The Submarine Plans is a classic short espionage mystery by Agatha Christie, featuring her meticulous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
When highly confidential naval documents vanish, the case quickly escalates beyond a simple theft. Matters turn deadly, and what appears to be a question of national security becomes a carefully constructed puzzle of motive, timing, and deception. Poirot approaches the problem not with force, but with logic, patience, and attention to the smallest details.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration perfectly captures Poirot’s intelligence, calm authority, and methodical reasoning.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic spy stories, and traditional whodunits.
#AgathaChristie #TheSubmarinePlans #HerculePoirot #DavidSuchet #ClassicMystery #DetectiveFiction #Audiobook #BritishMystery #GoldenAgeMystery #SpyStory #Espionage #ClassicCrime #MysteryAudiobook #AudioStory #StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
When highly confidential naval documents vanish, the case quickly escalates beyond a simple theft. Matters turn deadly, and what appears to be a question of national security becomes a carefully constructed puzzle of motive, timing, and deception. Poirot approaches the problem not with force, but with logic, patience, and attention to the smallest details.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration perfectly captures Poirot’s intelligence, calm authority, and methodical reasoning.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic spy stories, and traditional whodunits.
#AgathaChristie #TheSubmarinePlans #HerculePoirot #DavidSuchet #ClassicMystery #DetectiveFiction #Audiobook #BritishMystery #GoldenAgeMystery #SpyStory #Espionage #ClassicCrime #MysteryAudiobook #AudioStory #StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00The Submarine Plans
00:03A note had been brought by Special Messenger.
00:08Poirot read it, and a gleam of excitement and interest came into his eyes as he did so.
00:13He dismissed the man with a few curt words and then turned to me.
00:17Pack a bag with all haste, my friend. We are going down to Chapels.
00:22I started at the mention of the famous country place of Lord Alloway.
00:26Head of the newly formed Ministry of Defence, Lord Alloway was a prominent member of the Cabinet.
00:32As Sir Ralph Curtis, head of a great engineering firm, he had made his mark in the House of Commons,
00:38and he was now freely spoken of as the coming man,
00:42and the one most likely to be asked to form a ministry should the rumours as to Mr David McAdam's health prove well-founded.
00:49A big Rolls-Royce car was waiting for us below, and as we glided off into the darkness,
00:54I plied Poirot with questions.
00:57What on earth can they want us for at this time of night? I demanded.
01:00It was past eleven.
01:02Poirot shook his head.
01:03Something of the most urgent, without doubt.
01:06I remember, I said, that some years ago there was some rather ugly scandal about Ralph Curtis, as he then was,
01:13some jugglery with shares, I believe.
01:16In the end he was completely exonerated, but perhaps something of the kind has arisen again.
01:20It would hardly be necessary for him to send for me in the middle of the night, my friend.
01:26I was forced to agree, and the remainder of the journey was passed in silence.
01:30Once out of London the powerful car forged rapidly ahead, and we arrived at Sharples in a little under the hour.
01:37A pontifical butler conducted us at once to a small study where Lord Alloway was awaiting us.
01:42He sprang up to greet us, a tall, spare man who seemed actually to radiate power and vitality.
01:50Oh, Monsieur Poirot, I'm delighted to see you.
01:54It's the second time the government has demanded your services.
01:57I remember only too well what you did for us during the war,
02:00when the Prime Minister was kidnapped in that astounding fashion.
02:03Your masterly deductions, and may I add your discretion, saved the situation.
02:09Poirot's eyes twinkled a little.
02:10Do I gather then, Millard, that this is another case for discretion?
02:15Most emphatically.
02:17Sir Harry and I—oh, let me introduce you—
02:19Admiral Sir Harry Weardale, our first sea lord, Monsieur Poirot, and—let me see—
02:24Captain, um—Hastings, I supplied.
02:28I've often heard of you, Monsieur Poirot, said Sir Harry, shaking hands.
02:32This is a most unaccountable business, and if you can solve it, we'll be extremely grateful to you.
02:39I liked the first sea lord immediately, a square bluff sailor of the good old-fashioned type.
02:46Poirot looked inquiringly at them both, and Alloway took up the tale.
02:50Of course you understand that all this is in confidence, Monsieur Poirot.
02:56We have had a most serious loss.
