第26章 THE INQUEST(3)

Amy Hill, shop assistant, was next called, and deposed to having sold a will form on the afternoon of the 17th to William Earl, under-gardener at Styles.

William Earl and Manning succeeded her, and testified to witnessing a document.Manning fixed the time at about 4.30, William was of the opinion that it was rather earlier.

Cynthia Murdoch came next.She had, however, little to tell.She had known nothing of the tragedy, until awakened by Mrs.Cavendish.

"You did not hear the table fall?" "No.I was fast asleep."The Coroner smiled.

"A good conscience makes a sound sleeper," he observed."Thankyou, Miss Murdoch, that is all." "Miss Howard."Miss Howard produced the letter written to her by Mrs.Inglethorp on the evening of the 17th.Poirot and I had, of course already seen it.It added nothing to our knowledge of the tragedy.The following is a facsimile:

STYLESCOURT

ESSEX hand written note:July 17th My dear EvelynCan we not bury the hachet? I have found it hard to forgive the things you saidagainst my dear husband but I am an old woman & very fond of you Yours affectionately,Emily Inglethorpe

It was handed to the jury who scrutinized it attentively.

"I fear it does not help us much," said the Coroner, with a sigh."There is no mention of any of the events of that afternoon.""Plain as a pikestaff to me," said Miss Howard shortly."It shows clearly enough that my poor old friend had just found out she'd been made a fool of!""It says nothing of the kind in the letter," the Coroner pointed out.

"No, because Emily never could bear to put herself in the wrong. But I know her.She wanted me back.But she wasn't going to own that I'd been right.She went round about.Most people do.Don't believe in it myself." Mr.Wells smiled faintly.So, I noticed, did several of the jury.Miss Howard was obviously quite a public character.

"Anyway, all this tomfoolery is a great waste of time," continued the lady, glancing up and down the jury disparagingly."Talk--talk--talk! When all the time we know perfectly well--"The Coroner interrupted her in an agony of apprehension: "Thank you, Miss Howard, that is all."I fancy he breathed a sigh of relief when she complied.

Then came the sensation of the day.The Coroner called Albert Mace, chemist's assistant.

It was our agitated young man of the pale face.In answer to the Coroner's questions, he explained that he was a qualified pharmacist, but had only recently come to this particular shop, as the assistant formerly there had just been called up for the army.

These preliminaries completed, the Coroner proceeded to business."Mr.Mace, have you lately sold strychnine to any unauthorizedperson?"

"Yes, sir."

"When was this?" "Last Monday night."

"Monday? Not Tuesday?" "No, sir, Monday, the 16th.""Will you tell us to whom you sold it?" You could have heard a pin drop.

"Yes, sir.It was to Mr.Inglethorp."

Every eye turned simultaneously to where Alfred Inglethorp was sitting, impassive and wooden.He started slightly, as the damning words fell from the young man's lips.I half thought he was going to rise from his chair, but he remained seated, although a remarkably well acted expression of astonishment rose on his face.

"You are sure of what you say?" asked the Coroner sternly."Quite sure, sir.""Are you in the habit of selling strychnine indiscriminately over the counter?"The wretched young man wilted visibly under the Coroner's frown."Oh, no, sir--of course not.But, seeing it was Mr.Inglethorp of theHall, I thought there was no harm in it.He said it was to poison a dog."Inwardly I sympathized.It was only human nature to endeavour to please "The Hall"--especially when it might result in custom being transferred from Coot's to the local establishment.

"Is it not customary for anyone purchasing poison to sign a book?" "Yes, sir, Mr.Inglethorp did so.""Have you got the book here?"

"Yes, sir."

It was produced; and, with a few words of stern censure, the Coroner dismissed the wretched Mr.Mace.

Then, amidst a breathless silence, Alfred Inglethorp was called.Did he realize, I wondered, how closely the halter was being drawn around his neck?

The Coroner went straight to the point.

"On Monday evening last, did you purchase strychnine for the purpose of poisoning a dog?"Inglethorp replied with perfect calmness: