“And by our former reasoning, it must be one of the passengers,” said M. Bouc. “We come back to where we were. Which of them?”
Poirot smiled.
“I have made a list,” he said. “If you like to see it, it will perhaps refresh your memory.”
The doctor and M. Bouc pored over the list together. It was written out neatly in a methodical manner in the order in which the passengers had been interviewed.
HECTOR MACQUEEN, American subject, Berth No. 6, Second Class.
Motive—Possibly arising out of association with dead man?
Alibi—From midnight to 2 A.M. (Midnight to 1.30 vouched for by Col. Arbuthnot, and 1. 15 to 2 vouched for by conductor.)
Evidence against him—None.
Suspicious circumstances—None.
CONDUCTOR PIERRE MICHEL, French subject.
Motive—None.
Alibi—From midnight to 2 A.M. (Seen by H. P. in corridor at same time as voice spoke from Ratchett’s compartment at 12.37. From 1 A.M. to 1.16 vouched for by other two conductors.)
Evidence against him—None.
Suspicious circumstances—The Wagon Lit uniform found is a point in his favor since it seems to have been intended to throw suspicion on him.
EDWARD MASTERMAN, English subject, Berth No. 4, Second Class.
Motive—Possibly arising out of connection with deceased, whose valet he was.
Alibi—From midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by Antonio Foscarelli.)
Evidence against him of suspicious circumstances—None, except that he is the only man of the right height or size to have worn the Wagon Lit uniform. On the other hand, it is unlikely that he speaks French well.
MRS. HUBBARD, American subject, Berth No. 3, First Class.
Motive—None.
Alibi—From midnight to 2 A.M.—None.
Evidence against her or suspicious circumstances—Story of man in her compartment is substantiated by the evidence of Hardman and that of the woman Schmidt.
GRETA OHLSSON, Swedish subject, Berth No. 10, Second Class.
Motive—None.
Alibi—From midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by Mary Debenham.)
Note: Was last to see Ratchett alive.
PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF, Naturalised French subject, Berth No. 14, First Class.
Motive—Was intimately acquainted with Armstrong family, and godmother to Sonia Armstrong.
Alibi—from midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by conductor and maid.)
Evidence against her or suspicious circumstances—None.
COUNT ANDRENYI, Hungarian subject, Diplomatic passport, Berth No. 13, First Class.
Motive—None.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by conductor—this does not cover period from 1 to 1.15.)
COUNTESS ANDRENYI, As above, Berth 12.
Motive—None.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M Took trional and slept. (Vouched for by husband. Trional bottle in her cupboard.)
COLONEL ARBUTHNOT, British subject, Berth No. 15, First Class.
Motive—None.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. Talked with MacQueen till 1.30. Went to own compartment and did not leave it. (Substantiated by MacQueen and conductor.)
Evidence against him or suspicious circumstances—Pipe-cleaner.
CYRUS HARDMAN, American subject, Berth No. 16.
Motive—None known.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. Did not leave compartment. (Substantiated by conductor except for period 1 to 1.15.)
Evidence against him or suspicious circumstances—None.
ANTONIO FOSCARELLI, American subject (Italian by birth), Berth No. 5, Second Class.
Motive—None known.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by Edward Masterman.)
Evidence against him or suspicious circumstances—None, except that weapon used might be said to suit his temperament (Vide M. Bouc.)
MARY DEBENHAM, British subject, Berth No. 11, Second Class.
Motive—None
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by Greta Ohlsson.)
Evidence against him or suspicious circumstances—conversation overheard by H. P., and her refusal to explain it.
HILDEGARDE SCHMIDT, German subject, Berth No. 8, Second Class.
Motive—None.
Alibi—Midnight to 2 A.M. (Vouched for by conductor and her mistress.) Went to bed. Was aroused by conductor at 12.38 approx. and went to mistress.
NOTE:—The evidence of the passengers is supported by the statement of the conductor that no one entered or left Mr. Ratchett’s compartment from midnight to 1 o’clock (when he himself went into the next coach) and from 1.15 to 2 o’clock.
“That document, you understand,” said Poirot, “is a mere précis of the evidence we heard, arranged in that way for convenience.”
With a grimace, M. Bouc handed it back. “It is not illuminating,” he said.
“Perhaps you may find this more to your taste,” said Poirot, with a slight smile as he handed him a second sheet of paper.
2
TEN QUESTIONS
On the paper was written: