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Chapter XII. The Last Link
”
“Yes,butthatwasmerechance.Alltheevidenceagainsthimaroseoutofpureaccident.Itmust,infact,havebeendistinctlyannoyingtothepairofschemers.”
“Hismannerwasunfortunate,”Iobservedthoughtfully.
“Yes.Yourealize,ofcourse,whatwasatthebackofthat?”
“No.”
“YoudidnotunderstandthathebelievedMademoiselleCynthiaguiltyofthecrime?”
“No,”Iexclaimed,astonished.“Impossible!”
“Notatall.Imyselfnearlyhadthesameidea.ItwasinmymindwhenIaskedMr.Wellsthatfirstquestionaboutthewill.Thentherewerethebromidepowderswhichshehadmadeup,andherclevermaleimpersonations,asDorcasrecountedthemtous.Therewasreallymoreevidenceagainstherthananyoneelse.”
“Youarejoking,Poirot!”
“No.ShallItellyouwhatmadeMonsieurLawrenceturnsopalewhenhefirstenteredhismother’sroomonthefatalnight?Itwasbecause,whilsthismotherlaythere,obviouslypoisoned,hesaw,overyourshoulder,thatthedoorintoMademoiselleCynthia’sroomwasunbolted.”
“Buthedeclaredthathesawitbolted!”Icried.
“Exactly,”saidPoirotdryly.“Andthatwasjustwhatconfirmedmysuspicionthatitwasnot.HewasshieldingMademoiselleCynthia.”
“Butwhyshouldheshieldher?”
“Becauseheisinlovewithher.”
Ilaughed.
“There,Poirot,youarequitewrong!Ihappentoknowforafactthat,farfrombeinginlovewithher,hepositivelydislikesher.”
“Whotoldyouthat,monami?”
“Cynthiaherself.
