She paused, closing her eyes a minute then opened them again.
‘M. Poirot, I am in your hands. They tell me I have not many days to live. I am willing to answer for my action before the good God. Must I answer for it on earth also?’
I hesitated. ‘But the empty bottle, madame,’ I said to gain time.
‘How came that into M. de Saint Alard’s possession?’
‘When he came to say goodbye to me, monsieur, I slipped it into his pocket. I did not know how to get rid of it. I am so infirm that I cannot move about much without help, and finding it empty in my rooms might have caused suspicion. You understand, monsieur – ‘ she drew herself up to her full height – ‘it was with no idea of casting suspicion on M. de Saint Alardl I never dreamed of such a thing. I thought his valet would find an empty bottle and throw it away without question.’
I bowed my head. ‘I comprehend, madame,’ I said.
‘And your decision, monsieur?’
Her voice was firm and unfaltering, her head held as high as ever.
I rose to my feet.
‘Madame,’ I said, ‘I have the honour to wish you good day.
I have made my investigations – and failed! The matter is closed.’
He was silent for a moment, then said quietly: ‘She died just a week later. Mademoiselle Virginie passed through her novitiate, and duly took the veil. That, my friend, is the story. I must admit that I do not make a fine figure in it.’ ‘But that was hardly a failure,’ I expostulated. ‘What else could you have thought under the circumstances?’ ‘Ah, sacra, rnon ami,’ cried Poirot, becoming suddenly animated.
‘Is it that you do not see? But I was thirty-six times an idiotl My grey cells, they functioned not at all. The whole time I had the true clue in my hands.’ ‘What clue?’ ‘The chocolate boxl Do you not see? Would anyone in possession of their full eyesight make such a mistake? I knew Madame Droulard had cataract – the atropine drops told me that. There was only one person in the household whose eyesight was such that she could not see which lid to replace. It was the chocolate box that started me on the track, and yet up to the end I failed consistently to perceive its real significancel ‘Also my psychology was at fault. Had M. de Saint Alard been the criminal, he would never have kept an incriminating bottle.
Finding it was a proof of his innocence. I had learned already from Mademoiselle Virginie that he was absent-minded. Altogether it was a miserable affair that I have recounted to you there! Only to you have I told the story. You comprehend, I do not figure well in it! An old lady commits a crime in such a simple and clever fashion that I, Hercule Poirot, am completely deceived. $apristi! It does not bear thinking of! Forget it. Or no – remember it, and if you think at any time that I am growing conceited – it is not likely, but it might arise.’ I concealed a smile.
‘Eh bien, my friend, you shall say to me, “Chocolate box”. Is it agreed?’ ‘It’s a bargainl’ ‘After all,’ said Poirot reflectively, ‘it was an experience! I, who have undoubtedly the finest brain in Europe at present, can afford to be magnanimousl’ ‘Chocolate box,’ I murmured gently.
‘Pardon, mon ami?’
I looked at Poirot’s innocent face, as he bent forward inquiringly, and my heart smote me. I had suffered often at his hands, but I, too, though not possessing the finest brain in Europe, could afford to be magnanimous!
‘Nothing,’ I lied, and lit another pipe, smiling to myself.
CHAPTER XI THE SUBMARINE PLANS
A note had been brought by special messenger. Poirot read it, and a gleam of excitement and interest came into his eyes as he did so.
He dismissed the man with a few curt words and then turned to me.
‘Pack a bag with all haste, my friend. We’re going down to Sharpies.’
I started at the mention of the famous country place of Lord Alloway. Head of the newly formed Ministry of Defence, Lord Alloway was a prominent member of the Cabinet. As Sir Ralph Curtis, head of a great engineering firm, he had made his mark in the House of Commons, and he was now freely spoken of as the coming man, and the one most likely to be asked to form a ministry should the turnouts as to Mr David MacAdam’s health prove well founded.