Taken At The Flood Part 29

"Thanks," said David.

"And then," said Poirot, "you came to me. It was a pretty little comedy that you played there, was it not, asking me to produce some witness that you played there, was it not, asking me to produce some witness that knew Underhay? It was already clear to me that Jeremy Cloade that knew Underhay? It was already clear to me that Jeremy Cloade had repeated to his family the story that Major Porter had told. For had repeated to his family the story that Major Porter had told. For nearly two years all the family had cherished a secret hope that nearly two years all the family had cherished a secret hope that Underhay might turn up. That wish influenced Mrs Lionel Cloade in her Underhay might turn up. That wish influenced Mrs Lionel Cloade in her manipulation of the Ouija board - unconsciously, but it was a very manipulation of the Ouija board - unconsciously, but it was a very revealing incident. revealing incident.

"Eh bien, I perform my conjuring trick." I flatter myself that I impress you and really it is I who am the complete mug. Yes and there in Major you and really it is I who am the complete mug. Yes and there in Major Porter's room, he says, after he offers me a cigarette, he says to you, Porter's room, he says, after he offers me a cigarette, he says to you, 'You don't, do you?'

"How did he know that you did not smoke? He is supposed only that moment to have met you. Imbecile that I am, I should have seen the moment to have met you. Imbecile that I am, I should have seen the truth then - that already you and Major Porter, you had made your little truth then - that already you and Major Porter, you had made your little arrangement together! No wonder he was nervous that morning. Yes, I arrangement together! No wonder he was nervous that morning. Yes, I am to be the mug, I am to bring Major Porter down to identify the body. am to be the mug, I am to bring Major Porter down to identify the body. But I do not go on being the mug for ever - no, I am not the mug now, But I do not go on being the mug for ever - no, I am not the mug now, am I?" am I?"

He looked round angrily and then went on: "But then. Major Porter went back on that arrangement. He does not care to be a witness upon oath in a murder trial, and the strength of care to be a witness upon oath in a murder trial, and the strength of the case against David Hunter depends very largely upon the ident.i.ty the case against David Hunter depends very largely upon the ident.i.ty of the dead man. So Major Porter backs out." of the dead man. So Major Porter backs out."

"He wrote to me he wouldn't go through with it," said Rowley thickly.

"The d.a.m.ned fool. Didn't he see we'd gone too far to stop? I came up to try to drive some sense into him. I was too late. He'd said he'd rather to try to drive some sense into him. I was too late. He'd said he'd rather shoot himself than perjure himself when it was a question of murder. shoot himself than perjure himself when it was a question of murder. The front door wasn't locked - I went up and found him. The front door wasn't locked - I went up and found him.

"I can't tell you what I felt like. It was as though I was a murderer twice over. If only he'd waited - if he'd only let me talk to him." over. If only he'd waited - if he'd only let me talk to him."

"There was a note there?" Poirot asked. "You took it away?"

"Yes - I was in for things now. Might as well go the whole hog. The note was to the coroner. It simply said that he'd given perjured evidence at was to the coroner. It simply said that he'd given perjured evidence at the inquest. The dead man was not Robert Underhay. I took the note the inquest. The dead man was not Robert Underhay. I took the note away and destroyed it." away and destroyed it."

Rowley struck his fist on the table.

"It was like a bad dream - a horrible nightmare! I'd begun this thing and I'd got to go on with it. I wanted the money to get Lynn - and I wanted I'd got to go on with it. I wanted the money to get Lynn - and I wanted Hunter to hang. And then - I couldn't understand it - the case against Hunter to hang. And then - I couldn't understand it - the case against him broke down. Some story about a woman - a woman who was with him broke down. Some story about a woman - a woman who was with Arden later. I couldn't understand, I still can't understand. What Arden later. I couldn't understand, I still can't understand. What woman? How could a woman be in there talking to Arden after he was woman? How could a woman be in there talking to Arden after he was dead?" dead?"

