CHAPTER VII

I LEARN MY NEIGHBOR’S PROFESSION

On the following morning I hurried unforgivably over my round. My

excuse can be that I had no very serious cases to attend. On my return

Caroline came into the hall to greet me.

“Flora Ackroyd is here,” she announced in an excited whisper.

“What?”

I concealed my surprise as best I could.

“She’s very anxious to see you. She’s been here half an hour.”

Caroline led the way into our small sitting-room, and I followed.

Flora was sitting on the sofa by the window. She was in black and she

sat nervously twisting her hands together. I was shocked by the sight

of her face. All the color had faded away from it. But when she spoke

her manner was as composed and resolute as possible.

“Dr. Sheppard, I have come to ask you to help me.”

“Of course he’ll help you, my dear,” said Caroline.

I don’t think Flora really wished Caroline to be present at the

interview. She would, I am sure, have infinitely preferred to speak to

me privately. But she also wanted to waste no time, so she made the

best of it.

“I want you to come to The Larches with me.”

“The Larches?” I queried, surprised.

“To see that funny little man?” exclaimed Caroline.

“Yes. You know who he is, don’t you?”

“We fancied,” I said, “that he might be a retired hairdresser.”

Flora’s blue eyes opened very wide.

“Why, he’s Hercule Poirot! You know who I mean—the private detective.

They say he’s done the most wonderful things—just like detectives do in

books. A year ago he retired and came to live down here. Uncle knew who

he was, but he promised not to tell any one, because M. Poirot wanted

to live quietly without being bothered by people.”

“So that’s who he is,” I said slowly.

“You’ve heard of him, of course?”

“I’m rather an old fogey, as Caroline tells me,” I said, “but I _have_

just heard of him.”

“Extraordinary!” commented Caroline.

I don’t know what she was referring to—possibly her own failure to

discover the truth.

“You want to go and see him?” I asked slowly. “Now why?”

“To get him to investigate this murder, of course,” said Caroline

sharply. “Don’t be so stupid, James.”

I was not really being stupid. Caroline does not always understand what

I am driving at.

“You haven’t got confidence in Inspector Davis?” I went on.

“Of course she hasn’t,” said Caroline. “I haven’t either.”

Any one would have thought it was Caroline’s uncle who had been

murdered.

“And how do you know he would take up the case?” I asked. “Remember he

has retired from active work.”

“That’s just it,” said Flora simply. “I’ve got to persuade him.”

“You are sure you are doing wisely?” I asked gravely.

“Of course she is,” said Caroline. “I’ll go with her myself if she

likes.”

“I’d rather the doctor came with me if you don’t mind, Miss Sheppard,”

said Flora.

She knows the value of being direct on certain occasions. Any hints

would certainly have been wasted on Caroline.

“You see,” she explained, following directness with tact, “Dr. Sheppard

being the doctor, and having found the body, he would be able to give

all the details to M. Poirot.”

“Yes,” said Caroline grudgingly, “I see that.”

I took a turn or two up and down the room.

“Flora,” I said gravely, “be guided by me. I advise you not to drag

this detective into the case.”

Flora sprang to her feet. The color rushed into her cheeks.

“I know why you say that,” she cried. “But it’s exactly for that reason

I’m so anxious to go. You’re afraid! But I’m not. I know Ralph better

than you do.”

“Ralph,” said Caroline. “What has Ralph got to do with it?”

Neither of us heeded her.

“Ralph may be weak,” continued Flora. “He may have done foolish things

in the past—wicked things even—but he wouldn’t murder any one.”

“No, no,” I exclaimed. “I never thought it of him.”

“Then why did you go to the Three Boars last night?” demanded Flora,

“on your way home—after uncle’s body was found?”

I was momentarily silenced. I had hoped that that visit of mine would

remain unnoticed.

“How did you know about that?” I countered.

“I went there this morning,” said Flora. “I heard from the servants

that Ralph was staying there——”

I interrupted her.

“You had no idea that he was in King’s Abbot?”

