Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) s09e02 Episode Script
Sad Cypress
"Gentlemen of the jury, "we have presented copious, clear evidence "that Elinor Carlisle, who stands before you, "is a vicious, multiple murderess "and one who shows not the slightest feeling of remorse.
No remorse.
That's right.
I feel nothing.
Why should I? When you have wanted someone dead, longed for it, planned it and watched 'til you see the last flicker of life in the eyes We ask you now to contemplate the full horror of the second cold-blooded murder, wickedly planned and executed on a hot afternoon at Hunterbury.
The deadly salmon paste so thickly spread He is trying to see just exactly why I did it, what I felt All of it seems so inevitable now, as if it began years and years ago.
And yet, it was only last summer.
The beginning.
The beginning seemed happy.
- Are the roses alright? - They're lovely.
Good.
I try to be a respectable fiancé.
And you are! Soon, even theses extended lunch hours will be respectable.
So, if I go to France for two weeks, you can meet me in "Le Tourquet".
Ma maman will be back than.
It'll be all very respectible and we'll be back for Astor's Autumn Ball.
How about it? Elinor? Oh, it sounds perfect.
But there's something else on your mind, isn't there? Oh Roddy, you know me so well.
Yes.
Something arrived this morning.
It's stupid, but I can't take it out of my mind.
I'm intrigued Is it a bill? After all, it's the height of Summer when the fairies dance and all the nasty bills come tripping along.
No, but I want to show it to you.
"To warn you: Someone's sucking up to your aunt in Hunterbury "so you and your fiancé get cut out of the will.
"The person may seem as white as snow, "but wants to cheat you both and the old lady will die with another stroke any day.
" God It can't be true.
It's just someone out to cause trouble.
Yes, you're probably right.
It was quite a shock, though.
We haven't been down there this month.
- Yes, we should go.
- Because of this? No, not just this You care for her.
So do I.
But the house matters.
Think of the summers we spent there as children.
She always said she wanted one of us to have it.
Which means both of us, now that we're engaged.
So, what in Heaven's name is wrong with us making sure? - Oh, Roddy! I'd love to go there.
- Then it's settled .
I decided to bring the letter, after all.
I want to show it to Dr.
Lord.
You sure that's wise? Yes.
If anyone knows who sent it, he would.
But, darling, it's so poisonous.
Oh well, if you must.
I still say you should burn it.
Do you know what I'd like? Sometime when we're married and living here together, we send all the servants away and we'll exactly what we want.
Oh, yes? And what about your meals? We'll eat with our fingers by the fire.
We won't have anybody to disturb us.
Just you and me and the wind in the trees.
Where is Ms.
Bishop? Somewhere.
The hall was always so dark.
Good Lord I never did get used to this lift.
It's a shame she doesn't use it now.
She doesn't even come out of her room anymore.
Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter I'm so sorry.
The nurses are coping well, though her last stroke did take your aunt so badly.
And look, here's another great help.
She's just back from her studies in Germany.
You must both remember Mary, the gardener's daughter.
Hello, Elinor, Roddy Hello, Mary.
Well, it's been a while Hello, Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter How good to see you.
Well, she's not so bad today.
But she may be asleep, now.
- Would you like to go in? - Yes, I think so.
Would you excuse us, please.
Thank you, nurse Hopkins.
- Would you like some tea? - Oh, no thank you.
I don't drink tea.
- Mr.
Winter? - Yes, please.
Elinor! Aunt Laura! I thought you were sleeping.
No, lying here like a captive, as usual.
"Come away, death, and in the sad cypress let me be laid.
" Morbid as ever.
It gets me through.
Roddy! How lovely! I am so pleased you are engaged.
Aan I know your parents would have been too.
About time, I thought.
It's wonderful to see you, aunt Laura.
- You look fine.
- No, I don't.
Roddy, I'm quite sure you need some refreshment.
And I want to have a little talk with your bride-to-be.
Fine.
I'll look in on you later.
But don't go pulling her of me or I'll make a point of moving in here wailing from your battlements.
Did you see Mary? Yes.
I was astonished.
When did she get back? A few weeks ago.
I'm sure I told you.
Isn't she beautiful? I am so glad she has come back from Germany.
She has been very good to me.
And I am so pleased that you and Roddy are together.
You do care for him? Of course I do.
- Enough and not too much? - What? It's just something we used to say.
You should never care too much for a man.
Aunt Laura, tell me something, honestly.
Do you think love is ever a happy thing? Oh, Elinor! Perhaps it always brings more sorrow than joy.
But who could do without it? Anyone who has never really loved, hasn't lived.
And now Miss Carlisle's here with her fiancé.
Miss Carlisle is still in there with her now.
- Miss Carlisle, the niece? - Exactly.
Never was that sure about her.
No? Tries too hard.
And they call them "kissing cousins" in "The Tatler".
But she's lucky to have caught him and she knows it.
Behind the eyes, she's nervous as a kitten.
I remember I was dripping in sweat.
I could hardly hold on.
But you did.
You got right to the top, didn't you? I think you must've got to your grip.
I couldn't help it.
My hands were slipping with the perspiration.
And then you fell at my feet laughing.
Oh! Hello, Elinor.
We were just remembering the old times.
Of course.
We'll have lots to talk about.
There's tea in the dining toom.
Now, look here, doctor, I've said this before.
In any civilized country, I'd just say I wanted to end it, and you would finish me off with some nice painless drug.
Well, I am not sure if I wish to be hanged just yet.
Not now, you're doing so well.
Leave me all your money and I might reconsider, if you like.
Boo humbug And who were you looking at? Hum your niece.
Elinor? That reminds me, she wants to see you before you go.
So, what do tou think of her, hey? She is, uh she's very impressive.
Yes Very impressive Yes, she is.
You know, you ought to get married, doctor.
I'm sorry.
I just couldn't think of anyone else to take on confidence.
No, no I'm flattered.
But you're right, this is a horrible thing.
I supose it must be someone in the village.
But who could the letter be referring to? Who has access to our aunt other than the nurses? Well, Ted Horlick, the gardiner, he helps to carry the oxygen.
Ms.
Bishop goes in, the vicar, myself Mary Gerrard is there a lot, of course.
Nurse O'Brien lives in and nurse Hopkins comes everyday.
I suppose Mary is the newest here.
Can somebody be jealous of her? Does she have a suiter? I don't think so, though Ted Horlick always did have a soft spot for her.
It's probably nothing to do with her! I'm sorry, somehow a thing like this just plays on your nerves.
Just the idea of having someone spying and trying to cause bad feelings Yes, it's probably best forgotten.
You have been kind, but it's idiotic from me asking you to play detective.
Shall we just burn it? No, no.
Nobody need to play detective.
I know a real one, his name is Poirot.
He's staying here a few days preparing evidence for a trial in Manbury.
He's horribly bored.
And I'm sure he'd leap at the chance of some diversion.
He has some peculiarities, like his many herbal teas.
He's charming and very, very discreet.
Mon ami A doctor who bares a message is always a sight most worrying.
I hope it isn't from none of my physicians.
Of course not, Poirot.
How are you? You settled in alright? Are you any more comfortable? Well, for some maybe.
As for me, well, I have my work.
What pleasure is there for me in the evidence of a case I solved one year since? None.
I am, as you say, bored to the tears.
Well, perhaps I can help.
You see, a lady, whom I admire a good deal has come to me with a problem: an anonimous letter.
You mean I'll maybe a little exercise at last? Well, don't get too excited, I'm sure it's trivial.
There goes Ted Horlick with Mary Gerrard.
She is in great favour to Hunterbury House.
This letter is about that household.
It's a grand film.
It's with Garbo and it's set in Paris.
I'm sorry, Ted, I've already said no.
- You've set your eyes in someone else? - No.
Of course not.
I'm sorry.
- Bon, enter if you please.
- Thank you.
The writer of this has been very careful.
That interests you? Oh, oui! Regard the pressure on the page.
Now regard the words.
There is malice here, or, just as concearning, the pretense of malice.
And I don't believe for one moment that the writer of this letter wishes to protect the interests of Elinor Carlisle.
Unless, of course, Elinor Carlisle wrote this herself.
That's a strange suggestion, Poirot.
I could see how upset she was.
Strange for you, maybe.
But once I found your strategy of pawns most strange and you almost put me in check.
- That was a long time ago.
To say the truth, when you came here, I thought this letter would be a thing just trivial.
And yet, the care of its construction, the words, even the design, tell to me it is not the case.
Of course it may lead to nothing.
So, why? Why do I sense that the outlook may be dark? - Miss Carlisle.
- Mrs.
Bishop.
Have you seen Mr.
Winter? No, but I don't think he's upstairs.
The garden, maybe? Oh, yes, of course.
Thank you.
Aye, it's nice enough, Mary dear, but I'm sure you can do better.
Yes, with your education especially.
Now, let us see what your aunt sent.
Oh, I'm so sorry, I was looking for Mr.
Winter.
- I haven't seen him.
Have you, Mary? - No, I've just come back from the post-office.
This is from my aunt Mary, New Zealand, my mother's sister.
I was named after her, so she always sends me things.
That is kind.
Yes.
She emigrated before I was born.
And now she's the only family I have left.
What a lovely thing.
Yes, it is.
I am sorry to interrupt you.
You show it to Mrs.
Welman.
You know, she's been so kind to me.
Only today she was saying she might help me in the future.
Just like she did with my schooling.
Well, I guess I'll se on aunt Laura before I go to bed.
Of course.
I'll wait in here and then I can always come and tuck you in.
Perhaps not tonight.
Ms.
Bishop may be doing her rounds.
There's time enough.
All right.
I'll let you rest tonight.
So How did you like meeting Mary again? What? Oh yes! She's she's a sweet girl.
Nighty night.
What were you doing? Elinor I was just making her more comfortable.
Yes, of course.
Good night.
Good night.
Elinor Carlisle, this is Hercule Poirot.
- Monsieur Poirot.
- Mademoiselle Carlisle.
This is my fiancé, Mr.
Winter.
- Monsieur Winter - How do you do? - We are so grateful for you to come.
- Oh please, not at all.
It is most kind of you to invite me.
We are honoured.
The Cartwright trial has been most exciting.
Indeed, for me hélas!, it is like eating the same meal three times a day.
Monsieur Poirot, this is Mary Gerrard.
Whose late father looked after the garden here.
She has just returned from Europe.
Mademoiselle Gerrard.
I'm very glad to meet you, Monsieur Poirot.
Oh, I'll take a salmon, thank you.
Mademoiselle Gerrard, may I ask you where in Europe? Germany.
I was staying with a family near Freiburg.
Ah, the Black Forrest It's a beautiful country.
Do you know, I think the nacional-socialists are doing a good job over there.
I sometimes wish we had politicians like that here.
I think, monsieur, that you are most fortunate you do not.
Do you? It's much to pleasant an occasion for european politics.
- May I have a word, Roddy? - Excuse me.
So, Monsieur Poirot, do you think my letter is important? I can not yet give to you an answer.
But to me, everything is important until it proves otherwise, even the strategies of chess of my friend Dr.
Lord.
- Does he ever win? - Non, but one time he came quite close.
Non non, he has a mind truly wonderful for the game.
That is my aunt, Monsieur Poirot.
She's too ill to join us, I'm affraid.
I realize its much too soon to say who may have written the letter.
But I know Dr.
Lord has told you about our household.
So, do you have any suspicions about whom it refers to? The intruder? There's no need for me to suspect.
The writer has made it quite obvious.
How? Alors the phrase " white as snow" is most odd, yes? But certainly it is used deliberately.
So, tell to me.
mademoiselle, who was it who was it that had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow? Mary.
Oui.
Mrs.
Welman, are you all right? Oh dear, you're not yourself.
Stay calm.
