How Does Your Garden Grow? is a classic short mystery by Agatha Christie, featuring her meticulous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
At first glance, everything appears calm and respectable. Yet behind the order and neatness of an English garden lies a carefully concealed crime. Poirot’s investigation reveals that appearances can be cultivated just as deliberately as flowers — and that truth often hides in the smallest details.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration captures Poirot’s intelligence, quiet authority, and subtle humour.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic whodunits, and traditional British mysteries.
#AgathaChristie #HowDoesYourGardenGrow #HerculePoirot #DavidSuchet #ClassicMystery #DetectiveFiction #Audiobook #BritishMystery #GoldenAgeMystery #Whodunit #ClassicCrime #MysteryAudiobook #AudioStory #Poirot #StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
At first glance, everything appears calm and respectable. Yet behind the order and neatness of an English garden lies a carefully concealed crime. Poirot’s investigation reveals that appearances can be cultivated just as deliberately as flowers — and that truth often hides in the smallest details.
This audiobook is read by David Suchet, whose precise and restrained narration captures Poirot’s intelligence, quiet authority, and subtle humour.
Presented as an audio-focused listening experience for fans of Golden Age detective fiction, classic whodunits, and traditional British mysteries.
#AgathaChristie #HowDoesYourGardenGrow #HerculePoirot #DavidSuchet #ClassicMystery #DetectiveFiction #Audiobook #BritishMystery #GoldenAgeMystery #Whodunit #ClassicCrime #MysteryAudiobook #AudioStory #Poirot #StudioX
#Documentary #RareDocumentary #WarDocumentary #TheCivilWar #VintageDocumentary #ClassicDocumentary #HistoryDocumentary #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ScienceDocumentary #RetroFilm #OldDocumentary #ForgottenFilms #ArchiveFootage #CultDocumentary #HistoricalFootage #DocVault
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FunTranscript
00:00You
00:05How does your garden
00:10grow Hercule Poirot arranged his letter
00:15in a neat pile in front of him?
00:17He picked up the topmost letter,
00:19studied the address,
00:20for a moment,
00:20then neatly slit the back of the envelope
00:22with a little paper knife
00:23that he kept on the breakfast table.
00:25for that express purpose
00:26and extracted the contents.
00:29The letter was headed...
00:30on the right-hand side
00:34was the address...
00:35Rosebank,
00:36Charmands Green,
00:37Bucks,
00:38and the date...
00:39March.
00:40The 21st
00:41Dear Monsieur Poirot,
00:44I have...
00:45been recommended to you
00:45by an old and valued friend of mine
00:47who knows the worry and distress
00:48I have been in lately.
00:50Not that this friend
00:51knows the actual circumstances.
00:53Those I have kept in...
00:55entirely to myself,
00:56the matter being strictly private.
00:59My friend assures me...
01:00that you are discretion itself
01:02and that there will be no fear
01:04of my being involved.
01:05in a police matter
01:06which, if my suspicions
01:07should prove correct,
01:08I should very much dislike.
01:10But it is, of course,
01:12possible that I am
01:12entirely mistaken.
01:15I do not feel myself
01:16clear-headed enough nowadays,
01:17suffering as I do
01:18from insomnia
01:19and the result...
01:20of a severe illness
01:21last winter
01:21to investigate things
01:23for myself.
01:24I have...
01:25neither the means
01:25nor the ability.
01:27On the other hand,
01:28I must reiterate once more
01:29that...
01:30that this is a very delicate
01:30family matter
01:31and that for many reasons
01:32I may want the whole thing
01:34hushed up.
01:35If I am once assured
01:37of the facts,
01:38I can deal with the matter myself.
01:40and should prefer to do so.
01:42I hope that I have made myself
01:43clear on this point...
01:45if you will undertake
01:46this investigation,
01:48perhaps you will let me know
01:49to the above.
01:50address.
01:51Yours very truly,
01:52Amelia Barrowby.
01:56Poirot read the letter
01:56through twice.
01:57Again,
01:58his eyebrows rose slightly.
02:00Then he placed it on one side
02:02and proceeded to the next
02:03envelope in the pile.
02:05At ten o'clock precisely,
02:06he entered the room
02:07where Miss Lemon,
02:08his confidential secretary,
02:09sat away...
