When did you hear of the tragedy?
My wife came and told me.
It was terrible shocking.
I could hardly believe it. Even now, I can hardly believe it is true. Suddenly he began to tremble.
It is horrible horrible
Mrs Mercado came quickly to his side.
Yes, yes, Joseph, we feel that.
But we mustnt give way.
It makes it so much more difficult for poor Dr Leidner.
I saw a spasm of pain pass across Dr Leidners face, and I guessed that this emotional atmosphere was not easy for him.
He gave a half-glance at Poirot as though in appeal. Poirot responded quickly.
Miss Johnson? he said.
Im afraid I can tell you very little, said Miss Johnson.
Her cultured well-bred voice was soothing after Mrs Mercados shrill treble.
She went on: I was working in the living-room taking impressions of some cylinder seals on plasticine.
And you saw or noticed nothing?
No.
Poirot gave her a quick glance.
His ear had caught what mine had a faint note of indecision.
Are you quite sure, mademoiselle?
Is there something that comes back to you vaguely?
No not really
Something you saw, shall we say, out of the corner of your eye hardly knowing you saw it.
No, certainly not, she replied positively.
Something youheard then.
Ah, yes, something you are not quite sure whether you heard or not?
Miss Johnson gave a short, vexed laugh.
You press me very closely, M. Poirot.
Im afraid you are encouraging me to tell you what I am, perhaps, only imagining.
Then there was something you shall we say imagined?
Miss Johnson said slowly, weighing her words in a detached way: I have imagined since that at some time during the afternoon I heard a very faint cryWhat I mean is that I dare say I did hear a cry.
All the windows in the living-room were open and one hears all sorts of sounds from people working in the barley fields.
But you see since Ive got the idea into my head that it was that it was Mrs Leidner I heard.
And thats made me rather unhappy.
Because if Id jumped up and run along to her room well, who knows? I might have been in time
Dr Reilly interposed authoritatively. Now, dont start getting that into your head, he said.
Ive no doubt but that Mrs Leidner (forgive me, Leidner) was struck down almost as soon as the man entered the room, and it was that blow that killed her.
No second blow was struck.
Otherwise she would have had time to call for help and make a real outcry.
Still, I might have caught the murderer, said Miss Johnson.
What time was this, mademoiselle? asked Poirot.
In the neighbourhood of half-past one?
It must have been about that time yes. She reflected a minute.
That would fit in, said Poirot thoughtfully.
You heard nothing else the opening or shutting of a door, for instance?
Miss Johnson shook her head.
No, I do not remember anything of that kind.
You were sitting at a table, I presume.
Which way were you facing?
The courtyard?