You've had another turn.
I'll call the doctor.
Please, Lewis I need to see the photograph of Lewis.
Not this again Please, I can't open your private things.
I must get the doctor.
Mrs.
Welman, you're ill.
I must send for the doctor now, I must! It's all right, it's all right, get calm.
Don't excite yourself.
You want somebody to come? Your lawyer? You want your lawyer to come? Provision? You want to change something in your will? Related to Mary? Mary Gerrard? I'll call the lawyers.
Seddon shall be here directly.
- Please don't worry about it.
- Rest now, It will be done.
May I go in? Yes, of course.
The doctor's in there.
I see Yes Well, thank you.
I'll meet him here tomorrow.
Goodbye.
Seddon can't be here until tomorrow.
Is that all right? Yes, yes I think so.
She's had another stroke, But I'm sure she has a little time yet.
I've seen some improvements since last night.
Have you lost something, dear? It's that sarcoma in the village Eliza Rykin.
I was sure I had put her tube of morphine here for tomorrow.
But somehow it's gone.
The only place where I've put my bag down was out there, in the corredor.
Oh, why don't you look again, dear? Nobody here would take it.
No, it's gone.
Now that your work is done, I thought you'd be singing, Poirot.
I am content to return to London, mon ami, but I do not like the unfinished business.
- The letter! - Oui Well, perhaps you wanted it to be more than it was.
I promise you, they have other things to think about now.
- Yes? - Ordinary things.
Ah! Even so, I return this letter with reluctance and only because it is not my property.
Ask them to keep it safe, if you please.
- And keep me informed of any developments.
- Oh, I'm sure there'll be none.
- Of course.
- Bon.
There's no sense in hanging on to it.
Even your detective didn't get anywhere.
But, Roddy he asked us to keep it safe.
Well, no doubt to cover his own failure.
He's gone now and we have more important things to think about.
Thank God the doctor said she would make out of this.
Shouldn't be too bloomy, she wouldn't want that.
No.
It's just seeing her like this I'm so tired, Roddy.
I think I'll go to bed early.
What're you going to do? I'll let you sleep.
You look worn-in.
I'll just play some billiard or sometin' before I go up.
Elinor, nurse Hopkins is happy to stay tonight and take for nurse O'Brien.
But she woud like a word.
Oh, thank you, Mary.
Are you off home now, or - I'd really like to stay.
- Of course, if you want to stay close by you could use the room at the end.
- My aunt would like that.
- Thank you.
Good night.
But I don't I don't know Miss Carlisle! Miss Carlisle, Mrs.
Welman's been taken very bad.
The doctor was called.
You must come at once.
I'm coming.
I'm very sorry.
Would it have been painful? No, no absolutely not.
Sometimes you have a sudden relapse like that.
It's very quick.
And in it's way is a mercy.
You must tak any consolation any consolation you can from that.
I'm so sorry, Elinor.
But thank God for it, I say, I couldn't have borne seeing her lingering in the state she was tonight.
You saw her tonight? What? Oh, yes I left the cards and looked in briefly while the nurse was getting tea.
She was lying there, breathing so hard.
I hated seeing her like that.
It's probably why I've felt so strange all evening.
I know I wasn't really myself.
No? You should go to bed.
I won't come in and disturb you.
Not tonight.
Good night, Roddy.
- I'll have the "Times", if you please.
- Certainly, sir.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you, sir.
The British Library, if you please.
"Laura Welman died suddenly at her hone in Hunterbury House " on September 16th 1937.
Funeral Hunterbury church " September 21.
'The nobel strain a noble day doth make'.
" dust to dust.
In the sure and certain hope of the ressurrection to eternal life.
Amen.
You came back just because of this? It was quite sudden.
I was wrongly optimistic in my diagnose.
Sometimes they change quickly.
She had another stroke that affected her very badly.
So - you see, the letter, it was correct.
It said that she would die after another stroke.
Yes, that's true, but given the severity of the first stroke, it wasn't remarkable.
Poirot, I think you may be overreacting.
There was no murder.
Please be honest with me.
In your profession as a doctor, this is your true opinion? Yes, it is.
And I have to ask you to honour it as a friend.
So you give to me no choice? - I don't want to see people upset.
- Bon.
- When will you go back? - I'm not going back.
I intend to stay a little.
And perhaps we can play some chess Well, now! We're nearly all down here.
What a terrible shame they didn't offer the village a cup of tea.
It's not the same without it.
Maybe, but Miss Carlisle didn't look no good at all.
I doubt that she had the strenght.
Strenght enough to hear the will, though.
The lawyer is down there with her, now.
And Mrs.
Welman would've made sure there was refreshment after a funeral.
Hear my words.
Oh, I meant to ask you, dear.
Did you find that tube of morfine when you went home? No, I did not.
I don't understand it.
But there were some papers and things I threw out, it may have been there.
That must have been it.
I wouldn't worry about it anymore if I were you, dear.
Well, time to say goodbye.
Again, I'm very sorry for what happened, Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter.
I can't degree the pity she didn't summon me earlier.
Mr.
Seddon, it's perfectly obvious she wanted to alter her will.
It's clear to everyone.
She mentioned Mary and she wanted to change it.
Miss Carlisle, I can assure you of one thing.
You're wrong in that assumption.
There could be no change as such, you see, your aunt made no will.
- What? - But that's extraordinary! Not as extraordinary as you might think, Mr.
Winter.
People are often supersticious.
They think if they make a will, they die.
So they put it off.
Didn't you reason with her? Frequently.
But she said all the usual things, that she didn't intend to die just yet.
It's just human nature, I'm affraid.
People go on avoiding a thing in her personal life which is distasteful.
So, the upshot is very simple.
Since your aunt died with no bequests, no will, no settlements or trusts, everything, including this house, goes to her next of kin, which, of course, is you, her niece, Elinor Carlisle.
Everything? Well, apart from her death duties, the state will still be substantial.
No, Elinor, you should have it all.
I don't want you to think otherwise.
It's your right.
But Roddy, we said it didn't matter who was left the money, since we were to be married.
Remember? Yes.
But are we? I thought that was the idea, of course if you have other plans, now Roddy, can't you be honest? Sorry, I don't know what's happened to me.
I do.
It's Mary, isn't it? I saw you.
God, I Something happened when I arrived here, when we were at the garden, I don't know what.
Isn't id obvious? Every time you look at her, I see it in your face.
I didn't want to feel like this.
I was quite happy.
This upset all decent, reasonable things.
Love isn't reasonable.
You better take this back, Roddy.
Will she marry you? I don't know.
Well, give it time.
Take the fortnight in France.
Clear your head.
If you still feel the same after you're back, then that's the time to pursue it.
I didn't deserve you.
Even as a friend.
Sometimes, it's all like a dream.
As if I may wake up and see that she isn't there.
But she is there! Damn you, Mary! Ah! Mary Sit down, please.
Thank you.
So, what are your plans now? Do you intend to go away? Not directly.
I still have to clear out my parents' things from the lodge house.
That'll take me a few days.
I've been putting it off ever since I got back.
As you know, Mary, my aunt always took a great interest in you.
Yes, she was very kind.
You'd be aware that she made no will.
I have thought about that a good deal and it seemed to me that, if she had lived, she would have wanted to make several legacies.
Of course I've made provision to the servants.
But you don't quite come into that class.
I am sure she would have wanted to make some contribution for your future, therefore, I'm arranging, as soon as the probation is granted, to advance you 7000 pounds, that sum to be yours, to do absolutely as you please.
Thank you.
It was quite a surprise that she left no will.
But then, many people don't Yes, I only made one myself this year.
A will? Nurse O'Brien thinks everyone should.
I have my aunt in New Zealand.
So I named her.
You've been so kind.
It was my aunt's wish.
Or that's what I think.
Thank you.
- Bonjour, Mademoiselle Gerrard.
- Hello.
You're in a hurry? I just had some good news, now, I'm on my way to meet someone.
I'm very pleased for you, Mlle.
Mademoiselle, is it your intention to remain in the village? I'm staying here for now.
Yes, yes of course.
Pardon.
I will not detain you further.
Mademoiselle, please be careful, as you go.
Of course.
That's a great piece of luck for you, Mary.
It was good of Miss Carlisle to do the right thing.
She didn't Well, she didn't look very pleased about it.
Hardly surprising, after what happened between you and Mr.
Winter, is it, dear? That's hardly our business.
Sorry dear, but all village must be talking about it.
I didn't lead him on.
But has you made you an offer? The truth is he's indicated.
There you are, now.
Isn't that romantic? Excuse me.
I do hope it's alright.
You wonder if he won't hurt her in the end? I know.
And that family in the house hasn't always been lucky in love.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, do you permit that I join you? Yes, of course.
I wish to speak to you of your anonymous letter.
I do not yet know who wrote it.
- Oh! The letter - Oui.
So much has happened I'd quite forgotten.
I'm affraid, Mr.
Poirot, the letter is destroyed.
It doesn't matter who sent it now.
We'll never know anyway.
Mlle.
Carlisle, it is no matter if the letter is destroyed.
It is in here.
And I said I did not yet know.
I did not say never.
Please, extend me the cortesy of having some confidence in my skills.
I'm sorry, Monsieur Poirot.
The truth is I'm a little distracted.
I'm sure you've heard that my engagement has ended.
I'm sure all village is talking about it.
Yes, I was very sorry to hear it.
If you permit, mademoiselle, I extend to you my utmost simpathy.
I can understand the ache of the heart.
It is a place very lonely.
Thank you.
It is certainly hard when the accident of another person's return, another person's beauty, suddenly destroys your life.
D'accord.
But then a man who is swayed by such things is not likely to be constant, is that not so? No, that is not so.
It's only her.
Nobody else could've changed him, nobody! Mary has destroyed everything, and I can't help it, but I just wish I wish so much that she was dead.
Come on, Poirot.
Drink it.
You see, it troubles you also, my dear doctor.
That the glass that is poured it is perfect in every way and yet I choose not to drink it.
I wait.
And this troubles you.
What are you thinking? About action that is uncompleted.
Action that is suspended, like this: pouring without drinking.
And yet, surely, once it is poured, it will be drunk.
But non And it is the same here.
For crime it can be like this, also.
You questioned me for staying here.
But sometimes, as in the case of your letter, I see a pattern.
I see a color.
I sense in my heart the inevitability and yet, what can I, Poirot, do? Nothing.
For the glass, it's on the table, waiting.
Waiting for someone to drink.
Me? The cook and the maids have taken a week, as you asked them, but I don't require time off.
And you shouldn't be alone in the house.
It's not right.
Mrs.
Bishop, I just want to go quietly through my aunt's things.
I don't need anyone, you see.
I'm almost certainly going to sell.
The other servants wondered if that would be the case.
- Naturally, we had hoped - Yes I had hoped, too.
Miss Carlisle, what can I do for you? I wanted some sandwich paste, Mr.
Turner.
Of course.
Now, what would you like? Salmon, crab and shrimp, ham and tongue? You know, in spite of the names, I always think their taste is rather alike.
Hmm, in a way But, of course, they're tasty.
Very tasty.
I want the salmon, and crab and shrimp.
People used to be rather affraid of eating fish paste, didn't they? Well, there have been cases of ptomaine poisoning.
I can assure you, Miss Carlisle, this is an excellent brand.
I've never had a single complaint.
Of course, I didn't mean anything.
Thank you.
We best hurry, Mary.
Miss Carlisle is expecting us for lunch.
All right.
That's last of the living room here.
What a tangle Have you come across any old gardiner gloves? Hold on.
Hello? Sorry.
Did I give you a fright? I was just getting my other appron.
Of course.
I'm making sandwiches.
I saw Mr.
Winter in the village.
Is he back again so soon? What? No, Roddy is not here.
He's still abroad.
