The Plymouth Express is a classic short mystery by Agatha Christie, featuring her famous detective Hercule Poirot.
The story begins with the discovery of a woman’s body aboard a luxury train travelling from Plymouth to London. What appears at first to be a straightforward case soon reveals layers of deception, mistaken identity, and carefully planned misdirection. As Poirot reconstructs the journey, every detail — each stop, each compartment, each movement — becomes crucial.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration captures the intelligence, calm authority, and subtle humour of Poirot in his early cases.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic mysteries, and traditional whodunits.
#AgathaChristie,#ThePlymouthExpress,#HerculePoirot,#DavidSuchet,#ClassicMystery,#DetectiveFiction,#Audiobook,#BritishMystery,#GoldenAgeMystery,#Whodunit,#TrainMystery,#ClassicCrime,#MysteryAudiobook,#AudioStory,#StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
The story begins with the discovery of a woman’s body aboard a luxury train travelling from Plymouth to London. What appears at first to be a straightforward case soon reveals layers of deception, mistaken identity, and carefully planned misdirection. As Poirot reconstructs the journey, every detail — each stop, each compartment, each movement — becomes crucial.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration captures the intelligence, calm authority, and subtle humour of Poirot in his early cases.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic mysteries, and traditional whodunits.
#AgathaChristie,#ThePlymouthExpress,#HerculePoirot,#DavidSuchet,#ClassicMystery,#DetectiveFiction,#Audiobook,#BritishMystery,#GoldenAgeMystery,#Whodunit,#TrainMystery,#ClassicCrime,#MysteryAudiobook,#AudioStory,#StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
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FunTranscript
00:00Poirot's Early Cases by Agatha Christie
00:03Read by David Suchet
00:05The Plymouth Express
00:08Alex Simpson, RN, stepped from the platform at Newton Abbot
00:16into a first-class compartment of the Plymouth Express.
00:20A porter followed him with a heavy suitcase.
00:22He was about to swing it up to the rack, but the young sailor stopped him.
00:27No, leave it on the seat, I'll put it up later.
00:30Oh, here you are.
00:32Oh, thank you, sir.
00:34The porter generously tipped, withdrew.
00:37Doors banged.
00:39A stentorian voice shouted,
00:41Plymouth only!
00:43Change for talkie!
00:45Plymouth next stop!
00:47Then a whistle blew, and the train drew slowly out of the station.
00:53Lieutenant Simpson had the carriage to himself.
00:56The December air was chilly, and he pulled up the window.
01:00Then he sniffed vaguely and frowned.
01:02What a smell there was!
01:04Reminded him of that time in hospital and the operation on his leg.
01:08Oh, yes, chloroform!
01:10That was it.
01:11He let the window down again, changing his seat to one with its back to the engine.
01:15He pulled a pipe out of his pocket and lit it.
01:19For a little time he sat inactive, looking out into the night and smoking.
01:24At last he roused himself, and opening the suitcase, took out some papers and magazines,
01:30then closed the suitcase again and endeavoured to shove it under the opposite seat, without success.
01:35Some obstacle resisted it.
01:38He shoved harder with rising impatience, but it still stuck out halfway into the carriage.
01:44Why, the devil, won't it go in?
01:46He muttered, and hauling it out completely, he stooped down and peered under the seat.
01:51A moment later, a cry rang out into the night, and the great train came to an unwilling halt
02:00in obedience to the imperative jerking of the communication cord.
02:04Mon ami, said Poirot, you have, I know, been deeply interested in this mystery of the Plymouth Express.
02:14Read this.
02:15I picked up the note he flicked across the table to me.
02:18It was brief and to the point.
02:20Dear sir, I shall be obliged if you will call upon me at your earliest convenience,
02:24yours faithfully, Ebenezer Halliday.
02:27The connection was not clear to my mind, and I looked inquiringly at Poirot.
02:31For an answer, he took up the newspaper and read aloud.
02:35A sensational discovery was made last night.
02:38A young naval officer returning to Plymouth found under the seat of his compartment
02:42the body of a woman stabbed through the heart.
02:45The officer at once pulled the communication cord, and the train was brought to a standstill.
02:51The woman, who was about thirty years of age and richly dressed, has not yet been identified.
02:57And later we have this.
02:58Ah, the woman, found dead in the Plymouth Express, has been identified as the Honourable
03:07Mrs. Rupert Carrington.
03:10Hmm.
03:11You see now, my friend?
03:12Or if you do not, I will add this.
03:14Mrs. Rupert Carrington was, before her marriage, Flossie Halliday,
03:18daughter of old man Halliday, the steel king of America.
03:21Well, and he has sent for you?
03:24Splendid!
03:26I did him a little service in the past, an affair of bearer bonds, and once, when I was
03:30in Paris for a royal visit, I had Mlle Flossie pointed out to me.
03:34La jolie petite pensionnaire.
03:36She had the jolie dot, too.
03:39It caused trouble.
03:40She nearly made a bad affair.
03:43Oh, how was that?
03:43A certain count de la Rochefort, un bien mauvais sujet, a bad hat, as you would say, an adventurer
03:51pure and simple who knew how to appeal to a romantic young girl.
03:55Luckily, her father got wind of it in time.
03:58He took her back to America in haste.
04:00I heard of her marriage some years later, but I know nothing of her husband.
04:04Hmm, I said.
04:05The Honourable Rupert Carrington is no beauty by all accounts.
04:10He had pretty well run through his own money on the turf, and I should imagine old man
04:14Halliday's dollars came along in the nick of time.
04:16I should say that for a good-looking, well-mannered, utterly unscrupulous young scoundrel, it would
04:21be hard to find his mate.
04:23Ah, the poor little lady.
04:26Elle n'est pas bien tombée.
04:28I fancy he made it pretty obvious at once that it was her money and not she that attracted
04:31him.
04:32I believe they drifted apart almost at once.
04:35I have heard rumours lately that there was to be a definite legal separation.
04:40Well, old man Halliday is no fool.
04:43He would tie up her money pretty tight.
04:46As I dare say.
04:47Anyway, I know as a fact that the Honourable Rupert is said to be extremely hard up.
04:51Aha.
04:52I wonder.
04:53Oh, you wonder what?
04:55My good friend, do not jump down my throat like that.
04:57You are interested, I see.
04:58Suppose you accompany me to see Mr. Halliday.
05:01There is a taxi stand at the corner.
05:03A few minutes sufficed to whirl us to the superb house in Park Lane rented by the American
05:10magnate.
05:11We were shown into the library, and almost immediately we were joined by a large, stout man with piercing eyes and an aggressive chin.
05:19Mr. Poirot, said Mr. Halliday, I guess I don't need to tell you what I want you for.
05:27You've read the papers, and I'm never one to let the grass grow under my feet.
05:33I happened to hear you were in London, and I remembered the good work you did over those bonds.
05:38I'll never forget a name.
05:41I've got the pick of Scotland Yard, but I'll have my own man as well.
05:44Money, no object.
05:46All the dollars were made for my little girl, and now she's gone.
05:50I'll spend my last cent to catch the damn scoundrel that did it.
05:55See?
05:56So it's up to you to deliver the goods.
06:00Poirot bowed.
06:01I accept, monsieur, all the more willingly, that I saw your daughter in Paris several times.
06:07And now I will ask you to tell me the circumstances of her journey to Plymouth,
06:11and any other details that seem to you to bear upon the case.
06:14Well, to begin with, responded Halliday, she wasn't going to Plymouth.
06:21She was going to join a house party at Avonmead Court, the Duchess of Swansea's place.
06:27She left London by the 1214 from Paddington, arriving at Bristol, where she had to change, at 2.50.
06:33The principal, Plymouth Expresses, of course, run via Westbury and do not go near Bristol at all.
06:38The 1214 does a non-stop run to Bristol, afterwards stopping at Weston, Taunton, Exeter, and Newton Abbott.
06:45My daughter travelled alone in her carriage, which was reserved as far as Bristol,
06:49her maid being in a third-class carriage in the next coach.
06:53Poirot nodded, and Mr. Halliday went on.
06:56The party at Avonmead Court was to be a very gay one, with several balls,
07:01and in consequence my daughter had with her nearly all her jewels,
07:04amounting in value perhaps to about a hundred thousand dollars.
