'First thing the following morning.'
'Did he think the matter grave?'
'Well, he sent in a hospital nurse the following evening but I think he hoped she would pull through.'
'The – excuse me – the relatives were not sent for?'
Miss Lawson flushed.
'They were notified as soon as possible – that is to say, when Dr Grainger pronounced her to be in danger.'
'What was the cause of the attack? Something she had eaten?'
'No, I don't think there was anything in particular. Dr Grainger said she hadn't been quite as careful in diet as she should have been. I think he thought the attack was probably brought on by a chill. The weather had been very treacherous.'
'Theresa and Charles Arundell had been down that weekend, had they not?'
Miss Lawson pursed her lips together.
'They had.'
'The visit was not a success,' Poirot suggested, watching her.
'It was not.' She added quite spitefully: 'Miss Arundell knew what they'd come for!'
'Which was?' asked Poirot, watching her.
'Money!' snapped Miss Lawson. 'And they didn't get it.'
'No?' said Poirot.
'And I believe that's what Dr Tanios was after too,' she went on.
'Dr Tanios. He was not down that same weekend, was he?'
'Yes, he came down on the Sunday. He only stayed about an hour.'
'Every one seems to have been after poor Miss Arundell's money,' hazarded Poirot.
'I know, it is not very nice to think of, is it?'
'No, indeed,' said Poirot. 'It must have been a shock to Charles and Theresa Arundell that weekend when they learned that Miss Arundell had definitely disinherited them!'
Miss Lawson stared at him.
Poirot said:
'Is that not so? Did she not specifically inform them of the fact?'
'As to that, I couldn't say. I didn't hear anything about it! There wasn't any fuss, or anything, as far as I know. Both Charles and his sister seemed to go away quite cheerful.'
'Ah! possibly I have been misinformed. Miss Arundell actually kept her will in the house, did she not?'
Miss Lawson dropped her pince-nez and stooped to pick them up.
'I really couldn't say. No, I think it was with Mr Purvis.'
'Who was the executor?'
'Mr Purvis was.'
'After the death, did he come over and look through her papers?'
'Yes, he did.'
Poirot looked at her keenly and asked her an unexpected question.
'Do you like Mr Purvis?'
Miss Lawson was flustered.
'Like Mr Purvis? Well, really, that's difficult to say, isn't it? I mean, I'm sure he's a very clever man – that is, a clever lawyer, I mean. But rather a brusque manner! I mean, it's not very pleasant always to have some one speaking to you as though – well, really, I can't explain what I mean – he was quite civil and yet at the same time almost rude, if you know what I mean.'
'A difficult situation for you,' said Poirot sympathetically.
'Yes, indeed, it was.'
Miss Lawson sighed and shook her head.
Poirot rose to his feet.
'Thank you very much, mademoiselle, for all your kindness and help.'
Miss Lawson rose too. She sounded slightly flustered.
'I'm sure there's nothing to thank me for – nothing at all! So glad if I've been able to do anything – if there's anything more I can do -'
Poirot came back from the door. He lowered his voice.
'I think, Miss Lawson, that there is something you ought to be told. Charles and Theresa Arundell are hoping to upset this will.'
A sharp flush of colour came into Miss Lawson's cheek.
'They can't do that,' she said sharply. 'My lawyer says so.'
'Ah,' said Poirot. 'You have consulted a lawyer, then?'
'Certainly. Why shouldn't I?'
'No reason at all. A very wise proceeding. Good-day to you, mademoiselle.'
When we emerged from Clanroyden Mansions into the street Poirot drew a deep breath.
'Hastings, mon ami, that woman is either exactly what she seems or else she is a very good actress.'
'She doesn't believe Miss Arundell's death was anything but natural. You can see that,' I said.
Poirot did not answer. There are moments when he is conveniently deaf. He hailed a taxi.
'Durham Hotel, Bloomsbury,' he told the driver.
Chapter 16
MRS. TANIOS
'A gentleman is looking for you, madam.'
The woman who was writing at a table in the sitting-room of the Durham hotel, turned her head, stood up, and came to meet us.
Mrs Tanios could have been any age over thirty. She was a tall, lean woman of dark hair, inexpressive eyes and a restless face. A fashionable hat was hanging on her had at a weird angle, and she used a bad-looking cotton dress.
'I don't believe -' she started vaguely.
Poirot made a bow.
'I am just coming from a visit at your cousin, Miss Theresa Arundell.'
'Oh, Theresa? Yes?'
'Could you spare a few minutes for a private matter?'
Mrs Tanios looked around. Poirot suggested a leather sofa in a secluded corner. Walking in that direction, we heard a children's voice:
'Mommy, where are you going?'
'That way. Come, go on with your letter, dear.'
The child, a thin girl of about seven years went back to what she was doing.
The corner of the room was deserted. Mrs Tanios sat down, and so did we. She looked questioningly at Poirot.
The detective started:
'It is about your aunt's death.'
'Yes.'
'Miss Arundell changed her will very shortly before her death, leaving all her estate to Miss Wilhelmina Lawson. I would like to know, Mrs Tanios, if you support your cousins in the effort to try to get an annulment of this document.'
'Oh!' Mrs Tanios drew a deep breath. 'But I don't think that's possible, is it? I mean, my husband consulted a lawyer and he seemed to think that it was better not to attempt it.'
'Lawyers, madame, are cautious people. Their advice is usually to avoid litigation at all costs – and no doubt