Well, it certainly looked like him.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Yes I'm sorry' there seems to be rather a lot of flies around.
The salmon is for you, Mary.
It's the nearest.
Thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
The others are crab and shrimp.
Thank you.
I meant to get some coffe, but I quite forgot in the end.
Well, if there's tea, I can make some.
Oh, yes.
Not for me, but please.
Polly put the kettle on Remember we used to sing that when we were children? Yes, I do.
It is a pitty, isn't it? We can never go back.
Here we are.
It's nice and strong.
- Here we are, Mary.
- Thank you.
This was very thoughtful of you, Miss Carlisle.
It's a nuisance having to break off and go into the village for lunch.
Are you all right, Mary? Just the sandwich was rather bitter.
I hope the paste was all right.
Mine is all right.
Will you have some more tea? Are you sure you won't have a cup, Miss Carlisle? No, thank you.
Then I'll just go and turn off the kettle.
I left in on, in case we wanted to fill the pot up again.
Mary? Yes? Nothing.
I thought I saw a man, outside.
Is there someone here? No.
Only Ted.
It wasn't him.
It's quite hot in here.
Yes, the place heads south.
I tidied up the other plates.
Let me finish these.
Thank you.
Did you hurt yourself? No, it was the rose treaders.
It's quite a jungle there.
I might ask Ted to help us.
Are you all right, Miss Carlisle? You're not looking quite the thing.
Well, I-- I just want all this clearing done.
I'll be up, when I'm finished down here.
So, it's Nellie and Ms.
Markinson for these.
And that poor creature at Ivy Cottage could have some of the night things.
This will be a godsend to them.
I think I'll take them there myself, while Mary gets on with the lodge.
She's gone back there, has she? Mary? No, I left her in the library.
But that was ages ago.
What's she been doing? Mary? Mary? She's fallen asleep.
Come on, my girl.
Wake up.
Mary? I'll have to call Dr.
Lord this moment.
- What's the matter? - The matter? This girl is near death.
I think she's been poisoned.
You have heard? That Elinor Carlisle has been charged with murder? Yes.
- There's something I need to tell you.
- This way.
Ah, Poirot! Have a look at this.
We found it yesterday, just here, where the sandwiches were made.
We can't find any more, but it's been identified as part of a label for morfine.
They shared the tea, so it must be the sandwiches.
Are you aware that a file of morphine disappeared from this house? What? Oui.
Dr.
Lord here just told me of it.
It was in the bag of the nurse.
I'm sure the nurses will confirm it.
So Miss Carlisle had the ample oportunity to take it and use it.
And her motive is clear.
She was destroyed, her fiancé had abandoned her for the deceased.
Of course, there are some difficulties.
Like the fact they all ate the sandwiches.
It is scarcely a difficulty if you read the statements.
Yes, they all ate the sandwiches.
But the poison, it only needed to be in one.
And the favorite of Mary Gerrard, as Elinor Carlisle herself testifies, it was the salmon.
- That's how it was done.
Then there's your anonymous letter, that doesn't really fit.
Why not? Let us supose that Elinor Carlisle was most anxious about the return of Mary Gerrard, for there is much talk of her beauty and she knows that her fiancé and Mary were close in the past.
And that they were bound to meet together here.
So, Elinor Carlisle herself writes the anonymous letter hoping to turn him against Mary.
She wishes him to think that she's a girl (what--?) out for what she can get.
But that does not work, she loses him.
And so she is driven to a crime far more desperate.
But how could she hope to get away wih it? My dear doctor, I am describing a crime of passion! Poirot, Poirot, how could you do that? How could you build a case against Elinor Carlisle? She's not a murderer! - How can you be so certain? - You saw her qualities.
- And I also saw her pain.
- She's not capable of it.
On the contrary.
She's more than capable.
That man in there has no idea of the woman.
My dear doctor, do you suppose I was advancing the case just to help him? Given the facts that I see here, any prosecuting counsel any idiot of a magistrate would come to the conclusions I have, just like that! And I think that it is fair to say that you are partial.
I don't deny it, but she didn't do this.
Please, I'm beging you, help me find the truth.
My dear doctor, you asked for my help, but I do not not think you have been completely honest with me.
I still have my suspicions about the death of Laura Welman.
And I'm going to ask the Police to exhume her body.
And so, I ask you again, to tell me truthfully: What will they find? I don't know.
But possibly morphine Mon Dieu! I do not understand you.
You told to me otherwise.
You made me hold back.
As a friend, you said.
Poirot, please I never dreamt of such a thing.
I thought it was probably natural, but there was another possibility.
I was aware that she might have taken the drug herself.
- You see, she often talked of it.
- So you were playing the merciful doctor, uh? As I said, she talked of it.
Under such circunstances, I didn't wish to cause a scandal by insisting on an autopsy.
However, I must insist that you are now completely honest with me.
You did not giver her the drug at her request? I swear to you I didn't.
I told her myself I had no wish to be hanged, I wouldn't do it.
Very well.
All the same, I wish you had told to me you had those suspicions.
Because if you are right, it can be worse now to Elinor Carlisle than even I could have thought.
So, you do not wish to talk? I made a statement.
I have nothing else to say.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, you are aware of how your silence, it will be constued? It is no matter.
It's such a shock, I can tell you.
- Now, we'll have some tea.
- Merci.
Like I told the Police, Monsieur Poirot, Miss Carlisle was so strange, very strange in her manner.
I'd thought it for days, but that afternoon she was downright odd.
Talking as if didn't know what she was saying her eyes so bright and queer.
And you said that she looked guilty? Oh, yes!She was trembling, before and afterwards.
It was as if she'd been caught out.
And those sandwiches that she made, did they look the same? They were not on different bread? No.
Definitely not, white bread, looked very much the same.
But Mary had the salmon and we had the crab.
When I think of how poor Mary was when we found her She was one of the most beautiful girls I ever saw, Mr.
Poirot.
And not stuck-up, as she could have been.
The old lady had taken a tremendous fancy to her.
Suprising, perhaps? Oh, that depends.
Might be quite natural in one way.
And surely does an elderly person good to have a young face about.
I see.
And there's nothing else? Nothing else at all, that you can tell to me about Mary Gerrard? I don't know of anything.
No, Mary was not poisoned before she came here.
How could she have walked from the lodge? Non Without doubt she was poisoned in this room.
But she and nurse Hopkins shared the tea, so It must have been in the sandwiches.
But Poirot, somebody could easily have entered in here and tempered with them.
There was a figure in the garden, out there.
Perhaps somebody from Mary's past.
Or, what is more likely, someone we know.
I made a statemen to the Policemen, Mr.
Poirot.
I wasn't around this side of the house at all, that day.
I was up, near the road.
- Did you see a figure? - No But I d-- I did see a car.
Hum, parked on the road, early in the afternoon.
And did you recognise the car? N-- no, I don't think so.
I think it was green.
I just can't believe anyone would do such a thing.
And certainly not Miss Carlisle.
Tell me, Monsieur Horlick, you were fond of Mary, were you not? Everyone knows that.
Wasn't the same, when she came back from abroad.
But did she have any enemies? Not that I know.
She was always a bit different, but-- people liked her.
Then, after she came back, nobody knew her so well.
Why is that? She was just changed.
Not stuck-up exactly, just not one of us anymore.
This is for Mary.
"But she is in her grave.
And ! the difference to me.
" Wordsworth.
I read him much.
This poem expresses perhaps what you feel? Yes, expresses widely now what I feel.
If you'd to bring it up.
Pardon.
Please do forgive me, Monsieur Winter.
There are certain things one should not say, but, nevetheless, a detective is forced to say.
Or to ask about the feelings of people.
Well, if it helps Elinor, Poirot, ask what you want.
Merci.
You returned home early from France, I believe? You were seen here on the day of the murder.
Yes, all right, I did come back, but I didn't want Elinor to know.
You see, I decided to ask Mary to marry me.
- And you saw her? - No, I didn't.
You see, she wasn't expecting me, so I decided to wait.
Certainly wasn't goin' to barge into Hunterbury.
I waited here, close to Mary's lodgings.
And, of course, Mary she never came.
I saw an ambulance, Police cars.
People were talking and I've heard what they said.
Couldn't face anyone, so I took a train back into town and waited for news.
Then I learned she was dead.
I felt like-- And you do not think Elinor did this? No, of course not.
The fact they dragged Elinor into this makes it even more tragic.
So, if she escapes the gaolers, you will reconsider your engagement? What do you think I am? Of course not! It is ended.
But I want her to be alright.
She's a very decent person.
- Better than - than you? Is that what you you were going to say? No doubt at all, Poirot.
Several ounces of morphine were found in her body.
It was administered on the day she died.
You're very kind, Mr.
Poirot.
I am happy to answer your questions.
Of course I heard about Mrs.
Welman.
What a terrible thing, too.
And you had no suspicions at that time? Not the least in the world.
So, tell to me, if you please.
Did anyone else enter the room of Madame Welman that night, other than Mademoiselle Carlisle? I never left her side.
Except when Miss Carlisle came in.
Well, she was so bold and clever, that one.
So why would she have wanted to do it? For the money, that's why! She knew quite well if she didn't do it, every penny would go to Mary Gerrard.
And that's the truth.
So Mary Gerrard was a girl who was scheming and clever? No! Oh, that's a terrible thing to say.
Mrs.
Welman adored her.
She was a very sweet girl.
But not one of us.
Pardon She was an only child? Is it possible pehaps that she had been adopted? What? No, certainly not.
I must say, this is a lovely cake.
She made a will, is that correct? Awful, awful to think of it now.
Nurse Hopkins and I advised her it was a good thing to do.
We thought she should, since she had expectations.
But I wish we'd never mentioned it now, I do.
So the 7000 pounds goes to her aunt.
She has no family here? Just her mother's sister nursing at New Zeland.
I've written to the old lady.
What a terrible shock it will be, too.
So will Miss Carlisle be hanged? If she is found guilty.
"Mrs.
Welman, whose money went to Elinor Carlisle, "was murdered by morphine.
Mary Gerrard, who came between Elinor Carlisle and her fiancé, was murdered by morphine.
And nobody in the world had the slightest motive to commit these murders, other than the acused.
No one had the slightest opportunity, other than the accused.
And this vengeful woman.
who openly whished her victim dead to more than one witness, never expressed the slightest remorse Gentlemen of the jury, what is your verdict? Guilty.
Elinor Carlisle, you're sentenced to be taken hence to the prison in which you were last confined and from there to a place of execution where you'll be hanged from the neck until dead.
And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.
Monsieur Poirot Mademoiselle, please be careful as you go.
Of course "Appeal Denied Hanging in five Days" I will admit that I've not been sleeping very well, but last night finally I sleep.
And I dream I dream I dream of the victim, as she was at first.
On the street, outside of my hotel.
A girl so lovely, the favorite of Madame Welman.
A girl who is liked by everyone, and yet she's still a mystery.
And then-- then I wake up and I recalled something.
What? Uh it is detail, in fact it is half a detail, one twentieth of a detail, but yes, my friend, it worries me.
Something nurse Hopkins said concerning Mary.
What about her? Yes.
What about her? What is behind her? - You are not making sense.
- Then suddenly I see there's something that the good nurse Hopkins she does not wish me to know.
Something she thinks has no baring on the crime, but I believe that it may.
But surely she would realize that.
Non.
My dear doctor, nurse Hopkins is a woman of high inteligence, within her limitations.
But her intelect is hardly equal with that of mine.
She might not see it, but Hercule Poirot, he would.
And suddenly, that raises in my mind so many questions.
No, I was right before.
Something here is crooked.
But, doctor, time is short.
There is something I need from you, it is a book, how does it call itself, a book which describes the various medicines you prescribe? - A formulary? - Oui, c'est ça!I must borrow it.
