Of late years an occasional present at Christmas has been the only link between us.
I imagined that she would, by now, be completely immersed in the Canadian atmosphere and that her future would lie over there.
Better so, under the circumstances."
Poirot said: "One might think so, certainly.
A change of name - a change of scene. A new life.
But it was not to be so easy as'that." And he then told of Carla's engagement, the discovery she had made upon coming of age, and her motive in coming to England.
Angela Warren listened quietly, her disfigured cheek resting on one hand.
She betrayed no emotion during the recital, but as Poirot finished, she said quietly,
"Good for Carla."
Hercule Poirot was startled.
It was the first time that he had met with this reaction.
He said, "You approve, Miss Warren?"
"Certainly.
I wish her every success.
Anything I can do to help, I will.
I feel guilty, you know, that I haven't attempted anything myself."
"Then you think that there is a possibility that she is right in her views?"
Angela Warren said sharply,
"Of course she's right.
Caroline didn't do it.
I've always known that."
"You surprise me very much indeed, mademoiselle," Poirot murmured.
"Everybody else I have spoken to -"
She cut in sharply:
"You mustn't go by that.
I've no doubt that the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.
My own conviction is based on knowledge - knowledge of my sister. I just know quite simply and definitely that Caro couldn't have killed anyone."
"Can you say that with certainty of any human creature?"
"Probably not in most cases.
I agree that the human animal is full of curious surprises.
But in Caroline's case there were special reasons - reasons which I have a better chance of appreciating than anyone else could." She touched her damaged cheek. "You see this? You've probably heard about it."
Poirot nodded.
"Caroline did that.
That's why I'm sure - I know - that she did not do murder."
"It would not be a convincing argument to most people."
"No, it would be the opposite.
It was actually used in that way, I believe.
As evidence that Caroline had a violent and ungovernable temper!
Because she had injured me as a baby, learned men argued that she would be equally capable of poisoning an unfaithful husband."
Poirot said,
"I, at least, appreciated the difference.
A sudden fit of ungovernable rage does not lead you to abstract a poison first and then use it deliberately on the following day."
Angela Warren waved an impatient hand.
"That's not what I mean at all. I must try and make it plain to you.
Supposing that you are a person of normally affectionate and kindly disposition, but that you are also liable to intense jealousy.
And supposing that during the years of your life when control is most difficult you do, in a fit of rage, come near to committing what is, in effect, murder.
Think of the awful shock, the horror, the remorse that seizes upon you.
"If you are a sensitive person like Caroline that horror and remorse will never quite leave you.
It never left her.
I don't suppose I was consciously aware of it at the time, but looking back I recognize it perfectly.