'The next day came-but no Bella. She'd made a date with me to meet at the hotel, but she didn't keep it. No sign of her all day. I got more and more anxious. Then came an evening paper with the news.'
'It was awful! I couldn't be sure, of course, but I was terribly afraid. I figured it out that Bella had met Papa Renauld and told him about her and Jack and that he'd insulted her or something like that. We've both got terribly quick tempers.'
'Then all the masked foreigner business came out, and I began to feel more at ease. But it still worried me that Bella hadn't kept her date with me.'
'By the next morning I was so rattled that I'd just got to go and see what I could. First thing, I ran up against you. You know all that… When I saw the dead man, looking so like Jack, and wearing Jack's fancy overcoat, I knew!'
'And there was the identical paper knife-wicked little thing!-that Jack had given Bella! Ten to one it had her finger-marks on it. I can't hope to explain to you the sort of helpless horror of that moment. I only saw one thing clearly-I must get hold of that dagger, and get right away with it before they found out it was gone. I pretended to faint, and while you were away getting water I took the thing and hid it away in my dress.'
'I told you that I was staying at the Hotel du Phare, but of course really I made a beeline back to Calais, and then on to England by the first boat. When we were in mid-Channel I dropped that little devil of a dagger into the sea. Then I felt I could breathe again.'
'Bella was in our digs in London. She looked like nothing on God's earth. I told her what I'd done, and that she was pretty safe for the time being. She stared at me, and then began laughing… laughing… laughing… it was horrible to hear her! I felt that the best thing to do was to keep busy. She'd go mad if she had time to brood on what she'd done. Luckily we got an engagement at once.'
'And then, I saw you and your friend watching us that night… I was frantic. You must suspect, or you wouldn't have tracked us down. I had to know the worst, so I followed you. I was desperate. And then, before I'd had time to say anything, I tumbled to it that it was me you suspected, not Bella! Or at least that you thought I was Bella, since I'd stolen the dagger.'
'I wish, honey, that you could see back to my mind at that moment… you'd forgive me, perhaps. I was so frightened, and muddled, and desperate… All I could get clearly was that you would try and save me. I didn't know whether you'd be willing to save her thought very likely not. It wasn't the same thing! And I couldn't risk it!'
Bella's my twin-I'd got to do the best for her. So I went on lying. I felt mean, I feel mean still… That's all-enough too, you'll say, I expect. I ought to have trusted you. If I had…'
'As soon as the news was in the paper that Jack Renauld had been arrested, it was all up. Bella wouldn't even wait to see how things went…'
'I'm very tired. I can't write any more.'
She had begun to sign herself Cinderella, but had crossed that out and written instead'Dulcie Duvee'
It was an ill-written, blurred epistle but I have kept it to this day.
Poirot was with me when I read it. The sheets fell from my hand, and I looked across at him.
'Did you know all the time that it was-the other?'
'Yes, my friend.'
'Why did you not tell me?'
'To begin with, I could hardly believe it conceivable that you could make such a mistake. You had seen the photograph. The sisters are very alike, but by no means incapable of distinguishment.'
'But the fair hair?'
'A wig, worn for the sake of a piquant contrast on the stage. Is it conceivable that with twins one should be fair and one dark?'
'Why didn't you tell me that night at the hotel in Coventry?'
'You were rather high-handed in your methods, mon ami,' said Poirot dryly. 'You did not give me a chance.'
'But afterwards?'
'Ah, afterwards! Well, to begin with, I was hurt at your want of faith in me. And then, I wanted to see whether your-feelings would stand the test of time. In fact, whether it was love, or a flash in the pan, with you. I should not have left you long in your error.'
I nodded. His tone was too affectionate for me to bear resentment. I looked down on the sheets of the letter. Suddenly I picked them up from the floor, and pushed them across to him.
'Read that,' I said. 'I'd like you to.'
He read it through in silence, then he looked up at me.
'What is it that worries you, Hastings?'
This was quite a new mood in Poirot. His mocking manner seemed laid quite aside. I was able to say what I wanted without too much difficulty.