Merci.
When I visited you before, I said it was surprising how Madame Welman favored Mary Gerrard you said it was only natural.
And I thought that you merely talking about the friendship, that it was natural.
And then, I think again of Mary and I hear that word again " natural" and I see that you used it deliberatly.
Oh, I know it.
And now you must tell to me why.
Nurse O'Brien and I had both heard crying out about something in her past.
There was a man called Lewis.
But we both knew there was much more to it than that.
And then I found this in the lodge, after Mary had died.
It is Madame Welman? And the baby? It's Mary Gerrard.
So Mary was the illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman It's a sad story, as you'll see from the letter.
The man couldn't marry her, he had his own family.
Sometime later, he was killed in the western front.
The Gerrards had no children.
Mrs.
Welman went to Scotland and took Mrs.
Gerrard with her, where the baby was born.
Naturally she payed for Mary schooling and told them she would provide for her.
But she couldn't admit the truth.
She had to avoid the scandal.
But, at last, Mary becomes clearer.
But what sadness.
"So, dear Mary, for all theses years I had to keep this secret "from the girl I brought up, and such a hardship that has been.
" Of course, we had suspected this much.
Nurse intimated she knew, but What's the point of it coming out now? I was going to destroy this.
As I said before, Mr.
Poirot, let the dead rest in peace.
Non.
Not when one has to consider the living.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, you would say nothing before.
But now I know a little more.
I want to help you and I believe I can.
But you must answer some questions about that day, I beg of you.
- Why? Is there any p-- - --purpose? Yes, of course there's a purpose.
Please.
Now, just tell it to me, from the very beginning.
Firstly, why did you give time off to the servants? I was upset.
I wanted to be alone.
And, when you made the sandwiches, did you see anyone outside? No.
Right.
Then you went to sort through some things of your aunt.
Did you discover anything that afected you.
Any private matters concearning your aunt? What? No.
Well, then, you took Mary and nurse Hopkins into the library where you gave them the sandwiches.
What was Mary doing when you left her? She was on the sofa.
She seemed normal.
Now, each detail, if you please.
I went down to the pantry.
Nurse was there doing the washing up.
She said she'd seen a man in the garden, I didn't see anything.
What then did you you talk of? I don't know.
Oh yes, the rose treaders by the lodge.
She had a mark in her arm, where the thorn had scratched her.
And then it all came back to me.
When we were children, Roddy and I, we kept having this quarrel about the War of the Roses.
He liked the white roses I said they weren't real, because they didn't even smell.
I preferred red, because they were big and dark and smelled like Summer.
Then I realized something, yes, I did There was no reason to kill Mary, because Roddy would never have stayed with me.
When I went When you went back, Mary was dying.
You might as well ask me then: did I intend to kill Mary Gerrard.
Non, non, Mademoiselle.
Now, please do forgive me.
I have very little time.
You told me all that I need.
And there are some things I still do not wish to know.
Monsieur Horlick, enter if you please.
Mr.
Poirot, I'm sorry.
There's something I need to say in private.
Sr.
Horlick, you see before you a miserable animal, who has been a triple imbecil.
- I am 36 times an idiot.
- Sir? Forgive me, I have discovered something in a way that is most painful.
Hideously painful, but very important.
Pardon.
Ca suffit.
No matter.
Please, do seat.
Tell to me what you wish to say.
It concearns Dr.
Lord, sir.
If you do not agree, I will go higher.
I wish you to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.
- I'll do what I can, sir.
- It will have to be tomorrow.
Very well.
Poirot, you realize we have less than a day and a night? Why did you ask me here? Because I wanted to show you this.
- The Zéphrine Rose.
- So? Isn't that Mr.
Winter? What's going on? What did Elinor say? I will tell it to you.
She told me of a quarrel a long time ago.
And how she and Monsieur Winter were in different sides.
And it made it very clear to me how she fell in love a long time ago with a man who could not return her feeling.
And so, doctor, I began to see through all the lies that have been told to me.
Who has lied to you? Everyone.
Particularly you.
But, at last, the matter it is almost concluded, for I've made a trap.
Shall we go back to the house? I had a message from the Inspector, Poirot.
Can you tell me what's this all about? It strikes as very unpleasant.
I never wanted to see this room again.
- I am not surprised.
- What does that mean? Gentlemen, please.
I have concluded that nothing in this matter is what it seems.
Firstly, we have heard that, on the day on the murder it was seen in the garden, a man very tall and resembled to you, Monsieur Winter.
I told you I never came here.
So, would you be surprised to learn of the will of Mademoiselle Carlisle.
I established last night that it is everything to you.
I swear I had no idea.
So, perhaps you stood outside and observed her making the sandwiches and thought that they were for her.
Alors, had she died, you'd be a man very rich.
This is outrageous! I told I never came into the grounds.
However, if she was hanged, you would be equally rich.
So, let us assume, as did the trial, that the murder, it was successful.
It is easy to imagine, you or another, being aware that Elinor Carlisle intended to invite Mary Gerrard here and also to know that the preference of Mary was for the salmon paste.
Both these things, they were well known.
- Oh, you're including me? - I include everyone.
Now this person has the file of morphine.
And the chance it comes And this is what he finds.
The sandwiches.
One of salmon paste, the other two of shrimp and crab.
Alors, our murderer approaches the sandwiches.
And, at once, he observes that the colour and the texture are identical.
So, which one is the salmon paste? No, there's no way on earth he could distinguish by smell.
So, what can this person do? I am affraid that there's only one thing that he can do.
He tastes.
It was bad enough the first time But then, suddenly, I realized how stupid I had been! I, Hercule Poirot, had followed my reasoning, yes, but I had failed to take into account the madness of the English palate.
For, gentlemen, what do we find? What we find is that we are entering into the realms of lunacy.
I do not care if our murderer had the palate of a master-chef.
He could never distiguish between theses two slurries.
No,it is a fact.
These sandwiches are all but indistinguishable.
Then I came to the conclusion.
I, Hercule Poirot, do not care what was said at the trial.
This could never, ever, be the pratical method of murder.
So Elinor Carlisle did not poison the sandwich? - No, she did not.
- Who did? Nobody.
- So it was an accident? - Non, non She was murdered, but not by these disgusting sandwiches.
I said just now that everyone had lied to me, uh? For example, the man that nurse Hopkins saw outside here.
- She was lying? - Non, non, non.
Indeed, she was not.
And you know that, Dr.
Lord, because you are aware of who it was.
It was you.
Monsieur Horlick recognised your car, but did not want to say so in front of you.
So, last night, he came to the hotel to tell it to me.
So, here is yet another lie, uh? But why? Was it because you feared for Elinor Carlisle? Was it your heart I could forgive? Or something much more sinister? All right, all right.
I would have done anything to protect her.
I was just a fool to think I could deceive you.
Oui.
Either a fool or something worse.
Please, to remain.
I will return.
Do you believe in ghosts? No, of course not.
I had a message to come here.
Oui.
As you know, someone entered this room on the last night that Madame Welman was alive and gave to her the morphine.
You told to the court that you never left the side of your patient during that evening, except when Mademoiselle Carlisle was present.
She was the accused, so no person could challenge you.
But it is a fact that Mr.
Winter entered this room when you were making the tea, and perhaps others.
Maybe I was out a few times.
That's no crime.
That is not your only lie.
When I asked you if Mary Gerrard was adopted, you denied it.
Why did you not tell to me the truth? What? That? But it has no baring.
No baring? You suppose the fact that Mary Gerrard being illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman has no baring on this? Elinor Carlisle only inherited the money because she was the nearest next of kin.
Now it emerges that she was not.
At that point, Mary Gerrard stood to inherit 200 thousand pounds.
Ah, so that's it! It was another motive for Miss Carlisle to do away with her.
On the contrary.
It was no motive at all.
Such an action, it would have been pointless, since Mary Gerrard had already made a will.
Was it you who told her to do that? We talked about it.
What are you saying, Mr.
Poirot? That someone other than Elinor Carlisle beneficts from her death.
This came to me yesterday and then I began to think again about the anonimous letter designed to breed the distress between Mary Gerrard and Elinor Carlisle.
And suddenly the light, it began to dawm about, amongst other things, New Zealand.
Excuse me.
Well, Mr Poirot, so long as you wanted me here, I thought I'd make us a cup of tea.
Oh! Thank you.
You're most kind.
And now, perhaps you'd tell me what this is about.
The truth is, nurse Hopkins, I brought you here to talk about this rose.
It is the rose of the treader from the lodge.
You were pricked, I believe, by its thorn.
Yes.
But, as you can quite well regard the Zephirine Rose it has no thorn.
Well, then it was a nail from the treaders.
I thought it was a thorn.
It was sharp enough too.
- Your tea.
- Merci.
Quite so A mistake Tell me, you have lived in New Zealand? How would you discover that? Mind you.
It is known.
Is it? The truth is, I have tried to discover it myself, but without any success.
It little matters.
But I did have a little more success in discovering your real name.
Your first name is Mary, the same as Mary Gerrard.
And your surname is Riley, the same as her adoptive mother.
Poor Mary, she did never guess who you really were, did she? And that letter you showed me, you never discovered it here at the lodge.
Non, that was a letter you received.
You know, at the time I thought the writing was rather strange.
"And so, dear Mary, "I have had to keep this secret from the girl I brought up.
" So why would the writer address her daughter directly as Mary and then proceed to talk about her in the third person? Because it was not a mother writing to her daughter at all.
Non.
It was a mother writing to her sister, confessing the secret ot the true parentage of her adopted daughter.
Yes, it was your letter, sent to you, her aunt in New Zealand.
And this planted a temptation which grew.
What temptation? The temptation of a big inheritance.
And it was for that reason that you came here.
You tried to store her feelings against Mary with your poisonous pen, the anonimous letter.
You killed Madame Welman, knowing that she had made no will and even tricked poor Mary into making a will in favour of her kind aunt in New Zealand, encouraged by the postcards and presents which you arranged.
Oh yes, she was named after you and yet you killed her.
Later, you would release that sad letter, ensuring that the settlement would change.
And, from a safe distance, clame your money.
This is a strange sort of fiction, Mr.
Poirot.
But, so long as you finish your tea, I'll wash up.
But I still worried about the scrap of label that they discovered here.
Oh, certainly it said morphine, but there was one bit that did not quite fit, uh? The small "m".
Why not the capital? And eventually I realized that it was only part of the name of the drug that they discovered.
It was incomplete and not for morphine at all.
And I searched, and searched and, at last, I discovered a drug of great interest.
Apomorphine! An emetic.
Yes, an emetic, Mr.
Poirot.
Apomorphine makes you vomit.
If you are poisoned and than inject that, you vomit quite enough to expell the poison.
And so it was the tea.
You poisoned it, you drank it with Mary.
A little while later, Elinor Carlisle find you with a prick from the needdle in your arm, standing over basin where you'd been so sick.
And now, I have to do it again.
The poison's safely washed up, though luckily I had much less than you.
Not morphine this time, something nastier.
But nobody will quite know how it entered your system.
And there's no trace of it.
Oh, but my dear lady, there is.
You see I hate, and always have hated, tea.
And here is your emetic.
I removed it from your bag.
Give me that! Come on, lads! You filthy foreigner! There was no way they could've found out! Poirot, come now.
We have a car waiting.
We need to hurry.
There's no time to waste.
And Dr.
Lord also, if you please.
I think you will be needed.
Monsieur Winter.
This is for you.
It is from the lodge and it saved your life.
You have been acquitted.
You are free to go.
But-- There is someone outside who will explain to you everything.
Amongst other things, who it was that wrote to you your letter.
And it is to him that you should give the thanks.
Monsieur Poirot, you know what I told you.
