylefromsigninganydocumentunread."

Hepaused.

"Onthisboatwehavehadamurder,andfollowingthatmurdertwoothermurdersinrapidsuccession.
IfIfurthergiveyoutheinformationthattheweaponwhichkilledMadameOtterbournewasarevolver
ownedbyMonsieurAndrewPennington,thenperhapsyouwillrealizethatitisactuallyyourdutyto
tellusallyoucan."

JimFanthorpwassilentforsomeminutes.Atlasthesaid:"Youhaveratheranoddwayofgoingabout
things,MonsieurPoirot,butIappreciatethepointsyouhavemade.ThetroubleisthatIhavenoexact
informationtolaybeforeyou."

"Youmeanthatitisacase,merely,ofsuspicion."

"Yes."

"Andthereforeyouthinkitinjudicioustospeak?Thatmaybetrue,legallyspeaking.Butthisisnota
courtoflaw.ColonelRaceandmyselfareendeavouringtotrackdownamurderer.Anythingthatcan
helpustodosomaybevaluable."

AgainJimFanthorpreflected.Thenhesaid:"Verywell.Whatisityouwanttoknow?"

"Whydidyoucomeonthistrip?"

"My uncle, Mr Carmichael, Mrs Doyle's English solicitor, sent me. He handled a good many of her
affairs.Inthisway,hewasoftenincorrespondencewithMrAndrewPennington,whowasMrsDoyle's
Americantrustee.Severalsmallincidents(Icannotenumeratethemall)mademyunclesuspiciousthat
allwasnotquiteasitshouldbe."

"Inplainlanguage,"saidRace,"yourunclesuspectedthatPenningtonwasacrook?"

JimFanthorpnodded,afaintsmileonhisface.

"You put it rather more bluntly than I should, but the main idea is correct. Various excuses made by
Pennington,certainplausibleexplanationsofthedisposaloffunds,arousedmyuncle'sdistrust.

"Whilethesesuspicionsofhiswerestillnebulous,MissRidgewaymarriedunexpectedlyandwentoff
onherhoneymoontoEgypt.Hermarriagerelievedmyuncle'smind,asheknewthatonherreturnto
Englandtheestatewouldhavetobeformallysettledandhandedover.

"However,inalettershewrotehimfromCairo,shementionedcasuallythatshehadunexpectedlyrun
acrossAndrewPennington.Myuncle'ssuspicionsbecameacute.HefeltsurethatPennington,perhaps
bynowinadesperateposition,wasgoingtotryandobtainsignaturesfromherwhichwouldcoverhis
owndefalcations.Sincemyunclehadnodefiniteevidencetolaybeforeher,hewasinamostdifficult
position.Theonlythinghecouldthinkofwastosendmeouthere,travellingbyair,withinstructionsto
discover what was in the wind. I was to keep my eyes open and act summarily if necessary - a most
unpleasantmission,Icanassureyou.Asamatteroffact,ontheoccasionyoumentionIhadtobehave
moreorlessasacad!Itwasawkward,butonthewholeIwassatisfiedwiththeresult."

"YoumeanyouputMadameDoyleonherguard?"askedRace.

"Notsomuchthat,butIthinkIputthewindupPennington.Ifeltconvincedhewouldn'ttryanymore
funnybusinessforsometime,andthenIhopedtohavegotintimateenoughwithMrandMrsDoyleto
conveysomekindofawarning.AsamatteroffactIhopedtodosothroughDoyle.MrsDoylewasso
attachedtoMrPenningtonthatitwouldhavebeenabitawkwardtosuggestthingstoherabouthim.It
wouldhavebeeneasierformetoapproachthehusband."

Racenodded.

Poirot asked: "Will you give me a candid opinion on one point, Monsieur Fanthorp? If you were
engagedinputtingaswindleover,wouldyouchooseMadameDoyleorMonsieurDoyleasavictim?"

Fanthorpsmiledfaintly.

"MrDoyle,everytime.LinnetDoylewasveryshrewdinbusinessmatters.Herhusband,Ishouldfancy,
is one of those trustful fellows who know nothing of business and are always ready to 'sign on the
dottedline'ashehimselfputit."

"Iagree,"saidPoirot.HelookedatRace."Andthere'syourmotive."

JimFanthorpsaid:"Butthisisallpureconjecture.Itisn'tevidence."

Poirotreplied,easily,"Ah,bah!wewillgetevidence!"

"How?"

"PossiblyfromMrPenningtonhimself."

Fanthorplookeddoubtful.

"Iwonder.Iverymuchwonder."

Raceglancedathiswatch."He'saboutduenow."

JimFanthorpwasquicktotakethehint.Heleftthem.

TwominuteslaterAndrewPenningtonmadehisappearance.Hismannerwasallsmilingurbanity.Only
the taut line of his jaw and the wariness of his eyes betrayed the fact that a thoroughly experienced
fighterwasonhisguard.

"Well,gentlemen,"hesaid,"hereIam."

Hesatdownandlookedattheminquiringly.

"Weaskedyoutocomehere,MonsieurPennington,"beganPoirot,"becauseitisfairlyobviousthatyou
haveaveryspecialandimmediateinterestinthecase."

Penningtonraisedhiseyebrowsslightly.

"Isthatso?"

Poirot said gently: "Surely. You have known Linnet Ridgeway, I understand, since she was quite a
child."

"Oh!that-"Hisfacealtered,becamelessalert."Ibegpardon,Ididn'tquitegetyou.Yes,asItoldyou

thismorning,I'veknownLinnetsinceshewasacutelittlethinginpinafores."

"Youwereontermsofcloseintimacywithherfather?"

"That'sso.MelhuishRidgewayandIwereclose-veryclose."

"Youweresointimatelyassociatedthatonhisdeathheappointedyoubusinessguardiantohisdaughter
andtrusteetothevastfortunesheinherited."

"Why,roughly,thatisso."Thewarinesswasbackagain.Thenotewasmorecautious."Iwasnotthe
onlytrustee,naturally;otherswereassociatedwithme."

"Whohavesincedied?"

"Twoofthemaredead.Theother,MrStemdaleRockford,isalive."

"Yourpartner?"

"Yes."

"MademoiselleRidgeway,Iunderstand,wasnotyetofagewhenshemarried?"

"Shewouldhavebeentwenty-onenextJuly."

"Andinthenormalcourseofeventsshewouldhavecomeintocontrolofherfortunethen?"

"Yes.

"Buthermarriageprecipitatedmatters?"

Pennington'sjawhardened.Heshotouthischinatthemaggressively.

"You'llpardonme,gentlemen,butwhatexactbusinessisallthisofyours?"

"Ifyoudislikeansweringthequestion-"

"There'snodislikeaboutit.Idon'tmindwhatyouaskme.ButIdon'tseetherelevanceofallthis."

"Oh,butsurely,MonsieurPennington-"Poirotleanedforward,hiseyesgreenandcatlike-"thereisthe
questionofmotive.Inconsideringthat,financialconsiderationsmustalwaysbetakenintoaccount."

Penningtonsaidsullenly,"ByRidgeway'swill,Linnetgotcontrolofherdoughwhenshewastwenty-
oneorwhenshemarried."

"Noconditionsofanykind?"

"Noconditions."

"Anditisamatter,Iamcrediblyassured,ofmillions."

"Millionsitis."

Poirotsaidsoftly,"Yourresponsibility,MrPennington,andthatofyourpartner,hasbeenaverygrave
one."

Penningtonrepliedcurtly:"We'reusedtoresponsibility.Doesn'tworryusany."

"Iwonder."

Something in his tone flicked the other man on the raw. He asked angrily, "What the devil do you
mean?"

Poirot replied with an air of engaging frankness: "I was wondering, Mr Pennington, whether Linnet
Ridgeway'ssuddenmarriagecausedany-consternation,inyouroffice?"

"Consternation?"

"ThatwasthewordIused."

"Whatthehellareyoudrivingat?"

"Somethingquitesimple.AreLinnetDoyle'saffairsintheperfectordertheyshouldbe?"

Penningtonrosetohisfeet.

"That'senough.I'mthrough."Hemadeforthedoor.

"Butyouwillanswermyquestionfirst?"

Penningtonsnapped,"They'reinperfectorder."

"YouwerenotsoalarmedwhenthenewsofLinnetRidgeway'smarriagereachedyouthatyourushed
overtoEuropebythefirstboatandstagedanapparentlyfortuitousmeetinginEgypt."

Penningtoncamebacktowardthem.Hehadhimselfundercontroloncemore.

"Whatyouaresayingisabsolutebalderdash!Ididn'tevenknowthatLinnetwasmarriedtillImetherin
Cairo.Iwasutterlyastonished.HerlettermusthavemissedmebyadayinNewYork.Itwasforwarded
andIgotitaboutaweeklater."

"YoucameoverbytheCarmanic,Ithinkyousaid."

"That'sright."

"AndtheletterreachedNewYorkaftertheCarmanicsailed?"

"HowmanytimeshaveIgottorepeatit?"

"Itisstrange,"saidPoirot.

"What'sstrange?"

"ThatonyourluggagetherearenolabelsoftheCarmanic.Theonlyrecentlabelsoftransatlanticsailing
aretheNormandie.TheNormandie,Iremember,sailedtwodaysaftertheCarmanic."

Foramomenttheotherwasataloss.Hiseyeswavered.

ColonelRaceweighedinwithtellingeffect.

"Comenow,MrPennington,"hesaid."We'veseveralreasonsforbelievingthatyoucameoveronthe
NormandieandnotbytheCarmanic,asyousaid.Inthatcase,youreceivedMrsDoyle'sletterbefore
you left New York. It's no good denying it, for it's the easiest thing in the world to check up the
steamshipcompanies."

Andrew Pennington felt absent-mindedly for a chair and sat down. His face was impassive - a poker
face.Behindthatmaskhisagilebrainlookedaheadtothenextmove.

"I'llhavetohandittoyou,gentlemen.You'vebeentoosmartforme.ButIhadmyreasonsforactingas
Idid."

"Nodoubt."Race'stonewascurt.

