Tell me, madame, he said, of the way you spent yesterday afternoon?
I was washing my hair, sobbed Mrs Mercado.
It seems awful not to have known anything about it.
I was quite happy and busy.
You were in your room?
Yes.
And you did not leave it?
No.
Not till I heard the car.
Then I came out and I heard what had happened.
Oh, it was awful!
Did it surprise you?
Mrs Mercado stopped crying.
Her eyes opened resentfully.
What do you mean, M. Poirot?
Are you suggesting?
What should I mean, madame?
You have just told us how fond you were of Mrs Leidner.
She might, perhaps, have confided in you.
Oh, I see No no, dear Louise never told me anything anything definite, that is.
Of course, I could see she was terribly worried and nervous.
And there were those strange occurrences hands tapping on the windows and all that.
Fancies, I remember you said, I put in, unable to keep silent.
I was glad to see that she looked momentarily disconcerted.
Once again I was conscious of Mr Poirots amused eye glancing in my direction.
He summed up in a businesslike way. It comes to this, madame, you were washing your hair you heard nothing and you saw nothing.
Is there anything at all you can think of that would be a help to us in any way?
Mrs Mercado took no time to think. No, indeed there isnt.
Its the deepest mystery!
But I should say there is no doubt no doubt at all that the murderer came from outside.
Why, it stands to reason.
Poirot turned to her husband.
And you, monsieur, what have you to say?
Mr Mercado started nervously. He pulled at his beard in an aimless fashion.
Must have been. Must have been, he said. Yet how could anyone wish to harm her?
She was so gentle so kind He shook his head.
Whoever killed her must have been a fiend yes, a fiend!
And you yourself, monsieur, how did you pass yesterday afternoon?
I? he stared vaguely.
You were in the laboratory, Joseph, his wife prompted him.
Ah, yes, so I was so I was.
My usual tasks.
At what time did you go there?
Again he looked helplessly and inquiringly at Mrs Mercado.
At ten minutes to one, Joseph.
Ah, yes, at ten minutes to one.
Did you come out in the courtyard at all?
No I dont think so.
He considered.
No, I am sure I didnt.