After The Funeral Part 34

' Ah, said Poirot. She reached for a Chinese bowl, and

began to arrange the roses in it. When they were disposed to her satisfaction she looked round for a place to put it.

"You arrange flowers admirably, Madame," said Hercule.

"I think that anything you undertook you would manage to do with perfection."

"Thank you. I am fond of flowers. I think this would look well on that green malachite table."

There was a bouquet of wax flowers under a gla.s.s shade on the malachite table. As she lifted it off, Poirot said casually:

"Did anyone tell Mr. Abernethie that his niece Susan's husband had come near to poisoning a customer when making

up a prescription ? Ah, pardon I"

He sprang forward.

The Victorian ornament had slipped from Helen's fingers.

Poirot's spring forward was not quick enough. It dropped on the floor and the gla.s.s shade broke. Helen gave an expression of annoyance.

"How careless of me. However, the flowers are not damaged. I can get a new gla.s.s shade made for it. I'll put it away in the big cupboard under the stairs."

It was not until Poirot had helped her to lift it on to a shelf in the dark cupboard and had followed her back to the drawing-room that he said:

"It was my fault. I should not have startled you."

"What was it that you asked me ? I have forgotten."

"Oh, there is no need to repeat my question. Indeed--I have forgotten what it was."

Helen came up to him. She laid her hand on his arm.

"M. Poirot, is there anyone whose life would really bear close investigation ? Must people's lives be dra,,gged into this when they have nothing to do with--with

"With the death of Cora Lasquenet ? Yes. Because one has to examine everything. Oh l it is true enough--it is an

II7

old maxim--everyone has something to hide. It is true of all of us--it is perhaps true of you, too, Madame. But I say to you, nothing can be ignored. That is why your friend, Mr. Ent-whistle, he has come to me. For I am not the police. I am discreet and what I learn does not concern me. But I have to know. And since in this matter is not so much evidence as

a

Ople--then it is people with whom I occupy myself. I need, dame, to meet everyone who was here on the day of the funeral. And it would be a great convenience--yes, and it would be strategically satisfactory--if I could meet them here."

"I'm afraid," Helen said slowly, "that that would be too difficulty"

"Not so difficult as you think. Already I have devised a means. The house, it is sold. $o Mr. Entwhistle will declare.

(Entendu, sometimes these things fall through 1) He will invite the various member of the family to a.s.semble here and to choose what they will from the furnis.h.i.+ngs before it is all put up to auction. A suitable week-end can be selected for that purpose."

,,He paused and then said:

You see, it is easy, is it not ?"

Helen looked at him. The blue eves were cold--almost

fr"se*' you laying a trap for someone, M. Poirot ?"

"Alas I I wish I knew enough. No, I have still the open mind."

"There may," Hercule Poirot added thoughtfully, "be certain tests..."

"Tests ? What kind of tests ?"

"I have not yet formulated them to myself. And in any case, Madame, it would be better that you should not know them."

"So that I can be tested too ?"

"You, Madame, have been taken behind the scenes. Now there is one thing that is doubtful. The young people will, I think, come readily. But it may be difficult, may it not, to secure the presence here of Mr. Timothy Abernethie. I hear

that he never leaves home."

Helen smiled suddenly.

"I believe you may be lucky there, M. Poirot. I heard from Maude yesterday. The workmen are in painting the house and Timothy is suffering terribly from the smell of the paint.

He says that it is seriously affecting his health. I think that he and Maude would both be pleased to come here--perhaps

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for a week or two. Maude is still not able to get about very wellwyou know she broke her ankle ?"

"I had not heard. How unfortunate."

"Luckily they have got Cora's companion, Miss Gilchrist.

It seems that she has turned out a perfect treasure."

"What is that ?" Poirot turned sharply on Helen. "Did they ask for Miss Gilchrist to go to them ? Who suggested it ?"

"I think Susan fixed it up. Susan Banks."

"Aha," said Poirot in a curious voice. "So it was the little Susan who suggested it. She is fond of making the arrangements."

"Susan struck me as being a very competent girl."

"Yes. She is competent. Did you hear that Miss Gilchrist had a narrow escape from death with a piece of poisoned wedding cake ?"

"No I" Helen looked startled. "I do remember now that /laude said over the telephone that Miss Gilchrist had just come out of hospital but I'd no idea why she had been in hospital. Poisoned ? But, 3/I. Poirot--why ?"

"Do you really ask that ?"

Helen said with sudden vehemence: "Oh! get them all here l Find out the truth l There mustn't be any more murders." "So you will co-operate ?"

"Yes--I will cooperate."

CHAPTER XV

"T}A? r. INOr.UXi does look nice, Mrs. Jones. What a hand you have with lino. The teapot's on the kitchen table, so go and help yourself. I'll be there as soon as I've taken up Mr. Abernethie's elevenses."

Miss Gilchrist trotted up the staircase; carrying a daintily set out tray. She tapped on Timothy s door, interpreted a growl from within as an invitation to enter, and tripped brisldr in.

",Morning coffee and biscuits, Mr. Abernethe. I do hope

you re feeling brighter to-day. Such a lovely day."

Timothy grunted and said suspiciously:

"Is there skim on that milk ?"