Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online Page B

Roberts overcalls his hand disgracefully. He deserves to go down more than he does. Mrs. Lorrimer’s damned good.”
    Battle turned to Poirot.
    â€œAnything else, M. Poirot?”
    Poirot shook his head.
    Despard gave his address as the Albany, wished them goodnight and left the room.
    As he closed the door behind him, Poirot made a slight movement.
    â€œWhat is it?” demanded Battle.
    â€œNothing,” said Poirot. “It just occurred to me that he walked like a tiger—yes, just so—lithe, easy, does the tiger move along.”
    â€œH’m!” said Battle. “Now, then”—his eyes glanced round at his three companions— “which of ’em did it?”

Eight
W HICH OF T HEM?
    B attle looked from one face to another. Only one person answered his question. Mrs. Oliver, never averse to giving her views, rushed into speech.
    â€œThe girl or the doctor,” she said.
    Battle looked questioningly at the other two. But both the men were unwilling to make a pronouncement. Race shook his head. Poirot carefully smoothed his crumpled bridge scores.
    â€œOne of ’em did it,” said Battle musingly. “One of ’em’s lying like hell. But which? It’s not easy—no, it’s not easy.”
    He was silent for a minute or two, then he said:
    â€œIf we’re to go by what they say, the medico thinks Despard did it, Despard thinks the medico did it, the girl thinks Mrs. Lorrimer did it—and Mrs. Lorrimer won’t say! Nothing very illuminating there.”
    â€œPerhaps not,” said Poirot.
    Battle shot him a quick glance.
    â€œYou think there is?”
    Poirot waved an airy hand.
    â€œA nuance —nothing more! Nothing to go upon.”
    Battle continued:
    â€œYou two gentlemen won’t say what you think—”
    â€œNo evidence,” said Race curtly.
    â€œOh, you men! ” sighed Mrs. Oliver, despising such reticence.
    â€œLet’s look at the rough possibilities,” said Battle. He considered a minute. “I put the doctor first, I think. Specious sort of customer. Would know the right spot to shove the dagger in. But there’s not much more than that to it. Then take Despard. There’s a man with any amount of nerve. A man accustomed to quick decisions and a man who’s quite at home doing dangerous things. Mrs. Lorrmier? She’s got any amount of nerve, too, and she’s the sort of woman who might have a secret in her life. She looks as though she’s known trouble. On the other hand, I’d say she’s what I call a high-principled woman—sort of woman who might be headmistress of a girls’ school. It isn’t easy to think of her sticking a knife into anyone. In fact, I don’t think she did. And lastly, there’s little Miss Meredith. We don’t know anything about her. She seems an ordinary good-looking, rather shy girl. But one doesn’t know, as I say, anything about her.”
    â€œWe know that Shaitana believed she had committed murder,” said Poirot.
    â€œThe angelic face masking the demon,” mused Mrs. Oliver.
    â€œThis getting us anywhere, Battle?” asked Colonel Race.
    â€œUnprofitable speculation, you think, sir? Well, there’s bound to be speculation in a case like this.”
    â€œIsn’t it better to find out something about these people?”
    Battle smiled.
    â€œOh, we shall be hard at work on that. I think you could help us there.”
    â€œCertainly. How?”
    â€œAs regards Major Despard. He’s been abroad a lot—in South America, in East Africa, in South Africa—you’ve means of knowing those parts. You could get information about him.”
    Race nodded.
    â€œIt shall be done. I’ll get all available data.”
    â€œOh,” cried Mrs. Oliver. “I’ve got a plan. There are four of us—four sleuths, as you might say—and four of them! How would it be if we