"There was no woman," said Poirot.

"But, M. Poirot," Lynn croaked. "That old lady. She saw her. She heard her." her."

"Aha," said Poirot. "But what did she see? And what did she hear? She saw someone in trousers, with a light tweed coat. She saw a head saw someone in trousers, with a light tweed coat. She saw a head completely enveloped in an orange scarf arranged turbanwise and a completely enveloped in an orange scarf arranged turbanwise and a face covered with make-up and a lipsticked mouth. She saw that in a face covered with make-up and a lipsticked mouth. She saw that in a dim light. And what did she hear? She saw the 'hussy' draw back into dim light. And what did she hear? She saw the 'hussy' draw back into No. 5 and from within the room she heard a man's voice saying, 'Get No. 5 and from within the room she heard a man's voice saying, 'Get out of here, my girl.' Eh bien, it was a man she saw and a man she out of here, my girl.' Eh bien, it was a man she saw and a man she heard! But it was a very ingenious idea, Mr Hunter," Poirot added, heard! But it was a very ingenious idea, Mr Hunter," Poirot added, turning placidly to David. turning placidly to David.

"What do you mean?" David asked sharply.

"It is now to you that I will tell a story. You come along to the Stag at nine o'clock or thereabouts. You come not to murder, but to pay. What nine o'clock or thereabouts. You come not to murder, but to pay. What do you find? You find the man who had been blackmailing you lying on do you find? You find the man who had been blackmailing you lying on the floor, murdered in a particularly brutal manner. You can think fast, the floor, murdered in a particularly brutal manner. You can think fast, Mr Hunter, and you realise at once that you are in imminent danger. Mr Hunter, and you realise at once that you are in imminent danger. You have not been seen entering the Stag by any one as far as you You have not been seen entering the Stag by any one as far as you know and your first idea is to clear out as soon as possible, catch the know and your first idea is to clear out as soon as possible, catch the 9.20 train back to London and swear hard that you have not been near 9.20 train back to London and swear hard that you have not been near Warmsley Vale. To catch the train your only chance is to run across Warmsley Vale. To catch the train your only chance is to run across country. In doing so you run unexpectedly into Miss Marchmont and country. In doing so you run unexpectedly into Miss Marchmont and you also realise that you cannot catch the train. You see the smoke of you also realise that you cannot catch the train. You see the smoke of it in the valley. She too, although you do not know it, has seen the it in the valley. She too, although you do not know it, has seen the smoke, but she has not consciously realised that it indicates that you smoke, but she has not consciously realised that it indicates that you cannot catch the train, and when you tell her that the time is nine- cannot catch the train, and when you tell her that the time is nine- fifteen she accepts your statement without any doubt. fifteen she accepts your statement without any doubt.

"To impress on her mind that you do catch the train, you invent a very ingenious scheme. In fact, you now have to plan an entirely new ingenious scheme. In fact, you now have to plan an entirely new scheme to divert suspicion from yourself. scheme to divert suspicion from yourself.

"You go back to Furrowbank, letting yourself in quietly with your key and you help yourself to a scarf of your sister's, you take one of her and you help yourself to a scarf of your sister's, you take one of her lipsticks, and you also proceed to make up your face in a highly lipsticks, and you also proceed to make up your face in a highly theatrical manner. theatrical manner.

"You return to the Stag at a suitable time, impress your personality on the old lady who sits in the Residents Only room and whose the old lady who sits in the Residents Only room and whose peculiarities are common gossip at the Stag. Then you go up to No. 5. peculiarities are common gossip at the Stag. Then you go up to No. 5. When you hear her coming to bed, you come out into the pa.s.sage, then When you hear her coming to bed, you come out into the pa.s.sage, then withdraw hurriedly inside again, and proceed to say loudly, 'You'd withdraw hurriedly inside again, and proceed to say loudly, 'You'd better get out of here, my girl.'" better get out of here, my girl.'"

Poirot paused.

