I shivered.
This is horrible!
Faites attention[126], Hastings. I do not want a second tragedy in my rooms!
I wiped the blood from my chin rather ruefully.
What is our plan of campaign? I asked.
The car will call for us in a few moments time. I will bring you a cup of coffee here so that there will be no delay in starting.
Twenty minutes later we were in a fast police car crossing the Thames[127] on our way out of London.
With us was Inspector Crome, who had been present at the conference the other day, and who was officially in charge of the case.
Crome was a very different type of officer from Japp. A much younger man, he was the silent, superior type. Well educated and well read, he was, for my taste, several shades too pleased with himself. He had lately gained kudos over a series of child murders, having patiently tracked down the criminal who was now in Broadmoor[128].
He was obviously a suitable person to undertake the present case, but I thought that he was just a little too aware of the fact himself. His manner to Poirot was a shade patronising. He deferred to him as a younger man to an older onein a rather self-conscious, public school way.
Ive had a good long talk with Dr Thompson, he said. Hes very interested in the chain or series type of murder. Its the product of a particular distorted type of mentality. As a layman one cant, of course, appreciate the finer points as they present themselves to a medical point of view. He coughed. As a matter of factmy last caseI dont know whether you read about itthe Mabel Homer case, the Muswell Hill schoolgirl, you knowthat man Capper was extraordinary. Amazingly difficult to pin the crime on to himit was his third, too! Looked as sane as you or I. But there are various testsverbal traps, you knowquite modern, of course, there was nothing of that kind in your day. Once you can induce a man to give himself away, youve got him! He knows that you know and his nerve goes. He starts giving himself away right and left.
Even in my day that happened sometimes, said Poirot.
Inspector Crome looked at him and murmured conversationally:
Oh, yes?
There was silence between us for some time. As we passed New Cross Station, Crome said:
If theres anything you want to ask me about the case, pray do so.
You have not, I presume, a description of the dead girl?
She was twenty-three years of age, engaged as a waitress at the Ginger Cat café
Pas ça[129]. I wonderedif she were pretty?
As to that Ive no information, said Inspector Crome with a hint of withdrawal. His manner said: Reallythese foreigners! All the same!
A faint look of amusement came into Poirots eyes.
It does not seem to you important, that? Yet, pour une femme[130], it is of the first importance. Often it decides her destiny!
Another silence fell.
It was not until we were nearing Sevenoaks that Poirot opened the conversation again.
Were you informed, by any chance, how and with what the girl was strangled?
Inspector Crome replied briefly.
Strangled with her own belta thick, knitted affair, I gather.
Poirots eyes opened very wide.
Aha, he said. At last we have a piece of information that is very definite. That tells one something, does it not?
I havent seen it yet, said Inspector Crome coldly.
I felt impatient with the mans caution and lack of imagination.
It gives us the hallmark of the murderer, I said. The girls own belt. It shows the particular beastliness of his mind!
Poirot shot me a glance I could not fathom. On the face of it[131] it conveyed humorous impatience. I thought that perhaps it was a warning not to be too outspoken in front of the inspector.
I relapsed into silence.
At Bexhill we were greeted by Superintendent Carter. He had with him a pleasant-faced, intelligent-looking young inspector called Kelsey. The latter was detailed to work in with Crome over the case.
Youll want to make your own inquiries, Crome, said the superintendent. So Ill just give you the main heads of the matter and then you can get busy right away.
Thank you, sir, said Crome.
Weve broken the news to her father and mother, said the superintendent. Terrible shock to them, of course. I left them to recover a bit before questioning them, so you can start from the beginning there.
There are other members of the familyyes? asked Poirot.
There are other members of the familyyes? asked Poirot.
Theres a sistera typist in London. Shes been communicated with. And theres a young manin fact, the girl was supposed to be out with him last night, I gather.
Any help from the ABC guide? asked Crome.
Its there, the superintendent nodded towards the table. No fingerprints. Open at the page for Bexhill. A new copy, I should saydoesnt seem to have been opened much. Not bought anywhere round here. Ive tried all the likely stationers.
Who discovered the body, sir?
One of these fresh-air, early-morning colonels. Colonel Jerome. He was out with his dog about 6 am. Went along the front in the direction of Cooden, and down on to the beach. Dog went off and sniffed at something. Colonel called it. Dog didnt come. Colonel had a look and thought something queer was up. Went over and looked. Behaved very properly. Didnt touch her at all and rang us up immediately.