فصل 08

CHAPTER EIGHT

The List

‘Here you are.’ Japp took some pages out of his pocket. Poirot took them and began to read.

James Ryder

Pockets: handkerchief; wallet with seven one pound notes; three business cards; letter from partner George Ebermann hoping that the loan has been successfully negotiated…’; cigarette-case; book of matches; keys; French and English coins.

Briefcase: documents about his cement business.

Dr Bryant

Pockets: two handkerchiefs; wallet with 20 pounds and 500 francs; French and English coins; diary; fountain-pen: keys.

Norman Gale

Pockets: handkerchief; wallet with 1 pound and 600 francs; coins; business cards; Bryant & May matchbox - empty; lighter, pipe and tobacco; door key.

Small briefcase: white coat; two dental mirrors; The Strand Magazine.

Armand Dupont

Pockets: wallet with 10 pounds and 1000 francs; reading glasses; French coins; cotton handkerchief; cigarettes; book of matches.

Small briefcase: speech to Royal Asiatic Society; two archaeological books; photographs of pottery; pottery pipe stems (Kurdish).

Jean Dupont

Pockets: wallet with 5 pounds and 300 francs; cigarette-case; lighter; two pencils; notebook; French coins.

Daniel Clancy

Pockets: handkerchief; fountain-pen; wallet with 4 pounds and 100 francs; newspaper articles on recent crimes; four pencils; pen-knife; notebook; Italian, French, and English coins; hotel bill - Naples; keys.

Coat pocket: European railway timetable; pair of socks; toothbrush; hotel bill - Paris.

Miss Kerr

Handbag: lipstick; two cigarette-holders: cigarette-case; book of matches; handkerchief; 2 pounds; coins; keys.

Small leather case: make-up; manicure set; washing bag containing toiletries: toothbrush, sponge, toothpowder, soap; novel. Carried Vogue magazine.

Miss Grey

Handbag: lipstick; keys; pencil; cigarette case; book of matches; handkerchief; hotel bill - Le Pinet; French phrasebook; purse with 100 francs and French and English coins.

Coat pocket: six postcards of Paris; handkerchief; tube of aspirin.

Lady Horbury

Handbag: two lipsticks; handkerchief; 6 pounds; French coins; diamond ring; French stamps; two cigarette-holders; lighter; cigarette-case.

Small leather case: make-up; gold manicure set.

Poirot put the pages down and sighed. ‘It is clear to me which person committed the crime. And yet, I cannot see why, or how.’

Japp stared at him. ‘Are you saying that by reading this stuff you’ve got an idea who did it?’

‘I think so.’

Japp grabbed the papers and read them through, passing each page to Fournier as he finished it. Then he stared at Poirot. ‘Are you joking?’

‘No, no.’

Fournier put down the pages. ‘I cannot see that this list helps us.’

‘Not by itself. But add it to certain facts of the case, no? Well, it may be that I am completely wrong.’

‘Well, let’s hear your theory, then,’ said Japp.

‘But, it is only a theory. I hoped to find a certain object on that list, and I have found it. But it belongs to the wrong person. Much is not clear to me, but there are some facts which form an obvious pattern. Do you not agree? Well, let us each work to his own idea. I only have a certain suspicion…’

Japp rose to his feet. ‘I’ll work in London, and you will return to Paris, Fournier, with Monsieur Poirot.’

Fournier shook Poirot’s hand. ‘We will meet at Croydon Airport tomorrow morning, then.’

As the detectives left, Poirot went to a small table and picked up a copy of the Sketch. He turned the pages until he found what he was looking for.

‘Two Sun Worshippers.’ said the headline. Lady Horbury and Mr Raymond Barraclough at he Pinet.’ He looked at the two laughing people in bathing-costumes, their arms around each other. ‘I wonder…’ said Hercule Poirot.