The A B C Murders by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online Page B

noticeable at long last.
    Understanding, I respected my friend's weakness and I made no further reference to the
     case. I read in the paper the account of the inquest. It was very brief, no mention was
     made of the A.B.C. letter, and a verdict was returned of murder by some person or persons
     unknown. The crime attracted very little attention in the press. It had no popular or
     spectacular features. The murder of an old woman in a side street was soon passed over in
     the press for more thrilling topics.
    Truth to tell, the affair was fading from my mind also, partly, I think, because I
     disliked to think of Poirot as being in any way associated with a failure, when on July
     25th it was suddenly revived. I had not seen Poirot for a couple of days as I had been
     away in Yorkshire for the week-end. I arrived back on Monday afternoon and the letter came
     by the six o'clock post. I remember the sudden, sharp intake of breath that Poirot gave as
     he slit open that particular envelope.
    “It has come,” he said.
    I stared at him - not understanding.
    “What has come?”
    “The second chapter of the A.B.C. business.”
    For a minute I looked at him uncomprehendingly. The matter had really passed from my
     memory.
    “Read,” said Poirot and passed ne over the letter.
    As before, it was printed on good-quality paper.
    Dear Mr. Poirot,
    Well, what about it? First game to me, I think. The Andover business went with a swing,
     didn't it?
    But the fun is only just beginning. Let me draw your attention to Bexhill-on-Sea, the 25th
     inst.
    What a merry time we are having!
    Yours, etc.,
    A.B.C.
    “Good God, Poirot,” I cried. "Does this mean that this fiend is going to attempt another
     crime?
    “Naturally, Hastings. What else did you expect? Did you think that the Andover business
     was an isolated case? Do you not remember my saying: 'This is the beginning.'?”
    “But this is horrible!”
    “Yes, it is horrible.”
    “We're up against a homicidal maniac.”
    “Yes.”
    His quietness was more impressive than any heroics could have been. I handed back the
     letter with a shudder.
    The following morning saw us at a conference of powers. The Chief Constable of Sussex, the
     Assistant Commissioner of the C.I.D., Inspector Glen from Andover, Superintendent Carter
     of the Sussex police, Japp and a younger inspector called Crome, and Dr. Thompson, the
     famous alienist, were all assembled together. The postmark on this letter was Hampstead,
     but in Poirot's opinion little importance could be attached to this fact.
    The matter was discussed fully. Dr. Thompson was a pleasant middle-aged man who, in spite
     of his learning, contented himself with homely language, avoiding the technicalities of
     his profession.
    “There's no doubt,” said the Assistant Commissioner, “that the two letters are in the same
     hand. Both were written by the same person.”
    “And we can fairly assume that that person was responsible for the Andover murder.”
    “Quite. We've now got definite warning of a second crime scheduled to take place on the
     25th - tomorrow - at Bexhill. What steps can be taken?”
    The Sussex Chief Constable looked at his superintendent.
    “Well, Carter, what about it?”
    The superintendent shook his head gravely.
    “It's difficult, sir. There's not the least clue towards whom the next victim may he.
     Speaking fair and square, what steps can we take?”
    “A suggestion,” murmured Poirot.
    Their faces turned to him.
    “I think it possible that the surname of the intended victim will begin with the letter B.”
    “That would be something,” said the superintendent doubtfully.
    “An alphabetical complex,” said Dr. Thompson thoughtfully.
    “I suggest it as a possibility - no more. It came into my mind when I saw the name Ascher
     clearly written over the shop door of the unfortunate woman who was murdered last month.
     When I got the letter naming Bexhill it occurred to me as a