Seven

In the offices of Messrs Seddon, Blatherwick & Seddon, Hercule Poirot was received withextreme caution, not to say distrust.

Mr. Seddon, a forefinger¹ stroking his closely shaven chin, was noncommittal and his shrewdgrey eyes appraised² the detective thoughtfully.

“Your name is familiar to me, M. Poirot, of course. But I am at a loss to understand yourposition in this case.”

Hercule Poirot said:

“I am acting³, Monsieur, in the interests of your client.”

“Ah—indeed? And who—er—engaged you in that capacity?”

“I am here at the request of Dr. Lord.”

Mr. Seddon’s eyebrows⁴ rose very high.

“Indeed! That seems to me very irregular—very irregular. Dr. Lord, I understand, has beensubpoenaed as a witness for the prosecution⁵.”

Hercule Poirot shrugged⁶ his shoulders.

“Does that matter?”

Mr. Seddon said:

“The arrangements for Miss Carlisle’s defence are entirely⁷ in our hands. I really do not think weneed any outside assistance in this case.”

Poirot asked:

“Is that because your client’s innocence⁸ will be so easily proved?”

Mr. Seddon winced⁹. Then he became wrathful in a dry legal fashion.

“That,” he said, “is a most improper¹⁰ question. Most improper.”

Hercule Poirot said:

“The case against your client is a very strong one….”

“I really fail to see, M. Poirot, how you know anything about it.”

Poirot said:

“Although I am actually retained by Dr. Lord, I have here a note from Mr. Roderick Welman.”

He handed it over with a bow.

Mr. Seddon perused¹¹ the few lines it contained and remarked grudgingly¹²:

“That, of course, throws a new complexion¹³ on the matter. Mr. Welman has made himselfresponsible for Miss Carlisle’s defence. We are acting at his request.”

He added with visible distaste:

“Our firm does very little in—er—criminal procedure, but I felt it my duty to my—er—lateclient—to undertake the defence of her niece. I may say we have already briefed Sir EdwinBulmer, K.C.”

Poirot said, and his smile was suddenly ironic¹⁴:

“No expense will be spared. Very right and proper!”

Looking over his glasses, Mr. Seddon said:

“Really, M. Poirot—”

Poirot cut into his protest.

“Eloquence and emotional appeal will not save your client. It will need more than that.”

Mr. Seddon said drily:

“What do you advise?”

“There is always the truth.”

“Quite so.”

“But in this case will the truth help us?”

Mr. Seddon said sharply:

“That, again, is a most improper remark.”

Poirot said:

“There are certain questions to which I should like answers.”

Mr. Seddon said cautiously:

“I cannot, of course, guarantee to answer without the consent of my client.”

“Naturally. I understand that.” He paused and then said, “Has Elinor Carlisle any enemies?”

Mr. Seddon showed a faint surprise.

“As far as I know, none.”

“Did the late Mrs. Welman, at any period of her life, make a will?”

“Never. She always put it off.”

“Has Elinor Carlisle made a will?”

“Yes.”

“Recently? Since her aunt’s death?”

“Yes.”

“To whom has she left her property?”

“That, M. Poirot, is confidential¹⁵. I cannot tell you without authorization¹⁶ from my client.”

Poirot said:

“Then I shall have to interview your client!”

Mr. Seddon said with a cold smile:

“That, I fear, will not be easy.”

Poirot rose and made a gesture.

“Everything,” he said, “is easy to Hercule Poirot.”

 

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