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XI. The Case of the Missing Will
“Usdon’twanttoseeMissVioletdoneoutofwhat’shers,”declaredthewoman.“Cruelhard’twouldbeforhospitalstogetitall.”
Poirotproceededwithhisquestions.Yes,Mr.andMrs.Bakerrememberedperfectlywitnessingthewill.Bakerhadpreviouslybeensentintotheneighbouringtowntogettwoprintedwill-forms.
“Two?”saidPoirotsharply.
“Yes,sir,forsafetylike,Isuppose,incaseheshouldspoilone—andsureenough,sohediddo.Ushadsignedone——”
“Whattimeofdaywasthat?”
Bakerscratchedhishead,buthiswifewasquicker.
“Why,tobesure,I’djustputthemilkonforthecocoaateleven.Don’teeremember?Ithadallboiledoveronthestovewhenusgotbacktokitchen.”
“Andafterwards?”
“’Twouldbeaboutanhourlater.Ushadtogoinagain.‘I’vemadeamistake,’saysoldmaster,‘hadtotearthewholethingup.I’lltroubleyoutosignagain,’andusdid.Andafterwardsmastergiveusatidysumofmoneyeach.‘I’veleftyounothinginmywill,’sayshe,‘buteachyearIliveyou’llhavethistobeanest-eggwhenI’mgone’;andsureenough,sohedid.”
Poirotreflected.
“Afteryouhadsignedthesecondtime,whatdidMr.Marshdo?Doyouknow?”
“Wentouttothevillagetopaytradesmen’sbooks.”
Thatdidnotseemverypromising.Poirottriedanothertack.Heheldoutthekeyofthedesk.
“Isthatyourmaster’swriting?”
Imayhaveimaginedit,butIfanciedthatamomentortwoelapsedbeforeBakerreplied:“Yes,sir,itis.”
“He’slying,”Ithought.
