I told her no and was going to elaborate, but she had the floor. Mr Byne said your name is Archie Goodwin and youre a friend of his. According to the newspaper there was an Archie
Goodwin at that party at Mrs Robilottis. Was that you?
I was at a disadvantage. With her smooth hair, partly grey, her compact little figure, and her quick brown eyes wide apart, she reminded me of Miss Clark, my high-school geometry teacher out in Ohio , and Miss Clark had always had my number. I had waited until I saw her to decide just what line to take. First I had to decide whether to say it was me or it was I.
Yes, I said, that was me. It also said in the paper that I work for a private detective named Nero Wolfe.
I know it did. Are you here as a detective?
She certainly liked to come to the point. So had Miss Clark. But I hoped I was man enough not to be afraid of a woman. The best way to answer that, I told her, is to explain why I came. You know what happened at that party and you know I was there. The idea seems to be that Faith Usher committed suicide. I have got the impression that the police may settle for that. But on account of what I saw, and what I didnt see, I doubt it. My personal opinion is that she was murdered, and if she was, I would hate to see whoever did it get away witty it. But before I start howling about it in public I want to do a little checking, and I thought the best place to check on Faith Usher herself was here with you.
I see. She sat straight and her eyes were straight. Then youre a knight with a plume?
Not at all. Id feel silly with a plume. My pride is hurt. Im a professional detective and I try to be a good one, and I believe that someone committed murder right before my eyes, and how do you think I like that?
Why do you believe it was murder?
As I said, on account of what I saw and what I didnt see. A question of observation. I would prefer to let it go at that if you dont mind.
She nodded. The professional with his secrets. I have them too; I have a medical degree. Did Mrs Robilotti send you here?
That decision wasnt hard to make. Grantham House wasnt dependent on Mrs Robilotti, since it had been provided for by Albert Granthams will, and it was ten to one that I knew what Mrs Irwin thought of Mrs Robilotti. So I didnt hesitate.
Good heavens, no. To have a suicide in her drawing-room was bad enough. If she knew I was here looking for support for my belief that it was murder shed have a fit.
Mrs Robilotti doesnt have fits, Mr Goodwin.
Well, you know her better than I do. If she ever did have a fit this would call for one. Of course, I may be sticking my neck out. If you prefer suicide to murder as much as she does Ive wasted a lot of gas driving up here.
She looked at me, sizing me up. I dont, she said bluntly.
Good for you, I said.
She lifted her chin. I see no reason why I shouldnt tell you what I have told the police. Of course, its possible that Faith did kill herself, but I doubt it. I get to know my girls pretty well, and she was here nearly five months, and I doubt it. I knew about the bottle of poison she hadshe didnt tell me, but one of the other girls didand that was a problem, whether to get it away from her. I decided not to, because it would have been dangerous. As long as she had it and went on showing it and talking about using it, that was her outlet for her nerves, and if I took it away she would have to get some other outlet, and there was no telling what it might be. One reason I doubt if she killed herself is that she still had that bottle of poison.
I smiled. The police would love that.
They didnt, naturally. Another reason is that if she had finally decided to use the poison she wouldnt have done it there at that party, with all those people. She would have done it somewhere alone, in the dark, and she would have left a note for me. She knew how I felt about my girls, and she would have known it would hurt me, and she would have left a note. Still another reason is the fact that she was actually pretty tough. That bottle of poison was merely the enemy that she intended to defeat somehowit was death, and she was going to conquer it. The spirit she had, down deep, showed sometimes in a flash in her eyes. You should have seen that flash.
I did, Tuesday evening when I was dancing with her.
Then she still had it, and she didnt kill herself. But how are you going to prove it?
I cant. I cant prove a negative. I would have to prove an affirmative, or at least open one up. If she didnt poison her champagne someone else did. Who? Thats the target.
Oh. Her eyes widened. Good heavens! Thats obvious, certainly, but if youll believe me, Mr Goodwin, it hadnt occurred to me. My only thought was that Faith had not killed herself. My mind had stopped there. Her lips tightened. She shook her head. I cant help it, she said emphatically. I wish you success, anyhow. I would
help you if I could.
You already have, I assured her, and maybe you can more. If you dont mind a few questions. Since youve read the paper, you know who was there Tuesday evening. About the three girlsHelen Yarmis, Ethel Varr, and Rose Tutdethey were all here at the time Faith Usher was, werent they?