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 Colqnel 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?"
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.
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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."