02:10repeating her instructions
02:10for the day.
02:12Miss Lemon was forty-eight
02:14and of...
02:15unprepossessing appearance.
02:17Her general effect
02:18was that of a lot of...
02:20bones flung together
02:21at random.
02:23She had a passion
02:23for order
02:24and...
02:25almost equaling
02:25that of Poirot himself.
02:27And though capable of thinking,
02:29she never thought...
02:30unless told to do so.
02:32Poirot handed her
02:33Amelia Barrowby's letter.
02:35Tell her I will do myself
02:36the honour to call upon her
02:37at any time she suggests,
02:39unless...
02:40she prefers to consult me here.
02:42Do not type the letter.
02:43Write it by hand.
02:45Yes, M. Poirot.
02:48Poirot produced more correspondence.
02:50Ah, these are my bills.
02:52Miss Lemon's efficient hands
02:54sorted them quickly.
02:55Hmm, I'll pay all
02:57but these two.
02:59Why those...
03:00there is no error in them?
03:02No, they're firms
03:03you've only just begun
03:04to deal with.
03:04It looks bad.
03:05to pay too promptly
03:06when you've just opened
03:07an account.
03:08Looks as though
03:08you were working up
03:09to get some...
03:10credit later on.
03:12Ah, murmured Poirot.
03:14I bought...
03:15to your superior knowledge
03:16of the British tradesmen.
03:18Yes, well, there's nothing much
03:19I...
03:20I don't know about them,
03:21said Miss Lemon grimly.
03:23The letter to Miss Amelia...
03:25Barabee was duly written
03:26and sent,
03:26but no reply was forthcoming.
03:29Perhaps, thought her...
03:30the old lady had unravelled
03:32her mystery herself.
03:34Yet he felt a shade of...
03:35surprise that in that case
03:36she should not have written
03:37a courteous word
03:38to say that his services
03:39were no...
03:40no longer required.
03:41It was five days later
03:43when Miss Lemon,
03:44after...
03:45receiving her morning's instructions,
03:46said,
03:47That Miss Barabee
03:49we wrote to...
03:50No wonder there's been no answer.
03:52She's dead.
03:55Hercule Poirot said very softly,
03:58Ah.
04:00Dead.
04:01It sounded not so much
04:02like a question
04:03as an answer.
04:05Opening her handbag,
04:08Miss Lemon produced
04:09a newspaper cut...
04:10I saw it in the tube
04:12and tore it out.
04:15Just registering in his mind
04:16approval of the fact
04:17that, though Miss Lemon
04:18used the word tore,
04:19she...
04:20he had neatly cut the entry out
04:22with scissors,
04:23Poirot read the announcement
04:23taken from the berths
04:25deaths and marriages
04:25in the morning post.
04:27On March the 26th,
04:29suddenly...
04:30At Rosebank,
04:30Charmands Green,
04:31Amelia Jane Barabee.
04:33In her 73rd year...
04:35No flowers by request.
04:39Poirot read it over.
04:40He murmured under his breath,
04:42Suddenly...
04:44Then...
04:45he said briskly,
04:46If you'll be so obliging
04:47as to take a letter,
04:48Miss Lemon.
04:50The pencil hovered.
04:51Miss Lemon,
04:52her mind dwelling
04:53on the intricacies
04:54of the filing system,
04:55took down in rapid
04:56and correct shorthand,
04:58Dear Miss Barabee...
05:00I have received no reply from you,
05:02but as I shall be
05:03in the neighbourhood
05:03of Charmands Green...
05:05on Friday,
05:05I will call upon you
05:06that day
05:07and discuss more fully
05:08the matter mentioned to me
05:10in your letter,
05:10yours, etc., etc.
05:12Type this letter, please.
05:14And if it...
05:15disposed it at once,
05:16it should get to
05:16Charmands Green tonight.
05:19On the following...
05:20morning,
05:20a letter in a black-edged envelope
05:22arrived by second post.
05:24Dear...
05:25Sir...
05:25In reply to your letter,
05:27my aunt,
05:27Miss Barabee,
05:28passed away on the twenty...
05:30sixth.
05:31So the matter you speak of
05:32is no longer of importance.