"IfIgivethemtoyou,itmustbeunderstoodIdosoinconfidence."

"Ithinkyoucantrustustobehavefittingly.NaturallyIcannotgiveassurancesblindly."

"Well-"Penningtonsighed."I'llcomeclean.TherewassomemonkeybusinessgoingoninEngland.It
worriedme.Icouldn'tdomuchaboutitbyletter.Theonlythingwastocomeoverandseeformyself."

"Whatdoyoumeanbymonkeybusiness?"

"I'dgoodreasontobelievethatLinnetwasbeingswindled."

"Bywhom?"

"HerBritishlawyer.Nowthat'snotthekindofaccusationyoucanflingaroundanyhow.Imadeupmy
mindtocomeoverrightawayandseeintomattersmyself."

"That does great credit to your vigilance, I am sure. But why the little deception about not having
receivedtheletter?"

"Well,Iaskyou-"Penningtonspreadouthishands."Youcan'tbuttinonahoneymooncouplewithout
moreorlesscomingdowntobrasstacksandgivingyourreasons.Ithoughtitbesttomakethemeeting
accidental. Besides, I didn't know anything about the husband. He might have been mixed up in the
racketforallIknew."

"Infactallyouractionswereactuatedbypuredisinterestedness,"saidColonelRacedrily.

"You'vesaidit,Colonel."

Therewasapause.RaceglancedatPoirot.Thelittlemanleantforward.

"MonsieurPennington,wedonotbelieveawordofyourstory-"

"Thehellyoudon't!Andwhatthehelldoyoubelieve?"

"We believe that Linnet Ridgeway's unexpected marriage put you in a financial quandary. That you
cameoverposthastetotryandfindsomewayoutofthemessyouwerein-thatistosay,somewayof
gaining time. That, with that end in view, you endeavoured to obtain Madame Doyle's signature to
certaindocuments-andfailed.ThatonthejourneyuptheNile,whenwalkingalongtheclifftopatAbu
Simbel,youdislodgedaboulderwhichfellandonlyverynarrowlymisseditsobject-"

"You'recrazy."

"We believe that the same kind of circumstances occurred on the return journey. That is to say, an
opportunity presented itself of putting Madame Doyle out of the way at a moment when her death

wouldbealmostcertainlyascribedtotheactionofanotherperson.Wenotonlybelieve,butknow,that
itwasyourrevolverwhichkilledawomanwhowasabouttorevealtousthenameofthepersonwho
shehadreasontobelievekilledbothLinnetDoyleandthe,maidLouise-"

"Hell!"TheforcibleejaculationbrokeforthandinterruptedPoirot'sstreamofeloquence."Whatareyou
gettingat?Areyoucrazy?WhatmotivehadItokillLinnet?Iwouldn'tgethermoney;thatgoestoher
husband.Whydon'tyoupickonhim?He'stheonetobenefit-notme."

Race said coldly: "Doyle never left the lounge on the night of the tragedy till he was shot at and
wounded in the leg. The impossibility of his walking a step after that is attested to by a doctor and a
nurse-bothindependentandreliablewitnesses.SimonDoylecouldnothavekilledhiswife.Hecould
nothavekilledLouiseBourget.HemostdefinitelydidnotkillMrsOtterbourne!Youknowthataswell
aswedo."

"I know he didn't kill her." Pennington sounded a little calmer. "All I say is, why pick on me when I
don'tbenefitbyherdeath?"

"But,mydearSir,"Poirot'svoicecamesoftasapurringcat,"thatisratheramatterofopinion.Madame
Doylewasakeenwomanofbusiness,fullyconversantofherownaffairsandveryquicktospotany
irregularity. As soon as she took up the control of her property, which she would have done on her
return to England, her suspicions were bound to be aroused. But now that she is dead and that her
husband,asyouhavejustpointedout,inherits,thewholethingisdifferent.SimonDoyleknowsnothing
whateverofhiswife'saffairsexceptthatshewasarichwoman.Heisofasimple,trustingdisposition.
You will find it easy to place complicated statements before him, to involve the real issue in a net of
figures,andtodelaysettlementwithpleasoflegalformalitiesandtherecentdepression.Ithinkthatit
makesaveryconsiderabledifferencetoyouwhetheryoudealwiththehusbandorthewife."

Penningtonshruggedhisshoulders.

"Yourideasare-fantastic."

"Timewillshow."

"Whatdidyousay?"

"Isaid,'Timewillshow!'Thisisamatterofthreedeaths-threemurders.Thelawwilldemandthemost
searchinginvestigationintotheconditionofMadameDoyle'sestate."

Hesawthesuddensagintheother'sshouldersandknewthathehadwon.

JimFanthorp'ssuspicionswerewellfounded.

Poirotwenton:"You'veplayed-andlost.Uselesstogoonbluffing."

"Youdon'tunderstand,"Penningtonmuttered."It'sallsquareenoughreally.It'sbeenthisdamnedslump
-WallStreet'sbeencrazy.ButI'dstagedacomeback.WithluckeverythingwillbeO.K.bythemiddle
ofJune."

With shaking hands he took a cigarette, tried to light it, failed. "I suppose," mused Poirot, "that the
boulderwasasuddentemptation.Youthoughtnobodysawyou."

"Thatwasanaccident.Iswearitwasanaccident!"Themanleantforward,hisfaceworking,hiseyes
terrified."Istumbledandfellagainstit.Iswearitwasanaccident."

Thetwomensaidnothing.

Penningtonsuddenlypulledhimselftogether.Hewasstillawreckofaman,buthisfightingspirithad
returnedinacertainmeasure.Hemovedtowardthedoor."Youcan'tpinthatonme,gentlemen.Itwas
anaccident.Anditwasn'tIwhoshother.D'youhear?Youcan'tpinthatonmeeither-andyounever
will."Hewentout.

Chapter26

Asthedoorclosedbehindhim,Racegaveadeepsigh.

"WegotmorethanIthoughtweshould.Admissionoffraud.Admissionofattemptedmurder.Further
thanthatit'simpossibletogo.Amanwillconfess,moreorless,toattemptedmurder,butyouwon'tget
himtoconfesstotherealthing."

"Sometimesitcanbedone,"saidPoirot.Hiseyesweredreamy-cat-like.Racelookedathimcuriously.

"Gotaplan?"

Poirotnodded.Thenhesaidtickingofftheitemsonhisfingers:"ThegardenatAssuan.MrAllerton's
statement.Thetwobottlesofnailpolish.Mybottleofwine.Thevelvetstole.Thestainedhandkerchief.
The pistol that was left on the scene of the crime. The death of Louise. The death of Madame
Otterbourne...Yes,it'sallthere.Penningtondidn'tdoit,Race!"

"What?"Racewasstartled.

"Pennington didn't do it. He had the motive, yes. He had the will to do it, yes. He got as far as
attemptingtodoit.Maisc'esttout.Forthiscrime,somethingwaswantedthatPenningtonhasn'tgot!
Thisisacrimethatneededaudacity,swiftandfaultlessexecution,courage,indifferencetodanger,anda
resourceful,calculatingbrain.Penningtonhasn'tgotthoseattributes.Hecouldn'tdoacrimeunlesshe
knewittobesafe.Thiscrimewasn'tsafe!Ithungonarazoredge.Itneededboldness.Penningtonisn't
bold.He'sonlyastute."

Racelookedathimwiththerespectoneablemangivestoanother.

"You'vegotitallwelltaped,"hesaid.

"I think so, yes. There are one or two things - that telegram, for instance, that Linnet Doyle read. I
shouldliketogetthatclearedup."

"ByJove,weforgottoaskDoyle.HewastellinguswhenpooroldMaOtterbournecamealong.We'll
askhimagain."

"Presently.First,IhavesomeoneelsetowhomIwishtospeak."

"Who'sthat?"

"TimAllerton."

Raceraisedhiseyebrows.

"Allerton?Well,we'llgethimhere."

Hepressedabellandsentthestewardwithamessage.

TimAllertonenteredwithaquestioninglook.

"Stewardsaidyouwantedtoseeme?"

"Thatisright,MonsieurAllerton.Sitdown."

Timsat.Hisfacewasattentivebutveryslightlybored.

"AnythingIcando?"Histonewaspolitebutnotenthusiastic.

Poirotsaid:"Inasense,perhaps.WhatIreallyrequireisforyoutolisten."

Tim'seyebrowsroseinpolitesurprise.

"Certainly.I'mtheworld'sbestlistener.Canbereliedontosay'Oo-er!'attherightmoments."

"Thatisverysatisfactory.'Oo-er!'willbeveryexpressive.Ehbien,letuscommence.WhenImetyou
andyourmotheratAssuan,MonsieurAllerton,Iwasattractedtoyourcompanyverystrongly.Tobegin
with,IthoughtyourmotherwasoneofthemostcharmingpeopleIhadevermet-"

Thewearyfaceflickeredforamoment;ashadeofexpressioncameintoit.

"Sheis-unique,"hesaid.

"Butthesecondthingthatinterestedmewasyourmentionofacertainlady."

"Really?"

"Yes,aMademoiselleJoannaSouthwood.Yousee,Ihadrecentlybeenhearingthatname."

Hepausedandwenton:"Forthelastthreeyearstherehavebeencertainjewelrobberiesthathavebeen
worryingScotlandYardagooddeal.TheyarewhatmaybedescribedasSocietyrobberies.Themethod

isusuallythesame-thesubstitutionofanimitationpieceofjewelleryforanoriginal.Myfriend,Chief
InspectorJapp,cametotheconclusionthattherobberieswerenottheworkofoneperson,butoftwo
people working in with each other very cleverly. He was convinced, from the considerable inside
knowledgedisplayed,thattherobberiesweretheworkofpeopleinagoodsocialposition.Andfinally
hisattentionbecamerivetedonMademoiselleJoannaSouthwood."Everyoneofthevictimshadbeen
eitherafriendoracquaintanceofhers,andineachcaseshehadeitherhandledorbeenlentthepieceof
jewelleryinquestion.Also,herstyleoflivingwasfarinexcessofherincome.Ontheotherhanditwas
quiteclearthattheactualrobbery-thatistosaythesubstitution-hadnotbeenaccomplishedbyher.In
some cases she had even been out of England during the period when the jewellery must have been
replaced.

