“She was fond of Mary, though?”
“Oh, yes, she was fond enough of her; but she’s the kind who always knows what’s best for everyone!”
Poirot said slowly:
“Supposing that Nurse Hopkins knows something—something, let us say, that would throw a discreditable light on Mary—do you think she would keep it to herself?”
Ted Bigland looked at him curiously.
“I don’t quite get your meaning, sir?”
“Do you think that if Nurse Hopkins knew something against Mary Gerrard she would hold her tongue about it?”
Ted Bigland said:
“I doubt if that woman could hold her tongue about anything! She’s the greatest gossip in the village. But if she’d hold her tongue about anybody, it would probably be about Mary.” He added, his curiosity getting the better of him, “I’d like to know why you ask that?”
Hercule Poirot said:
“One has, in talking to people, a certain impression. Nurse Hopkins was, to all seeming, perfectly frank and outspoken, but I formed the impression—very strongly—that she was keeping something back. It is not necessarily an important thing. It may have no bearing on the crime. But there is something that she knows which she has not told. I also formed the impression that this something—whatever it is—is something definitely damaging or detrimental to the character of Mary Gerrard….”
Ted shook his head helplessly.
Hercule Poirot sighed:
“Ah, well. I shall learn what it is in time.”
Six
Poirot looked with interest at the long, sensitive face of Roderick Welman.
Roddy’s nerves were in a pitiable condition. His hands twitched, his eyes were bloodshot, his voice was husky and irritable.
He said, looking down at the card:
“Of course, I know your name, M. Poirot. But I don’t see what Dr. Lord thinks you can do in this matter! And, anyway, what business is it of his? He attended my aunt, but otherwise he’s a complete stranger. Elinor and I had not even met him until we went down there this June. Surely it is Seddon’s business to attend to all this sort of thing?”
Hercule Poirot said:
“Technically that is correct.”
Roddy went on unhappily:
“Not that Seddon gives me much confidence. He’s so confoundedly gloomy.”
“It is a habit, that, of lawyers.”
“Still,” said Roddy, cheering up a little, “we’ve briefed Bulmer. He’s supposed to be pretty well at the top of the tree, isn’t he?”
Hercule Poirot said:
“He has a reputation for leading forlorn hopes.”
Roddy winced palpably.
Poirot said:
“It does not displease you, I hope, that I should endeavour to be of assistance to Miss Elinor Carlisle?”