07:06A moment, interrupted Poirot.
07:10Who had charge of the jewels, your daughter or the maid?
07:14My daughter always took charge of them herself, carrying them in a small blue Morocco case.
07:20Continue, monsieur.
07:22At Bristol, the maid, Jane Mason, collected her mistress's dressing-bag and wraps,
07:27which were with her, and came to the door of Flossie's compartment.
07:31To her intense surprise, my daughter told her that she was not getting out of Bristol,
07:34but was going on farther.
07:36She directed Mason to get out the luggage and put it in the cloakroom.
07:40She could have tea in the refreshment room, but she was to wait at the station for her mistress,
07:44who would return to Bristol by an up-train in the course of the afternoon.
07:48The maid, although very much astonished, did, as she was told.
07:52She put the luggage in the cloakroom and had some tea.
07:54But up-train after up-train came in, and her mistress did not appear.
08:03After the arrival of the last train, she left the luggage where it was and went to a hotel near the station for the night.
08:09This morning she read of the tragedy and returned to town by the first available train.
08:13Is there nothing to account for your daughter's sudden change of plan?
08:19Well, there is this.
08:22According to Jane Mason at Bristol, Flossie was no longer alone in her carriage.
08:26There was a man in it who stood looking out of the farther window so that she could not see his face.
08:31The train was a corridor one, of course.
08:34Yes.
08:35Which side was the corridor?
08:36On the platform side.
08:39My daughter was standing in the corridor as she talked to Mason.
08:43And there is no doubt in your mind—oh, excuse me.
08:48He got up and carefully straightened the inkstand, which was a little askew.
08:53Je vous demande pardon, he continued, reseating himself.
08:57It affects my nerves to see anything crooked.
09:00Strange, is it not?
09:01As I was saying, monsieur, there is no doubt in your mind as to this probably unexpected meeting
09:06because of the cause of your daughter's sudden change of plan?
09:10Well, it seems the only reasonable supposition.
09:13And you have no idea as to who the gentleman in question might be?
09:16The millionaire hesitated for a moment and then replied,
09:20No.
09:22I do not know at all.
09:26Now, as to the discovery of the body—
09:29Well, it was discovered by a young naval officer who at once gave the alarm.
09:33There was a doctor on the train.
09:35He examined the body.
09:36She had been first chloroformed and then stabbed.
09:40He gave it as his opinion that she had been dead about four hours,
09:43so it must have been done not long after leaving Bristol,
09:46probably between there and Weston, possibly between Weston and Taunton.
09:50And the jewel case?
09:52The jewel case, monsieur Poirot, was missing.
09:57One thing more, monsieur.
09:59Your daughter's fortune, to whom does it pass at her death?
10:02Flossie made a will soon after her marriage, leaving everything to her husband.
10:08He hesitated for a minute and then went on.
10:11I may as well tell you, monsieur Poirot, that I regard my son-in-law as an unprincipled scoundrel,
10:16and that by my advice my daughter was on the eve of freeing herself from him by legal means.
10:21No difficult matter.
10:23I settled her money upon her in such a way that he could not touch it during her lifetime,
10:28but although they have lived entirely apart for some years,
10:31she had frequently acceded to his demands for money rather than face an open scandal.
10:35However, I was determined to put an end to this.
10:37At last, Flossie agreed, and my lawyers were instructed to take proceedings.
10:45And where is monsieur Carrington?
10:47In town.
10:49I believe he was away in the country yesterday, but he returned last night.
10:53Poirot considered a little while.
10:55Then he said,
10:56I think that is all, monsieur.
10:59You'd like to see the maid, Jane Mason?
11:02If you please.
11:04Halliday rang the bell and gave a short order to the footman.
11:08A few minutes later, Jane Mason entered the room.
11:11A respectable, hard-featured woman,
11:13as emotionless in the face of tragedy as only a good servant can be.
11:19You will permit me to put a few questions?
11:22Your mistress, she was quite as usual before starting yesterday morning,
11:26not excited or flurried.
11:28How knows her?
11:30But at Bristol, she was quite different?
11:33Er, yes, sir.
11:36Regular upset.
11:37So nervous, she didn't seem to know what she was saying.
11:40What did she say, exactly?