"SograduallyalittlepicturegrewupinChiefInspectorJapp'smind.MademoiselleSouthwoodwasat
one time associated with a Guild of Modern Jewellery. He suspected that she handled the jewels in
question, made accurate drawings of them, got them copied by some humble but dishonest working
jeweller and that the third part of the operation was the successful substitution by another person -
somebody who could have been proved never to have handled the jewels and never to have had
anythingtodowithcopiesorimitationsofpreciousstones.OftheidentityofthisotherpersonJappwas
ignorant.

"Certainthingsthatfellfromyouinconversationinterestedme.Aringthathaddisappearedwhenyou
wereinMajorca,thefactthatyouhadbeeninahouse-partywhereoneofthesefakesubstitutionshad
occurred, your close association with Mademoiselle Southwood. There was also the fact that you
obviouslyresentedmypresenceandtriedtogetyourmothertobelessfriendlytowardme.Thatmight,
ofcourse,havebeenjustpersonaldislike,butIthoughtnot.Youweretooanxioustotryandhideyour
distasteunderagenialmanner.

"Eh bien, after the murder of Linnet Doyle, it is discovered that her pearls are missing. You
comprehend,atonceIthinkofyou!ButIamnotquitesatisfied.Forifyouareworking,asIsuspect,
with Mademoiselle Southwood (who was an intimate friend of Madame Doyle's) then substitution
would be the method employed - not bare-faced theft. But then, the pearls quite unexpectedly are
returned,andwhatdoIdiscover?Thattheyarenotgenuine,butimitation.

"I know then who the real thief is. It was the imitation string which was stolen and returned - an
imitationwhichyouhadpreviouslysubstitutedfortherealnecklace."

Helookedattheyoungmaninfrontofhim.Timwaswhiteunderhistan.Hewasnotsogoodafighter
as Pennington; his stamina was bad. He said, with an effort to sustain his mocking manner: "Indeed?
Andifso,whatdidIdowiththem?"

"ThatIknowalso."

Theyoungman'sfacechanged-brokeup.

Poirotwentonslowly:"Thereisonlyoneplacewheretheycanbe.Ihavereflected,andmyreasontells
methatthatisso.Thosepearls,MonsieurAllerton,areconcealedinarosarythathangsinyourcabin.
The beads of it are very elaborately carved. I think you had it made specially. Those beads unscrew,
though you would never think so to look at them. Inside each is a pearl, stuck with Seccotine. Most
policesearchersrespectreligioussymbols,unlessthereissomethingobviouslyqueeraboutthem.You
counted on that. I endeavoured to find out how Mademoiselle Southwood sent the imitation necklace
outtoyou.Shemusthavedoneso,sinceyoucameherefromMajorcaonhearingthatMadameDoyle
wouldbehereforherhoneymoon.Mytheoryisthatitwassentinabook-asquareholebeingcutout
ofthepagesinthemiddle.Abookgoeswiththeendsopenandispracticallyneveropenedinthepost."

Therewasapause-alongpause.ThenTimsaidquietly:"Youwin!It'sbeenagoodgame,butit'sover
atlast.There'snothingforitnow,Isuppose,buttotakemymedicine."

Poirotnoddedgently.

"Doyourealizethatyouwereseenthatnight?"

"Seen?"Timstarted.

"Yes, on the night that Linnet Doyle died, someone saw you leave her cabin just after one in the
morning."

Timsaid:"Lookhere-youaren'tthinking...Itwasn'tIwhokilledher!I'llswearthat!I'vebeeninthe
mostawfulstew.Tohavechosenthatnightofallothers...God,it'sbeenawful!"

Poirotsaid:"Yes,youmusthavehaduneasymoments.But,nowthatthetruthhascomeout,youmay
beabletohelpus.WasMadameDoylealiveordeadwhenyoustolethepearls?"

"Idon'tknow,"Timsaidhoarsely."HonesttoGod,MonsieurPoirot,Idon'tknow!I'dfoundoutwhere
sheputthematnight-onthelittletablebythebed.Icreptin,feltverysoftlyonthetableandgrabbed
'em,putdowntheothersandcreptoutagain.Iassumed,ofcourse,thatshewasasleep."

"Didyouhearherbreathing?Surelyyouwouldhavelistenedforthat?"

Timthoughtearnestly.

"Itwasverystill-verystillindeed.No,Ican'trememberactuallyhearingherbreathe."

"Was there any smell of smoke lingering in the air, as there would have been if a firearm had been
dischargedrecently?"

"Idon'tthinkso.Idon'trememberit."

Poirotsighed.

"Thenwearenofurther."

Timaskedcuriously,"Whowasitsawme?"

"RosalieOtterbourne.ShecameroundfromtheothersideoftheboatandsawyouleaveLinnetDoyle's
cabinandgotoyourown."

"Soitwasshewhotoldyou."

Poirotsaidgently,"Excuseme;shedidnottellme."

"Butthen,howdoyouknow?"

"BecauseIamHerculePoirot!Idonotneedtobetold.WhenItaxedherwithit,doyouknowwhatshe
said?Shesaid,'Isawnobody.'Andshelied."

"Butwhy?"

Poirot said in a detached voice: "Perhaps because she thought the man she saw was the murderer. It
lookedlikethat,youknow."

"Thatseemstomeallthemorereasonfortellingyou."

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders."Shedidnotthinkso,itseems."

Timsaid,aqueernoteinhisvoice:"She'sanextraordinarysortofagirl.Shemusthavebeenthrougha
prettyroughtimewiththatmotherofhers."

"Yes,lifehasnotbeeneasyforher."

"Poorkid,"Timmuttered.ThenhelookedtowardRace.

"Well,sir,wheredowegofromhere?IadmittakingthepearlsfromLinnet'scabinandyou'llfindthem
just where you say they are. I'm guilty all right. But as far as Miss Southwood is concerned, I'm not
admittinganything.You'venoevidencewhateveragainsther.HowIgotholdofthefakenecklaceismy
ownbusiness."

Poirotmurmured,"Averycorrectattitude."

Timsaidwithaflashofhumour,"Alwaysthegentleman!"

Headded:"Perhapsyoucanimaginehowannoyingitwastometofindmymothercottoningontoyou!
I'mnotasufficientlyhardenedcriminaltoenjoysittingcheekbyjowlwithasuccessfuldetectivejust
beforebringingoffaratherriskycoup!Somepeoplemightgetakickoutofit.Ididn't.Frankly,itgave
mecoldfeet."

"Butitdidnotdeteryoufrommakingyourattempt?"

Timshruggedhisshoulders.

"I couldn't funk it to that extent. The exchange had to be made sometime and I'd got a unique
opportunityonthisboat-acabinonlytwodoorsoff,andLinnetherselfsopreoccupiedwithherown
troublesthatshewasn'tlikelytodetectthechange."

"Iwonderifthatwasso-"

Timlookedupsharply."Whatdoyoumean?"

Poirotpressedthebell."IamgoingtoaskMissOtterbourneifshewillcomehereforaminute."

Timfrownedbutsaidnothing.Astewardcame,receivedtheorderandwentawaywiththemessage.

Rosalie came after a few minutes. Her eyes, reddened with recent weeping, widened a little at seeing
Tim,butheroldattitudeofsuspicionanddefianceseemedentirelyabsent.Shesatdownandwithanew
docilitylookedfromRacetoPoirot.

"We're very sorry to bother you, Miss Otterbourne," said Race gently. He was slightly annoyed with
Poirot.

"Itdoesn'tmatter,"thegirlsaidinalowvoice.

Poirotsaid:"Itisnecessarytoclearuponeortwopoints.WhenIaskedyouwhetheryousawanyoneon
thestarboarddeckatone-tenthismorning,youranswerwasthatyousawnobody.FortunatelyIhave
beenabletoarriveatthetruthwithoutyourhelp.MonsieurAllertonhasadmittedthathewasinLinnet
Doyle'scabinlastnight."

SheflashedaswiftglanceatTim.Tim,hisfacegrimandset,gaveacurtnod.

"Thetimeiscorrect,MonsieurAllerton?"

Allertonreplied,"Quitecorrect."

Rosaliewasstaringathim.Herlipstrembled-fellapart.

"Butyoudidn't-youdidn't-"

He said quickly: "No, I didn't kill her. I'm a thief, not a murderer. It's all going to come out, so you
mightaswellknow.Iwasafterherpearls."

Poirotsaid,"MrAllerton'sstoryisthathewenttohercabinlastnightandexchangedastringoffake
pearlsfortherealones."

"Didyou?"askedRosalie.Hereyes,grave,sad,childlike,questionedhis.

"Yes,"saidTim.

Therewasapause.ColonelRaceshiftedrestlessly.

Poirotsaidinacuriousvoice:"That,asIsay,isMonsieurAllerton'sstory,partiallyconfirmedbyyour
evidence.Thatistosay,thereisevidencethathedidvisitLinnetDoyle'scabinlastnight,butthereisno
evidencetoshowwhyhedidso."

Timstaredathim."Butyouknow!"

"WhatdoIknow?"

"Well-youknowI'vegotthepearls."

"Maisoui-maisoui!Iknowyouhavethepearls,butIdonotknowwhenyougotthem.Itmayhave
beenbeforelastnight...YousaidjustnowthatLinnetDoylewouldnothavenoticedthesubstitution.I
amnotsosureofthat.Supposingshedidnoticeit...Supposing,even,sheknewwhodidit...Supposing
thatlastnightshethreatenedtoexposethewholebusiness,andthatyouknewshemeanttodoso...and
supposingthatyouoverheardthesceneinthesaloonbetweenJacquelinedeBellefortandSimonDoyle
and, as soon as the saloon was empty, you slipped in and secured the pistol, and then, an hour later,
whentheboathadquieteddown,youcreptalongtoLinnetDoyle'scabinandmadequitesurethatno
exposurewouldcome..."