"A very ingenious performance," he observed.

"Is that true, David?" cried Lynn. "Is it true?"

David was grinning broadly.

"I think a good deal of myself as a female impersonator. Lord, you should have seen that old gorgon's face!" should have seen that old gorgon's face!"

"But how could you be here at ten o'clock and yet telephone to me from London at eleven?" demanded Lynn perplexedly. from London at eleven?" demanded Lynn perplexedly.

David Hunter bowed to Poirot.

"All explanations by Hercule Poirot," he remarked. "The man who knows everything. How did I do it?" knows everything. How did I do it?"

"Very simply," said Poirot. "You rang up your sister at the flat from the public call-box and gave her certain precise instructions. At eleven- public call-box and gave her certain precise instructions. At eleven- four exactly she put through a toll call to Warmsley Vale 34. When Miss four exactly she put through a toll call to Warmsley Vale 34. When Miss Marchmont came to the phone the operator verified the number, then Marchmont came to the phone the operator verified the number, then saying no doubt 'A call from London,' or 'Go ahead London,' something saying no doubt 'A call from London,' or 'Go ahead London,' something of that kind?" of that kind?"

Lynn nodded.

"Rosaleen Cloade then replaced the receiver. You," Poirot turned to David, "carefully noting the time, dialled 34, got it, pressed b.u.t.ton A, David, "carefully noting the time, dialled 34, got it, pressed b.u.t.ton A, said 'London wants you' in a slightly disguised voice and then spoke. said 'London wants you' in a slightly disguised voice and then spoke. The lapse of a minute or two would be nothing strange in a telephone The lapse of a minute or two would be nothing strange in a telephone call these days, and would only strike Miss Marchmont as a call these days, and would only strike Miss Marchmont as a reconnection." reconnection."

Lynn said quietly: "So that's why you rang me up, David?"

Something in her tone, quiet as it was, made David look at her sharply.

He turned to Poirot and made a gesture of surrender.

"No doubt about it. You do know everything! To tell the truth I was scared stiff. I had to think up something. After I'd rung Lynn, I walked scared stiff. I had to think up something. After I'd rung Lynn, I walked five miles to Dasleby and went up to London by the early milk train. five miles to Dasleby and went up to London by the early milk train. Slipped into the flat in time to rumple the bed and have breakfast with Slipped into the flat in time to rumple the bed and have breakfast with Rosaleen. It never entered my head that the police would think she'd Rosaleen. It never entered my head that the police would think she'd done it. done it.

"And of course I hadn't the remotest idea who had killed him! I simply couldn't imagine who could have wanted to kill him. Absolutely n.o.body couldn't imagine who could have wanted to kill him. Absolutely n.o.body had a motive as far as I could see, except for myself and Rosaleen." had a motive as far as I could see, except for myself and Rosaleen."

"That," said Poirot," has been the great difficulty. Motive. You and your sister had a motive for killing Arden. Every member of the Cloade sister had a motive for killing Arden. Every member of the Cloade family had a motive for killing Rosaleen." family had a motive for killing Rosaleen."

David said sharply: "She was killed, then? It wasn't suicide?"

"No. It was a carefully-premeditated well-thought-out crime. Morphia was subst.i.tuted for bromide in one of her sleeping-powders - one was subst.i.tuted for bromide in one of her sleeping-powders - one towards the bottom of the box." towards the bottom of the box."

"In the powders." David frowned. "You don't mean - you can't mean Lionel Cloade?" Lionel Cloade?"

"Oh, no," said Poirot. "You see, practically any of the Cloades could have subst.i.tuted the morphia. Aunt Kathie could have tampered with have subst.i.tuted the morphia. Aunt Kathie could have tampered with the powders before they left the surgery. Rowley here came up to the powders before they left the surgery. Rowley here came up to Furrowbank with b.u.t.ter and eggs for Rosaleen. Mrs Marchmont came Furrowbank with b.u.t.ter and eggs for Rosaleen. Mrs Marchmont came there. So did Mrs Jeremy Cloade. Even Lynn Marchmont came. And there. So did Mrs Jeremy Cloade. Even Lynn Marchmont came. And one and all they had a motive." one and all they had a motive."