I-- Mademoiselle Carlisle, wanting a death is no crime.
Bon? Now go May I take you home? Yes.
No remorse.
That's right.
I feel nothing.
Why should I? When you have wanted someone dead, longed for it, planned it and watched 'til you see the last flicker of life in the eyes We ask you now to contemplate the full horror of the second cold-blooded murder, wickedly planned and executed on a hot afternoon at Hunterbury.
The deadly salmon paste so thickly spread He is trying to see just exactly why I did it, what I felt All of it seems so inevitable now, as if it began years and years ago.
And yet, it was only last summer.
The beginning.
The beginning seemed happy.
- Are the roses alright? - They're lovely.
Good.
I try to be a respectable fiancé.
And you are! Soon, even theses extended lunch hours will be respectable.
So, if I go to France for two weeks, you can meet me in "Le Tourquet".
Ma maman will be back than.
It'll be all very respectible and we'll be back for Astor's Autumn Ball.
How about it? Elinor? Oh, it sounds perfect.
But there's something else on your mind, isn't there? Oh Roddy, you know me so well.
Yes.
Something arrived this morning.
It's stupid, but I can't take it out of my mind.
I'm intrigued Is it a bill? After all, it's the height of Summer when the fairies dance and all the nasty bills come tripping along.
No, but I want to show it to you.
"To warn you: Someone's sucking up to your aunt in Hunterbury "so you and your fiancé get cut out of the will.
"The person may seem as white as snow, "but wants to cheat you both and the old lady will die with another stroke any day.
" God It can't be true.
It's just someone out to cause trouble.
Yes, you're probably right.
It was quite a shock, though.
We haven't been down there this month.
- Yes, we should go.
- Because of this? No, not just this You care for her.
So do I.
But the house matters.
Think of the summers we spent there as children.
She always said she wanted one of us to have it.
Which means both of us, now that we're engaged.
So, what in Heaven's name is wrong with us making sure? - Oh, Roddy! I'd love to go there.
- Then it's settled .
I decided to bring the letter, after all.
I want to show it to Dr.
Lord.
You sure that's wise? Yes.
If anyone knows who sent it, he would.
But, darling, it's so poisonous.
Oh well, if you must.
I still say you should burn it.
Do you know what I'd like? Sometime when we're married and living here together, we send all the servants away and we'll exactly what we want.
Oh, yes? And what about your meals? We'll eat with our fingers by the fire.
We won't have anybody to disturb us.
Just you and me and the wind in the trees.
Where is Ms.
Bishop? Somewhere.
The hall was always so dark.
Good Lord I never did get used to this lift.
It's a shame she doesn't use it now.
She doesn't even come out of her room anymore.
Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter I'm so sorry.
The nurses are coping well, though her last stroke did take your aunt so badly.
And look, here's another great help.
She's just back from her studies in Germany.
You must both remember Mary, the gardener's daughter.
Hello, Elinor, Roddy Hello, Mary.
Well, it's been a while Hello, Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter How good to see you.
Well, she's not so bad today.
But she may be asleep, now.
- Would you like to go in? - Yes, I think so.
Would you excuse us, please.
Thank you, nurse Hopkins.
- Would you like some tea? - Oh, no thank you.
I don't drink tea.
- Mr.
Winter? - Yes, please.
Elinor! Aunt Laura! I thought you were sleeping.
No, lying here like a captive, as usual.
"Come away, death, and in the sad cypress let me be laid.
" Morbid as ever.
It gets me through.
Roddy! How lovely! I am so pleased you are engaged.
Aan I know your parents would have been too.
About time, I thought.
It's wonderful to see you, aunt Laura.
- You look fine.
- No, I don't.
Roddy, I'm quite sure you need some refreshment.
And I want to have a little talk with your bride-to-be.
Fine.
I'll look in on you later.
But don't go pulling her of me or I'll make a point of moving in here wailing from your battlements.
Did you see Mary? Yes.
I was astonished.
When did she get back? A few weeks ago.
I'm sure I told you.
Isn't she beautiful? I am so glad she has come back from Germany.
She has been very good to me.
And I am so pleased that you and Roddy are together.
You do care for him? Of course I do.
- Enough and not too much? - What? It's just something we used to say.
You should never care too much for a man.
Aunt Laura, tell me something, honestly.
Do you think love is ever a happy thing? Oh, Elinor! Perhaps it always brings more sorrow than joy.
But who could do without it? Anyone who has never really loved, hasn't lived.
And now Miss Carlisle's here with her fiancé.
Miss Carlisle is still in there with her now.
- Miss Carlisle, the niece? - Exactly.
Never was that sure about her.
No? Tries too hard.
And they call them "kissing cousins" in "The Tatler".
But she's lucky to have caught him and she knows it.
Behind the eyes, she's nervous as a kitten.
I remember I was dripping in sweat.
I could hardly hold on.
But you did.
You got right to the top, didn't you? I think you must've got to your grip.
I couldn't help it.
My hands were slipping with the perspiration.
And then you fell at my feet laughing.
Oh! Hello, Elinor.
We were just remembering the old times.
Of course.
We'll have lots to talk about.
There's tea in the dining toom.
Now, look here, doctor, I've said this before.
In any civilized country, I'd just say I wanted to end it, and you would finish me off with some nice painless drug.
Well, I am not sure if I wish to be hanged just yet.
Not now, you're doing so well.
Leave me all your money and I might reconsider, if you like.
Boo humbug And who were you looking at? Hum your niece.
Elinor? That reminds me, she wants to see you before you go.
So, what do tou think of her, hey? She is, uh she's very impressive.
Yes Very impressive Yes, she is.
You know, you ought to get married, doctor.
I'm sorry.
I just couldn't think of anyone else to take on confidence.
No, no I'm flattered.
But you're right, this is a horrible thing.
I supose it must be someone in the village.
But who could the letter be referring to? Who has access to our aunt other than the nurses? Well, Ted Horlick, the gardiner, he helps to carry the oxygen.
Ms.
Bishop goes in, the vicar, myself Mary Gerrard is there a lot, of course.
Nurse O'Brien lives in and nurse Hopkins comes everyday.
I suppose Mary is the newest here.
Can somebody be jealous of her? Does she have a suiter? I don't think so, though Ted Horlick always did have a soft spot for her.
It's probably nothing to do with her! I'm sorry, somehow a thing like this just plays on your nerves.
Just the idea of having someone spying and trying to cause bad feelings Yes, it's probably best forgotten.
You have been kind, but it's idiotic from me asking you to play detective.
Shall we just burn it? No, no.
Nobody need to play detective.
I know a real one, his name is Poirot.
He's staying here a few days preparing evidence for a trial in Manbury.
He's horribly bored.
And I'm sure he'd leap at the chance of some diversion.
He has some peculiarities, like his many herbal teas.
He's charming and very, very discreet.
Mon ami A doctor who bares a message is always a sight most worrying.
I hope it isn't from none of my physicians.
Of course not, Poirot.
How are you? You settled in alright? Are you any more comfortable? Well, for some maybe.
As for me, well, I have my work.
What pleasure is there for me in the evidence of a case I solved one year since? None.
I am, as you say, bored to the tears.
Well, perhaps I can help.
You see, a lady, whom I admire a good deal has come to me with a problem: an anonimous letter.
You mean I'll maybe a little exercise at last? Well, don't get too excited, I'm sure it's trivial.
There goes Ted Horlick with Mary Gerrard.
She is in great favour to Hunterbury House.
This letter is about that household.
It's a grand film.
It's with Garbo and it's set in Paris.
I'm sorry, Ted, I've already said no.
- You've set your eyes in someone else? - No.
Of course not.
I'm sorry.
- Bon, enter if you please.
- Thank you.
The writer of this has been very careful.
That interests you? Oh, oui! Regard the pressure on the page.
Now regard the words.
There is malice here, or, just as concearning, the pretense of malice.
And I don't believe for one moment that the writer of this letter wishes to protect the interests of Elinor Carlisle.
Unless, of course, Elinor Carlisle wrote this herself.
That's a strange suggestion, Poirot.
I could see how upset she was.
Strange for you, maybe.
But once I found your strategy of pawns most strange and you almost put me in check.
- That was a long time ago.
To say the truth, when you came here, I thought this letter would be a thing just trivial.
And yet, the care of its construction, the words, even the design, tell to me it is not the case.
Of course it may lead to nothing.
So, why? Why do I sense that the outlook may be dark? - Miss Carlisle.
- Mrs.
Bishop.
Have you seen Mr.
Winter? No, but I don't think he's upstairs.
The garden, maybe? Oh, yes, of course.
Thank you.
Aye, it's nice enough, Mary dear, but I'm sure you can do better.
Yes, with your education especially.
Now, let us see what your aunt sent.
Oh, I'm so sorry, I was looking for Mr.
Winter.
- I haven't seen him.
Have you, Mary? - No, I've just come back from the post-office.
This is from my aunt Mary, New Zealand, my mother's sister.
I was named after her, so she always sends me things.
That is kind.
Yes.
She emigrated before I was born.
And now she's the only family I have left.
What a lovely thing.
Yes, it is.
I am sorry to interrupt you.
You show it to Mrs.
Welman.
You know, she's been so kind to me.
Only today she was saying she might help me in the future.
Just like she did with my schooling.
Well, I guess I'll se on aunt Laura before I go to bed.
Of course.
I'll wait in here and then I can always come and tuck you in.
Perhaps not tonight.
Ms.
Bishop may be doing her rounds.
There's time enough.
All right.
I'll let you rest tonight.
So How did you like meeting Mary again? What? Oh yes! She's she's a sweet girl.
Nighty night.
What were you doing? Elinor I was just making her more comfortable.
Yes, of course.
Good night.
Good night.
Elinor Carlisle, this is Hercule Poirot.
- Monsieur Poirot.
- Mademoiselle Carlisle.
This is my fiancé, Mr.
Winter.
- Monsieur Winter - How do you do? - We are so grateful for you to come.
- Oh please, not at all.
It is most kind of you to invite me.
We are honoured.
The Cartwright trial has been most exciting.
Indeed, for me hélas!, it is like eating the same meal three times a day.
Monsieur Poirot, this is Mary Gerrard.
Whose late father looked after the garden here.
She has just returned from Europe.
Mademoiselle Gerrard.
I'm very glad to meet you, Monsieur Poirot.
Oh, I'll take a salmon, thank you.
Mademoiselle Gerrard, may I ask you where in Europe? Germany.
I was staying with a family near Freiburg.
Ah, the Black Forrest It's a beautiful country.
Do you know, I think the nacional-socialists are doing a good job over there.
I sometimes wish we had politicians like that here.
I think, monsieur, that you are most fortunate you do not.
Do you? It's much to pleasant an occasion for european politics.
- May I have a word, Roddy? - Excuse me.
So, Monsieur Poirot, do you think my letter is important? I can not yet give to you an answer.
But to me, everything is important until it proves otherwise, even the strategies of chess of my friend Dr.
Lord.
- Does he ever win? - Non, but one time he came quite close.
Non non, he has a mind truly wonderful for the game.
That is my aunt, Monsieur Poirot.
She's too ill to join us, I'm affraid.
I realize its much too soon to say who may have written the letter.
But I know Dr.
Lord has told you about our household.
So, do you have any suspicions about whom it refers to? The intruder? There's no need for me to suspect.
The writer has made it quite obvious.
How? Alors the phrase " white as snow" is most odd, yes? But certainly it is used deliberately.
So, tell to me.
mademoiselle, who was it who was it that had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow? Mary.
Oui.
Mrs.
Welman, are you all right? Oh dear, you're not yourself.
Stay calm.
You've had another turn.
I'll call the doctor.
Please, Lewis I need to see the photograph of Lewis.
Not this again Please, I can't open your private things.
I must get the doctor.