"My God!" said Tim. Out of his ashen face, two tortured, agonized eyes gazed dumbly at Hercule
Poirot.

Thelatterwenton:"Butsomebodyelsesawyou-thegirlLouise.Thenextdayshecametoyouand
blackmailedyou.Youmustpayherhandsomelyorshewouldtellwhatsheknew.Yourealizedthatto
submittoblackmailwouldbethebeginningoftheend.Youpretendedtoagree,madeanappointmentto
come to her cabin just before lunch with the money. Then, when she was counting the notes, you
stabbedher.

"Butagainluckwasagainstyou.Somebodysawyougotohercabin-"hehalfturnedtoRosalie-"your
mother. Once again you had to act - dangerously, foolhardily - but it was the only chance. You had

heardPenningtontalkabouthisrevolver.Yourushedintohiscabin,gotholdofit,listenedoutsideDr
Bessner'scabindoorandshotMadameOtterbournebeforeshecouldrevealyourname."

"No!"criedRosalie."Hedidn't!Hedidn't!"

"Afterthat,youdidtheonlythingyoucoulddo-rushedroundthestern.AndwhenIrushedafteryou,
youhadturnedandpretendedtobecomingintheoppositedirection.Youhadhandledtherevolverin
gloves;thosegloveswereinyourpocketwhenIaskedforthem..."

Timsaid,"BeforeGod,Iswearitisn'ttrue-notawordofit."Buthisvoice,illassuredandtrembling,
failedtoconvince.

ItwasthenthatRosalieOtterbournesurprisedthem.

"Ofcourseitisn'ttrue!AndMonsieurPoirotknowsitisn't!He'ssayingitforsomereasonofhisown."

Poirotlookedather.Afaintsmilecametohislips.Hespreadouthishandsintokenofsurrender.

"Mademoiselleistooclever...Butyouagree-itwasagoodcase?"

"Whatthedevil-"Timbeganwithrisinganger,butPoirotheldupahand.

"Thereisaverygoodcaseagainstyou,MonsieurAllerton.Iwantedyoutorealizethat.NowIwilltell
yousomethingmorepleasant.Ihavenotyetexaminedthatrosaryinyourcabin.Itmaybethat,whenI
do,Ishallfindnothingthere.Andthen,sinceMademoiselleOtterbournestickstoitthatshesawnoone
on the deck last night, eh bien, there is no case against you at all. The pearls were taken by a
kleptomaniac who has since returned them. They are in a little box on the table by the door, if you
wouldcaretoexaminethemwithMademoiselle."

Timgotup.Hestoodforamomentunabletospeak.Whenhedid,hiswordsseemedinadequate,butit
ispossiblethattheysatisfiedhislisteners.

"Thanks!"hesaid."Youwon'thavetogivemeanotherchance."

Heheldthedooropenforthegirl;shepassedoutand,pickingupthelittlecardboardbox,hefollowed

her.

Sidebysidetheywent.Timopenedthebox,tookouttheshamstringofpearlsandhurleditfarfrom
himintotheNile.

"There!" he said. "That's gone. When I return the box to Poirot the real string will be in it. What a
damnedfoolI'vebeen!"

Rosaliesaidinalowvoice,"Whydidyoucometodoitinthefirstplace?"

"HowdidIcometostart,doyoumean?Oh,Idon'tknow.Boredom-laziness-thefunofthething.
Such a much more attractive way of earning a living than just pegging away at a job. Sounds pretty
sordidtoyou,Iexpect,butyouknowtherewasanattractionaboutit-mainlytherisk,Isuppose."

"IthinkIunderstand."

"Yes,butyouwouldn'teverdoit."

Rosalieconsideredforamomentortwo,hergraveyoungheadbent.

"No,"shesaidsimply."Iwouldn't."

Hesaid:"Oh,mydear-you'resolovely...soutterlylovely.Whywouldn'tyousayyou'dseenmelast
night?"

"Ithought-theymightsuspectyou,"Rosaliesaid.

"Didyoususpectme?"

"No.Icouldn'tbelievethatyou'dkillanyone."

"No.I'mnotthestrongstuffmurderersaremadeof.I'monlyamiserablesneak-thief."

Sheputoutatimidhandandtouchedhisarm.

"Don'tsaythat..."

Hecaughtherhandinhis.

"Rosalie, would you - you know what I mean? Or would you always despise me and throw it in my
teeth?"

Shesmiledfaintly."Therearethingsyoucouldthrowinmyteeth,too..."

"Rosalie-darling."

Butsheheldbackaminutelonger.

"This-Joanna?"

Timgaveasuddenshout.

"Joanna?You'reasbadasMother.Idon'tcareadamnaboutJoanna.She'sgotafacelikeahorseanda
predatoryeye.Amostunattractivefemale."

PresentlyRosaliesaid,"Yourmotherneedneverknowaboutyou."

"I'mnotsure,"Timsaidthoughtfully."IthinkIshalltellher.Mother'sgotplentyofstuffing,youknow.
She can stand up to things. Yes, I think I shall shatter her maternal illusions about me. She'll be so
relievedtoknowthatmyrelationswithJoannawerepurelyofabusinessnaturethatshe'llforgiveme
everythingelse."

TheyhadcometoMrsAllerton'scabinandTimknockedfirmlyonthedoor.ItopenedandMrsAllerton
stoodonthethreshold.

"RosalieandI-"beganTim.Hepaused.

"Oh, my dears," said Mrs Allerton. She folded Rosalie in her arms. "My dear, dear child... I always
hoped-butTimwassotiresome-andpretendedhedidn'tlikeyou.ButofcourseIsawthroughthat!"

Rosaliesaidinabrokenvoice:"You'vebeensosweettome-always.Iusedtowish-towish-"

ShebrokeoffandsobbedhappilyonMrsAllerton'sshoulder.

Chapter27

As the door closed behind Tim and Rosalie, Poirot looked somewhat apologetically at Colonel Race.
TheColonelwaslookingrathergrim.

"Youwillconsenttomylittlearrangement,yes?"Poirotpleaded."Itisirregular-Iknowitisirregular,
yes-butIhaveahighregardforhumanhappiness."

"You'venoneformine,"saidRace.

"Thatjeunefille,Ihaveatendernesstowardher,andshelovesthatyoungman.Itwillbeanexcellent
match;shehasthestiffeningheneeds;themotherlikesher;everythingisthoroughlysuitable."

"InfactthemarriagehasbeenarrangedbyheavenandHerculePoirot.AllIhavetodoistocompounda
felony."

"But,monami,Itoldyou,itwasallconjectureonmypart."

Racegrinnedsuddenly.

"It'sallrightbyme,"hesaid."I'mnotadamnedpoliceman,thankGod!Idaresaytheyoungfoolwillgo
straightenoughnow.Thegirl'sstraightallright.No,whatI'mcomplainingofisyourtreatmentofme!
I'mapatientman,buttherearelimitstomypatience!Doyouknowwhocommittedthethreemurders
onthisboatordon'tyou?"

"Ido."

"Thenwhyallthisbeatingaboutthebush?"

"YouthinkthatIamjustamusingmyselfwithsideissues?Anditannoysyou?Butitisnotthat.OnceI
wentprofessionallytoanarchaeologicalexpedition-andIlearntsomethingthere.Inthecourseofan
excavation,whensomethingcomesupoutoftheground,everythingisclearedawayverycarefullyall
aroundit.Youtakeawaythelooseearth,andyouscrapehereandtherewithaknifeuntilfinallyyour
objectisthere,allalone,readytobedrawnandphotographedwithnoextraneousmatterconfusingit.
ThatiswhatIhavebeenseekingtodo-clearawaytheextraneousmattersothatwecanseethetruth-
thenakedshiningtruth."

"Good,"saidRace."Let'shavethisnakedshiningtruth.Itwasn'tPennington.Itwasn'tyoungAllerton.I
presumeitwasn'tFleetwood.Let'shearwhoitwasforachange."

"Myfriend,Iamjustabouttotellyou."

Therewasaknockonthedoor.Raceutteredamuffledcurse.

ItwasDrBessnerandCornelia.Thelatterwaslookingupset.

"Oh,ColonelRace,"sheexclaimed,"MissBowershasjusttoldmeaboutCousinMarie.It'sbeenthe
mostdreadfulshock.Shesaidshecouldn'tbeartheresponsibilityallbyherselfanylonger,andthatI'd
betterknow,asIwasoneofthefamily.Ijustcouldn'tbelieveitatfirst,butDrBessnerherehasbeen
justwonderful."

"No,no,"protestedthedoctormodestly.

"He'sbeensokind,explainingitall,andhowpeoplereallycan'thelpit.He'shadkleptomaniacsinhis
clinic.Andhe'sexplainedtomehowit'sveryoftenduetoadeep-seatedneurosis."

Corneliarepeatedthewordswithawe.

"It'splantedverydeeplyinthesubconscious;sometimesit'sjustsomelittlethingthathappenedwhen
you were a child. And he's cured people by getting them to think back and remember what that little
thingwas."

Corneliapaused,drewadeepbreath,andstartedoffagain.

"Butit'sworryingmedreadfullyincaseitallgetsout.Itwouldbetoo,tooterribleinNewYork.Why,
all the tabloids would have it. Cousin Marie and Mother and everybody - they'd never hold up their
headsagain."

Racesighed."That'sallright,"hesaid."ThisisHushHushHouse."

"Ibegyourpardon,ColonelRace?"

"WhatIwasendeavouringtosaywasthatanythingshortofmurderisbeinghushedup."

"Oh!"Corneliaclaspedherhands."I'msorelieved.I'vejustbeenworryingandworrying."

"Youhavethehearttootender,"saidDrBessner,andpattedherbenevolentlyontheshoulder.Hesaid
totheothers,"Shehasaverysensitiveandbeautifulnature."

"Oh,Ihaven'treally.You'retookind."

Poirotmurmured,"HaveyouseenanymoreofMrFerguson?"

Corneliablushed.

