Part 57 (1/2)

”These nuns who were collecting in that district, did they return at all at a later date to try again ?”

”As a matter of fact they did come again--about a week later. Actually on the day of the inquest, I believe.”

”That fits,” said Hercule Poirot. ”That fits very well.”

Inspector Morton looked at him. ”Why this interest in nuns ?”

”They have been forced on my attention whether I will or no. It will not have escaped your attention, Inspector, that the visit of the nuns was the same day that poisoned wedding cake found its way into that cottage.”

”You don't think Surely that's a ridiculous idea ?” ”My ideas are never ridiculous,” said Hercule Poirot severely. ”And now, mon cher, I must leave you to your questions and to the inquiries into the attack on Mrs. Abernethie.

I myself must go in search of the late Richard Abernethie's niece.”

”Now be careful what you go saying to Mrs. Banks.” , ”I do not mean Mrs. Banks. I mean Richard Abernethie s other niece.”

Poirot found Rosamund sitting on a bench overlooking a little stream that cascaded down in a waterfall and then flowed through rhododendron thickets. She was staring into the water.

”I do not, I trust, disturb an Ophelia,” said Poirot as he took his seat beside her. ”You are, perhaps, studying the rle ?”

”I've never played in Shakespeare,” said Rosamund. ”Except once in Rep. I was Jessica in The Merchant. A lousy part.”

”Yet not without pathos. ' I am never merry when I hear sweet music.' What a load she carried, poor Jessica, the daughter of the hated and despised Jew. What doubts of herself she must have had when she brought with her her father's ducats when she ran away to her lover. Jessica with gold was one thing--Jessica without gold might have been another.”

Rosamund turned her head to look at him.

”I thoughtyou'd gone,” she said with a tou,ch of reproach.

She glanced down at her wrist-watch. ”It s past twelve o'clock.”

x77

”I have missed my train,” said Poirot.

”You think I missed it for a reason ?”

”I suppose so. You're rather precise, aren't you ? If

m wanted to catch a train, I should think you'd catch

”Your judgment is admirable. Do you know, Madame, I have been sitting in the little summer-house hoping that

you would, perhaps, pay me a visit there ?”

Rosamund stared at him.

”Why should I ? You more or less said good-bye to us all in the library.”

”Quite so. And there was nothing--you wanted to say to

”No.” Rosamund shook her head. ”I had a lot I wanted

to think about. Important things.”

”i see.”

”I don't often do much thinking,” said Rosamund. ”It seems a waste of time. But this is important. I think one

ought to plan one's life just as one wants it to be.”