11:44Well, sir, as near as I can remember, she said,
11:46Mason, I've got to alter my plans.
11:47Something has happened.
11:48I mean, I'm not getting out here after all.
11:50I must go on.
11:52Er, get the luggage and put it in the cloakroom,
11:54then have some tea and wait for me in the station.
11:56Wait for you here, ma'am, I asked.
11:59Yes, yes, don't leave the station.
12:02I shall return by a later train.
12:03I don't know when it mayn't be until quite late.
12:06Very well, ma'am, I says.
12:09It wasn't my place to ask questions, but I thought it very strange.
12:13It was unlike your mistress, eh?
12:15Very unlike her, sir.
12:18What did you think?
12:20Well, sir, I thought it was to do with the gentleman in the carriage.
12:22She didn't speak to him, but she turned round once or twice
12:25as though to ask him if she was doing right.
12:28But you did not see the gentleman's face?
12:31No, sir.
12:32He stood with his back to me all the time.
12:35Can you describe him at all?
12:36He had on a light fawn overcoat and a travelling cap.
12:42He was tall and slender-like, and the back of his head was dark.
12:47You didn't know him.
12:49Oh, no, I don't think so, sir.
12:50It was not your master, Mr. Carrington, by any chance.
12:54Mason looked rather startled.
12:56Oh, I don't think so, sir.
12:59But you are not sure?
13:02It was about the master's build, sir, but I never thought of it being him.
13:05We so seldom saw him.
13:07I couldn't say it wasn't him.
13:11Poirot picked up a pin from the carpet and frowned at it severely.
13:14Then he continued,
13:15Would it be possible for the man to have entered the train at Bristol
13:19before you reached the carriage?
13:21Mason considered.
13:23Yes, sir, I think it would.
13:24My compartment was very crowded, and it was some minutes before I could get out,
13:27and then there was a very large crowd on the platform,
13:30and that delayed me too.
13:31But you'd only have had a minute or two to speak to the mistress that way.
13:35I took it for granted that he'd come along the corridor.
13:39That is more probable, certainly.
13:41He paused, still frowning.
13:44You know how the mistress was dressed, sir?
13:47The papers give a few details, but I would like you to confirm them.
13:51She was wearing a white fox fur toque, sir, with a white-spotted veil
13:57and a blue frieze coat and skirt, the shade of blue they call electric.
14:04Hmm.
14:04Rather striking.
14:05Yeah, remarked Mr. Halliday.
14:10Inspector Japp is in hopes that that may help us to fix the spot where the crime took place.
14:16Anyone who saw her would remember her.
14:19Precisement.
14:20Thank you, mademoiselle.
14:22The maid left the room.
14:24Well, Poirot got up briskly.
14:29That is all I can do here, except, monsieur, that I would ask you to tell me everything, but everything.
14:37Why, I've done so.
14:39You are sure?
14:41Absolutely.
14:43Then there is nothing more to be said.
14:45I must decline the case.
14:48Why?
14:50Because you have not been frank with me.
14:52I assure you.
14:53No.
14:53You are keeping something back.
14:56There was a moment's pause, and then Halliday drew a paper from his pocket and handed it to my friend.
15:03I guess that's what you're after, monsieur Poirot, though how you know about it fairly gets my goat.
15:10Poirot smiled and unfolded the paper.
15:13It was a letter written in thin, sloping handwriting.
15:16Poirot read it aloud.
15:19Cher, madame,
15:22it is with infinite pleasure that I look forward to the felicity of meeting you again.
15:27After your so amiable reply to my letter, I can hardly restrain my impatience.
15:31I have never forgotten those days in Paris.
15:34It is most cruel that you should be leaving London tomorrow.
15:37However, before very long, and perhaps sooner than you think,
15:41I shall have the joy of beholding once more the lady whose image has ever reigned supreme in my heart.
15:47Believe, chère madame, all the assurances of my most devoted and unaltered sentiments,
15:57Armand de la Rochefort.
15:59Poirot handed the letter back to Halliday with a bow.
16:05I fancy, monsieur, that you did not know that your daughter intended renewing her acquaintance with the Count de la Rochefort.
16:11It came as a thunderbolt to me.