"No-butCousinMarie'sbeentalkingabouthim."

"It seems the young man is highly born," said Dr Bessner. "I must confess he does not look it. His
clothesareterrible.Notforamomentdoesheappearawell-bredman."

"Andwhatdoyouthink,Mademoiselle?"

"Ithinkhemustbejustplaincrazy,"saidCornelia.

Poirotturnedtothedoctor."Howisyourpatient?"

"Ach,heisgoingonsplendidly.IhavejustreassuredthelittleFräuleindeBellefort.Wouldyoubelieve

it, I found her in despair. Just because the fellow had a bit of a temperature this afternoon! But what
couldbemorenatural?Itisamazingthatheisnotinahighfevernow.Butno,heislikesomeofour
peasants; he has a magnificent constitution, the constitution of an ox. I have seen them with deep
woundsthattheyhardlynotice.ItisthesamewithMrDoyle.Hispulseissteady,histemperatureonly
slightlyabovenormal.Iwasabletopoohpoohthelittlelady'sfears.Allthesame,itisridiculous,nicht
wahr?Oneminuteyoushootaman;thenextyouareinhystericsincasehemaynotbedoingwell."

Corneliasaid,"Sheloveshimterribly,yousee."

"Ach! But it is not sensible, that. If you loved a man, would you try and shoot him? No, you are
sensible."

"Idon'tlikethingsthatgooffwithbangsanyway,"saidCornelia.

"Naturallyyoudonot.Youareveryfeminine."

Race interrupted this scene of heavy approval. "Since Doyle is all right, there's no reason I shouldn't
comealongandresumeourtalkofthisafternoon.Hewasjusttellingmeaboutatelegram."

DrBessner'sbulkmovedupanddownappreciatively.

"Ho,ho,ho,itwasveryfunnythat!Doyle,hetellsmeaboutit.Itwasatelegramallaboutvegetables-
potatoes,artichokes,leeks-Ach!pardon?"

Withastifledexclamation,Racehadsatupinhischair.

"MyGod,"hesaid."Sothat'sit!Richetti!"

Helookedroundonthreeuncomprehendingfaces.

"Anewcode-itwasusedintheSouthAfricanrebellion.Potatoesmeanmachineguns,artichokesare
high explosives - and so on. Richetti is no more an archaeologist than I am! He's a very dangerous
agitator,amanwho'skilledmorethanonce,andI'llswearthathe'skilledonceagain.MrsDoyleopened
that telegram by mistake, you see. If she were ever to repeat what was in it before me, he knew his
goosewouldbecooked!"

HeturnedtoPoirot.

"AmIright?"heasked."IsRichettitheman?"

"Heisyourman,"saidPoirot."Ialwaysthoughttherewassomethingwrongabouthim!Hewasalmost
toowordperfectinhisrôle;hewasallarchaeologist,notenoughhumanbeing."

Hepausedandthensaid:"ButitwasnotRichettiwhokilledLinnetDoyle.ForsometimenowIhave
known what I may express as the 'first half' of the murderer. Now I know the 'second half' also. The
picture is complete. But you understand that, although I know what must have happened, I have no
proof that it happened. Intellectually the case is satisfying. Actually it is profoundly unsatisfactory.
Thereisonlyonehope-aconfessionfromthemurderer."

DrBessnerraisedhisshoulderssceptically."Ach!butthat-itwouldbeamiracle."

"Ithinknot.Notunderthecircumstances."

Corneliacriedout:"Butwhoisit?Aren'tyougoingtotellus?"

Poirot's eyes ranged quietly over the three of them. Race, smiling sardonically, Bessner, still looking
sceptical,Cornelia,hermouthhangingalittleopengazingathimwitheagereyes.

"Maisoui,"hesaid."Ilikeanaudience,Imustconfess.Iamvain,yousee.Iampuffedupwithconceit.
Iliketosay,'SeehowcleverisHerculePoirot!'"

Raceshiftedalittleinhischair.

"Well,"heaskedgently,"justhowcleverisHerculePoirot?"

ShakinghisheadsadlyfromsidetosidePoirotsaid:"TobeginwithIwasstupid-incrediblystupid.To
methestumblingblockwasthepistol-JacquelinedeBellefort'spistol.Whyhadthatpistolnotbeen
leftonthesceneofthecrime?Theideaofthemurdererwasquiteplainlytoincriminateher.Whythen
didthemurderertakeitaway?IwassostupidthatIthoughtofallsortsoffantasticreasons.Thereal
one was very simple. The murderer took it away because he had to take it away - because he had no
choiceinthematter."

Chapter28

"YouandI,myfriend,"PoirotleanedtowardRace,"startedourinvestigationwithapreconceivedidea.
That idea was that the crime was committed on the spur of the moment, without any preliminary
planning. Somebody wished to remove Linnet Doyle and had seized their opportunity to do so at a
moment when the crime would almost certainly be attributed to Jacqueline de Bellefort. It therefore
followedthatthepersoninquestionhadoverheardthescenebetweenJacquelineandSimonDoyleand
hadobtainedpossessionofthepistolaftertheothershadleftthesaloon.

"But,myfriends,ifthatpreconceivedideawaswrong,thewholeaspectofthecasealtered.Anditwas
wrong!Thiswasnospontaneouscrimecommittedonthespurofthemoment.Itwas,onthecontrary,
verycarefullyplannedandaccuratelytimed,withallthedetailsmeticulouslyworkedoutbeforehand,
eventothedruggingofHerculePoirot'sbottleofwineonthenightinquestion!

"But,yes,thatisso!Iwasputtosleepsothatthereshouldbenopossibilityofmyparticipatinginthe
eventsofthenight.Itdidjustoccurtomeasapossibility.Idrinkwine-mytwocompanionsattable
drinkwhiskyandmineralwaterrespectively.Nothingeasierthantoslipadoseofharmlessnarcoticinto
mybottleofwine-thebottlesstandonthetablesallday.ButIdismissedthethought.Ithadbeenahot
day;Ihadbeenunusuallytired;itwasnotreallyextraordinarythatIshouldforoncehavesleptheavily
insteadoflightlyasIusuallydo.

"Yousee,Iwasstillinthegripofthepreconceivedidea.IfIhadbeendrugged,thatwouldhaveimplied
premeditation,itwouldmeanthatbeforeseven-thirty,whendinnerisserved,thecrimehadalreadybeen
decidedupon;andthat(alwaysfromthepointofviewofthepreconceivedidea)wasabsurd.

"The first blow to the preconceived idea was when the pistol was recovered from the Nile. To begin
with,ifwewererightinourassumptions,thepistoloughtnevertohavebeenthrownoverboardatall...
Andtherewasmoretofollow."PoirotturnedtoDrBessner."You,DrBessner,examinedLinnetDoyle's
body.Youwillrememberthatthewoundshowedsignsofscorching-thatistosay,thatthepistolhad
beenplacedcloseagainsttheheadbeforebeingfired."

Bessnernodded."So.Thatisexact."

"Butwhenthepistolwasfounditwaswrappedinavelvetstole,andthatvelvetshoweddefinitesigns
thatapistolhadbeenfiredthroughitsfolds,presumablyundertheimpressionthatthatwoulddeaden
thesoundoftheshot.Butifthepistolhadbeenfiredthroughthevelvet,therewouldhavebeennosigns
ofburningonthevictim'sskin.Therefore,theshotfiredthroughthestolecouldnothavebeentheshot
thatkilledLinnetDoyle.Couldithavebeentheothershot-theonefiredbyJacquelinedeBellefortat
SimonDoyle?Againno,fortherehadbeentwowitnessesofthatshooting,andweknewallaboutit.It
appeared,therefore,asthoughathirdshothadbeenfired-oneweknewnothingabout.Butonlytwo

shotshadbeenfiredfromthepistol,andtherewasnohintorsuggestionofanothershot.

"Here we were face to face with a very curious unexplained circumstance. The next interesting point
wasthefactthatinLinnetDoyle'scabinIfoundtwobottlesofcolourednailpolish.Nowladiesvery
often vary the colour of their nails, but so far Linnet Doyle's nails had always been the shade called
Cardinal-adeepdarkred.TheotherbottlewaslabelledRose,whichisashadeofpalepink,butthe
fewdropsremaininginthebottlewerenotpalepinkbutabrightred.Iwassufficientlycurioustotake
outthestopperandsniff.Insteadoftheusualstrongodourofpeardrops,thebottlesmeltofvinegar!
Thatistosay,itsuggestedthatthedroportwooffluidinitwasredink.Nowthereisnoreasonwhy
MadameDoyleshouldnothavehadabottleofredink,butitwouldhavebeenmorenaturalifshehad
hadredinkinaredinkbottleandnotinanailpolishbottle.Itsuggestedalinkwiththefaintlystained
handkerchiefwhichhadbeenwrappedroundthepistol.Redinkwashesoutquicklybutalwaysleavesa
palepinkstain.

"Ishouldperhapshavearrivedatthetruthwiththeseslenderindications,butaneventoccurredwhich
renderedalldoubtsuperfluous.LouiseBourgetwaskilledincircumstanceswhichpointedunmistakably
tothefactthatshehadbeenblackmailingthemurderer.Notonlywasafragmentofamillefrancnote
stillclaspedinherhand,butIrememberedsomeverysignificantwordsshehadusedthismorning.

"Listencarefully,forhereisthecruxofthewholematter.WhenIaskedherifshehadseenanythingthe
previous night she gave this very curious answer: 'Naturally, if I had been unable to sleep, if I had
mountedthestairs,thenperhapsImighthaveseenthisassassin,thismonsterenterorleaveMadame's
cabin.Nowwhatexactlydidthattellus?"

Bessner, his nose wrinkling with intellectual interest, replied promptly, "It told you that she had
mountedthestair."

"No,no;youfailtoseethepoint.Whyshouldshehavesaidthat,tous?"

"Toconveyahint."