02:59The plans of the new Z-type of submarine have been stolen.
03:04When was that?
03:05Tonight.
03:06Less than three hours ago.
03:08You can appreciate, perhaps, Monsieur Poirot, the magnitude of the disaster.
03:12It is essential that the loss should not be made public.
03:15I will give you the facts as briefly as possible.
03:17My guests over the weekend were the Admiral here, his wife and son, and Mrs. Conrad, a lady well-known in London society.
03:25The ladies retired to bed early, about ten o'clock.
03:28So did Mr. Leonard Weardale.
03:31Sir Harry is down here partly for the purpose of discussing the construction of this new type of submarine with me.
03:35Accordingly, I asked Mr. Fitzroy, my secretary, to get out the plans from the safe in the corner there and to arrange them ready for me,
03:42as well as various other documents that bore upon the subject in hand.
03:47While he was doing this, the Admiral and I strolled up and down the terrace, smoking cigars and enjoying the warm June air.
03:53We finished our smoke and our chat and decided to get down to business.
03:56Just as we turned at the far end of the terrace, I fancied I saw a shadow slip out of the French window here, cross the terrace and disappear.
04:06I paid very little attention, however.
04:09I knew Fitzroy to be in this room, and it never entered my head that anything might be amiss.
04:15There, of course, I am to blame.
04:17Well, we retraced our steps along the terrace and entered this room by the window, just as Fitzroy entered from the hall.
04:24Got everything out we're likely to need, Fitzroy, I asked.
04:27I think so, Lord Alloway.
04:29Papers are all on your desk, he answered.
04:31And then he wished us both good night.
04:33Now, just wait a minute, I said, going to the desk.
04:36I may want something I haven't mentioned.
04:39I looked quickly through the papers that were lying there.
04:41Oh, you've forgotten the most important of the lot, Fitzroy, I said.
04:45The actual plans of the submarine.
04:48But the plans are right on the top, Lord Alloway.
04:51No, they're not, I said, turning over the papers.
04:54But I put them there not a minute ago.
04:56Well, they're not there now, I said.
04:58Fitzroy advanced with a bewildered expression on his face, and the thing seemed incredible.
05:02We turned over the papers on the desk, we hunted through the safe,
05:04but at last we had to make up our minds to it that the papers were gone.
05:09And gone within the short space of about three minutes while Fitzroy was absent from the room.
05:13Why did he leave the room?
05:16Asked Poirot quickly.
05:19Well, that's just what I asked him, exclaimed Sir Harry.
05:22It appears, said Lord Alloway, that just when he had finished arranging the papers on my desk,
05:28he was startled by hearing a woman scream.
05:30He dashed out into the hall.
05:32On the stairs he discovered Mrs. Conrad's French maid.
05:34The girl looked very white and upset, and declared that she had seen a ghost,
05:38a tall figure dressed on in white, that moved without a sound.
05:42Fitzroy laughed at her fears and told her, in more or less polite language, not to be a fool.
05:47Then he returned to this room just as we entered from the window.
05:51It seems very clear, said Poirot thoughtfully.
05:56The only question is, was the maid an accomplice?
05:59Did she scream by arrangement with her confederate lurking outside,
06:02or was he merely waiting there in the hope of an opportunity presenting itself?
06:08It was a man, I suppose, not a woman you saw?
06:11I can't tell you, Monsieur Poirot.
06:13It was just a shadow.
06:16The admiral gave such a peculiar snort that it could not fail to attract attention.
06:22Monsieur l'amiral has something to say, I think, said Poirot quietly, with a slight smile.
06:27You saw this shadow, Sir Harry?
06:29No, no, I didn't, returned the other, and neither did Alloway.
06:33The branch of a tree flapped or something, and then afterwards, when we discovered the
06:37theft, he leapt to the conclusion that he had seen someone pass across the terrace.
06:40His imagination played a trick on him, that's all.
06:44I am not usually credited with having much imagination, said Lord Alloway with a slight
06:48smile.
06:50Oh, nonsense, we've all got imagination.
06:52We can all work ourselves out to believe that we've seen more than we have.
06:55I have had a lifetime experience at sea, and I'll back my eyes against those of any landsman.
06:59I was looking right down the terrace, and I'd have seen the same, if there was anything
07:04to see.
07:05He was quite excited over the matter.