16:14I found this letter in my daughter's handbag.
16:16As you probably know, monsieur Poirot, this so-called Count is an adventurer of the worst type.
16:22Poirot nodded.
16:23But I want to know how you knew of the existence of this letter.
16:27My friend smiled.
16:30Monsieur, I did not.
16:32But to track footmarks and recognize cigarette ash is not sufficient for a detective.
16:38He must also be a good psychologist.
16:40I knew that you disliked and mistrusted your son-in-law.
16:43He benefits by your daughter's death.
16:45The maid's description of the mysterious man bears a sufficient resemblance to him.
16:50Yet you are not keen on his track.
16:53Why?
16:55Surely because your suspicions lie in another direction.
16:57Therefore you are keeping something back.
17:00You are right, monsieur Poirot.
17:02I was sure of Rupert's guilt until I found this letter.
17:06It unsettled me horribly.
17:09Yes, the Count says,
17:12before very long and perhaps sooner than you think.
17:17Obviously he would not want to wait until you should get wind of his reappearance.
17:22Was it he who traveled down from London by the 1214 and came along the corridor to your daughter's compartment?
17:29The Count de la Rochefort is also, if I remember rightly, tall and dark.
17:33The millionaire nodded.
17:36Well, monsieur, I will wish you good day.
17:38Scotland Yard has, I presume, a list of the jewels.
17:42Yes.
17:43And I believe Inspector Jap of Scotland Yard is here now if you would like to see him.
17:48Jap was an old friend of ours and greeted Poirot with a sort of affectionate contempt.
17:56And how are you, monsieur?
17:58No bad feeling between us, though we have got our different ways of looking at things.
18:03How are the little grey cells, eh?
18:06Going strong?
18:08Poirot beamed upon him.
18:10They function, my good Jap.
18:12Assuredly they do.
18:14Well, then, that's all right.
18:16Think it was the Honourable Rupert or the Crook?
18:19We're keeping an eye on all the regular places, of course.
18:22We shall know if the shiners are disposed of.
18:24And, of course, whoever did it isn't going to keep them to admire their sparkle.
18:28Not likely.
18:29I'm trying to find out where Rupert Carrington was yesterday.
18:32Seems a bit of a mystery about it.
18:33I've got a man watching him.
18:36A great precaution, but perhaps a day late, suggested Poirot gently.
18:41You always will have your joke, monsieur Poirot.
18:43Well, I'm off to Paddington, Bristol-Western-Taunton.
18:47That's my beat.
18:48So long.
18:50You will come round and see me this evening and tell me the result?
18:54Oh, sure thing, if I'm back.
18:56That good inspector believes in matter in motion, murmured Poirot as our friend departed.
19:03He travels.
19:04He measures footprints.
19:06He collects mud and cigarette ash.
19:08He is extremely busy.
19:09He is zealous beyond words.
19:11And if I mention psychology to him, do you know what he would do, my friend?
19:16He would smile.
19:17He would say to himself, poor old Poirot.
19:20He ages.
19:20He grows senile.
19:23Jap is the younger generation knocking at the door.
19:26And ma foi!
19:27They are so busy knocking that they do not notice that the door is open.
19:32Now, what are you going to do?
19:36Well, as we have carte blanche, I shall expend three pence in ringing up the ritz, where you
19:42may have noticed our county staying.
19:45After that, as my feet are a little damp and I have sneezed twice, I shall return to my rooms
19:50and make myself a tisane over the spirit lamp.
19:53I did not see Poirot again until the following morning.
19:57I found him placidly finishing his breakfast.
20:00Well, I inquired eagerly.
20:02What's happened?
20:03Nothing.
20:04But Jap?
20:05I have not seen him.
20:07The Count?
20:08He left our ritz the day before yesterday.
20:10Well, the day of the murder?
20:11Yes.
20:12Well, then that settles it.
20:13Rupert Carrington is cleared.
20:15But because the Count de l'Arochefort has left our ritz?
20:17No, you go too fast, my friend.
20:19Well, anyway, he must be followed, arrested.
20:21But what could be his motive?
20:25One hundred thousand dollars' worth of jewellery is a very good motive for anyone.
20:29No.
20:29The question to my mind is why kill her?