"Butwhyhinttous?Ifsheknowswhothemurdereris,therearetwocoursesopentoher-totellusthe
truth,ortoholdhertongueanddemandmoneyforhersilencefromthepersonconcerned!Butshedoes
neither.Sheneithersayspromptly:'Isawnobody.Iwasasleep.'Nordoesshesay,'Yes,Isawsomeone,
anditwassoandso.'Whyusethatsignificantindeterminaterigmaroleofwords?Parbleu,therecanbe
onlyonereason!Sheishintingtothemurderer;thereforethemurderermusthavebeenpresentatthe
time. But, besides myself and Colonel Race, only two people were present - Simon Doyle and Dr
Bessner."

Thedoctorsprangupwitharoar.

"Ach!whatisthatyousay?Youaccuseme?Again?Butitisridiculous-beneathcontempt."

Poirotsaidsharply:"Bequiet.IamtellingyouwhatIthoughtatthetime.Letusremainimpersonal."

"Hedoesn'tmeanhethinksit'syounow,"saidCorneliasoothingly.

Poirotwentonquickly:"Soitlaythere-betweenSimonDoyleandDrBessner.Butwhatreasonhas
Bessner to kill Linnet Doyle? None, so far as I know. Simon Doyle, then? But that was impossible!
TherewereplentyofwitnesseswhocouldswearthatDoyleneverleftthesaloonthateveninguntilthe
quarrel broke out. After that he was wounded and it would then have been physically impossible for
him to have done so. Had I good evidence on both those points? Yes, I had the evidence of
Mademoiselle Robson, of Jim Fanthorp and of Jacqueline de Bellefort as to the first, and I had the
skilledtestimonyofDrBessnerandofMademoiselleBowersastotheother.Nodoubtwaspossible.

"SoDrBessnermustbetheguiltyone.Infavourofthistheorytherewasthefactthatthemaidhadbeen
stabbedwithasurgicalknife.OntheotherhandBessnerhaddeliberatelycalledattentiontothisfact.

"And then, my friends, a second perfectly indisputable fact became apparent to me. Louise Bourget's
hintcouldnothavebeenintendedforDrBessner,becauseshecouldperfectlywellhavespokentohim
inprivateatanytimesheliked.Therewasoneperson,andonepersononly,whocorrespondedtoher
necessity-SimonDoyle!SimonDoylewaswounded,wasconstantlyattendedbyadoctor,wasinthat
doctor'scabin.Itwastohimthereforethatsheriskedsayingthoseambiguouswords,incaseshemight
notgetanotherchance.AndIrememberedhowshehadgoneon,turningtohim:'Monsieur,Iimplore
you-youseehowitis?WhatcanIsay?'Andhisanswer,'Mygoodgirl,don'tbeafool.Nobodythinks
you saw or heard anything. You'll be quite all right. I'll look after you. Nobody's accusing you of
anything.'Thatwastheassuranceshewanted,andshegotit!"

Bessnerutteredacolossalsnort.

"Ach! it is foolish, that! Do you think a man with a fractured bone and a splint on his leg could go
walkingabouttheboatandstabbingpeople?Itellyou,itwasimpossibleforSimonDoyletoleavehis
cabin."

Poirotsaidgently:"Iknow.Thatisquitetrue.Thethingwasimpossible.Itwasimpossible,butitwas
alsotrue!TherecouldbeonlyonelogicalmeaningbehindLouiseBourget'swords.

"So I returned to the beginning and reviewed the crime in the light of this new knowledge. Was it
possible that in the period preceding the quarrel Simon Doyle had left the saloon and the others had
forgotten or not noticed it? I could not see that that was possible. Could the skilled testimony of Dr
BessnerandMademoiselleBowersbedisregarded?AgainIfeltsureitcouldnot.But,Iremembered,
there was a gap between the two. Simon Doyle had been alone in the saloon for a period of five
minutes, and the skilled testimony of Dr Bessner only applied to the time after that period. For that
periodwehadonlytheevidenceofvisualappearance,and,thoughapparentlythatwasperfectlysound,
itwasnolongercertain.Whathadactuallybeenseen-leavingassumptionoutofthequestion?

"Mademoiselle Robson had seen Mademoiselle de Bellefort fire her pistol, had seen Simon Doyle
collapseontoachair,hadseenhimclaspahandkerchieftohislegandseenthathandkerchiefgradually
soakthroughred.WhathadMonsieurFanthorpheardandseen?Heheardashot,hefoundDoylewitha
red-stained handkerchief clasped to his leg. What had happened then? Doyle had been very insistent
that Mademoiselle de Bellefort should be got away, that she should not be left alone. After that, he
suggestedthatFanthorpshouldgetholdofthedoctor.

"AccordinglyMademoiselleRobsonandMonsieurFanthorpgooutwithMademoiselledeBellefortand
for the next five minutes they are busy, on the port side of the deck. Mademoiselle Bowers', Dr
Bessner's and Mademoiselle de Bellefort's cabins are all on the port side. Two minutes are all that
SimonDoyleneeds.Hepicksupthepistolfromunderthesofa,slipsoutofhisshoes,runslikeahare
silentlyalongthestarboarddeck,entershiswife'scabin,creepsuptoherasshewasasleep,shootsher
throughthehead,putsthebottlethathascontainedtheredinkonherwashstand(itmustn'tbefoundon
him) runs back, gets hold of Mademoiselle Van Schuyler's velvet stole, which he has quietly stuffed
downthesideofachairinreadiness,mufflesitroundthepistolandfiresabulletintohisleg.Hischair
into which he falls (in genuine agony this time) is by a window. He lifts the window and throws the
pistol(wrappedupwiththetelltalehandkerchiefinthevelvetstole)intotheNile."

"Impossible!"saidRace.

"No,myfriend,notimpossible.RemembertheevidenceofTimAllerton.Heheardapop-followedby
asplash.Andheheardsomethingelse-thefootstepsofamanrunning-amanrunningpasthisdoor.
But nobody should have been running along the starboard side of the deck. What he heard was the
stockingedfeetofSimonDoylerunningpasthiscabin."

Racesaid:"Istillsayit'simpossible.Nomancouldworkoutthewholecaboodlelikethatinaflash-
especiallyachaplikeDoylewhoisslowinhismentalprocesses."

"Butveryquickanddeftinhisphysicalactions!"

"That,yes.Buthewouldn'tbecapableofthinkingthewholethingout."

"Buthedidnotthinkitouthimself,myfriend.Thatiswherewewereallwrong.Itlookedlikeacrime
committedonthespurofthemoment,butitwasnotacrimecommittedonthespurofthemoment.AsI
sayitwasaverycleverlyplannedandwellthoughtoutpieceofwork.ItcouldnotbechancethatSimon
Doylehadabottleofredinkinhispocket.No,itmustbedesign.Itwasnotchancethatbehadaplain
unmarkedhandkerchiefwithhim.ItwasnotchancethatJacquelinedeBellefort'sfootkickedthepistol
underthesettee,whereitwouldbeoutofsightandunremembereduntillater."

"Jacqueline?"

"Certainly.Thetwohalvesofthemurderer.WhatgaveSimonhisalibi?TheshotfiredbyJacqueline.
WhatgaveJacquelineheralibi?TheinsistenceofSimon,whichresultedinahospitalnurseremaining
with her all night. There, between the two of them, you get all the qualities you require - the cool,
resourceful, planning brain, Jacqueline de Bellefort's brain, and the man of action to carry it out with
incredibleswiftnessandtiming.

"Lookatittherightway,anditanswerseveryquestion.SimonDoyleandJacquelinehadbeenlovers.
Realize that they are still lovers, and it is all clear. Simon does away with his rich wife, inherits her
money,andinduecoursewillmarryhisoldlove.Itwasallveryingenious.ThepersecutionofMadame
DoylebyJacqueline,allpartoftheplan.Simon'spretendedrage...Andyet-therewerelapses.Heheld
forthtomeonceaboutpossessivewomen-heldforthwithrealbitterness.Itoughttohavebeenclearto
methatitwashiswifehewasthinkingabout-notJacqueline.Thenhismannertohiswifeinpublic.
An ordinary, inarticulate Englishman, such as Simon Doyle, is very embarrassed at showing any
affection.Simonwasnotareallygoodactor.Heoverdidthedevotedmanner.ThatconversationIhad
with Mademoiselle Jacqueline, too, when she pretended that somebody had overheard. I saw no one.
Andtherewasnoone!Butitwastobeausefulredherringlater.ThenonenightonthisboatIthoughtI
heardSimonandLinnetoutsidemycabin.Hewassaying,'We'vegottogothroughwithitnow.'Itwas
Doyleallright,butitwastoJacquelinehewasspeaking.

"Thefinaldramawasperfectlyplannedandtimed.Therewasasleepingdraughtforme,incaseImight
putaninconvenientfingerinthepie.TherewastheselectionofMademoiselleRobsonasawitness-the
working up of the scene, Mademoiselle de Bellefort's exaggerated remorse and hysterics. She made a
good deal of noise, in case the shot should be heard. En vérité, it was an extraordinarily clever idea.
Jacqueline says she has shot Doyle; Mademoiselle Robson says so; Fanthorp says so - and when
Simon's leg is examined he has been shot. It looks unanswerable! For both of them there is a perfect
alibi-atthecost,itistrue,ofacertainamountofpainandrisktoSimonDoyle,butitisnecessarythat
hiswoundshoulddefinitelydisablehim.

"Andthentheplangoeswrong.LouiseBourgethasbeenwakeful.Shehascomeupthestairwayand
shehasseenSimonDoylerunalongtohiswife'scabinandcomeback.Easyenoughtopiecetogether

whathashappenedthefollowingday.Andsoshemakeshergreedybidforhushmoney,andinsodoing
signsherdeathwarrant."

"ButMrDoylecouldn'thavekilledher?"Corneliaobjected.

"No,theotherpartnerdidthatmurder.Assoonashecan,SimonDoyleaskstoseeJacqueline.Heeven
asksmetoleavethemalonetogether.Hetellsherthenofthenewdanger.Theymustactatonce.He
knows where Bessner's scalpels are kept. After the crime the scalpel is wiped and returned, and then,
verylateandratheroutofbreath,JacquelinedeBelleforthurriesintolunch.

