Chapter 16. Poirot Discusses the Case
Everybody looked respectfully at Poirot. Undoubtedly the little man had scored heavily. The Commissary laughed – on a rather hollow note.
“You teach us all our business,” he cried. “M. Poirot knows more than the police.”
Poirot gazed complacently at the ceiling, adopting a mock-modest air.
“What will you; it is my little hobby,” he murmured, “to know things. Naturally I have the time to indulge it. I am not overburdened with affairs.”
“Ah!” said the Commissary shaking his head portentously. “As for me-”
He made an exaggerated gesture to represent the cares that lay on his shoulders.
Poirot turned suddenly to Van Aldin.
“You agree. Monsieur, with this view? you feel certain that the Comte de la Roche is a murderer?”
“Why, it would seem so – yes, certainly.”
Something guarded in the answer made the Examining Magistrate look at the American curiously. Van Aldin seemed aware of his scrutiny and made an effort as though to shake off some preoccupation.
“What about my son-in-law?” he asked. “You have acquainted him with the news? He is in Nice, I understand.”
“Certainly, Monsieur.” The Commissary hesitated, and then murmured very discreetly: “You are doubtless aware, M. Van Aldin, that M. Kettering was also one of the passengers on the Blue Train that night?”
The millionaire nodded.
“Heard it just before I left London,” he vouchsafed laconically.
“He tells us,” continued the Commissary, “that he had no idea his wife was travelling on the train.”
“I bet he hadn't,” said Van Aldin grimly. “It would have been rather a nasty shock to him if he'd come across her on it.”
The three men looked at him questioningly. “I'm not going to mince matters,” said Van Aldin savagely. “No one knows what my poor girl has had to put up with. Derek Kettering wasn't alone. He had a lady with him.”
“Ah?”
“Mirelle – the dancer.”
M. Carrege and the Commissary looked at each other and nodded as though confirming some previous conversation. M. Carrege leaned back in his chair, joined his hands, and fixed his eyes on the ceiling.
“Ah!” he murmured again. “One wondered.” He coughed. “One has heard rumours.”
“The lady,” said M. Caux, “is very notorious.”
“And also,” murmured Poirot softly, “very expensive.”
Van Aldin had gone very red in the face. He leant forward and hit the table a bang with his fist.
“See here,” he cried, “my son-in-law is a damned scoundrel!”
He glared at them, looking from one face another.
“Oh, I know,” he went on. “Good looks and a charming, easy manner. It took me in once upon a time. I suppose he pretended to be broken-hearted when you broke the news to him – that is, if he didn't know it already.”
“Oh, it came as a complete surprise to him. He was overwhelmed.”
“Darned young hypocrite,” said Van Aldin. “Simulated great grief, I suppose?”
“N-no,” said the Commissary cautiously. “I would not quite say that – eh, M. Carrege?”
The Magistrate brought the tips of his fingers together, and half closed his eyes.
“Shock, bewilderment, horror – these things, yes,” he declared judicially. “Great sorrow – no – I should not say that.”
Hercule Poirot spoke once more.
“Permit me to ask, M. Van Aldin, does M. Kettering benefit by the death of his wife?”
“He benefits to the tune of a couple of millions,” said Van Aldin.
“Dollars?”
“Pounds. I settled that sum on Ruth absolutely on her marriage. She made no will and leaves no children, so the money will go to her husband.”
“Whom she was on the point of divorcing,” murmured Poirot. “Ah, yes –
The Commissary turned and looked sharply at him.
“Do you mean-” he began.
“I mean nothing,” said Poirot. “I arrange the facts, that is all.”
Van Aldin stared at him with awakening interest.
The little man rose to his feet.
“I do not think I can be of any further service to you, M. le Juge,” he said politely, bowing to M. Carrege. “You will keep me informed of the course of events? It will be a kindness.”
“But certainly – most certainly.”
Van Aldin rose also.
“You don't want me any more at present?”
“No, Monsieur; we have all the information we need for the moment.”
“Then I will walk a little way with M. Poirot. That is, if he does not object?”
“Enchanted, Monsieur,” said the little min, with a bow.
Van Aldin lighted a large cigar, having offered one to Poirot, who declined it and lit one of his own tiny cigarettes. A man of great strength of character, Van Aldin already appeared to be his everyday, normal once more. After strolling along for a Minute or two in silence, the millionaire spoke:
“I take it, M. Poirot, that you no longer exercise your profession?”
“That is so. Monsieur. I enjoy the world.”
“Yet you are assisting the police in this affair?”
“Monsieur, if a doctor walks along the street and an accident happens, does he say, 'I have retired from my profession, I will continue my walk', when there is some one bleeding to death at his feet? If I had been already in Nice, and the police had sent to me and asked me to assist them, I should have refused. But this affair, the good God thrust it upon me.”
“You were on the spot,” said Van Aldin thoughtfully. “You examined the compartment, did you not?”
Poirot nodded.
“Doubtless you found things that were, shall we say, suggestive to you?”
“Perhaps,” said Poirot.
“I hope you see what I am leading up to?” said Van Aldin. “It seems to me that the case against this Comte de la Roche is perfectly clear, but I am not a fool. I have been watching you for this last hour or so, and I really that for some reason of your own you don't agree with that theory?”
Poirot shrugged his shoulders.
“I may be wrong.”
“So we come to the favour I want to ask you. Will you act in this matter for me?”
“For you personally?”
“That was my meaning.” Poirot was silent for a moment or two.
Then he said:
“You realize what you are asking?”
“I guess so,” said Van Aldin.
“Very well,” said Poirot. “I accept. But in that case, I must have frank answers to my questions.”
“Why, certainly. That is understood.”
Poirot's manner changed. He became suddenly brusque and business-like.
“This question of a divorce,” he said. “It was you who advised your daughter to bring the suit?”
“Yes.”