20:32Why not simply steal the jewels?
20:34She would not prosecute?
20:36Well, why not?
20:37Because she is a woman, mon ami.
20:39She once loved this man.
20:42Therefore she would suffer her loss in silence.
20:44And the Count, who is an extremely good psychologist where women are concerned, hence his successes,
20:48would know that perfectly well.
20:49On the other hand, if Rupert Carrington killed her, why take the jewels which would incriminate him fatally?
20:57Well, as a blind.
20:59Perhaps you are right, my friend.
21:00Ah, here is Jap.
21:02I recognize his knock.
21:05The inspector was beaming good-humouredly.
21:08Morning, Poirot.
21:09Only just got back.
21:10I've done some good work.
21:12And you?
21:13Me?
21:14Me?
21:15I have arranged my ideas, replied Poirot placidly.
21:20Jap laughed heartily.
21:23Old chap's getting on in years, he observed beneath his breath to me.
21:28That won't do for us young folk, he said aloud.
21:32Quel dommage, Poirot inquired.
21:35Well, do you want to hear what I've done?
21:39You permit me to make a guess?
21:41You have found the knife with which the crime was committed, by the side of the line between Weston and Taunton,
21:47and you have interviewed the paperboy who spoke to Mrs. Carrington at Weston.
21:52Jap's jaw fell.
21:55How on earth did you know?
21:59Don't tell me it was those almighty little grey cells of yours.
22:02I am glad you admit for once that they are almighty.
22:07Tell me, did she give the paperboy a shilling for himself?
22:10No, it was half a crown.
22:12Jap had recovered his temper and grinned.
22:14Pretty extravagant, these rich Americans.
22:17And in consequence the boy did not forget her?
22:20No, not he.
22:21Half-crowns don't come his way every day.
22:22She hailed him and bought two magazines.
22:24One had a picture of a girl in blue on the cover.
22:27That'll match me, she said.
22:29Oh, he remembered her perfectly.
22:31Well, that was enough for me.
22:33By the doctor's evidence, the crime must have been committed before Taunton.
22:36I guess they'd throw the knife away at once, and I walked down the line looking for it, and sure enough there it was.
22:41I made inquiries at Taunton about our man, but of course it's a big station.
22:44It wasn't likely they'd notice him.
22:46He probably got back to London by a later train.
22:49Poirot nodded.
22:50Very likely.
22:52Well, I found another bit of news when I got back.
22:55They're passing the jewels, all right.
22:57That large emerald was pawned last night by one of the regular lot.
23:01Who do you think it was?
23:03I don't know.
23:05Except that he was a shot man.
23:08Jap stared.
23:10Well, you're right there.
23:12He's short enough.
23:13It was Red Narky.
23:18Well, who is Red Narky?
23:21I asked.
23:23Well, a particular sharp jewel thief, sir, and not one to stick at murder.
23:26Usually works with a woman, Gracie Kidd.
23:29But she doesn't seem to be in it this time, unless she's got off to Holland with the rest of the swag.
23:33Well, you've arrested Narky.
23:37Yeah, sure thing.
23:37But mind you, it's the other man we want.
23:39The man who went down with Mrs Carrington in the train.
23:42He's the one who planned the job right enough, but Narky won't squeal on a pal.
23:46I noticed that Poirot's eyes had become very green.
23:51I think, he said gently, that I can find Narky's pal for you, all right.
23:58One of your little ideas, eh?
24:01Jap eyed Poirot sharply.
24:02Wonderful how you managed to deliver the goods sometimes at your age and all.
24:06Devil's own luck, of course.
24:09Perhaps.
24:10Perhaps, murmured my friend.
24:13Hastings, my hat.
24:15And the brush.
24:17So, my galoshes, if it still rains.
24:21We must not undo the good work of that T-san.
24:24Au revoir, Jap.
24:26Well, good luck to you, Poirot.
24:27Poirot hailed the first taxi we met and directed the driver to Park Lane.
24:33When we drew up before Halliday's house, he skipped out nimbly, paid the driver, and rang the bell.
24:39To the footman who opened the door, he made a request in a low voice, and we were immediately taken upstairs.
24:45We went up to the top of the house and were shown into a small, neat bedroom.
