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Chapter XI. The Case for the Prosecution
“Strangelyenough,Icangiveevidencethatwilldemolishonecontentionoftheprosecution.”
“Whichone?”
“Theonethatrelatestothedestructionofthewill.JohnCavendishdidnotdestroythatwill.”
Poirotwasatrueprophet.Iwillnotgointothedetailsofthepolicecourtproceedings,asitinvolvesmanytiresomerepetitions.IwillmerelystatebaldlythatJohnCavendishreservedhisdefence,andwasdulycommittedfortrial.
SeptemberfoundusallinLondon.MarytookahouseinKensington,Poirotbeingincludedinthefamilyparty.
ImyselfhadbeengivenajobattheWarOffice,sowasabletoseethemcontinually.
Astheweekswentby,thestateofPoirot’snervesgrewworseandworse.That“lastlink”hetalkedaboutwasstilllacking.Privately,Ihopeditmightremainso,forwhathappinesscouldtherebeforMary,ifJohnwerenotacquitted?
OnSeptember15thJohnCavendishappearedinthedockattheOldBailey,chargedwith“TheWilfulMurderofEmilyAgnesInglethorp,”andpleaded“NotGuilty.”
SirErnestHeavywether,thefamousK.C.,hadbeenengagedtodefendhim.
Mr.Philips,K.C.,openedthecasefortheCrown.
Themurder,hesaid,wasamostpremeditatedandcold-bloodedone.Itwasneithermorenorlessthanthedeliberatepoisoningofafondandtrustingwomanbythestepsontowhomshehadbeenmorethanamother.Eversincehisboyhood,shehadsupportedhim.HeandhiswifehadlivedatStylesCourtineveryluxury,surroundedbyhercareandattention.Shehadbeentheirkindandgenerousbenefactress.