"Andstillallisnotwell,forMadameOtterbournehasseenJacquelinegointoLouiseBourget'scabin.
And she comes hot foot to tell Simon about it. Jacqueline is the murderess. Do you remember how
Simon shouted at the poor woman? Nerves, we thought. But the door was open and he was trying to
conveythedangertohisaccomplice.Sheheardandsheacted-actedlikelightning.Sheremembered
Penningtonhadtalkedaboutarevolver.Shegotholdofit,creptupoutsidethedoor,listenedand,atthe
criticalmoment,fired.Sheboastedoncethatshewasagoodshot,andherboastwasnotanidleone.

"Iremarkedafterthatthirdcrimethattherewerethreewaysthemurderercouldhavegone.Imeantthat
hecouldhavegoneaft(inwhichcaseTimAllertonwasthecriminal)hecouldhavegoneovertheside
(very improbable) or he could have gone into a cabin. Jacqueline's cabin was just two away from Dr
Bessner's.Shehadonlytothrowdowntherevolver,boltintothecabin,ruffleherhairandflingherself
downonthebunk.Itwasrisky,butitwastheonlypossiblechance."

Therewasasilence,thenRaceasked,"WhathappenedtothefirstbulletfiredatDoylebythegirl?"

"Ithinkitwentintothetable.Thereisarecentlymadeholethere.IthinkDoylehadtimetodigitout
withapenknifeandflingitthroughthewindow.Hehad,ofcourse,asparecartridge,sothatitwould
appearthatonlytwoshotshadbeenfired."

Corneliasighed."Theythoughtofeverything,"shesaid."It's-horrible!"

Poirotwassilent.Butitwasnotamodestsilence.Hiseyesseemedtobesaying:"Youarewrong.They
didn'tallowforHerculePoirot."

Aloudhesaid,"Andnow,Doctor,wewillgoandhaveawordwithyourpatient."

Chapter29

ItwasverymuchlaterthateveningthatHerculePoirotcameandknockedonthedoorofacabin.

Avoicesaid"Comein"andheentered.

Jacqueline de Bellefort was sitting in a chair. In another chair, close against the wall, sat the big
stewardess.

Jacqueline'seyessurveyedPoirotthoughtfully.Shemadeagesturetowardthestewardess.

"Canshego?"

Poirotnoddedtothewomanandshewentout.PoirotdrewupherchairandsatdownnearJacqueline.
Neitherofthemspoke.Poirot'sfacewasunhappy.Intheenditwasthegirlwhospokefirst.

"Well,"shesaid,"itisallover!Youweretoocleverforus,MonsieurPoirot."

Poirotsighed.Hespreadouthishands.Heseemedstrangelydumb.

"Allthesame,"saidJacquelinereflectively,"Ican'treallyseethatyouhadmuchproof.Youwerequite
right,ofcourse,butifwe'dbluffedyouout-"

"Innootherway,Mademoiselle,couldthethinghavehappened."

"That'sproofenoughforalogicalmind,butIdon'tbelieveitwouldhaveconvincedajury.Oh,well-it
can't be helped. You sprang it all on Simon, and he went down like a ninepin. He just lost his head
utterly,poorlamb,andadmittedeverything."

Sheshookherhead."He'sabadloser."

"Butyou,Mademoiselle,areagoodloser."

Shelaughedsuddenly-aqueer,gay,defiantlittlelaugh.

"Oh,yes,I'magoodloserallright."Shelookedathim.

Shesaidsuddenlyandimpulsively:"Don'tmindsomuch,MonsieurPoirot!Aboutme,Imean.Youdo
mind,don'tyou?"

"Yes,Mademoiselle."

"Butitwouldn'thaveoccurredtoyoutoletmeoff?"

HerculePoirotsaidquietly,"No."

Shenoddedherheadinquietagreement.

"No,it'snousebeingsentimental.Imightdoitagain...I'mnotasafepersonanylonger.Icanfeelthat
myself..."

Shewentonbroodingly:"It'ssodreadfullyeasy-killingpeople.Andyoubegintofeelthatitdoesn't
matter!It'sdangerous-that."

Shepaused,thensaidwithalittlesmile:"Youdidyourbestforme,youknow.ThatnightatAssuan-
youtoldmenottoopenmyhearttoevil...Didyourealizethenwhatwasinmymind?"

Heshookhishead.

"IonlyknewthatwhatIsaidwastrue."

"It was true. I could have stopped, then, you know. I nearly did... I could have told Simon that I
wouldn'tgoonwithit...Butthenperhaps-"

Shebrokeoff.Shesaid:"Wouldyouliketohearaboutit?Fromthebeginning?"

"Ifyoucaretotellme,Mademoiselle."

"IthinkIwanttotellyou.Itwasallverysimplereally.Yousee,SimonandIlovedeachother..."

Itwasamatter-of-factstatement,yet,underneaththelightnessofhertone,therewereechoes...

Poirotsaidsimply,"Andforyoulovewouldhavebeenenough,butnotforhim."

"Youmightputitthatway,perhaps.Butyoudon'tquiteunderstandSimon.Yousee,he'salwayswanted
money so dreadfully. He likes all the things you get with money - horses and yachts and sport - nice
things,allofthem,thingsamanoughttobekeenabout.Andhe'dneverbeenabletohaveanyofthem.
He'sawfullysimple,Simonis.Hewantsthingsjustasachildwantsthem-youknow-terribly.

"Allthesamehenevertriedtomarryanybodyrichandhorrid.Hewasn'tthatsort.Andthenwemet-
and-andthatsortofsettledthings.Onlywedidn'tseewhenwe'dbeabletomarry.He'dhadrathera
decentjob,buthe'dlostit.Inawayitwashisownfault.Hetriedtodosomethingsmartovermoney,
andgotfoundoutatonce.Idon'tbelievehereallymeanttobedishonest.Hejustthoughtitwasthesort
ofthingpeopledidintheCity."

Aflickerpassedoverherlistener'sface,butheguardedhistongue.

"Therewewere,upagainstit;andthenIthoughtofLinnetandhernewcountryhouse,andIrushedoff
to her. You know, Monsieur Poirot, I loved Linnet, really I did. She was my best friend, and I never
dreamed that anything would ever come between us. I just thought how lucky it was she was rich. It
might make all the difference to me and Simon if she'd give him a job. And she was awfully sweet
aboutitandtoldmetobringSimondowntoseeher.ItwasaboutthenyousawusthatnightatChezMa
Tante.Weweremakingwhoopee,althoughwecouldn'treallyaffordit."

She paused, sighed, then went on: "What I'm going to say now is quite true, Monsieur Poirot. Even
thoughLinnetisdead,itdoesn'talterthetruth.That'swhyI'mnotreallysorryabouther,evennow.She
wentallouttogetSimonawayfromme.That'stheabsolutetruth!Idon'tthinksheevenhesitatedfor
morethanaboutaminute.Iwasherfriend,butshedidn'tcare.Shejustwentbald-headedforSimon...

"AndSimondidn'tcareadamnabouther!Italkedalottoyouaboutglamour,butofcoursethatwasn't
true.Hedidn'twantLinnet.Hethoughthergood-lookingbutterriblybossy,andhehatedbossywomen!
Thewholethingembarrassedhimfrightfully.Buthedidlikethethoughtofhermoney.

"OfcourseIsawthat...andatlastIsuggestedtohimthatitmightbeagoodthingifhe-gotridofme
and married Linnet. But he scorned the idea. He said, money or no money, it would be hell to be
marriedtoher.Hesaidhisideaofhavingmoneywastohaveithimself-nottohavearichwifeholding

the purse strings. 'I'd be a kind of damned Prince Consort,' he said to me. He said, too, that he didn't
wantanyonebutme...

"IthinkIknowwhentheideacameintohishead.Hesaidoneday,'IfI'danyluck,I'dmarryherand
she'ddieinaboutayearandleavemealltheboodle.'Andthenaqueerstartledlookcameintohiseyes.
Thatwaswhenhefirstthoughtofit...

"Hetalkedaboutitagooddeal,onewayandanother-abouthowconvenientitwouldbeifLinnetdied.
Isaiditwasanawfulidea,andthenheshutupaboutit.Then,oneday,Ifoundhimreadingupallabout
arsenic.Itaxedhimwithitthen,andhelaughedandsaid:'Nothingventure,nothinghave!It'saboutthe
onlytimeinmylifeIshallbeneartotouchingafatlotofmoney.'

"AfterabitIsawthathe'dmadeuphismind.AndIwasterrified-simplyterrified.Because,yousee,I
realizedthathe'dneverpullitoff.He'ssochildishlysimple.He'dhavenokindofsubtletyaboutit-and
he'sgotnoimagination.Hewouldprobablyhavejustbungedarsenicintoherandassumedthedoctor
wouldsayshe'ddiedofgastritis.Healwaysthoughtthingswouldgoright.

"SoIhadtocomeintoit,too,tolookafterhim."

Shesaiditverysimplybutincompletegoodfaith.Poirothadnodoubtwhateverthathermotivehad
beenexactlywhatshesaiditwas.SheherselfhadnotcovetedLinnetRidgeway'smoney,butshehad
lovedSimonDoyle,hadlovedhimbeyondreasonandbeyondrectitudeandbeyondpity.

"IthoughtandIthought-tryingtoworkoutaplan.Itseemedtomethatthebasisoftheideaoughtto
beakindoftwo-handedalibi.Youknow-ifSimonandIcouldsomehoworothergiveevidenceagainst
eachother,butactuallythatevidencewouldclearusofeverything.Itwouldbeeasyenoughformeto
pretend to hate Simon. It was quite a likely thing to happen under the circumstances. Then, if Linnet
was killed, I should probably be suspected, so it would be better if I was suspected right away. We
workedoutdetailslittlebylittle.Iwantedittobesothat,ifanythingwentwrong,they'dgetmeandnot
Simon.ButSimonwasworriedaboutme.