“No. I was astounded. I couldn’t understand it. I went there and asked

for him. They told me, what I suppose they told you last night, that

he went out at about nine o’clock yesterday evening—and—and never came

back.”

Her eyes met mine defiantly, and as though answering something in my

look, she burst out:—

“Well, why shouldn’t he? He might have gone—anywhere. He may even have

gone back to London.”

“Leaving his luggage behind?” I asked gently.

Flora stamped her foot.

“I don’t care. There must be a simple explanation.”

“And that’s why you want to go to Hercule Poirot? Isn’t it better to

leave things as they are? The police don’t suspect Ralph in the least,

remember. They’re working on quite another tack.”

“But that’s just _it_,” cried the girl. “They _do_ suspect him. A man

from Cranchester turned up this morning—Inspector Raglan, a horrid,

weaselly little man. I found he had been to the Three Boars this

morning before me. They told me all about his having been there, and

the questions he had asked. He must think Ralph did it.”

“That’s a change of mind from last night, if so,” I said slowly. “He

doesn’t believe in Davis’s theory that it was Parker then?”

“Parker indeed,” said my sister, and snorted.

Flora came forward and laid her hand on my arm.

“Oh! Dr. Sheppard, let us go at once to this M. Poirot. He will find

out the truth.”

“My dear Flora,” I said gently, laying my hand on hers. “Are you quite

sure it is the truth we want?”

She looked at me, nodding her head gravely.

“You’re not sure,” she said. “I am. I know Ralph better than you do.”

“Of course he didn’t do it,” said Caroline, who had been keeping silent

with great difficulty. “Ralph may be extravagant, but he’s a dear boy,

and has the nicest manners.”

I wanted to tell Caroline that large numbers of murderers have had

nice manners, but the presence of Flora restrained me. Since the

girl was determined, I was forced to give in to her and we started

at once, getting away before my sister was able to fire off any more

pronouncements beginning with her favorite words, “Of course.”

An old woman with an immense Breton cap opened the door of The Larches

to us. M. Poirot was at home, it seemed.

We were ushered into a little sitting-room arranged with formal

precision, and there, after the lapse of a minute or so, my friend of

yesterday came to us.

“Monsieur le docteur,” he said, smiling. “Mademoiselle.”

He bowed to Flora.

“Perhaps,” I began, “you have heard of the tragedy which occurred last

night.”

His face grew grave.

“But certainly I have heard. It is horrible. I offer mademoiselle all

my sympathy. In what way can I serve you?”

“Miss Ackroyd,” I said, “wants you to—to——”

“To find the murderer,” said Flora in a clear voice.

“I see,” said the little man. “But the police will do that, will they

not?”

“They might make a mistake,” said Flora. “They are on their way to make

a mistake now, I think. Please, M. Poirot, won’t you help us? If—if it

is a question of money——”

Poirot held up his hand.

“Not that, I beg of you, mademoiselle. Not that I do not care for

money.” His eyes showed a momentary twinkle. “Money, it means much to

me and always has done. No, if I go into this, you must understand one

thing clearly. _I shall go through with it to the end._ The good dog,

he does not leave the scent, remember! You may wish that, after all,

you had left it to the local police.”

“I want the truth,” said Flora, looking him straight in the eyes.

“All the truth?”

“All the truth.”

“Then I accept,” said the little man quietly. “And I hope you will not

regret those words. Now, tell me all the circumstances.”

“Dr. Sheppard had better tell you,” said Flora. “He knows more than I

do.”

Thus enjoined, I plunged into a careful narrative, embodying all the

facts I have previously set down. Poirot listened carefully, inserting

a question here and there, but for the most part sitting in silence,

his eyes on the ceiling.

I brought my story to a close with the departure of the inspector and

myself from Fernly Park the previous night.

“And now,” said Flora, as I finished, “tell him all about Ralph.”

I hesitated, but her imperious glance drove me on.

“You went to this inn—this Three Boars—last night on your way home?”

asked Poirot, as I brought my tale to a close. “Now exactly why was

that?”

I paused a moment to choose my words carefully.