'She doesn't say-she doesn't say-well, not whether she cares for me or not?'
Poirot turned back the pages.
'I think you are mistaken, Hastings.'
'Where?' I cried, leaning forward eagerly.
Poirot smiled. 'She tells you that in every line of the letter, mon ami.'
'But where am I to find her? There's no address on the letter. There's a French stamp, that's all.'
'Excite yourself not! Leave it to Papa Poirot. I can find her for you as soon as I have five little minutes?'
Chapter 27. Jack Renauld's Story
'Congratulations, Monsieur Jack,' said Poirot, wringing the lad warmly by the hand.
Young Renauld had come to us as soon as he was liberated-before starting for Merlinville to rejoin Marthe and his mother. Stonor accompanied him. His heartiness was in strong contrast to the lad's wan looks. It was plain that the boy was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He smiled mournfully at Poirot, and said in a low voice: 'I went through it to protect her, and now it's all no use.'
'You could hardly expect the girl to accept the price of your life,' remarked Stonor dryly. 'She was bound to come forward when she saw you heading straight for the guillotine.'
'Eh to jail and you were heading for it too?' added Poirot, with a slight twinkle. 'You would have had Maitre Grosier's death from rage on your conscience if you had gone on.'
'He was a well meaning ass, I suppose,' said Jack. 'But he worried me horribly. You see, I couldn't very well take him into my confidence. But, my God! what's going to happen about Bella?'
'If I were you,' said Poirot frankly, 'I should not distress myself unduly. The French Courts are very lenient to youth and beauty, and the crime passionnel. A clever lawyer will make out a great case of extenuating circumstances. It will not be pleasant for you-'
'I don't care about that. You see, Monsieur Poirot, in a way I do feel guilty of my father's murder. But for me, and my entanglement with this girl, he would be alive and well today. And then my cursed carelessness in taking away the wrong overcoat. I can't help feeling responsible for his death. It will haunt me for ever!'
'No, no; I said soothingly.'
'Of course it's horrible of me to think that Bella killed my father,' resumed Jack. 'But I'd treated her shamefully. After I met Marthe and realised I'd made a mistake I ought to have written and told her honestly. But I was so scared of a row and of its coming to Marthe's ear and her thinking there was more in it than there ever had been, that-well I was a coward, and went on hoping the thing would die down of itself. I just in fact-not realizing that I was driving the poor kid desperate. If she'd really knifed me, as she meant to I should have got no more than my deserts. And the way she's come forward now is downright plucky. I'd have stood the racket-you know-up to the end.'
He was silent for a moment or two and then burst out: 'What gets me is why the Guvernor should be wandering about in underclothes and my overcoat at that time of night. I suppose he'd just given the foreign johnnies the slip, and my mother must have made a mistake about its being two o'clock when they came, Or-or, it wasn't all a frame-up, was it? I mean, my mother didn't think-couldn't think that-that it was me?'
Poirot reassured him quickly. 'No, no, Monsieur Jack. Have no fears on that score. As for the rest, I will explain it to you one of these days. It is rather curious. But will you recount to u
s exactly what did occur on that terrible evening?'
'There's very little to tell. I came from Cherbourg, as I told you in order to see Marthe before going to the other end of the world. The train was late and I decided to take the shortcut across the golf links. I could easily get into the grounds of the Villa Marguerite from there. I had nearly reached the place when-'
He paused and swallowed.
'I heard a terrible cry. It wasn't loud-a sort of choke and gasp-but it frightened me. For a moment I stood rooted to the spot. Then I came round the corner of a bush. There was moonlight. I saw the grave, and a figure lying face downwards with a dagger sticking in the back. And then-and then-I looked up and saw her. She was looking at me as though she saw a ghost-it's what she must have thought me at first-all expression seemed frozen out of her face by horror. And then she gave a cry and turned and ran.'
He stopped, trying to master his emotion.
'And afterwards?' asked Poirot gently.
