There was no answer.
The cabin was empty.
Race strode to the right hand drawer of the chest and jerked it open.
The revolver was gone.
"Settles that," said Race. "Now then, where's Pennington himself?"
They went out again on deck.
Mrs Allerton had joined the group. Poirot moved swiftly over to her.
"Madame, take Miss Otterbourne with you and look after her.
Her mother has been -" he consulted Race with an eye and Race nodded - "killed."
Dr Bessner came bustling along.
"Gott im Himmel!
What is there now?"
They made way for him.
Race indicated the cabin.
Bessner went inside.
"Find Pennington," said Race. "Any fingerprints on that revolver?"
"None," said Poirot.
They found Pennington on the deck below.
He was sitting in the little drawing-room writing letters.
He lifted a handsome, cleanshaven face.
"Anything new?" he asked.
"Didn't you hear a shot?"
"Why - now you mention it - I believe I did hear a kind of a bang.
But I never dreamed - Who's been shot?"
"Mrs Otterbourne."
"Mrs Otterbourne?" Pennington sounded quite astounded. "Well, you do surprise me.
Mrs Otterbourne." He shook his head. "I can't see that at all." He lowered his voice. "Strikes me, gentlemen, we've got a homicidal maniac aboard.
We ought to organize a defence system."
"Mr Pennington," said Race, "how long have you been in this room?"
"Why, let me see." Mr Pennington gently rubbed his chin. "I should say a matter of twenty minutes or so."
"And you haven't left it?"
"Why no - certainly not."
He looked inquiringly at the two men.
"You see, Mr Pennington," said Race, "Mrs Otterbourne was shot with your revolver."
Chapter 24
Mr Pennington was shocked.
"Why, gentlemen," he said, "this is a very serious matter.
Very serious indeed."
"Extremely serious for you, Mr Pennington."
"For me?" Pennington's eyebrows rose in startled surprise. "But, my dear sir, I was sitting quietly writing in here when that shot was fired."
"You have, perhaps, a witness to prove that?"
Pennington shook his head.
"Why, no - I wouldn't say that.
But it's clearly impossible that I should have gone to the deck above, shot this poor woman (and why should I shoot her anyway?) and come down again with no one seeing me.
There are always plenty of people on the deck lounge this time of day."
"How do you account for your pistol being used?"
"Well - I'm afraid I may be to blame there.
Quite soon after getting aboard there was a conversation in the saloon one evening, I remember, about firearms, and I mentioned then that I always carried a revolver with me when I travel."
"Who was there?"
"Well, I can't remember exactly.