Mrs.
Welman, you're ill.
I must send for the doctor now, I must! It's all right, it's all right, get calm.
Don't excite yourself.
You want somebody to come? Your lawyer? You want your lawyer to come? Provision? You want to change something in your will? Related to Mary? Mary Gerrard? I'll call the lawyers.
Seddon shall be here directly.
- Please don't worry about it.
- Rest now, It will be done.
May I go in? Yes, of course.
The doctor's in there.
I see Yes Well, thank you.
I'll meet him here tomorrow.
Goodbye.
Seddon can't be here until tomorrow.
Is that all right? Yes, yes I think so.
She's had another stroke, But I'm sure she has a little time yet.
I've seen some improvements since last night.
Have you lost something, dear? It's that sarcoma in the village Eliza Rykin.
I was sure I had put her tube of morphine here for tomorrow.
But somehow it's gone.
The only place where I've put my bag down was out there, in the corredor.
Oh, why don't you look again, dear? Nobody here would take it.
No, it's gone.
Now that your work is done, I thought you'd be singing, Poirot.
I am content to return to London, mon ami, but I do not like the unfinished business.
- The letter! - Oui Well, perhaps you wanted it to be more than it was.
I promise you, they have other things to think about now.
- Yes? - Ordinary things.
Ah! Even so, I return this letter with reluctance and only because it is not my property.
Ask them to keep it safe, if you please.
- And keep me informed of any developments.
- Oh, I'm sure there'll be none.
- Of course.
- Bon.
There's no sense in hanging on to it.
Even your detective didn't get anywhere.
But, Roddy he asked us to keep it safe.
Well, no doubt to cover his own failure.
He's gone now and we have more important things to think about.
Thank God the doctor said she would make out of this.
Shouldn't be too bloomy, she wouldn't want that.
No.
It's just seeing her like this I'm so tired, Roddy.
I think I'll go to bed early.
What're you going to do? I'll let you sleep.
You look worn-in.
I'll just play some billiard or sometin' before I go up.
Elinor, nurse Hopkins is happy to stay tonight and take for nurse O'Brien.
But she woud like a word.
Oh, thank you, Mary.
Are you off home now, or - I'd really like to stay.
- Of course, if you want to stay close by you could use the room at the end.
- My aunt would like that.
- Thank you.
Good night.
But I don't I don't know Miss Carlisle! Miss Carlisle, Mrs.
Welman's been taken very bad.
The doctor was called.
You must come at once.
I'm coming.
I'm very sorry.
Would it have been painful? No, no absolutely not.
Sometimes you have a sudden relapse like that.
It's very quick.
And in it's way is a mercy.
You must tak any consolation any consolation you can from that.
I'm so sorry, Elinor.
But thank God for it, I say, I couldn't have borne seeing her lingering in the state she was tonight.
You saw her tonight? What? Oh, yes I left the cards and looked in briefly while the nurse was getting tea.
She was lying there, breathing so hard.
I hated seeing her like that.
It's probably why I've felt so strange all evening.
I know I wasn't really myself.
No? You should go to bed.
I won't come in and disturb you.
Not tonight.
Good night, Roddy.
- I'll have the "Times", if you please.
- Certainly, sir.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you, sir.
The British Library, if you please.
"Laura Welman died suddenly at her hone in Hunterbury House " on September 16th 1937.
Funeral Hunterbury church " September 21.
'The nobel strain a noble day doth make'.
" dust to dust.
In the sure and certain hope of the ressurrection to eternal life.
Amen.
You came back just because of this? It was quite sudden.
I was wrongly optimistic in my diagnose.
Sometimes they change quickly.
She had another stroke that affected her very badly.
So - you see, the letter, it was correct.
It said that she would die after another stroke.
Yes, that's true, but given the severity of the first stroke, it wasn't remarkable.
Poirot, I think you may be overreacting.
There was no murder.
Please be honest with me.
In your profession as a doctor, this is your true opinion? Yes, it is.
And I have to ask you to honour it as a friend.
So you give to me no choice? - I don't want to see people upset.
- Bon.
- When will you go back? - I'm not going back.
I intend to stay a little.
And perhaps we can play some chess Well, now! We're nearly all down here.
What a terrible shame they didn't offer the village a cup of tea.
It's not the same without it.
Maybe, but Miss Carlisle didn't look no good at all.
I doubt that she had the strenght.
Strenght enough to hear the will, though.
The lawyer is down there with her, now.
And Mrs.
Welman would've made sure there was refreshment after a funeral.
Hear my words.
Oh, I meant to ask you, dear.
Did you find that tube of morfine when you went home? No, I did not.
I don't understand it.
But there were some papers and things I threw out, it may have been there.
That must have been it.
I wouldn't worry about it anymore if I were you, dear.
Well, time to say goodbye.
Again, I'm very sorry for what happened, Miss Carlisle, Mr.
Winter.
I can't degree the pity she didn't summon me earlier.
Mr.
Seddon, it's perfectly obvious she wanted to alter her will.
It's clear to everyone.
She mentioned Mary and she wanted to change it.
Miss Carlisle, I can assure you of one thing.
You're wrong in that assumption.
There could be no change as such, you see, your aunt made no will.
- What? - But that's extraordinary! Not as extraordinary as you might think, Mr.
Winter.
People are often supersticious.
They think if they make a will, they die.
So they put it off.
Didn't you reason with her? Frequently.
But she said all the usual things, that she didn't intend to die just yet.
It's just human nature, I'm affraid.
People go on avoiding a thing in her personal life which is distasteful.
So, the upshot is very simple.
Since your aunt died with no bequests, no will, no settlements or trusts, everything, including this house, goes to her next of kin, which, of course, is you, her niece, Elinor Carlisle.
Everything? Well, apart from her death duties, the state will still be substantial.
No, Elinor, you should have it all.
I don't want you to think otherwise.
It's your right.
But Roddy, we said it didn't matter who was left the money, since we were to be married.
Remember? Yes.
But are we? I thought that was the idea, of course if you have other plans, now Roddy, can't you be honest? Sorry, I don't know what's happened to me.
I do.
It's Mary, isn't it? I saw you.
God, I Something happened when I arrived here, when we were at the garden, I don't know what.
Isn't id obvious? Every time you look at her, I see it in your face.
I didn't want to feel like this.
I was quite happy.
This upset all decent, reasonable things.
Love isn't reasonable.
You better take this back, Roddy.
Will she marry you? I don't know.
Well, give it time.
Take the fortnight in France.
Clear your head.
If you still feel the same after you're back, then that's the time to pursue it.
I didn't deserve you.
Even as a friend.
Sometimes, it's all like a dream.
As if I may wake up and see that she isn't there.
But she is there! Damn you, Mary! Ah! Mary Sit down, please.
Thank you.
So, what are your plans now? Do you intend to go away? Not directly.
I still have to clear out my parents' things from the lodge house.
That'll take me a few days.
I've been putting it off ever since I got back.
As you know, Mary, my aunt always took a great interest in you.
Yes, she was very kind.
You'd be aware that she made no will.
I have thought about that a good deal and it seemed to me that, if she had lived, she would have wanted to make several legacies.
Of course I've made provision to the servants.
But you don't quite come into that class.
I am sure she would have wanted to make some contribution for your future, therefore, I'm arranging, as soon as the probation is granted, to advance you 7000 pounds, that sum to be yours, to do absolutely as you please.
Thank you.
It was quite a surprise that she left no will.
But then, many people don't Yes, I only made one myself this year.
A will? Nurse O'Brien thinks everyone should.
I have my aunt in New Zealand.
So I named her.
You've been so kind.
It was my aunt's wish.
Or that's what I think.
Thank you.
- Bonjour, Mademoiselle Gerrard.
- Hello.
You're in a hurry? I just had some good news, now, I'm on my way to meet someone.
I'm very pleased for you, Mlle.
Mademoiselle, is it your intention to remain in the village? I'm staying here for now.
Yes, yes of course.
Pardon.
I will not detain you further.
Mademoiselle, please be careful, as you go.
Of course.
That's a great piece of luck for you, Mary.
It was good of Miss Carlisle to do the right thing.
She didn't Well, she didn't look very pleased about it.
Hardly surprising, after what happened between you and Mr.
Winter, is it, dear? That's hardly our business.
Sorry dear, but all village must be talking about it.
I didn't lead him on.
But has you made you an offer? The truth is he's indicated.
There you are, now.
Isn't that romantic? Excuse me.
I do hope it's alright.
You wonder if he won't hurt her in the end? I know.
And that family in the house hasn't always been lucky in love.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, do you permit that I join you? Yes, of course.
I wish to speak to you of your anonymous letter.
I do not yet know who wrote it.
- Oh! The letter - Oui.
So much has happened I'd quite forgotten.
I'm affraid, Mr.
Poirot, the letter is destroyed.
It doesn't matter who sent it now.
We'll never know anyway.
Mlle.
Carlisle, it is no matter if the letter is destroyed.
It is in here.
And I said I did not yet know.
I did not say never.
Please, extend me the cortesy of having some confidence in my skills.
I'm sorry, Monsieur Poirot.
The truth is I'm a little distracted.
I'm sure you've heard that my engagement has ended.
I'm sure all village is talking about it.
Yes, I was very sorry to hear it.
If you permit, mademoiselle, I extend to you my utmost simpathy.
I can understand the ache of the heart.
It is a place very lonely.
Thank you.
It is certainly hard when the accident of another person's return, another person's beauty, suddenly destroys your life.
D'accord.
But then a man who is swayed by such things is not likely to be constant, is that not so? No, that is not so.
It's only her.
Nobody else could've changed him, nobody! Mary has destroyed everything, and I can't help it, but I just wish I wish so much that she was dead.
Come on, Poirot.
Drink it.
You see, it troubles you also, my dear doctor.
That the glass that is poured it is perfect in every way and yet I choose not to drink it.
I wait.
And this troubles you.
What are you thinking? About action that is uncompleted.
Action that is suspended, like this: pouring without drinking.
And yet, surely, once it is poured, it will be drunk.
But non And it is the same here.
For crime it can be like this, also.
You questioned me for staying here.
But sometimes, as in the case of your letter, I see a pattern.
I see a color.
I sense in my heart the inevitability and yet, what can I, Poirot, do? Nothing.
For the glass, it's on the table, waiting.
Waiting for someone to drink.
Me? The cook and the maids have taken a week, as you asked them, but I don't require time off.
And you shouldn't be alone in the house.
It's not right.
Mrs.
Bishop, I just want to go quietly through my aunt's things.
I don't need anyone, you see.
I'm almost certainly going to sell.
The other servants wondered if that would be the case.
- Naturally, we had hoped - Yes I had hoped, too.
Miss Carlisle, what can I do for you? I wanted some sandwich paste, Mr.
Turner.
Of course.
Now, what would you like? Salmon, crab and shrimp, ham and tongue? You know, in spite of the names, I always think their taste is rather alike.
Hmm, in a way But, of course, they're tasty.
Very tasty.
I want the salmon, and crab and shrimp.
People used to be rather affraid of eating fish paste, didn't they? Well, there have been cases of ptomaine poisoning.
I can assure you, Miss Carlisle, this is an excellent brand.
I've never had a single complaint.
Of course, I didn't mean anything.
Thank you.
We best hurry, Mary.
Miss Carlisle is expecting us for lunch.
All right.
That's last of the living room here.
What a tangle Have you come across any old gardiner gloves? Hold on.
Hello? Sorry.
Did I give you a fright? I was just getting my other appron.
Of course.
I'm making sandwiches.
I saw Mr.
Winter in the village.
Is he back again so soon? What? No, Roddy is not here.
He's still abroad.
Well, it certainly looked like him.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Yes I'm sorry' there seems to be rather a lot of flies around.
