“I turned in very quickly. I think I heard a kind of splash just as I was dropping off to sleep. Nothing else.” “You heard a kind of splash? Near at hand?” Fanthorp shook his head, “Really, I couldn’t say. I was half asleep.” “And what time would that be?” “It might have been about one o’clock. I can’t really say.” “Thank you, Mr. Fanthorp. That is all.’ Poirot turned his attention to Cornelia.
“And now, Miss Robson? Your full name?” “Cornelia Ruth. And my address is The Red House, Bellfield, Connecticut.” “What brought you to Egypt?” “Cousin Marie, Miss Van Schuyler, brought me along on a trip.’ “Had you ever met Mrs. Doyle previous to this journey?” “No, never.” “And what did you do last night?” “I went right to bed after helping Dr. Bessner with Mr. Doyle’s leg.”
“Your cabin is–?” “41 on the port sidc right next door to Miss de Bellefort.” “And did you hear anything?” Cornelia shook her head. “I didn’t hear a thing.” “No splash?” “No, but then I wouldn’t, because the boat’s against the bank on my side.” Poirot nodded.
“Thank you, Miss Robson. Now perhaps you will be so kind as to ask Miss Bowers to come here.” Fanthorp and Cornelia went out.
“That seems clear enough,” said Race. “Unless three independent witnesses are lying, Jacqueline de Bellefort couldn’t have got hold of the pistol. But somebody did. And somebody overheard the scene. And somebody was B.F. enough to write a big J on the wall.” There was a tap on the door and Miss Bowers entered.
The hospital nurse sat down in her usual composed efficient manner. In answer to Poirot she gave her name, address, and qualifications, adding: “I’ve been looking after Miss Van Schuyler for over two years now.” “Is Miss Van Schuyler’s health very bad?” “Why, no, I wouldn’t say that,” said Miss Bowers. “She’s not very young and she’s nervous about herself and she likes to have a nurse around handy. There’s nothing serious the matter with her. She just likes plenty of attention and she’s willing to pay for it.” Poirot nodded comprehendingly. Then he said: “I understand that Miss Robson fetched you last night?” “Why, yes, that’s so.” “Will you tell me exactly what happened?” “Well, Miss Robson just gave me a brief outline of what had occurred and I came along with her. I found Miss de Bellefort in a very excited hysterical condition.” “Did she utter any threats against Mrs. Doyle?” “No, nothing of that kind. She was in a condition of morbid self-reproach.
She’d taken a good deal of alcohol, I should say, and she was suffering from reaction. I didn’t think she ought to be left. I gave her a shot of morphia and sat up with her.” “Now, Miss Bowers, I want you to answer this. Did Miss de Bellefort leave her cabin at all?” “No, she did not.” “And you yourself?.” “I stayed with her until early this morning.” “You are quite sure of that.” “Absolutely sure.” “Thank you, Miss Bowers.” The nurse went out. The two men looked at each other.
Jacqueline de Bellefort was definitely Cleared of the crime. Who then had shot Linnet Doyle?
CHAPTER 13
Race said: “Some one pinched the pistol. It wasn’t Jacqueline de Bellefort. Some one knew enough to feel certain that his crime would be attributed to her. But that some one did not know that a hospital nurse was going to give her morphia and sit up with her all night. Add one thing more. Some one had already attempted to kill
Linnet Doyle by rolling a boulder over the el—that sme one was not Jacqueline de Bellefort. Who was it!”
Poirot said: “It will be simpler to say who it could not have been. Neither Mr. Doyle,
Mrs. Allerton, Mr. Tim A]lerton, Miss Van Schuyler nor Miss Bowers could have had anything to do with it. They were all within my sight.”
“H’m,” said Race, “that leaves rather a large field. What about motive?”
“That is where I hope Mr. Doyle may be able to help us. There have been several incidents–”
The door opened and Jacqueline de Bellefort entered.