"Lynn didn't have a motive," cried David.

"We all had motives," said Lynn. "That's what you mean?"

"Yes," said Poirot. "That is what has made the case difficult. David Hunter and Rosaleen Cloade had a motive for killing Arden - but they Hunter and Rosaleen Cloade had a motive for killing Arden - but they did not kill him. All of you Cloades had a motive for killing Rosaleen did not kill him. All of you Cloades had a motive for killing Rosaleen Cloade and yet none of you killed her. This case is, always has been, Cloade and yet none of you killed her. This case is, always has been, the wrong way round. Rosaleen Cloade was killed by the person who the wrong way round. Rosaleen Cloade was killed by the person who had most to lose by her death." He turned his head slightly, "You killed had most to lose by her death." He turned his head slightly, "You killed her, Mr Hunter her, Mr Hunter "I?" David cried. "Why on earth should I kill my own sister?"

"You killed her because she wasn't your sister. Rosaleen Cloade died by enemy action in London nearly two years ago. The woman you killed by enemy action in London nearly two years ago. The woman you killed was a young Irish housemaid, Eileen Corrigan, whose photograph I was a young Irish housemaid, Eileen Corrigan, whose photograph I received from Ireland today." received from Ireland today."

He drew it from his pocket as he spoke. With lightning swiftness David s.n.a.t.c.hed it from him, leapt to the door, jumped through it, and banging s.n.a.t.c.hed it from him, leapt to the door, jumped through it, and banging it behind him, was gone. With a roar of anger Rowley charged it behind him, was gone. With a roar of anger Rowley charged headlong after him. headlong after him.

Poirot and Lynn were left alone.

Lynn cried out, "It's not true. It can't be true."

"Oh, yes, it is true. You saw half the truth once when you fancied David Hunter was not her brother. Put it the other way and it all falls into Hunter was not her brother. Put it the other way and it all falls into shape. This Rosaleen was a Catholic (Underhay's wife was not a shape. This Rosaleen was a Catholic (Underhay's wife was not a Catholic), troubled by conscience, wildly devoted to David. Imagine his Catholic), troubled by conscience, wildly devoted to David. Imagine his feelings on that night of the Blitz, his sister dead, Gordon Cloade dying feelings on that night of the Blitz, his sister dead, Gordon Cloade dying -all that new life of ease and money s.n.a.t.c.hed away from him, and then he sees this girl, very much the same age, the only survivor except for he sees this girl, very much the same age, the only survivor except for himself, blasted and unconscious. Already no doubt he has made love himself, blasted and unconscious. Already no doubt he has made love to her and he has no doubt he can make her do what he wants. to her and he has no doubt he can make her do what he wants.

"He had a way with women," Poirot added dryly, without looking at Lynn who flushed. Lynn who flushed.

"He is an opportunist, he s.n.a.t.c.hes his chance of fortune. He identifies her as his sister. She returns to consciousness to find him at her her as his sister. She returns to consciousness to find him at her bedside. He persuades and cajoles her into accepting the role. bedside. He persuades and cajoles her into accepting the role.