07:07Poirot rose and stepped quickly to the window.
07:10You permit?
07:11he asked.
07:12We must set her at this point, if possible.
07:14He went out upon the terrace, and we followed him.
07:17He had taken an electric torch from his pocket, and was playing light along the edge of the
07:21grass that bordered the terrace.
07:22Where did he cross the terrace, Milord?
07:26he asked.
07:27About opposite the window, I should say.
07:31Poirot continued to play the torch for some minutes longer, walking the entire length of
07:35the terrace and back.
07:37Then he shut it off and straightened himself up.
07:40Sir Harry is right, and you are wrong, Milord, he said quietly.
07:44It rained heavily earlier this evening.
07:46Anyone who passed over that grass could not avoid leaving footmarks.
07:49But there are none, none at all.
07:52His eyes went from one man's face to the other's.
07:55Lord Alloway looked bewildered and unconvinced.
07:58The admiral expressed a noisy gratification.
08:02Knew I couldn't be wrong, he declared.
08:05Trust my eyes anywhere.
08:08He was such a picture of an honest old sea-dog that I could not help smiling.
08:12So that brings us to the people in the house, said Poirot smoothly.
08:17Let us come inside again.
08:19Now, Milord, while Mr. Fitzroy was speaking to the maid on the stairs, could anyone have
08:23seized the opportunity to enter the study from the hall?
08:26Lord Alloway shook his head.
08:28Oh, quite impossible.
08:30They would have had to pass him in order to do so.
08:32And Mr. Fitzroy himself, you are sure of him, eh?
08:36Lord Alloway flushed.
08:38Oh, absolutely, Monsieur Poirot.
08:40I will answer confidently for my secretary.
08:42It's quite impossible that he should be concerned in the matter in any way.
08:46Everything seems to be impossible, remarked Poirot rather dryly.
08:51Possibly the plans attached to themselves a little pair of wings, and flew away?
08:58Comme ça.
09:00He blew his lips out like a comical cherub.
09:03The whole thing is impossible, declared Lord Alloway impatiently.
09:07But I beg, Monsieur Poirot, that you will not dream of suspecting Fitzroy.
09:11Consider for one moment, had he wished to take the plans, what could have been easier for
09:14him than to take a tracing of them without going to the trouble of stealing them?
09:18There, my lord, said Poirot with approval, you make a remark bien juste.
09:26I see that you have a mind orderly and methodical.
09:29L'Angleterre is happy in possessing you.
09:32Lord Alloway looked rather embarrassed by this sudden burst of praise.
09:35Poirot returned to the matter in hand.
09:37The room in which you had been sitting all the evening?
09:40The drawing-room, yes.
09:42That also has a window on the terrace.
09:44Since I remember your saying you went out that way, would it not be possible for someone
09:47to come out by the drawing-room window and in by this one, while Mr. Fitzroy was out of
09:53the room, and return the same way?
09:56Ah, but we'd have seen them, objected the admiral.
10:00Not if you had your backs turned, walking the other way.
10:04Well, Fitzroy was only out of the room a few minutes, the time it would take us to walk
10:08to the end and back.
10:09No matter, it is a possibility.
10:11In fact, the only one, as things stand.
10:15But there was no one in the drawing-room when we went out, said the admiral.
10:19They may have come there afterwards.
10:22You mean, said Lord Alloway slowly, that when Fitzroy heard the maid scream and went out,
10:29someone was already concealed in the drawing-room, and that they darted in and out through the
10:33windows, and only left the drawing-room when Fitzroy had returned to this room?
10:37The methodical mind again, said Poirot, bowing.
10:42You expressed the matter perfectly.
10:46One of the servants, perhaps.
10:49Or a guest.
10:50It was Mrs. Conrad's maid who screamed.
10:53What exactly can you tell me of Mrs. Conrad?
10:56Lord Alloway considered for a minute.
10:59I told you that she is a lady well-known in society.
11:02That is true in the sense that she gives large parties and goads everywhere, but very little
11:08is known as to where she really comes from and what her past life has been.
11:12She is a lady who frequents diplomatic and foreign office circles as much as possible.
11:17The secret service is inclined to ask why.
11:22I see, said Poirot.
11:25And she was asked here this weekend?
11:27Uh, so that, shall we say, we might observe her at close quarters?
