[305] "Absolutely," said Dr. Bauerstein.
[306] "You mean by that--?"
[307] "That neither Dr. Wilkins nor myself could give a death certificate under the circumstances."
[308] John bent his head.
[309] "In that case, I have no alternative but to agree."
[310] "Thank you," said Dr. Wilkins briskly. "We propose that it should take place to-morrow night-or rather to-night." And he glanced at the daylight. "Under the circumstances, I am afraid an inquest can hardly be avoided-these formalities are necessary, but I beg that you won't distress yourselves."
[311] There was a pause, and then Dr. Bauerstein drew two keys from his pocket, and handed them to John.
[312] "These are the keys of the two rooms. I have locked them and, in my opinion, they would be better kept locked for the present."
[313] The doctors then departed.
[314] I had been turning over an idea in my head, and I felt that the moment had now come to broach it. Yet I was a little chary of doing so. John, I knew, had a horror of any kind of publicity, and was an easygoing optimist, who preferred never to meet trouble half-way. It might be difficult to convince him of the soundness of my plan. Lawrence, on the other hand, being less conventional, and having more imagination, I felt I might count upon as an ally. There was no doubt that the moment had come for me to take the lead.
[315] "John," I said, "I am going to ask you something."
"Well?"
[316] "You remember my speaking of my friend Poirot? The Belgian who is here? He has been a most famous detective."
"Yes."
[317] "I want you to let me call him in-to investigate this matter."
[318] "What-now? Before the post-mortem?"
[319] "Yes, time is an advantage if-if-there has been foul play."
[320] "Rubbish!" cried Lawrence angrily. "In my opinion the whole thing is a mare's nest of Bauerstein's! Wilkins hadn't an idea of such a thing, until Bauerstein put it into his head. But, like all specialists, Bauerstein's got a bee in his bonnet. Poisons are his hobby, so of course he sees them everywhere."
[321] I confess that I was surprised by Lawrence's attitude. He was so seldom vehement about anything.
[322] John hesitated.
[323] "I can't feel as you do, Lawrence," he said at last. "I'm inclined to give Hastings a free hand, though I should prefer to wait a bit. We don't want any unnecessary scandal."
[324] "No, no," I cried eagerly, "you need have no fear of that. Poirot is discretion itself."
[325] "Very well, then, have it your own way. I leave it in your hands. Though, if it is as we suspect, it seems a clear enough case. God forgive me if I am wronging him!"
[326] I looked at my watch. It was six o'clock. I determined to lose no time.
[327] Five minutes' delay, however, I allowed myself. I spent it in ransacking the library until I discovered a medical book which gave a description of strychnine poisoning.
[328] Chapter IV. Poirot Investigates
[329] The house which the Belgians occupied in the village was quite close to the park gates. One could save time by taking a narrow path through the long grass, which cut off the detours of the winding drive. So I, accordingly, went that way. I had nearly reached the lodge, when my attention was arrested by the running figure of a man approaching me. It was Mr. Inglethorp. Where had he been? How did he intend to explain his absence?
[330] He accosted me eagerly.
"My God! This is terrible! My poor wife! I have only just heard."
[331] "Where have you been?" I asked.
[332] "Denby kept me late last night. It was one o'clock before we'd finished. Then I found that I'd forgotten the latch-key after all. I didn't want to arouse the household, so Denby gave me a bed."
[333] "How did you hear the news?" I asked.
[334] "Wilkins knocked Denby up to tell him. My poor Emily! She was so self-sacrificing-such a noble character. She over-taxed her strength."
[335] A wave of revulsion swept over me. What a consummate hypocrite the man was!
[336] "I must hurry on," I said, thankful that he did not ask me whither I was bound.
[337] In a few minutes I was knocking at the door of Leastways Cottage.
