Can I?
Ive often wondered about it myself.
Didnt you make up your mind on the subject?
I think I did in the end.
Eh bien?
But Mr Emmott was silent for some minutes, then he said: What did nurse think of her?
Women are said to sum up other women quickly enough, and a nurse has a wide experience of types.
Poirot didnt give me any chance of speaking even if I had wanted to.
He said quickly: What I want to know is what a man thought of her?
Emmott smiled a little.
I expect theyd all be much the same.
He paused and said, She wasnt young, but I think she was about the most beautiful woman Ive ever come across.
Thats hardly an answer, Mr Emmott.
Its not so far off one, M. Poirot.
He was silent a minute or two and then he went on: There used to be a fairy story I read when I was a kid.
A Northern fairy tale about the Snow Queen and Little Kay.
I guess Mrs Leidner was rather like that always taking Little Kay for a ride.
Ah yes, a tale of Hans Andersen, is it not?
And there was a girl in it. Little Gerda, was that her name?
Maybe.
I dont remember much of it.
Cant you go a little further, Mr Emmott?
David Emmott shook his head.
I dont even know if Ive summed her up correctly.
She wasnt easy to read.
Shed do a devilish thing one day, and a really fine one the next.
But I think youre about right when you say that shes the hub of the case.
Thats what she always wanted to be at the centre of things.
And she liked to get at other people I mean, she wasnt just satisfied with being passed the toast and the peanut butter, she wanted you to turn your mind and soul inside out for her to look at it.
And if one did not give her that satisfaction? asked Poirot.
Then she could turn ugly!
I saw his lips close resolutely and his jaw set.
I suppose, Mr Emmott, you would not care to express a plain unofficial opinion as to who murdered her?
I dont know, said Emmott.
I really havent the slightest idea.
I rather think that, if Id been Carl Carl Reiter, I mean I would have had a shot at murdering her.
She was a pretty fair devil to him.
But, of course, he asks for it by being so darned sensitive.
Just invites you to give him a kick in the pants.
And did Mrs Leidner give him a kick in the pants? inquired Poirot.
Emmott gave a sudden grin.
No.
Pretty little jabs with an embroidery needle-that was her method.
He was irritating, of course.
Just like some blubbering, poor-spirited kid.
But a needles a painful weapon.
I stole a glance at Poirot and thought I detected a slight quiver of his lips.
But you dont really believe that Carl Reiter killed her? he asked.
No.
I dont believe youd kill a woman because she persistently made you look a fool at every meal.