“I thought some one ought to inform the young man of his uncle’s death.

It occurred to me after I had left Fernly that possibly no one but

myself and Mr. Ackroyd were aware that he was staying in the village.”

Poirot nodded.

“Quite so. That was your only motive in going there, eh?”

“That was my only motive,” I said stiffly.

“It was not to—shall we say—reassure yourself about _ce jeune homme_?”

“Reassure myself?”

“I think, M. le docteur, that you know very well what I mean, though

you pretend not to do so. I suggest that it would have been a relief

to you if you had found that Captain Paton had been at home all the

evening.”

“Not at all,” I said sharply.

The little detective shook his head at me gravely.

“You have not the trust in me of Miss Flora,” he said. “But no matter.

What we have to look at is this—Captain Paton is missing, under

circumstances which call for an explanation. I will not hide from you

that the matter looks grave. Still, it may admit of a perfectly simple

explanation.”

“That’s just what I keep saying,” cried Flora eagerly.

Poirot touched no more upon that theme. Instead he suggested an

immediate visit to the local police. He thought it better for Flora

to return home, and for me to be the one to accompany him there and

introduce him to the officer in charge of the case.

We carried out this plan forthwith. We found Inspector Davis outside

the police station looking very glum indeed. With him was Colonel

Melrose, the Chief Constable, and another man whom, from Flora’s

description of “weaselly,” I had no difficulty in recognizing as

Inspector Raglan from Cranchester.

I know Melrose fairly well, and I introduced Poirot to him and

explained the situation. The chief constable was clearly vexed, and

Inspector Raglan looked as black as thunder. Davis, however, seemed

slightly exhilarated by the sight of his superior officer’s annoyance.

“The case is going to be plain as a pikestaff,” said Raglan. “Not the

least need for amateurs to come butting in. You’d think any fool would

have seen the way things were last night, and then we shouldn’t have

lost twelve hours.”

He directed a vengeful glance at poor Davis, who received it with

perfect stolidity.

“Mr. Ackroyd’s family must, of course, do what they see fit,” said

Colonel Melrose. “But we cannot have the official investigation

hampered in any way. I know M. Poirot’s great reputation, of course,”

he added courteously.

“The police can’t advertise themselves, worse luck,” said Raglan.

It was Poirot who saved the situation.

“It is true that I have retired from the world,” he said. “I never

intended to take up a case again. Above all things, I have a horror of

publicity. I must beg, that in the case of my being able to contribute

something to the solution of the mystery, my name may not be mentioned.”

Inspector Raglan’s face lightened a little.

“I’ve heard of some very remarkable successes of yours,” observed the

colonel, thawing.

“I have had much experience,” said Poirot quietly. “But most of my

successes have been obtained by the aid of the police. I admire

enormously your English police. If Inspector Raglan permits me to

assist him, I shall be both honored and flattered.”

The inspector’s countenance became still more gracious.

Colonel Melrose drew me aside.

“From all I hear, this little fellow’s done some really remarkable

things,” he murmured. “We’re naturally anxious not to have to call in

Scotland Yard. Raglan seems very sure of himself, but I’m not quite

certain that I agree with him. You see, I—er—know the parties concerned

better than he does. This fellow doesn’t seem out after kudos, does he?

Would work in with us unobtrusively, eh?”

“To the greater glory of Inspector Raglan,” I said solemnly.

“Well, well,” said Colonel Melrose breezily in a louder voice, “we must

put you wise to the latest developments, M. Poirot.”

“I thank you,” said Poirot. “My friend, Dr. Sheppard, said something of

the butler being suspected?”

“That’s all bunkum,” said Raglan instantly. “These high-class servants

get in such a funk that they act suspiciously for nothing at all.”

“The fingerprints?” I hinted.

“Nothing like Parker’s.” He gave a faint smile, and added: “And yours

and Mr. Raymond’s don’t fit either, doctor.”

“What about those of Captain Ralph Paton?” asked Poirot quietly.

I felt a secret admiration for the way he took the bull by the horns. I

saw a look of respect creep into the inspector’s eye.