11:34Parfaitement.
11:35It is possible that she has turned the tables on you rather neatly.
11:39Lord Alloway looked discomfited, and Poirot continued.
11:44Tell me, my lord, was any reference made in her hearing to the subjects you and the Admiral
11:49were going to discuss together?
11:51Oh, yes, admitted the other.
11:54Sir Harry said, and now for our submarine to work, or something of that sort.
12:02The others had left the room, but she had come back for a book.
12:07I see, said Poirot thoughtfully.
12:11My lord, it is very late, but this is an urgent affair.
12:15I would like to question the members of this house party at once, if it is possible.
12:19It can be managed, of course, said Lord Alloway.
12:24The awkward thing is we don't want to let it get about more than can be helped.
12:28Of course, Lady Juliet Weardale and young Leonard are all right, but Mrs. Conrad, if she's not
12:33guilty, is rather a different proposition.
12:35Perhaps you could just state that an important paper is missing, without specifying what it
12:41is or going into any of the circumstances of the disappearance.
12:44Exactly what I was about to propose myself, said Poirot, beaming.
12:48In fact, in all three cases.
12:52Monsieur, the admiral will pardon me, but even the best of wives.
12:56Oh, no offence, said Sir Harry.
12:59All women talk, bless them.
13:01I wish Juliet would talk a little more and play bridge a little less.
13:05But women are like that nowadays, never happy unless they're dancing or gambling.
13:08I'll get Juliet and Leonard up.
13:10Shall I, Alloway?
13:11Oh, thank you.
13:12I'll call the French maid.
13:13Monsieur Poirot will want to see her, and she can rouse her mistress.
13:17I'll attend to it now.
13:18In the meantime, I'll send Fitzroy along.
13:22Mr. Fitzroy was a pale, thin young man with pince-nez and a frigid expression.
13:27His statement was practically word for word what Lord Alloway had already told us.
13:32But what is your own theory, Mr. Fitzroy?
13:35Mr. Fitzroy shrugged his shoulders.
13:37Well, undoubtedly, someone who knew the hang of things was waiting his chance outside.
13:42He could see what went on through the window, and he slipped in when I left the room.
13:45It's a pity Lord Alloway didn't give chastes then and there when he saw the fellow leave.
13:50Poirot did not undeceive him.
13:52Instead, he asked,
13:53Do you believe the story of the French maid, that she had seen a ghost?
13:58Well, hardly, Monsieur Poirot.
14:01I mean that she really thought so.
14:05Well, as to that, I can't say.
14:06She certainly seemed rather upset.
14:08She had her hands to her head.
14:12Aha!
14:13cried Poirot, with the air of one who has made a discovery.
14:17Is that so indeed?
14:18And she was without doubt a pretty girl?
14:21But I didn't notice particularly, said Mr. Fitzroy in a repressive voice.
14:27You did not see her mistress, I suppose?
14:30Well, as a matter of fact, I did.
14:31She was in the gallery at the top of the stairs and was calling her.
14:33Leone!
14:35And then she saw me, and of course retired.
14:39Upstairs?
14:39said Poirot, frowning.
14:42Of course, I realise all this had been very unpleasant for me,
14:45or rather would have been if Lord Alloway had not chanced to see the man actually leaving.
14:49In any case, I should be glad if you would make a point of searching my room and myself.
14:53You really wish that?
14:55Oh, certainly I do.
14:57What Poirot would have replied, I do not know,
15:00but at that moment Lord Alloway reappeared and informed us that the two ladies
15:03and Mr. Leonard Weardale were in the drawing-room.
15:07The women were in becoming negligee.
15:10Mrs. Conrad was a beautiful woman of thirty-five, with golden hair,
15:14and a slight tendency to en bon point.
15:17Lady Juliet Weardale must have been forty, tall and dark, very thin, still beautiful,
15:23with exquisite hands and feet, and a restless, haggard manner.
15:27Her son was rather an effeminate-looking young man, as great a contrast to his bluff, hearty father
15:33as could well be imagined.
15:36Poirot gave forth the little rigmarole we had agreed upon, and then explained that he was anxious to know if anyone had heard or seen anything that night which might assist us.
15:44Turning to Mrs. Conrad first, he asked her if she would be so kind as to inform him exactly what her movements had been.
