I even fancy that the verdict was a relief to her.
She wasn't frightened. No nerves at all.
Just wanted to get through the trial and have it over.
A very brave woman, really..."
"And yet," said Hercule Poirot, "when she died she left a letter to be given to her daughter in which she swore solemnly that she was innocent.
Now her daughter wants the truth."
"H'm - I'm afraid she'll find the truth unpalatable.
Honestly, Poirot, I don't think there's any doubt about it.
She killed him."
"You will forgive me, my friend, but I must satisfy myself on that point."
"Well, I don't know what more you can do.
You can read up the newspaper accounts of the trial.
Humphrey Rudolph appeared for the Crown.
He's dead - let me see, who was his junior?
Young Fogg, I think.
Yes, Fogg.
You can have a chat with him.
And then there are the people who were there at the time.
Don't suppose they'll enjoy your butting in and raking the whole thing up, but I dare say you'll get what you want out of them.
You're a plausible devil."
"Ah, yes, the people concerned. That is very important.
You remember, perhaps, who they were?"
Depleach considered.
"Let me see - it's a long time ago. There were only five people who were really in it, so to speak - I'm not counting the servants - a couple of faithful old things, scared-looking creatures - they didn't know anything about anything.
No one could suspect them."
"There are five people, you say.
Tell me about them."
"Well, there was Philip Blake.
He was Crale's greatest friend - had known him all his life.
He was staying in the house at the time. He's alive. I see him now and again on the links.
Lives at St George's Hill.
Stockbroker.
Plays the markets and gets away with it.
Successful man, running to fat a bit."
"Yes. And who next?"
"Then there was Blake's elder brother.
Country squire - stay-at-home sort of chap."
A jingle ran through Poirot's head.
He repressed it. He must not always be thinking of nursery rhymes.
It seemed an obsession with him lately. And yet the jingle persisted:
"This little pig went to market, this little pig stayed at home..."
He murmured,
"He stayed at home - yes?"
"He's the fellow I was telling you about - messed about with drugs - and herbs - bit of a chemist. His hobby. What was his name, now? Literary sort of name - I've got it. Meredith. Meredith Blake.
Don't know whether he's alive or not."
"And who next?"
"Next? Well, there's the cause of all the trouble. The girl in the case: Elsa Greer."
"This little pig ate roast beef," murmured Poirot.
Depleach stared at him.
"They've fed her meat, all right," he said.