Part 33 (1/2)
He went now to fetch his overcoat and a couple of scarves,
and thus padded against the North Country air he went out
on the terrace and joined Helen Abernethie, who was clipping
some late roses.
”Have you found out anything fresh ?” she asked.
”Nothing. But I hardly expected to do so.”
”I know. Ever since Mr. Entwhistle told me you were
coming, I've been ferreting round, but there's really been
nothing.”
She paused and said hopefully:
”Perhaps it is all a mare's nest ?”
”To be attacked with a hatchet ?”
”I wasn't thinking of Cora.”
”But it is of Cora that I think. Why was it necessary for
someone to kill her ? Mr. Entwhistle has told me that on that
day, at the moment that she came out suddenly with her gaff'z,,, you yourself felt that something was wrong.
That is
so?
”Wellwyes, but I don't know ”
Poirot swept on.
”How ' wrong' ? Unexpectecl ? Surprising ? Or--what shall we say--uneasy ? Sinister ?”
”Oh no, not sinister. Just SOmething that wasn't---oh, I don't know. I can't remember and it WaSl,'t important.”
”But why cannot you remember--because something else put, it out of your head--so, mething more important ?”
Yes--yes--I think you re right there. It was themention of murder, I suppose. That swelt away everything else.”
”It was, perhaps, the reaction of some particular person to the word ' murder' ?” ”Perhaps... But I don't renaember looking at anyone in particular. We were all staring at Cora.”
”It may have been something you heard--something dropped perhaps.., or broken. , .”
Helen frowned in an effort of remembrance.
”No... Idon'tthinkso...”
”Ah well, someday it will con'se back. And it may be of no consequence. Now tell me, Madame, of those here, who knew Cora best ?”
Helen considered.
”Lans...o...b.., I suppose. He remembers her from a child.
The housemaid, Janet, only cam after she had married and gone away.”
”And next to Lans...o...b.. ?”
Helen said thoughtfully: ”I suppose--/ did. Maude hardly knew her at all.”
”Then, taking you as the person who knew her best, why do you think she asked that queation as stxe did ?”
Helen smiled.
”It was very characteristic of Coral”