“I see you don’t let the grass grow under your feet, Mr. Poirot. It

will be a pleasure to work with you, I’m sure. We’re going to take that

young gentleman’s fingerprints as soon as we can lay hands upon him.”

“I can’t help thinking you’re mistaken, inspector,” said Colonel

Melrose warmly. “I’ve known Ralph Paton from a boy upward. He’d never

stoop to murder.”

“Maybe not,” said the inspector tonelessly.

“What have you got against him?” I asked.

“Went out just on nine o’clock last night. Was seen in neighborhood of

Fernly Park somewhere about nine-thirty. Not been seen since. Believed

to be in serious money difficulties. I’ve got a pair of his shoes

here—shoes with rubber studs in them. He had two pairs, almost exactly

alike. I’m going up now to compare them with those footmarks. The

constable is up there seeing that no one tampers with them.”

“We’ll go at once,” said Colonel Melrose. “You and M. Poirot will

accompany us, will you not?”

We assented, and all drove up in the colonel’s car. The inspector was

anxious to get at once to the footmarks, and asked to be put down at

the lodge. About half-way up the drive, on the right, a path branched

off which led round to the terrace and the window of Ackroyd’s study.

“Would you like to go with the inspector, M. Poirot?” asked the chief

constable, “or would you prefer to examine the study?”

Poirot chose the latter alternative. Parker opened the door to us. His

manner was smug and deferential, and he seemed to have recovered from

his panic of the night before.

Colonel Melrose took a key from his pocket, and unlocking the door

which led into the lobby, he ushered us through into the study.

“Except for the removal of the body, M. Poirot, this room is exactly as

it was last night.”

“And the body was found—where?”

As precisely as possible, I described Ackroyd’s position. The arm-chair

still stood in front of the fire.

Poirot went and sat down in it.

“The blue letter you speak of, where was it when you left the room?”

“Mr. Ackroyd had laid it down on this little table at his right hand.”

Poirot nodded.

“Except for that, everything was in its place?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Colonel Melrose, would you be so extremely obliging as to sit down in

this chair a minute. I thank you. Now, M. le docteur, will you kindly

indicate to me the exact position of the dagger?”

I did so, whilst the little man stood in the doorway.

“The hilt of the dagger was plainly visible from the door then. Both

you and Parker could see it at once?”

“Yes.”

Poirot went next to the window.

“The electric light was on, of course, when you discovered the body?”

he asked over his shoulder.

I assented, and joined him where he was studying the marks on the

window-sill.

“The rubber studs are the same pattern as those in Captain Paton’s

shoes,” he said quietly.

Then he came back once more to the middle of the room. His eye traveled

round, searching everything in the room with a quick, trained glance.

“Are you a man of good observation, Dr. Sheppard?” he asked at last.

“I think so,” I said, surprised.

“There was a fire in the grate, I see. When you broke the door down and

found Mr. Ackroyd dead, how was the fire? Was it low?”

I gave a vexed laugh.

“I—I really can’t say. I didn’t notice. Perhaps Mr. Raymond or Major

Blunt——”

The little man opposite me shook his head with a faint smile.

“One must always proceed with method. I made an error of judgment in

asking you that question. To each man his own knowledge. You could tell

me the details of the patient’s appearance—nothing there would escape

you. If I wanted information about the papers on that desk, Mr. Raymond

would have noticed anything there was to see. To find out about the

fire, I must ask the man whose business it is to observe such things.

You permit——”

He moved swiftly to the fireplace and rang the bell.

After a lapse of a minute or two Parker appeared.

“The bell rang, sir,” he said hesitatingly.

“Come in, Parker,” said Colonel Melrose. “This gentleman wants to ask

you something.”

Parker transferred a respectful attention to Poirot.

“Parker,” said the little man, “when you broke down the door with Dr.

Sheppard last night, and found your master dead, what was the state of

the fire?”

Parker replied without a pause.

“It had burned very low, sir. It was almost out.”

“Ah!” said Poirot. The exclamation sounded almost triumphant. He went

on:—

“Look round you, my good Parker. Is this room exactly as it was then?”

