“Oh! of course–that makes a difference.
It’s not like the police.” “No, no. I am not at all like the police.
That would not have done at all.” “Oh, no. Dear Miss Arundell was such a proud woman. Of course, there had been trouble before with Charles, but it was always hushed up. Once, I believe, he had to go to Australia!” “Just so,” said Poirot. “Now the facts of the case were as follows, were they not?
Miss Arundell had a sum of money in a drawer–” He paused. Miss Lawson hastened to confirm his statement.
“Yes–from the Bank. For the wages, you know, and the books.” “And how much was missing exactly?” “Four pound notes. No, no, I am wrong, three pound notes and two ten shilling notes.
One must be exact, I know, very exact, in such matters.” Miss Lawson looked at him earnestly and absent-mindedly knocked her pince-nez a little further awry. Her rather prominent eyes seemed to goggle at him.
“Thank you, Miss Lawson. I see you have an excellent business sense.” Miss Lawson bridled a little and uttered a deprecatory laugh.
“Miss Arundell suspected, no doubt with reason, that her nephew Charles was responsible for this theft,” went on Poirot.
“Yes.” “Although there was no particular evidence to show who actually took the money?” “Oh, but it must have been Charles! Mrs.
Tanios wouldn’t do such a thing, and her husband was quite a stranger and wouldn’t have known where the money was kept– neither of them would. And I don’t think Theresa Arundell would dream of such a thing. She’s got plenty of money and always so beautifully dressed.” “It might have been one of the servants,” Poirot suggested.
Miss Lawson seemed horrified by the idea.
“Oh, no, indeed, neither Ellen nor Annie would have dreamed of such a thing. They are both most superior women and absolutely honest I am sure.” Poirot waited a minute or two. Then he said: “I wonder if you can give me any idea— I am sure you can, for if any one possessed Miss ArundelFs confidence you did—” Miss Lawson murmured confusedly: “Oh, I don’t know about that, I’m sure—” But she was clearly flattered.
“I feel that you will be able to help me.” “Oh, I’m sure, if I can—anything I can do—” Poirot went on: “This is in confidence—” A sort of owlish expression appeared on Miss Lawson’s face. The magical words “in confidence” seemed to be a kind of Open sesame.
“Have you any idea of the reason which caused Miss Arundell to alter her will?” “Her will? Oh—her will?” Miss Lawson seemed slightly taken aback.
Poirot said, watching her closely: “It is true, is it not, that she made a new will shortly before her death, leaving all her fortune to you?” “Yes, but I knew nothing about it. Nothing at all!” Miss Lawson was shrill in protest.
“It was the greatest surprise to me! A wonderful surprise, of course 1 So good of dear Miss Arundell. And she never even gave me a hint. Not the smallest hinti I was so taken aback, when Mr. Pur vis read it out, I didn’t know where to look, or whether to laugh or cryl I assure you, M. Poirot, the shock of it–the shock, you know. The kindness–the wonderful kindness of dear Miss Arundell.
Of course, I’d hoped, perhaps, for just a little something–perhaps just a teeny, teeny legacy–though of course, there was no reason she should have left me even that. I’d not been with her so very long. But this– it was like–it was like a fairy story 1 Even now I can’t quite believe in it, if you know what I mean. And sometimes–well, sometimes–I don’t feel altogether comfortable about it. I mean–well, I mean–” She knocked off her pince-nez, picked them up, fumbled with them and went on even more incoherently: “Sometimes I feel that–well, flesh and blood is flesh and blood after all, and I don’t feel quite comfortable at Miss Arundell’s leaving all her money away from her family. I mean, it doesn’t seem right, does it? Not all of it. Such a large fortune, too! Nobody had any idea! But–well–it does make one feel uncomfortable–and every one saying things, you know–and I’m sure I’ve never been an ill-natured woman! I mean I wouldn’t have dreamed of influencing Miss Arundell in any way! And it’s not as though I could, either. Truth to tell, I was always just a teeny weeny bit afraid of her! She was so sharp, you know, so inclined to jump on you. And quite rude sometimes! ‘Don’t be a downright fool,’ she’d snap. And really, after all, I had my feelings and sometimes I’d feel quite upset.