'I really don't know. I stayed there for a time, dazed. And then I realized I'd better get away as fast as I could. It didn't occur to me that they would suspect me, but I was afraid of being called upon to give evidence against her. I walked to St. Beauvais as I told you and got a car from there hack to Cherbourg.'
A knock came at the door, and a page entered with a telegram which he delivered to Stonor. He tore it open. Then he got up from his seat.
'Mrs. Renauld has regained consciousness,' he said.
'Ah!' Poirot sprang to his feet. 'Let us all go to Merlinville at once?'
A hurried departure was made forthwith. Stonor, at Jack's instance, agreed to stay behind and do all that could be done for Bella Duveen. Poirot, Jack Renauld, and I set off in the Renauld car.
The run took just over forty minutes. As we approached the doorway of the Villa Marguerite Jack Renauld shot a questioning glance at Poirot.
'How would it be if you went on first-to break the news to my mother that I am free-'
'While you break it in person to Mademoiselle Marthe, eh?' finished Poirot, with a twinkle. 'But yes, by all means, I was about to propose such an arrangement myself.'
Jack Renauld did not wait for more. Stopping the car, he swung himself out, and ran up the path to the front door.
We went on in the car to the Villa Geneviève.
'Poirot,' I said, 'do you remember how we arrived here that first day? And were met by the news of Mr. Renauld's murder?'
'Ah, yes, truly. Not so long ago either. But what a lot of things have happened since then-especially for you.'
'Yes, indeed,' I sighed.
'You are regarding it from the sentimental standpoint, Hastings. That was not my meaning. We will hope that Mademoiselle Bella will be dealt with leniently, and after all Jack Renauld cannot marry both the girls! I spoke from a professional standpoint. This is not a crime well ordered and regular, such as a detective delights in. The mise en scéne was designed by Georges Conneau, that indeed is perfect, but the denouement-ah, no! A man killed by accident in a girl's fit of anger-ah, indeed, what order or method is there in that?'
And in the midst of a fit of laughter on my part at Poirot's peculiarities, the door was opened by Françoise.
Poirot explained that he must see Mrs. Renauld at once, and the old woman conducted him upstairs. I remained in the salon. It was some time before Poirot reappeared. He was looking unusually grave.
'Vous voilà, Hastings! Sacré tonnerre! But there are squalls ahead!'
'What do you mean?' I cried.
'I would hardly have credited it,' said Poirot thoughtfully, 'but women are very unexpected.'
'Here are Jack and Marthe Daubreuil,' I exclaimed, looking out of the window.
Poirot bounded out of the room, and met the young couple on the steps outside.
'Do not enter. It is better not. Your mother is very upset.'
'I know, I know,' said Jack Renauld. 'I must go up to her at once.'
'But no, I tell you. It is better not.'
'But Marthe and I-'
'In any case, do not take Mademoiselle with you. Mount, if you must, but you would be wise to be guided by me.'
A voice on the stairs behind made us all start.
'I thank you for your good offices, Monsieur Poirot but I will make my own wishes clear.'
We stared in astonishment. Descending the stairs, leaning on Léonie's arm, was Mrs. Renauld, her head still bandaged.
The French girl was weeping, and imploring her mistress to return to bed.
'Madame will kill herself. It is contrary to all the doctor's orders!'
But Mrs. Renauld came on.
'Mother,' cried Jack, starting forward.
But with a gesture she drove him back.
'I am no mother of yours! You are no son of mine! From this day and hour I renounce you.'
'Mother!' cried the lad, stupefied.
For a moment she seemed to waver, to falter before the anguish in his voice. Poirot made a mediating gesture. But instantly she regained command of herself.
'Your father's blood is on your head. You are morally guilty of his death. You thwarted and defied him over this girl, and by your heartless treatment of another girl, you brought about his death. Go out from my house. Tomorrow I intend to take such steps as shall make it certain that you shall never touch a penny of his money. Make your way in the world as best you can with the help of the girl who is the daughter of your father's bitterest enemy!'
And slowly painfully she retraced her way upstairs.
