V
Nothing like a wood fire,” said Colonel Johnson as he threw on an additional log and then drew
his chair nearer to the blaze. “Help yourself,” he added, hospitably calling attention to the tantalus
and siphon that stood near his guest’s elbow.
The guest raised a polite hand in negation. Cautiously he edged his own chair nearer to the
blazing logs, though he was of the opinion that the opportunity for roasting the soles of one’s feet
like some mediaeval torture) did not offset the cold draught that swirled round the back of the
shoulders.
Colonel Johnson, Chief Constable of Middleshire, might be of the opinion that nothing could
beat a wood fire, but Hercule Poirot was of the opinion that central heating could and did every
time
Amazing business that Cartwright case,” remarked the host reminiscently. “Amazing man
Enormous charm of manner. Why, when he came here with you, he had us all eating out of his
hand.
He shook his head.
We’ll never have anything like that case!” he said. “Nicotine poisoning is rare, fortunately.
There was a time when you would have considered all poisoning unEnglish,” suggested
Hercule Poirot. “A device of foreigners! Unsportsmanlike
I hardly think we could say that,” said the chief constable. “Plenty of poisoning by arsenic
probably a good deal more than has ever been suspected.
Possibly, yes.
Always an awkward business, a poisoning case,” said Johnson. “Conflicting testimony of
the experts—then doctors are usually so extremely cautious in what they say. Always a difficult
case to take to a jury. No, if one must have murder (which heaven forbid!) give me a
straightforward case. Something where there’s no ambiguity about the cause of death.
Poirot nodded.
The bullet wound, the cut throat, the crushed-in skull? It is there your preference lies
Oh, don’t call it a preference, my dear fellow. Don’t harbour the idea that I like murder
cases! Hope I never have another. Anyway, we ought to be safe enough during your visit.
Poirot began modestly
My reputation
But Johnson had gone on.
Christmastime,” he said. “Peace, goodwill—and all that kind of thing. Goodwill all round.
Hercule Poirot leaned back in his chair. He joined his fingertips. He studied his host
thoughtfully.
He murmured: “It is, then, your opinion that Christmastime is an unlikely season for crime
That’s what I said.
Why
Why?” Johnson was thrown slightly out of his stride. “Well, as I’ve just said—season of
good cheer, and all that
Hercule Poirot murmured
The British, they are so sentimental
Johnson said stoutly: “What if we are? What if we do like the old ways, the old traditional
festivities? What’s the harm
There is no harm. It is all most charming! But let us for a moment examine facts. You have
said that Christmas is a season of good cheer. That means, does it not, a lot of eating and drinking
It means, in fact, the overeating! And with the overeating there comes the indigestion! And with
the indigestion there comes the irritability
Crimes,” said Colonel Johnson, “are not committed from irritability.
I am not so sure! Take another point. There is, at Christmas, a spirit of goodwill. It is, as you
say, ‘the thing to do.’ Old quarrels are patched up, those who have disagreed consent to agree once
more, even if it is only temporarily.
Johnson nodded.
Bury the hatchet, that’s right.
Poirot pursued his theme
And families now, families who have been separated throughout the year, assemble once
more together. Now under these conditions, my friend, you must admit that there will occur a
great amount of strain. People who do not feel amiable are putting great pressure on themselves to
appear amiable! There is at Christmastime a great deal of hypocrisy, honourable hypocrisy
hypocrisy undertaken pour le bon motif, c’est entendu, but nevertheless hypocrisy
Well, I shouldn’t put it quite like that myself,” said Colonel Johnson doubtfully.
Poirot beamed upon him.
No, no. It is I who am putting it like that, not you. I am pointing out to you that under these
conditions—mental strain, physical malaise—it is highly probable that dislikes that were before
merely mild and disagreements that were trivial might suddenly assume a more serious character.
The result of pretending to be a more amiable, a more forgiving, a more high-minded person than
one really is, has sooner or later the effect of causing one to behave as a more disagreeable, a more
ruthless and an altogether more unpleasant person than is actually the case! If you dam the stream
of natural behaviour, mon ami, sooner or later the dam bursts and a cataclysm occurs
Colonel Johnson looked at him doubtfully.
Never know when you’re serious and when you’re pulling my leg,” he grumbled.
Poirot smiled at him.
I am not serious! Not in the least am I serious! But all the same, it is true what I say
artificial conditions bring about their natural reaction.
Colonel Johnson’s manservant entered the room.
Superintendent Sugden on the phone, sir.
Right. I’ll come.
With a word of apology the chief constable left the room.
He returned some three minutes later. His face was grave and perturbed.
Damn it all!” he said. “Case of murder! On Christmas Eve, too
Poirot’s eyebrows rose.
It is that definitely—murder, I mean
Eh? Oh, no other solution possible! Perfectly clear case. Murder—and a brutal murder at
that
Who is the victim
Old Simeon Lee. One of the richest men we’ve got! Made his money in South Africa
originally. Gold—no, diamonds, I believe. He sunk an immense fortune in manufacturing some
particular gadget of mining machinery. His own invention, I believe. Anyway, it’s paid him hand
over fist! They say he’s a millionaire twice over.
Poirot said: “He was well-liked, yes
Johnson said slowly
Don’t think anyone liked him. Queer sort of chap. He’s been an invalid for some years now.
I don’t know very much about him myself. But of course he is one of the big figures of the
county.
So this case, it will make a big stir
Yes. I must get over to Longdale as fast as I can.
He hesitated, looking at his guest. Poirot answered the unspoken question
You would like that I should accompany you
Johnson said awkwardly
Seems a shame to ask you. But, well, you know how it is! Superintendent Sugden is a good
man, none better, painstaking, careful, thoroughly sound—but—well, he’s not an imaginative
chap in any way. Should like very much, as you are here, benefit of your advice.
He halted a little over the end part of his speech, making it somewhat telegraphic in style.
Poirot responded quickly.
I shall be delighted. You can count on me to assist you in any way I can. We must not hurt
the feelings of the good superintendent. It will be his case—not mine. I am only the unofficial
consultant.
Colonel Johnson said warmly
You’re a good fellow, Poirot.
With those words of commendation, the two men started out.