"TheonlythingIwasgladaboutwasthatIhadn'tgottodoit.Isimplycouldn'thave!Notgoalongin
coldbloodandkillherwhenshewasasleep!Yousee,Ihadn'tforgivenher-IthinkIcouldhavekilled
herfacetoface,butnottheotherway...

"Weworkedeverythingoutcarefully.Eventhen,SimonwentandwroteaJinblood,whichwasasilly
melodramaticthingtodo.It'sjustthesortofthinghewouldthinkof!Butitwentoffallright."

Poirotnodded.

"Yes. It was not your fault that Louise Bourget could not sleep that night... And afterward,
Mademoiselle?"

Shemethiseyessquarely.

"Yes,"shesaid,"it'sratherhorrible,isn'tit?Ican'tbelievethatIdidthat!Iknownowwhatyoumeant
byopeningyourhearttoevil...Youknowprettywellhowithappened.LouisemadeitcleartoSimon
thatsheknew.Simongotyoutobringmetohim.Assoonaswewerealonetogetherhetoldmewhat
hadhappened.HetoldmewhatI'dgottodo.Iwasn'tevenhorrified.Iwassoafraid-sodeadlyafraid...
That's what murder does to you. Simon and I were safe - quite safe - except for this miserable
blackmailingFrenchgirl.Itookherallthemoneywecouldgetholdof.Ipretendedtogrovel.Andthen,
when she was counting the money, I - did it! It was quite easy. That's what's so horribly, horribly
frighteningaboutit...It'ssoterriblyeasy...

"Andeventhenweweren'tsafe.MrsOtterbournehadseenme.Shecametriumphantlyalongthedeck
lookingforyouandColonelRace.I'dnotimetothink.Ijustactedlikeaflash.Itwasalmostexciting.I
knewitwastouchorgothattime.Thatseemedtomakeitbetter..."

Shestoppedagain.

"Doyourememberwhenyoucameintomycabinafterward?Yousaidyouwerenotsurewhyyouhad
come.Iwassomiserable-soterrified.IthoughtSimonwasgoingtodie..."

"AndI-washopingit,"saidPoirot.

Jacquelinenodded.

"Yes,itwouldhavebeenbetterforhimthatway."

"Thatwasnotmythought."

Jacquelinelookedatthesternnessofhisface.

She said gently: "Don't mind so much for me, Monsieur Poirot. After all, I've lived hard always, you
know.If we'd wonout, I'd havebeen very happy andenjoyed things andprobably should never have
regrettedanything.Asitis-well,onegoesthroughwithit."

She added: "I suppose the stewardess is in attendance to see I don't hang myself or swallow a
miraculouscapsuleofprussicacidaspeoplealwaysdoinbooks.Youneedn'tbeafraid!Ishan'tdothat.
ItwillbeeasierforSimonifI'mstandingby."

Poirotgotup.Jacquelinerosealso.Shesaidwithasuddensmile:"DoyourememberwhenIsaidImust
followmystar?Yousaiditmightbeafalsestar.AndIsaid,'Thatverybadstar,thatstarfalldown.'"

Hewentoutontothedeckwithherlaughterringinginhisears.

Chapter30

ItwasearlydawnwhentheycameintoShellâl.Therockscamedowngrimlytothewater'sedge.

Poirotmurmured,"Quelpayssauvage!"

Race stood beside him. "Well," he said, "we've done our job. I've arranged for Richetti to be taken
ashorefirst.Gladwe'vegothim,He'sbeenaslipperycustomer,Icantellyou.Givenustheslipdozens
oftimes."

Hewenton:"WemustgetholdofastretcherforDoyle.Remarkablehowhewenttopieces."

"Notreally,"saidPoirot."Thatboyishtypeofcriminalisusuallyintenselyvain.Onceprickthebubble
oftheirself-esteemanditisfinished!Theygotopieceslikechildren."

"Deservestobehanged,"saidRace."He'sacold-bloodedscoundrel.I'msorryforthegirl-butthere's
nothingtobedoneaboutit."

Poirotshookhishead.

"Peoplesaylovejustifieseverything,butthatisnottrue.WomenwhocareformenasJacquelinecares
for Simon Doyle are very dangerous. It is what I said when I saw her first. 'She cares too much, that
littleone!'Itistrue."

CorneliaRobsoncameupbesidehim.

"Oh,"shesaid,"we'renearlyin."

Shepausedaminuteortwothenadded,"I'vebeenwithher."

"WithMademoiselledeBellefort?"

"Yes. I felt it was kind of awful for her boxed up with that stewardess. Cousin Marie's very angry
though,I'mafraid."

MissVanSchuylerwasprogressingslowlydownthedecktowardthem.Hereyeswerevenomous.

"Cornelia,"shesnapped,"you'vebehavedoutrageously.Ishallsendyoustraighthome."

Cornelia took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Cousin Marie, but I'm not going home. I'm going to get
married."

"Soyou'veseensenseatlast,"snappedtheoldlady.

Ferguson came striding round the corner of the deck. He said: "Cornelia, what's this I hear? It's not
true!"

"It'squitetrue,"saidCornelia."I'mgoingtomarryDrBessner.Heaskedmelastnight."

"Andwhyareyougoingtomarryhim?"askedFergusonfuriously."Simplybecausehe'srich."

"No, I'm not," said Cornelia indignantly. "I like him. He's kind, and he knows a lot. And I've always
beeninterestedinsickfolksandclinics,andIshallhavejustawonderfullifewithhim."

"Do you mean to say," asked Mr Ferguson incredulously, "that you'd rather marry that disgusting old
manthanme?"

"Yes,Iwould.You'renotreliable!Youwouldn'tbeatallacomfortablesortofpersontolivewith.And
he'snotold.He'snotfiftyyet."

"He'sgotastomach,"saidMrFergusonvenomously.

"Well,I'vegotroundshoulders,"retortedCornelia."Whatonelookslikedoesn'tmatter.HesaysIreally
couldhelphiminhiswork,andbe'sgoingtoteachmeallaboutneuroses."

Shemovedaway.

FergusonsaidtoPoirot,"Doyouthinkshereallymeansthat?"

"Certainly."

"Sheprefersthatpompousoldboretome?"

"Undoubtedly."

"Thegirl'smad,"declaredFerguson.

Poirot'seyestwinkled.

"Sheisawomanofanoriginalmind,"hesaid."Itisprobablythefirsttimeyouhavemetone."

Theboatdrewintothelandingstage.Acordonhadbeendrawnroundthepassengers.Theyhadbeen
askedtowaitbeforedisembarking.

Richetti,darkfacedandsullen,wasmarchedashorebytwoengineers.

Then,afteracertainamountofdelay,astretcherwasbrought.SimonDoylewascarriedalongthedeck
tothegangway.

Helookedadifferentman-cringing,frightened,allhisboyishinsouciancevanished.

JacquelinedeBellefortfollowed.Astewardesswalkedbesideher.Shewaspalebutotherwiselooked
muchasusual.Shecameuptothestretcher.

"Hullo,Simon,"shesaid.

Helookedupatherquickly.Theoldboyishlookcamebacktohisfaceforamoment.

"Imesseditup,"hesaid."Lostmyheadandadmittedeverything!Sorry,Jackie.I'veletyoudown."

Shesmiledathimthen.

"It'sallright,Simon,"shesaid."Afool'sgame,andwe'velost.That'sall."

Shestoodaside.Thebearerpickedupthehandlesofthestretcher.

Jacqueline bent down and tied the lace of her shoe. Then her hand went to her stocking top and she
straightenedupwithsomethinginherhand.Therewasasharpexplosive"pop."

SimonDoylegaveoneconvulsedshudderandthenlaystill.

Jacqueline de Bellefort nodded. She stood for a minute, pistol in hand. She gave a fleeting smile at
Poirot.

Then, as Race jumped forward, she turned the little glittering toy against her heart and pressed the
trigger.

Shesankdowninasofthuddledheap.

Raceshouted,"Wherethedevildidshegetthatpistol?"

Poirotfeltahandonhisarm.

MrsAllertonsaidsoftly,"Youknew?"

He nodded. "She had a pair of these pistols. I realized that when I heard that one had been found in
RosalieOtterbourne'shandbagthedayofthesearch.Jacquelinesatatthesametableastheydid.When
sherealizedthattherewasgoingtobeasearch,sheslippeditintotheothergirl'shandbag.Latershe
went to Rosalie's cabin and got it back, after having distracted her attention with a comparison of
lipsticks. As both she and her cabin had been searched yesterday, it wasn't thought necessary to do it
again."

MrsAllertonsaid,"Youwantedhertotakethatwayout?"

"Yes. But she would not take it alone. That is why Simon Doyle has died an easier death than he
deserved."

MrsAllertonshivered."Lovecanbeaveryfrighteningthing."

"Thatiswhymostgreatlovestoriesaretragedies."

Mrs Allerton's eyes rested upon Tim and Rosalie, standing side by side in the sunlight, and she said
suddenlyandpassionately,"ButthankGod,thereishappinessintheworld."

"Asyousay,Madame,thankGodforit."

Presentlythepassengerswentashore.

LaterthebodiesofLouiseBourgetandMrsOtterbournewerecarriedofftheKarnak.

LastlythebodyofLinnetDoylewasbroughtashore,andallovertheworldwiresbegantohum,telling
the public that Linnet Doyle, who had been Linnet Ridgeway, the famous, the beautiful, the wealthy
LinnetDoylewasdead...SirGeorgeWodereadaboutitinhisLondonclub,andStemdaleRockfordin
NewYork,andJoannaSouthwoodinSwitzerland,anditwasdiscussedinthebaroftheThreeCrowns
inMalton-under-Wode.

AndMrBurnaby'sleanfriendsaid,"Well,itdidn'tseemfair,herhavingeverything."

AndMrBurnabysaidacutely,"Well,itdoesn'tseemtohavedonehermuchgood,poorlass."

ButafterawhiletheystoppedtalkingaboutheranddiscussedinsteadwhowasgoingtowintheGrand
National.For,asMrFergusonwassayingatthatminuteinLuxor,itisnotthepastthatmattersbutthe
future.