We were all dumbfounded-totally unprepared for such a demonstration. Jack Renauld, worn out with all he had already gone through, swayed and nearly fell. Poirot and I went quickly to his assistance.
'He is overdone,' murmured Poirot to Marthe. 'Where can we take him?'
'But home! To the Villa Marguerite. We will nurse him my mother and I. My poor Jack!'
We got the lad to the Villa where he dropped limply onto a chair in a semi-dazed condition. Poirot felt his head and hands.
'He has fever. The long strain begins to tell. And now this shock on top of it. Get him to bed and Hastings and I will summon a doctor.'
A doctor was soon procured. After examining the patient, he gave it as his opinion that it was simply a case of nerve strain. With perfect rest and quiet the lad might be almost restored by the next day, but, if excited, there was a chance of brain fever. It would be advisable for someone to sit up all night with him.
Finally, having done all we could we left him in the charge of Marthe and her mother, and set out for the town.
It was past our usual hour of dining, and we were both famished.
The first restaurant we came to assuaged the pangs of hunger with an excellent omelette and an equally excellent entree to follow.
'And now for quarters for the night.' Said Poirot, when at length café noir had completed the meal. 'Shall we try our old friend, the Hôtel des Bains?'
We traced our steps there without more ado. Yes, Messieurs could be accommodated with two good rooms overlooking the sea. Then Poirot asked a question which surprised me: 'Has an English lady, Miss Robinson, arrived?'
'Yes, monsieur. She is in the little salon.'
'Ah!'
'Poirot,' I cried, keeping pace with him, as he walked along the corridor, 'who on earth is Miss Robinson?'
Poirot beamed kindly on me. 'It is that I have arranged you a marriage, Hastings.'
'But I say-'
'Bah!' said Poirot, giving me a friendly push over the threshold of the door. 'Do you think I wish to trumpet aloud in Merlinville the name of Duveen?'
It was indeed Cinderella who rose to greet us. I took her hand in both of mine. My eyes said the rest.
Poirot cleared his throat.
'Mes enfants,' he said, 'for the moment we have no time for sentiment. There is work ahead of us. Mademoiselle, were you able to do what I asked you?'
In response, Cinderella took from her bag an object wrapped up in paper, and handed i
t silently to Poirot. The latter unwrapped it. I gave a start-for it was the aeroplane dagger which I understood she had cast into the sea. Strange, how reluctant women always are to destroy the most compromising of objects and documents!
'Tres bien, mon enfant,' said Poirot. 'I am pleased with you. Go now and rest yourself. Hastings here and I have work to do. You shall see him tomorrow.'
'Where are you going?' asked the girl, her eyes widening.
'You shall hear all about it tomorrow.'
'Because wherever you're going, I'm coming too.'
'But, mademoiselle-'
'I'm coming too, I tell you.'
Poirot realized that it was futile to argue. He gave in. 'Come then, mademoiselle. But it will not be amusing. In all probability nothing will happen.'
The girl made no reply.
Twenty minutes later we set forth. It was quite dark now, a close oppressive evening. Poirot led the way out of the town in the direction of the Villa Geneviève. But when he reached the Villa Marguerite he paused.
'I should like to assure myself that all goes well with Jack Renauld. Come with me, Hastings. Mademoiselle will perhaps remain outside. Madame Daubreuil might say something which would wound her.'
We unlatched the gate, and walked up the path. As we went round to the side of the house, I drew Poirot's attention to a window on the first floor. Thrown sharply on the blind was the profile of Marthe Daubreuil.
'Ah!' said Poirot. 'I figure to myself that that is the room where we shall find Jack Renauld.'
Madame Daubreuil opened the door to us. She explained that Jack was much the same but perhaps we would like to see for ourselves. She led us upstairs and into the bedroom.
Marthe Daubreuil was sitting by a table with a lamp on it, working. She put her finger to her lips as we entered.
Jack Renauld was sleeping an uneasy, fitful sleep, his head turning from side to side and his face still unduly flushed.
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