"But imagine their consternation when the first blackmailing letter arrives. All along I have said to myself, 'Is Hunter really the type of man arrives. All along I have said to myself, 'Is Hunter really the type of man to let himself be blackmailed so easily?' It seemed, too, that he was to let himself be blackmailed so easily?' It seemed, too, that he was actually uncertain whether the man blackmailing him was Underhay or actually uncertain whether the man blackmailing him was Underhay or not. But how could he be uncertain? Rosaleen Cloade could tell him at not. But how could he be uncertain? Rosaleen Cloade could tell him at once if the man was her husband or not? Why hurry her up to London once if the man was her husband or not? Why hurry her up to London before she has a chance to catch a glimpse of the man? Because - before she has a chance to catch a glimpse of the man? Because - there could only be one reason - because he could not risk the man there could only be one reason - because he could not risk the man getting a glimpse of her. If the man was Underhay, he must not getting a glimpse of her. If the man was Underhay, he must not discover that Rosaleen Cloade was not Rosaleen Cloade at all. No, discover that Rosaleen Cloade was not Rosaleen Cloade at all. No, there was only one thing to be done. Pay up enough to keep the there was only one thing to be done. Pay up enough to keep the blackmailer quiet, and then - do a flit - go off to America. blackmailer quiet, and then - do a flit - go off to America.

"And then, unexpectedly, the blackmailing stranger is murdered - and Major Porter identifies him as Underhay. Never in his life has David Major Porter identifies him as Underhay. Never in his life has David Hunter been in a tighter place! Worse still, the girl herself is beginning Hunter been in a tighter place! Worse still, the girl herself is beginning to crack. Her conscience is becoming increasingly active. She is to crack. Her conscience is becoming increasingly active. She is showing signs of mental breakdown. Sooner or later she will confess, showing signs of mental breakdown. Sooner or later she will confess, give the whole thing away, render him liable to criminal prosecution. give the whole thing away, render him liable to criminal prosecution. Moreover, he finds her demands on him increasingly irksome. He has Moreover, he finds her demands on him increasingly irksome. He has fallen in love with you. So he decides to cut his losses. Eileen must die. fallen in love with you. So he decides to cut his losses. Eileen must die. He subst.i.tutes morphia for one of the powders prescribed for her by He subst.i.tutes morphia for one of the powders prescribed for her by Dr Cloade, urges her on to take them every night, suggests to her Dr Cloade, urges her on to take them every night, suggests to her fears of the Cloade family. David Hunter will not be suspected since fears of the Cloade family. David Hunter will not be suspected since the death of his sister means that her money pa.s.ses back to the the death of his sister means that her money pa.s.ses back to the Cloades. Cloades.

"That was his trump card: lack of motive. As I told you - this case was always the wrong way round." always the wrong way round."

The door opened and Superintendent Spence came in.

Poirot said sharply, "Eh bien?"

Spence said, "It's all right. We've got him."

Lynn said in a low voice: "Did he - say anything?"

"Said he'd had a good run for his money -"

"Funny," added the Superintendent, "how they always talk at the wrong moment... We cautioned him, of course. But he said, 'Cut it out, wrong moment... We cautioned him, of course. But he said, 'Cut it out, man. I'm a gambler - but I know when I've lost the last throw.'" man. I'm a gambler - but I know when I've lost the last throw.'"

Poirot murmured: "'There is a tide in the affairs of men Which, taken at its flood, leads on to fortune...' Yes, the tide sweeps in - but it also ebbs - and may carry to fortune...' Yes, the tide sweeps in - but it also ebbs - and may carry you out to sea." you out to sea."

Chapter 17.

It was a Sunday morning when Rowley Cloade, answering a knock at the farm door, found Lynn waiting outside. the farm door, found Lynn waiting outside.

He stepped back a pace.

"Lynn!"

"Can I come in, Rowley?"

He stood back a little. She pa.s.sed him and went into the kitchen. She had been at church and was wearing a hat. Slowly, with an almost had been at church and was wearing a hat. Slowly, with an almost ritual air, she raised her hands, took off the hat and laid it down on the ritual air, she raised her hands, took off the hat and laid it down on the windowsill. windowsill.

"I've come home, Rowley."

"What on earth do you mean?"

"Just that. I've come home. This is home - here, with you. I've been a fool not to know it before - not to know journey's end when I saw it. fool not to know it before - not to know journey's end when I saw it. Don't you understand, Rowley, I've come home." Don't you understand, Rowley, I've come home."

"You don't know what you're saying, Lynn. I - I tried to kill you."