The salmon is for you, Mary.
It's the nearest.
Thank you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
The others are crab and shrimp.
Thank you.
I meant to get some coffe, but I quite forgot in the end.
Well, if there's tea, I can make some.
Oh, yes.
Not for me, but please.
Polly put the kettle on Remember we used to sing that when we were children? Yes, I do.
It is a pitty, isn't it? We can never go back.
Here we are.
It's nice and strong.
- Here we are, Mary.
- Thank you.
This was very thoughtful of you, Miss Carlisle.
It's a nuisance having to break off and go into the village for lunch.
Are you all right, Mary? Just the sandwich was rather bitter.
I hope the paste was all right.
Mine is all right.
Will you have some more tea? Are you sure you won't have a cup, Miss Carlisle? No, thank you.
Then I'll just go and turn off the kettle.
I left in on, in case we wanted to fill the pot up again.
Mary? Yes? Nothing.
I thought I saw a man, outside.
Is there someone here? No.
Only Ted.
It wasn't him.
It's quite hot in here.
Yes, the place heads south.
I tidied up the other plates.
Let me finish these.
Thank you.
Did you hurt yourself? No, it was the rose treaders.
It's quite a jungle there.
I might ask Ted to help us.
Are you all right, Miss Carlisle? You're not looking quite the thing.
Well, I-- I just want all this clearing done.
I'll be up, when I'm finished down here.
So, it's Nellie and Ms.
Markinson for these.
And that poor creature at Ivy Cottage could have some of the night things.
This will be a godsend to them.
I think I'll take them there myself, while Mary gets on with the lodge.
She's gone back there, has she? Mary? No, I left her in the library.
But that was ages ago.
What's she been doing? Mary? Mary? She's fallen asleep.
Come on, my girl.
Wake up.
Mary? I'll have to call Dr.
Lord this moment.
- What's the matter? - The matter? This girl is near death.
I think she's been poisoned.
You have heard? That Elinor Carlisle has been charged with murder? Yes.
- There's something I need to tell you.
- This way.
Ah, Poirot! Have a look at this.
We found it yesterday, just here, where the sandwiches were made.
We can't find any more, but it's been identified as part of a label for morfine.
They shared the tea, so it must be the sandwiches.
Are you aware that a file of morphine disappeared from this house? What? Oui.
Dr.
Lord here just told me of it.
It was in the bag of the nurse.
I'm sure the nurses will confirm it.
So Miss Carlisle had the ample oportunity to take it and use it.
And her motive is clear.
She was destroyed, her fiancé had abandoned her for the deceased.
Of course, there are some difficulties.
Like the fact they all ate the sandwiches.
It is scarcely a difficulty if you read the statements.
Yes, they all ate the sandwiches.
But the poison, it only needed to be in one.
And the favorite of Mary Gerrard, as Elinor Carlisle herself testifies, it was the salmon.
- That's how it was done.
Then there's your anonymous letter, that doesn't really fit.
Why not? Let us supose that Elinor Carlisle was most anxious about the return of Mary Gerrard, for there is much talk of her beauty and she knows that her fiancé and Mary were close in the past.
And that they were bound to meet together here.
So, Elinor Carlisle herself writes the anonymous letter hoping to turn him against Mary.
She wishes him to think that she's a girl (what--?) out for what she can get.
But that does not work, she loses him.
And so she is driven to a crime far more desperate.
But how could she hope to get away wih it? My dear doctor, I am describing a crime of passion! Poirot, Poirot, how could you do that? How could you build a case against Elinor Carlisle? She's not a murderer! - How can you be so certain? - You saw her qualities.
- And I also saw her pain.
- She's not capable of it.
On the contrary.
She's more than capable.
That man in there has no idea of the woman.
My dear doctor, do you suppose I was advancing the case just to help him? Given the facts that I see here, any prosecuting counsel any idiot of a magistrate would come to the conclusions I have, just like that! And I think that it is fair to say that you are partial.
I don't deny it, but she didn't do this.
Please, I'm beging you, help me find the truth.
My dear doctor, you asked for my help, but I do not not think you have been completely honest with me.
I still have my suspicions about the death of Laura Welman.
And I'm going to ask the Police to exhume her body.
And so, I ask you again, to tell me truthfully: What will they find? I don't know.
But possibly morphine Mon Dieu! I do not understand you.
You told to me otherwise.
You made me hold back.
As a friend, you said.
Poirot, please I never dreamt of such a thing.
I thought it was probably natural, but there was another possibility.
I was aware that she might have taken the drug herself.
- You see, she often talked of it.
- So you were playing the merciful doctor, uh? As I said, she talked of it.
Under such circunstances, I didn't wish to cause a scandal by insisting on an autopsy.
However, I must insist that you are now completely honest with me.
You did not giver her the drug at her request? I swear to you I didn't.
I told her myself I had no wish to be hanged, I wouldn't do it.
Very well.
All the same, I wish you had told to me you had those suspicions.
Because if you are right, it can be worse now to Elinor Carlisle than even I could have thought.
So, you do not wish to talk? I made a statement.
I have nothing else to say.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, you are aware of how your silence, it will be constued? It is no matter.
It's such a shock, I can tell you.
- Now, we'll have some tea.
- Merci.
Like I told the Police, Monsieur Poirot, Miss Carlisle was so strange, very strange in her manner.
I'd thought it for days, but that afternoon she was downright odd.
Talking as if didn't know what she was saying her eyes so bright and queer.
And you said that she looked guilty? Oh, yes!She was trembling, before and afterwards.
It was as if she'd been caught out.
And those sandwiches that she made, did they look the same? They were not on different bread? No.
Definitely not, white bread, looked very much the same.
But Mary had the salmon and we had the crab.
When I think of how poor Mary was when we found her She was one of the most beautiful girls I ever saw, Mr.
Poirot.
And not stuck-up, as she could have been.
The old lady had taken a tremendous fancy to her.
Suprising, perhaps? Oh, that depends.
Might be quite natural in one way.
And surely does an elderly person good to have a young face about.
I see.
And there's nothing else? Nothing else at all, that you can tell to me about Mary Gerrard? I don't know of anything.
No, Mary was not poisoned before she came here.
How could she have walked from the lodge? Non Without doubt she was poisoned in this room.
But she and nurse Hopkins shared the tea, so It must have been in the sandwiches.
But Poirot, somebody could easily have entered in here and tempered with them.
There was a figure in the garden, out there.
Perhaps somebody from Mary's past.
Or, what is more likely, someone we know.
I made a statemen to the Policemen, Mr.
Poirot.
I wasn't around this side of the house at all, that day.
I was up, near the road.
- Did you see a figure? - No But I d-- I did see a car.
Hum, parked on the road, early in the afternoon.
And did you recognise the car? N-- no, I don't think so.
I think it was green.
I just can't believe anyone would do such a thing.
And certainly not Miss Carlisle.
Tell me, Monsieur Horlick, you were fond of Mary, were you not? Everyone knows that.
Wasn't the same, when she came back from abroad.
But did she have any enemies? Not that I know.
She was always a bit different, but-- people liked her.
Then, after she came back, nobody knew her so well.
Why is that? She was just changed.
Not stuck-up exactly, just not one of us anymore.
This is for Mary.
"But she is in her grave.
And ! the difference to me.
" Wordsworth.
I read him much.
This poem expresses perhaps what you feel? Yes, expresses widely now what I feel.
If you'd to bring it up.
Pardon.
Please do forgive me, Monsieur Winter.
There are certain things one should not say, but, nevetheless, a detective is forced to say.
Or to ask about the feelings of people.
Well, if it helps Elinor, Poirot, ask what you want.
Merci.
You returned home early from France, I believe? You were seen here on the day of the murder.
Yes, all right, I did come back, but I didn't want Elinor to know.
You see, I decided to ask Mary to marry me.
- And you saw her? - No, I didn't.
You see, she wasn't expecting me, so I decided to wait.
Certainly wasn't goin' to barge into Hunterbury.
I waited here, close to Mary's lodgings.
And, of course, Mary she never came.
I saw an ambulance, Police cars.
People were talking and I've heard what they said.
Couldn't face anyone, so I took a train back into town and waited for news.
Then I learned she was dead.
I felt like-- And you do not think Elinor did this? No, of course not.
The fact they dragged Elinor into this makes it even more tragic.
So, if she escapes the gaolers, you will reconsider your engagement? What do you think I am? Of course not! It is ended.
But I want her to be alright.
She's a very decent person.
- Better than - than you? Is that what you you were going to say? No doubt at all, Poirot.
Several ounces of morphine were found in her body.
It was administered on the day she died.
You're very kind, Mr.
Poirot.
I am happy to answer your questions.
Of course I heard about Mrs.
Welman.
What a terrible thing, too.
And you had no suspicions at that time? Not the least in the world.
So, tell to me, if you please.
Did anyone else enter the room of Madame Welman that night, other than Mademoiselle Carlisle? I never left her side.
Except when Miss Carlisle came in.
Well, she was so bold and clever, that one.
So why would she have wanted to do it? For the money, that's why! She knew quite well if she didn't do it, every penny would go to Mary Gerrard.
And that's the truth.
So Mary Gerrard was a girl who was scheming and clever? No! Oh, that's a terrible thing to say.
Mrs.
Welman adored her.
She was a very sweet girl.
But not one of us.
Pardon She was an only child? Is it possible pehaps that she had been adopted? What? No, certainly not.
I must say, this is a lovely cake.
She made a will, is that correct? Awful, awful to think of it now.
Nurse Hopkins and I advised her it was a good thing to do.
We thought she should, since she had expectations.
But I wish we'd never mentioned it now, I do.
So the 7000 pounds goes to her aunt.
She has no family here? Just her mother's sister nursing at New Zeland.
I've written to the old lady.
What a terrible shock it will be, too.
So will Miss Carlisle be hanged? If she is found guilty.
"Mrs.
Welman, whose money went to Elinor Carlisle, "was murdered by morphine.
Mary Gerrard, who came between Elinor Carlisle and her fiancé, was murdered by morphine.
And nobody in the world had the slightest motive to commit these murders, other than the acused.
No one had the slightest opportunity, other than the accused.
And this vengeful woman.
who openly whished her victim dead to more than one witness, never expressed the slightest remorse Gentlemen of the jury, what is your verdict? Guilty.
Elinor Carlisle, you're sentenced to be taken hence to the prison in which you were last confined and from there to a place of execution where you'll be hanged from the neck until dead.
And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.
Monsieur Poirot Mademoiselle, please be careful as you go.
Of course "Appeal Denied Hanging in five Days" I will admit that I've not been sleeping very well, but last night finally I sleep.
And I dream I dream I dream of the victim, as she was at first.
On the street, outside of my hotel.
A girl so lovely, the favorite of Madame Welman.
A girl who is liked by everyone, and yet she's still a mystery.
And then-- then I wake up and I recalled something.
What? Uh it is detail, in fact it is half a detail, one twentieth of a detail, but yes, my friend, it worries me.
Something nurse Hopkins said concerning Mary.
What about her? Yes.
What about her? What is behind her? - You are not making sense.
- Then suddenly I see there's something that the good nurse Hopkins she does not wish me to know.
Something she thinks has no baring on the crime, but I believe that it may.
But surely she would realize that.
Non.
My dear doctor, nurse Hopkins is a woman of high inteligence, within her limitations.
But her intelect is hardly equal with that of mine.
She might not see it, but Hercule Poirot, he would.
And suddenly, that raises in my mind so many questions.
No, I was right before.
Something here is crooked.
But, doctor, time is short.
There is something I need from you, it is a book, how does it call itself, a book which describes the various medicines you prescribe? - A formulary? - Oui, c'est ça!I must borrow it.
Merci.
When I visited you before, I said it was surprising how Madame Welman favored Mary Gerrard you said it was only natural.
