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Chapter VII. Poirot Pays His Debts
“MeandMoosierherehavemetbefore—andthere’snoman’sjudgmentI’dsoonertakethanhis.IfI’mnotgreatlymistaken,he’sgotsomethinguphissleeve.Isn’tthatso,moosier?”
Poirotsmiled.
“Ihavedrawncertainconclusions—yes.”
Summerhayewasstilllookingrathersceptical,butJappcontinuedhisscrutinyofPoirot.
“It’sthisway,”hesaid,“sofar,we’veonlyseenthecasefromtheoutside.That’swheretheYard’satadisadvantageinacaseofthiskind,wherethemurder’sonlyout,sotospeak,aftertheinquest.Alotdependsonbeingonthespotfirstthing,andthat’swhereMr.Poirot’shadthestartofus.Weshouldn’thavebeenhereassoonasthiseven,ifithadn’tbeenforthefactthattherewasasmartdoctoronthespot,whogaveusthetipthroughtheCoroner.Butyou’vebeenonthespotfromthefirst,andyoumayhavepickedupsomelittlehints.Fromtheevidenceattheinquest,Mr.InglethorpmurderedhiswifeassureasIstandhere,andifanyonebutyouhintedthecontraryI’dlaughinhisface.ImustsayIwassurprisedthejurydidn’tbringitinWilfulMurderagainsthimrightoff.Ithinktheywouldhave,ifithadn’tbeenfortheCoroner—heseemedtobeholdingthemback.”
“Perhaps,though,youhaveawarrantforhisarrestinyourpocketnow,”suggestedPoirot.
AkindofwoodenshutterofofficialdomcamedownfromJapp’sexpressivecountenance.
“PerhapsIhave,andperhapsIhaven’t,”heremarkeddryly.
Poirotlookedathimthoughtfully.