24:49Poirot's eyes roved around the room and fastened themselves on a small black trunk.
24:52He knelt in front of it, scrutinized the labels on it, and took a small twist of wire from his pocket.
24:58Ask Mr. Halliday if you will be so kind as to mount to me here, he said over his shoulder to the footman.
25:03The man departed, and Poirot gently coaxed the lock of the trunk with a practiced hand.
25:08In a few minutes the lock gave, and he raised the lid of the trunk.
25:12Swiftly he began rubbaging among the clothes it contained, flinging them out on the floor.
25:18There was a heavy step on the stairs, and Halliday entered the room.
25:20What in the hell are you doing here? he demanded, staring.
25:25I was looking, monsieur, for this.
25:29Poirot withdrew from the trunk a coat and skirt of bright blue frieze, and a small toke of white fox fur.
25:37What are you doing with my trunk?
25:40I turned to see that the maid, Jane Mason, had entered the room.
25:44If you will just shut the door, Hastings.
25:48Yes, and stand with your back against it.
25:50Now, Mr. Halliday, let me introduce you to Gracie Kidd, otherwise Jane Mason, who will shortly rejoin her accomplice, Red Naki, under the kind escort of Inspector Jap.
26:06Poirot waved a deprecating hand.
26:08It was of the most simple.
26:10He helped himself to more caviar.
26:12It was the maid's insistence on the clothes that her mistress was wearing that first struck me.
26:18Why was she so anxious that our attention should be directed to them?
26:21I reflected that we had only the maid's word for the mysterious man in the carriage at Bristol.
26:26As far as the doctor's evidence went, Mrs. Carrington might easily have been murdered before reaching Bristol.
26:32But if so, then the maid must be an accomplice.
26:38And if she were an accomplice, she would not wish this point to rest on her evidence alone.
26:43The clothes Mrs. Carrington were wearing were of a striking nature.
26:48A maid usually has a good deal of choice as to what her mistress shall wear.
26:54Now, if, after Bristol, anyone saw a lady in a bright blue coat and skirt and a fur toque,
26:59he would be quite ready to swear he had seen Mrs. Carrington.
27:03I began to reconstruct.
27:06The maid would provide herself with duplicate clothes.
27:10She and her accomplice chloroform and stab Mrs. Carrington between London and Bristol,
27:17probably taking advantage of a tunnel.
27:20Her body is rolled under the seat and the maid takes her place.
27:25At Western, she must make herself noticed.
27:28How?
27:30In all probability, a newspaper boy will be selected.
27:33She will ensure he's remembering her by giving him a large tip.
27:37She also draw his attention to the colour of her dress by a remark about one of the magazines.
27:43After leaving Western, she throws the knife out of the window to mark the place where the crime
27:48presumably occurred and changes her clothes or buttons along Mackintosh over them.
27:55At Taunton, she leaves the train and returns to Bristol as soon as possible
27:59where her accomplice has duly left her luggage in the cloakroom.
28:02He hands over the ticket and himself returns to London.
28:08She waits on the platform, carrying out her role,
28:13goes to a hotel for the night and returns to town in the morning exactly as she said.
28:20When Jap returned from this expedition, he confirmed all my deductions.
28:24He also told me that a well-known crook was passing the jewels.
28:27I knew that whoever it was would be the exact opposite of the man Jane Mason described
28:33when I heard that it was Red Narky, who always worked with Gracie Kidd.
28:37Well, I knew just where to find her.
28:41And the Count?
28:44The more I thought of it, the more I was convinced that he had nothing to do with it.
28:50That gentleman is much too careful of his own skin to risk murder.
28:54It would be out of keeping with his character.
28:56Well, Monsieur Poirot, said Halliday, I owe you a big debt.
29:04And the cheque I write after lunch won't go near to settling it.
29:10Poirot smiled modestly and murmured to me,
29:14The good Jap.
29:16He shall get the official credit, all right, but though he has got his Gracie Kidd,
29:20I think that I, as the Americans say, have got his goat.
29:26The good Japwu's friend
29:28As the elders said that he has got the rings,
29:30He was like, yeah,
29:31Me no pains him.
29:32He's like I nee, I know.
29:34He was like, yeah.
29:35This is right.
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