15:50Let me see. I went upstairs. I rang for my maid.
15:56Then, as she did not put in an appearance, I came out and called her.
16:00I could hear her talking on the stairs.
16:02After she had brushed my hair, I sent her away.
16:05She was in a very curious, nervous state.
16:08I read a while, and then went to bed.
16:11And you, Lady Juliet?
16:13Oh, I went straight upstairs and to bed. I was very tired.
16:16What about your book, dear?
16:18asked Mrs. Conrad, with a sweet smile.
16:21My book?
16:23Lady Juliet flushed.
16:25Yes, you know, when I sent Leonie away, you were coming up the stairs.
16:29You'd been down to the drawing-room for a book, you said.
16:32Oh, yes, I did go down. I forgot.
16:37Lady Juliet clasped her hands nervously together.
16:40Did you hear Mrs. Conrad's maid scream, my lady?
16:44No, no, no, I didn't.
16:46How curious.
16:48Because you must have been in the drawing-room at that time.
16:50But I heard nothing, said Lady Juliet in a firmer voice.
16:56Poirot turned to young Leonard.
16:58Monsieur?
17:01Nothing doing. I went straight upstairs and turned in.
17:05Poirot stroked his chin.
17:07Alas, I fear there is nothing to help me here.
17:10Mesdames and messieurs, I regret, I regret infinitely to have deranged you from your slumbers for so little, except my apologies, I pray of you.
17:19Gesticulating and apologising, he marshaled them out.
17:24He returned with the French maid, a pretty impudent-looking girl.
17:28Alloway and Weardale had gone out with the ladies.
17:31Now, mademoiselle, said Poirot in a brisk tone, let us have the truth.
17:37Recount to me no histories.
17:38Why did you scream on the stairs?
17:41Ah, monsieur, I saw a tall figure, all in white.
17:45Poirot arrested her with an energetic shake of his forefinger.
17:49Did I not say, recount to me no histories?
17:51I will make a guess.
17:52He kissed you, did he not?
17:53Monsieur, Leonard, where dare I mean?
17:56Eh bien, monsieur, and after all, what is a kiss?
18:00Under the circumstances it is most natural, replied Poirot gallantly.
18:04I, myself, or Hastings here, but tell me just what occurred.
18:10He came up behind me and caught me.
18:13I was startled and I screamed.
18:15If I had known, I would not have screamed, but he came upon me like a cat.
18:19Then came monsieur le secrataire.
18:22Monsieur Leonard flew up the stairs, and what could I say?
18:25Especially to a jeune homme comme ça, tellement comme il faut.
18:28Ma foi, I invent a ghost.
18:31And all is explained, cried Poirot genially.
18:36You then mounted to the chamber of madame, your mistress?
18:39Which is her room, by the way?
18:41It is at the end, monsieur, that way.
18:45Ah, directly over the study, then.
18:47Bien, mademoiselle, I will detain you no longer.
18:50And la prochaine fois, do not scream.
18:55Handing her out, he came back to me with a smile.
18:59An interesting case, is it not Hastings?
19:01I begin to have a few little ideas.
19:04Et vous?
19:05What was Leonard Weardale doing on the stairs?
19:10I don't like that young man, Poirot.
19:12He's a thorough young rake, I should say.
19:14I agree with you, mon ami.
19:16Well, Fitzroy seems an honest fellow.
19:18Lord Alloway is certainly insistent on that point.
19:21And yet there's something in his manner that is almost too good to be true.
19:25I felt it myself.
19:26On the other hand, our friend Mrs. Conrad is certainly not good at all.
19:29And her room is over the study, I said musingly, and keeping a sharp eye on Poirot.
19:35He shook his head with a slight smile.
19:37Non, mon ami, I cannot bring myself seriously to believe that that immaculate lady swarmed
19:42down the chimney or let herself down from the balcony.
19:45As he spoke, the door opened, and to my great surprise, Lady Juliet Weardale flitted in.
19:51Miss, Monsieur Poirot, she said somewhat breathlessly, can I speak to you alone?
19:58My lady, Captain Hastings is as my other self.
20:01You can speak before him as though he were a thing of no account.
20:04Not there at all.
20:05Be seated, I pray you.
20:08She sat down, still keeping her eyes fixed on Poirot.