The butler’s eye swept round. It came to rest on the windows.

“The curtains were drawn, sir, and the electric light was on.”

Poirot nodded approval.

“Anything else?”

“Yes, sir, this chair was drawn out a little more.”

He indicated a big grandfather chair to the left of the door between it

and the window. I append a plan of the room with the chair in question

marked with an X.

“Just show me,” said Poirot.

[Illustration:

+---------------- +-----------------+

| + DOOR / GRANDFATHER |

| / \ / CHAIR +---+ |

| / + ] | |

| + / SMALL X ] | |

| \ / TABLE +---+ |

| + |

+++ |

||| +---+ CHAIR IN WHICH ___ |

||| ] | ACKROYD WAS / \ |

||| +---+ FOUND TABLE | | |

||| \___/ |

||| |

||| |

+++ +---+ + |

| ^ ] | CHAIR IN WHICH / \ |

| | +---+ SHEPPARD SAT / / + |

| | / / |

| | DESK & + / |

| | FIREPLACE CHAIR \ / |

| +------------ + |

+----------------------------------------+

]

The butler drew the chair in question out a good two feet from the

wall, turning it so that the seat faced the door.

“_Voilà ce qui est curieux_,” murmured Poirot. “No one would want to

sit in a chair in such a position, I fancy. Now who pushed it back into

place again, I wonder? Did you, my friend?”

“No, sir,” said Parker. “I was too upset with seeing the master and

all.”

Poirot looked across at me.

“Did you, doctor?”

I shook my head.

“It was back in position when I arrived with the police, sir,” put in

Parker. “I’m sure of that.”

“Curious,” said Poirot again.

“Raymond or Blunt must have pushed it back,” I suggested. “Surely it

isn’t important?”

“It is completely unimportant,” said Poirot. “That is why it is so

interesting,” he added softly.

“Excuse me a minute,” said Colonel Melrose. He left the room with

Parker.

“Do you think Parker is speaking the truth?” I asked.

“About the chair, yes. Otherwise I do not know. You will find, M. le

docteur, if you have much to do with cases of this kind, that they all

resemble each other in one thing.”

“What is that?” I asked curiously.

“Every one concerned in them has something to hide.”

“Have I?” I asked, smiling.

Poirot looked at me attentively.

“I think you have,” he said quietly.

“But——”

“Have you told me everything known to you about this young man Paton?”

He smiled as I grew red. “Oh! do not fear. I will not press you. I

shall learn it in good time.”

“I wish you’d tell me something of your methods,” I said hastily, to

cover my confusion. “The point about the fire, for instance?”

“Oh! that was very simple. You leave Mr. Ackroyd at—ten minutes to

nine, was it not?”

“Yes, exactly, I should say.”

“The window is then closed and bolted and the door unlocked. At a

quarter past ten when the body is discovered, the door is locked and

the window is open. Who opened it? Clearly only Mr. Ackroyd himself

could have done so, and for one of two reasons. Either because the room

became unbearably hot (but since the fire was nearly out and there was

a sharp drop in temperature last night, that cannot be the reason),

or because he admitted some one that way. And if he admitted some one

that way, it must have been some one well known to him, since he had

previously shown himself uneasy on the subject of that same window.”

“It sounds very simple,” I said.

“Everything is simple, if you arrange the facts methodically. We are

concerned now with the personality of the person who was with him at

nine-thirty last night. Everything goes to show that that was the

individual admitted by the window, and though Mr. Ackroyd was seen

alive later by Miss Flora, we cannot approach a solution of the mystery

until we know who that visitor was. The window may have been left open

after his departure and so afforded entrance to the murderer, or the

same person may have returned a second time. Ah! here is the colonel

who returns.”

Colonel Melrose entered with an animated manner.

“That telephone call has been traced at last,” he said. “It did not

come from here. It was put through to Dr. Sheppard at 10.15 last night

from a public call office at King’s Abbot station. And at 10.23 the

night mail leaves for Liverpool.”