"I know." Lynn gave a grimace and put her fingers gingerly to her throat. "Actually, it was just when I thought you had killed me, that I throat. "Actually, it was just when I thought you had killed me, that I began to realise what a really thundering fool I'd been making of began to realise what a really thundering fool I'd been making of myself!" myself!"

"I don't understand," said Rowley.

"Oh, don't be stupid. I always wanted to marry you, didn't I? And then I got out of touch with you - you seemed to me so tame - so meek - I felt got out of touch with you - you seemed to me so tame - so meek - I felt life would be so safe with you - so dull. I fell for David because he was life would be so safe with you - so dull. I fell for David because he was dangerous and attractive - and, to be honest, because he knows dangerous and attractive - and, to be honest, because he knows women much too well. But none of that was real. When you caught women much too well. But none of that was real. When you caught hold of me by the throat and said if I wasn't for you, no one should have hold of me by the throat and said if I wasn't for you, no one should have me - well - I knew then that I was your woman! Unfortunately it seemed me - well - I knew then that I was your woman! Unfortunately it seemed that I was going to know it - just too late... Luckily Hercule Poirot that I was going to know it - just too late... Luckily Hercule Poirot walked in and saved the situation. And I am your woman, Rowley!" walked in and saved the situation. And I am your woman, Rowley!"

Rowley shook his head.

"It's impossible, Lynn. I've killed two men - murdered them -"

"Rubbish," cried Lynn. "Don't be pig-headed and melodramatic. If you have a row with a hulking big man and hit him and he falls down and have a row with a hulking big man and hit him and he falls down and hits his head on a fender - that isn't murder. It's not even legally hits his head on a fender - that isn't murder. It's not even legally murder." murder."

"It's manslaughter. You go to prison for it."

"Possibly. If so, I shall be on the step when you come out."

"And there's Porter. I'm morally responsible for his death."

"No, you're not. He was a fully adult responsible man - he could have turned down your proposition. One can't blame any one else for the turned down your proposition. One can't blame any one else for the things one decides to do with one's eyes open. You suggested things one decides to do with one's eyes open. You suggested dishonesty to him, he accepted it and then repented and took a quick dishonesty to him, he accepted it and then repented and took a quick way out. He was just a weak character." way out. He was just a weak character."

Rowley shook his head obstinately.

"It's no good, old girl. You can't marry a gaolbird."

"I don't think you're going to gaol. A policeman would have been round for you before now if so." for you before now if so."

Rowley stared.

"But d.a.m.n it all, manslaughter - bribing Porter -"

"What makes you think the police know anything about all that or ever will." will."

"That fellow Poirot knows."

"He isn't the police. I'll tell you what the police think. They think David Hunter killed Arden as well as Rosaleen, now they know he was in Hunter killed Arden as well as Rosaleen, now they know he was in Warmsley Vale that evening. They won't charge him with it because it Warmsley Vale that evening. They won't charge him with it because it isn't necessary - and besides, I believe you can't be arrested twice on isn't necessary - and besides, I believe you can't be arrested twice on the same charge. But as long as they think he did it, they won't look for the same charge. But as long as they think he did it, they won't look for any one else." any one else."

"But that chap Poirot -"

"He told the Superintendent it was an accident, and I gather the Superintendent just laughed at him. If you ask me I think Poirot will say Superintendent just laughed at him. If you ask me I think Poirot will say nothing to any one. He's rather a dear -" nothing to any one. He's rather a dear -"

"No, Lynn. I can't let you risk it. Apart from anything else I - well, I mean, can I trust myself? What I mean is, it wouldn't be safe for you." mean, can I trust myself? What I mean is, it wouldn't be safe for you."

"Perhaps not... But you see, Rowley, I do love you - and you've had such a h.e.l.l of a time - and I've never, really, cared very much for being such a h.e.l.l of a time - and I've never, really, cared very much for being safe -" safe -"

The Agatha Christie Collection