20:11What I have to say is rather difficult.
20:15You are in charge of this case.
20:17But if the papers were to be returned, would that end the matter?
20:22I mean, could it be done without questions being asked?
20:26Poirot stared hard at her.
20:29Let me understand you, madame.
20:31They are to be placed in my hand, is that right?
20:34And I am to return them to Lord Halloway on the condition that he asks no questions as
20:38to where I got them?
20:40She bowed her head.
20:42That is what I mean.
20:43But I must be sure there will be no publicity.
20:47I do not think Lord Halloway is particularly anxious for publicity, said Poirot grimly.
20:53You accept, then?
20:56She cried eagerly in response.
20:58A little moment, my lady.
21:00It depends on how soon you can place those papers in my hands.
21:04Almost immediately.
21:06Poirot glanced up at the clock.
21:09How soon exactly?
21:11Say, ten minutes?
21:14She whispered.
21:15I accept, my lady.
21:19She hurried from the room.
21:21I pursed my mouth up for a whistle.
21:24Can you sum up the situation for me, Hastings?
21:27Bridge, I replied succinctly.
21:30Ah, you remember the careless words of Monsieur the Admiral.
21:34What a memory.
21:35I felicitate you, Hastings.
21:36We said no more, for Lord Halloway came in, and looked inquiringly at Poirot.
21:44Have you any further ideas, Monsieur Poirot?
21:47I am afraid the answers to your questions have been rather disappointing.
21:51Not at all, Milo.
21:52They have been quite sufficiently illuminating.
21:55It will be unnecessary for me to stay here any longer, and so, with your permission, I will return at once to London.
22:00Lord Halloway seemed dumbfounded.
22:04But, uh, but what have you discovered?
22:08Do you know who took the plans?
22:11Yes, Milo, I do.
22:13Tell me, in the case of the papers being returned to you anonymously, you would prosecute no further inquiry?
22:20Lord Halloway stared at him.
22:25Do you mean on payment of a sum of money?
22:29No, Milo.
22:31Returned unconditionally.
22:35Well, of course, the recovery of the plans is the great thing, said Lord Halloway slowly.
22:42He still looked puzzled and uncomprehending.
22:46Then I should seriously recommend you to adopt that course.
22:49Only you, the admiral, and your secretary know of the loss.
22:53Only they need know of the restitution.
22:56And you may count on me to support you in every way.
22:58Lay the mystery on my shoulders.
23:00You ask me to restore the papers?
23:02I have done so.
23:03You know no more.
23:05He rose and held out his hand.
23:07Milo, I am glad to have met you.
23:09I have faith in you and your devotion to England.
23:12You will guide our destinies with a strong, sure hand.
23:16Mr. Poirot, I swear to you that I will do my best.
23:22It may be a fault, or it may be a virtue, but I believe in myself.
23:29So does every great man.
23:32Me, I am the same, said Poirot grandiloquently.
23:36The car came round to the door in a few minutes, and Lord Alloway bade us farewell on the steps
23:42with renewed cordiality.
23:45That is a great man, Hastings, said Poirot as we drove off.
23:48He has brains, resource, power.
23:52He is the strong man that England needs to guide us through these difficult days of reconstruction.
23:56Well, I am quite ready to agree with all you say, Poirot, but what about Lady Juliet?
24:01Is she to return the papers straight to Alloway?
24:03What will she think when she finds you have gone off without a word?
24:08Hastings, I will ask you a little question.
24:11Why, when she was talking with me, did she not hand me the plans then and there?
24:17Well, she hadn't got them with her.
24:20Perfectly.
24:20How long would it take her to fetch them from her room, or from any hiding place in the house?
24:26You need not answer, I will tell you.
24:28Probably about two minutes and a half.
24:31Yet she asks for ten minutes.
24:34Why?
24:36Clearly she has to obtain them from some other person,
24:38and to reason or argue with that person before they give them up.
24:42Now, what person could that be?
24:46Not Mrs. Conrad, clearly, but a member of her own family.
24:50Her husband or son.
24:52Which is it likely to be?
24:54Leonard were there, said he went straight to bed.
24:57We know that to be untrue.
24:59Supposing his mother went to his room and found it empty,
25:01supposing she came down filled with her nameless dread,
25:05he is no beauty, that son of hers, eh?