And I thought that you merely talking about the friendship, that it was natural.
And then, I think again of Mary and I hear that word again " natural" and I see that you used it deliberatly.
Oh, I know it.
And now you must tell to me why.
Nurse O'Brien and I had both heard crying out about something in her past.
There was a man called Lewis.
But we both knew there was much more to it than that.
And then I found this in the lodge, after Mary had died.
It is Madame Welman? And the baby? It's Mary Gerrard.
So Mary was the illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman It's a sad story, as you'll see from the letter.
The man couldn't marry her, he had his own family.
Sometime later, he was killed in the western front.
The Gerrards had no children.
Mrs.
Welman went to Scotland and took Mrs.
Gerrard with her, where the baby was born.
Naturally she payed for Mary schooling and told them she would provide for her.
But she couldn't admit the truth.
She had to avoid the scandal.
But, at last, Mary becomes clearer.
But what sadness.
"So, dear Mary, for all theses years I had to keep this secret "from the girl I brought up, and such a hardship that has been.
" Of course, we had suspected this much.
Nurse intimated she knew, but What's the point of it coming out now? I was going to destroy this.
As I said before, Mr.
Poirot, let the dead rest in peace.
Non.
Not when one has to consider the living.
Mademoiselle Carlisle, you would say nothing before.
But now I know a little more.
I want to help you and I believe I can.
But you must answer some questions about that day, I beg of you.
- Why? Is there any p-- - --purpose? Yes, of course there's a purpose.
Please.
Now, just tell it to me, from the very beginning.
Firstly, why did you give time off to the servants? I was upset.
I wanted to be alone.
And, when you made the sandwiches, did you see anyone outside? No.
Right.
Then you went to sort through some things of your aunt.
Did you discover anything that afected you.
Any private matters concearning your aunt? What? No.
Well, then, you took Mary and nurse Hopkins into the library where you gave them the sandwiches.
What was Mary doing when you left her? She was on the sofa.
She seemed normal.
Now, each detail, if you please.
I went down to the pantry.
Nurse was there doing the washing up.
She said she'd seen a man in the garden, I didn't see anything.
What then did you you talk of? I don't know.
Oh yes, the rose treaders by the lodge.
She had a mark in her arm, where the thorn had scratched her.
And then it all came back to me.
When we were children, Roddy and I, we kept having this quarrel about the War of the Roses.
He liked the white roses I said they weren't real, because they didn't even smell.
I preferred red, because they were big and dark and smelled like Summer.
Then I realized something, yes, I did There was no reason to kill Mary, because Roddy would never have stayed with me.
When I went When you went back, Mary was dying.
You might as well ask me then: did I intend to kill Mary Gerrard.
Non, non, Mademoiselle.
Now, please do forgive me.
I have very little time.
You told me all that I need.
And there are some things I still do not wish to know.
Monsieur Horlick, enter if you please.
Mr.
Poirot, I'm sorry.
There's something I need to say in private.
Sr.
Horlick, you see before you a miserable animal, who has been a triple imbecil.
- I am 36 times an idiot.
- Sir? Forgive me, I have discovered something in a way that is most painful.
Hideously painful, but very important.
Pardon.
Ca suffit.
No matter.
Please, do seat.
Tell to me what you wish to say.
It concearns Dr.
Lord, sir.
If you do not agree, I will go higher.
I wish you to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.
- I'll do what I can, sir.
- It will have to be tomorrow.
Very well.
Poirot, you realize we have less than a day and a night? Why did you ask me here? Because I wanted to show you this.
- The Zéphrine Rose.
- So? Isn't that Mr.
Winter? What's going on? What did Elinor say? I will tell it to you.
She told me of a quarrel a long time ago.
And how she and Monsieur Winter were in different sides.
And it made it very clear to me how she fell in love a long time ago with a man who could not return her feeling.
And so, doctor, I began to see through all the lies that have been told to me.
Who has lied to you? Everyone.
Particularly you.
But, at last, the matter it is almost concluded, for I've made a trap.
Shall we go back to the house? I had a message from the Inspector, Poirot.
Can you tell me what's this all about? It strikes as very unpleasant.
I never wanted to see this room again.
- I am not surprised.
- What does that mean? Gentlemen, please.
I have concluded that nothing in this matter is what it seems.
Firstly, we have heard that, on the day on the murder it was seen in the garden, a man very tall and resembled to you, Monsieur Winter.
I told you I never came here.
So, would you be surprised to learn of the will of Mademoiselle Carlisle.
I established last night that it is everything to you.
I swear I had no idea.
So, perhaps you stood outside and observed her making the sandwiches and thought that they were for her.
Alors, had she died, you'd be a man very rich.
This is outrageous! I told I never came into the grounds.
However, if she was hanged, you would be equally rich.
So, let us assume, as did the trial, that the murder, it was successful.
It is easy to imagine, you or another, being aware that Elinor Carlisle intended to invite Mary Gerrard here and also to know that the preference of Mary was for the salmon paste.
Both these things, they were well known.
- Oh, you're including me? - I include everyone.
Now this person has the file of morphine.
And the chance it comes And this is what he finds.
The sandwiches.
One of salmon paste, the other two of shrimp and crab.
Alors, our murderer approaches the sandwiches.
And, at once, he observes that the colour and the texture are identical.
So, which one is the salmon paste? No, there's no way on earth he could distinguish by smell.
So, what can this person do? I am affraid that there's only one thing that he can do.
He tastes.
It was bad enough the first time But then, suddenly, I realized how stupid I had been! I, Hercule Poirot, had followed my reasoning, yes, but I had failed to take into account the madness of the English palate.
For, gentlemen, what do we find? What we find is that we are entering into the realms of lunacy.
I do not care if our murderer had the palate of a master-chef.
He could never distiguish between theses two slurries.
No,it is a fact.
These sandwiches are all but indistinguishable.
Then I came to the conclusion.
I, Hercule Poirot, do not care what was said at the trial.
This could never, ever, be the pratical method of murder.
So Elinor Carlisle did not poison the sandwich? - No, she did not.
- Who did? Nobody.
- So it was an accident? - Non, non She was murdered, but not by these disgusting sandwiches.
I said just now that everyone had lied to me, uh? For example, the man that nurse Hopkins saw outside here.
- She was lying? - Non, non, non.
Indeed, she was not.
And you know that, Dr.
Lord, because you are aware of who it was.
It was you.
Monsieur Horlick recognised your car, but did not want to say so in front of you.
So, last night, he came to the hotel to tell it to me.
So, here is yet another lie, uh? But why? Was it because you feared for Elinor Carlisle? Was it your heart I could forgive? Or something much more sinister? All right, all right.
I would have done anything to protect her.
I was just a fool to think I could deceive you.
Oui.
Either a fool or something worse.
Please, to remain.
I will return.
Do you believe in ghosts? No, of course not.
I had a message to come here.
Oui.
As you know, someone entered this room on the last night that Madame Welman was alive and gave to her the morphine.
You told to the court that you never left the side of your patient during that evening, except when Mademoiselle Carlisle was present.
She was the accused, so no person could challenge you.
But it is a fact that Mr.
Winter entered this room when you were making the tea, and perhaps others.
Maybe I was out a few times.
That's no crime.
That is not your only lie.
When I asked you if Mary Gerrard was adopted, you denied it.
Why did you not tell to me the truth? What? That? But it has no baring.
No baring? You suppose the fact that Mary Gerrard being illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman has no baring on this? Elinor Carlisle only inherited the money because she was the nearest next of kin.
Now it emerges that she was not.
At that point, Mary Gerrard stood to inherit 200 thousand pounds.
Ah, so that's it! It was another motive for Miss Carlisle to do away with her.
On the contrary.
It was no motive at all.
Such an action, it would have been pointless, since Mary Gerrard had already made a will.
Was it you who told her to do that? We talked about it.
What are you saying, Mr.
Poirot? That someone other than Elinor Carlisle beneficts from her death.
This came to me yesterday and then I began to think again about the anonimous letter designed to breed the distress between Mary Gerrard and Elinor Carlisle.
And suddenly the light, it began to dawm about, amongst other things, New Zealand.
Excuse me.
Well, Mr Poirot, so long as you wanted me here, I thought I'd make us a cup of tea.
Oh! Thank you.
You're most kind.
And now, perhaps you'd tell me what this is about.
The truth is, nurse Hopkins, I brought you here to talk about this rose.
It is the rose of the treader from the lodge.
You were pricked, I believe, by its thorn.
Yes.
But, as you can quite well regard the Zephirine Rose it has no thorn.
Well, then it was a nail from the treaders.
I thought it was a thorn.
It was sharp enough too.
- Your tea.
- Merci.
Quite so A mistake Tell me, you have lived in New Zealand? How would you discover that? Mind you.
It is known.
Is it? The truth is, I have tried to discover it myself, but without any success.
It little matters.
But I did have a little more success in discovering your real name.
Your first name is Mary, the same as Mary Gerrard.
And your surname is Riley, the same as her adoptive mother.
Poor Mary, she did never guess who you really were, did she? And that letter you showed me, you never discovered it here at the lodge.
Non, that was a letter you received.
You know, at the time I thought the writing was rather strange.
"And so, dear Mary, "I have had to keep this secret from the girl I brought up.
" So why would the writer address her daughter directly as Mary and then proceed to talk about her in the third person? Because it was not a mother writing to her daughter at all.
Non.
It was a mother writing to her sister, confessing the secret ot the true parentage of her adopted daughter.
Yes, it was your letter, sent to you, her aunt in New Zealand.
And this planted a temptation which grew.
What temptation? The temptation of a big inheritance.
And it was for that reason that you came here.
You tried to store her feelings against Mary with your poisonous pen, the anonimous letter.
You killed Madame Welman, knowing that she had made no will and even tricked poor Mary into making a will in favour of her kind aunt in New Zealand, encouraged by the postcards and presents which you arranged.
Oh yes, she was named after you and yet you killed her.
Later, you would release that sad letter, ensuring that the settlement would change.
And, from a safe distance, clame your money.
This is a strange sort of fiction, Mr.
Poirot.
But, so long as you finish your tea, I'll wash up.
But I still worried about the scrap of label that they discovered here.
Oh, certainly it said morphine, but there was one bit that did not quite fit, uh? The small "m".
Why not the capital? And eventually I realized that it was only part of the name of the drug that they discovered.
It was incomplete and not for morphine at all.
And I searched, and searched and, at last, I discovered a drug of great interest.
Apomorphine! An emetic.
Yes, an emetic, Mr.
Poirot.
Apomorphine makes you vomit.
If you are poisoned and than inject that, you vomit quite enough to expell the poison.
And so it was the tea.
You poisoned it, you drank it with Mary.
A little while later, Elinor Carlisle find you with a prick from the needdle in your arm, standing over basin where you'd been so sick.
And now, I have to do it again.
The poison's safely washed up, though luckily I had much less than you.
Not morphine this time, something nastier.
But nobody will quite know how it entered your system.
And there's no trace of it.
Oh, but my dear lady, there is.
You see I hate, and always have hated, tea.
And here is your emetic.
I removed it from your bag.
Give me that! Come on, lads! You filthy foreigner! There was no way they could've found out! Poirot, come now.
We have a car waiting.
We need to hurry.
There's no time to waste.
And Dr.
Lord also, if you please.
I think you will be needed.
Monsieur Winter.
This is for you.
It is from the lodge and it saved your life.
You have been acquitted.
You are free to go.
But-- There is someone outside who will explain to you everything.
Amongst other things, who it was that wrote to you your letter.
And it is to him that you should give the thanks.
Monsieur Poirot, you know what I told you.
I-- Mademoiselle Carlisle, wanting a death is no crime.
Bon? Now go May I take you home? Yes.