And then I felt rather pleased that Id taught Doctor Poirot one English phrase correctly!
Even if he was a great detective hed realize he didnt know everything!
Chapter 23.
I Go Psychic
The funeral was, I thought, a very affecting affair.
As well as ourselves, all the English people in Hassanieh attended it.
Even Sheila Reilly was there, looking quiet and subdued in a dark coat and skirt.
I hoped that she was feeling a little remorseful for all the unkind things she had said.
When we got back to the house I followed Dr Leidner into the office and broached the subject of my departure.
He was very nice about it, thanked me for what I had done (Done! I had been worse than useless) and insisted on my accepting an extra weeks salary.
I protested because really I felt Id done nothing to earn it.
Indeed, Dr Leidner, Id rather not have any salary at all.
If youll just refund me my travelling expenses, thats all I want.
But he wouldnt hear of that.
You see, I said, I dont feel I deserve it, Dr Leidner. I mean, Ive well, Ive failed.
She my coming didnt save her.
Now dont get that idea into your head, nurse, he said earnestly.
After all, I didnt engage you as a female detective.
I never dreamt my wifes life was in danger.
I was convinced it was all nerves and that shed worked herself up into a rather curious mental state.
You did all anyone could do.
She liked and trusted you.
And I think in her last days she felt happier and safer because of your being here.
Theres nothing for you to reproach yourself with.
His voice quivered a little and I knew what he was thinking.
He was the one to blame for not having taken Mrs Leidners fears seriously.
Dr Leidner, I said curiously. Have you ever come to any conclusion about those anonymous letters?
He said with a sigh: I dont know what to believe.
Has M. Poirot come to any definite conclusion?
He hadnt yesterday, I said, steering rather neatly, I thought, between truth and fiction.
After all, he hadnt until I told him about Miss Johnson.
It was on my mind that Id like to give Dr Leidner a hint and see if he reacted.
In the pleasure of seeing him and Miss Johnson together the day before, and his affection and reliance on her, Id forgotten all about the letters.
Even now I felt it was perhaps rather mean of me to bring it up.
Even if she had written them, she had had a bad time after Mrs Leidners death.
Yet I did want to see whether that particular possibility had ever entered Dr Leidners head.
Anonymous letters are usually the work of a woman, I said.
I wanted to see how hed take it.
I suppose they are, he said with a sigh.
But you seem to forget, nurse, that these may be genuine.
They may actually be written by Frederick Bosner.
No, I havent forgotten, I said. But I cant believe somehow that thats the real explanation.
I do, he said.
Its all nonsense, his being one of the expedition staff.
That is just an ingenious theory of M. Poirots.
I believe that the truth is much simpler.
The man is a madman, of course.
Hes been hanging round the place perhaps in disguise of some kind.
And somehow or other he got in on that fatal afternoon.
The servants may be lying they may have been bribed.