25:08She does not find him, but later she hears him deny that he ever left his room.
25:13She leaps to the conclusion that he is a thief, hence her interview with me.
25:18But, mon ami, we know something that Lady Juliet does not.
25:23We know that her son could not have been in the study because he was on the stairs
25:26making love to the pretty French maid.
25:29Although she does not know it, Leonard Weardale has an alibi.
25:35Well, then, who did steal the papers?
25:37We seem to have eliminated everybody.
25:39Lady Juliet, her son, Mrs. Conrad, the French maid.
25:43Lady Juliet, exactly.
25:45Use your little gray cells, my friend.
25:48The solution stares you in the face.
25:51I shook my head blankly.
25:54Oh, but yes, if you would only persevere.
25:58Ah, see then.
26:02Fitzroy goes out of the study.
26:05He leaves the papers on the desk.
26:08A few minutes later, Lord Alloway enters the room,
26:10goes to the desk, and the papers are gone.
26:13Only two things are possible.
26:14Either Fitzroy did not leave the papers on the desk,
26:17but put them in his pocket,
26:18and that is not reasonable because, as Alloway pointed out,
26:21he could have taken a tracing at his own convenience any time,
26:25or else the papers were still on the desk when Lord Alloway went to it,
26:29in which case they went into his pocket.
26:32Lord Alloway, the thief, I said dumbfounded, but why, why?
26:39Did you not tell me of some scandal in the past?
26:42He was exonerated, you said.
26:45But suppose, after all, it had been true.
26:48In English, public life, there must be no scandal.
26:52If this were raked up and proved against him now,
26:55goodbye to his political career.
26:58We will suppose that he was being blackmailed,
27:00and the price asked was the submarine plans.
27:04But the man's a black traitor, I cried.
27:09Oh, no, no, no, he is not.
27:10He is clever and resourceful,
27:13supposing, my friend, that he copied those plans,
27:15making, for he is a clever engineer,
27:17a slight alteration in each part
27:19which will render them quite impracticable.
27:22He hands the faked plans to the enemy's agent,
27:25Mrs. Conrad, I fancy.
27:26But in order that no suspicion of their genuineness may arise,
27:31the plans must seem to be stolen.
27:33He does his best to throw no suspicion on anyone in the house
27:36by pretending to see a man leaving the window.
27:39But there he ran up against the obstinacy of the admiral.
27:43So his next anxiety is that no suspicion shall fall on Fitzroy.
27:48But this is all guesswork on your part, Poirot, I objected.
27:53It is psychology, mon ami.
27:56A man who had handed over the real plans
27:58would not be over-scrupulous as to who was likely to fall under suspicion.
28:02And why was he so anxious that no details of the robbery
28:04should be given to Mrs. Conrad?
28:06Because he had handed over the faked plans earlier in the evening,
28:11and did not want her to know
28:12that the theft could only have taken place later.
28:15I wonder if you are right, I said.
28:19Of course I am right.
28:22I spoke to Alloway as one great man to another,
28:25and he understood perfectly.
28:28You will see.
28:30One thing is quite certain.
28:32On the day when Lord Alloway became Prime Minister,
28:34a check and a signed photograph arrived.
28:37On the photograph were the words
28:38to my discreet friend Hercule Poirot from Alloway.
28:43I believe that the Z-type of submarine
28:46is causing great exaltation in naval circles.
28:49They say it will revolutionise modern naval warfare.
28:52I have heard that a certain foreign power
28:55essayed to construct something of the same kind,
28:57and the result was a dismal failure.
29:00But I still consider that Poirot was guessing.
29:03He will do it once too often one of these days.
29:06theta-specific-
29:07doesn't count hardly anymore.
29:10I don't know what's going on.
29:11I don't know what happened.
29:11It's not beautiful
29:13It's not beautiful
29:14I don't know what happened.
29:14I don't know what happened.
29:15It's beautiful
29:16I don't know
29:16at all
29:16it believes
29:17So
29:17it's boring
29:18It's a vicious
29:19That's not even
29:20It's a vie
29:20That's� prep
29:21It's a beautiful
29:21It's a good
29:22But I want
29:22It's an inner
29:23It's a surprise
29:24A vinden
29:24You
29:24It's aopedia
29:24It's a state
29:27It's a monster
29:27It's aической
Comments