05:34Yours truly.
05:35Mary Delafontaine
05:36Poirot smiled to himself...
05:40No longer of importance.
05:42Ah!
05:42That is what we shall see.
05:45En avant to Charmands Green.
05:49Rosebank was a house...
05:50that seemed likely
05:50to live up to its name,
05:52which is more than can be said
05:53for most houses of its class.
05:55character.
05:56Hercule Poirot paused
05:57as he walked up the path
05:58to the front door
05:59and looked...
06:00approvingly at the neatly planned beds
06:01on either side of him.
06:03Rose trees that promised
06:04a good...
06:05harvest later in the year
06:06and at present daffodils,
06:08early tulips,
06:09blue hyacinths...
06:10the last bed
06:11was partly edged
06:12with shells.
06:14Poirot
06:15Poirot murmured to himself...
06:16How does it go?
06:17The English rhyme
06:19the children sing.
06:20Mistress Mary
06:22quite contrary
06:23how does your God...
06:25and grow
06:25with cockle shells
06:27and silver bells
06:29and...
06:30pretty maids
06:31all in a row?
06:33Not a row, perhaps?
06:35he considered.
06:36But here is at least
06:37one pretty maid
06:38to make a little rhyme
06:39come...
06:40all right.
06:41The front door had opened
06:42and a neat little maid
06:43in cap and apron
06:44was looking...
06:45somewhat dubiously
06:46at the spectacle
06:47of a heavily-moustached
06:48foreign gentleman
06:49talking aloud to his...
06:50himself in the front garden.
06:52She was,
06:52as Poirot had noted,
06:54a very pretty...
06:55little maid
06:55with round blue eyes
06:57and rosy cheeks.
07:00Poirot raised his hat
07:01with courtesy
07:01and addressed her.
07:03Pardon?
07:04But does...
07:05Miss Amelia Barrowby live here?
07:07The little maid gasped
07:08and her eyes grew...
07:10rounded.
07:11Oh, sir!
07:12Didn't you know?
07:14She's dead.
07:15Ever so sudden it was
07:16Tuesday night.
07:19She hesitated.
07:20divided between
07:21two strong instincts.
07:23The first,
07:24distrust of a foreigner.
07:25The second,
07:26the pleasurable enjoyment
07:27of her class
07:28in dwelling on the subject
07:29of illness.
07:30and death.
07:31You amaze me,
07:33said Hercule Poirot,
07:34not...
07:35very truthfully.
07:36I had an appointment
07:37with the lady for today.
07:39However,
07:39I can perhaps...
07:40see the other lady
07:40who lives here.
07:42The little maid
07:43seemed slightly...
07:45doubtful.
07:46The mistress?
07:48Well,
07:48you could see her...
07:50perhaps...
07:50but I don't know
07:52whether she'll be
07:52seeing anyone or not.
07:55She will see me,
07:57said Poirot,
07:58and handed her a card.
08:00The authority of his tone
08:02had its effect.
08:04The rosy-cheeked...
08:05maid fell back
08:06and ushered Poirot
08:06into a sitting-room
08:07on the right of the hall.
08:09Then...
08:10card in hand,
08:11she departed
08:11to summon her mistress.
08:14Hercule...
08:15Poirot looked around him.
08:17The room was a perfectly
08:18conventional drawing-room...
08:20oatmeal-coloured paper
08:21with a frieze
08:21round the top...
08:23indeterminate cretons...
08:25rose-coloured cushions
08:26and curtains...
08:27a good many
08:27china knick-knacks
08:28and ornaments.
08:30There was nothing
08:30in the room
08:31that stood out
08:31that announced
08:32a definite personality.
08:35suddenly Poirot,
08:36who was very sensitive,
08:38felt eyes watching him.
08:39He...
08:40wheeled round.
08:41A girl was standing
08:42in the entrance
08:43of the French window,
08:44a small...
08:45sallow girl
08:46with very black hair
08:48and suspicious eyes.
08:50She came in,
08:52and as Poirot
08:53made a little bow,
08:53she burst out abruptly...
08:55Why have you come?
08:58Poirot did not reply.
09:00He merely raised his eyebrows.
09:02Why have you come?
09:04You are not alone.
09:05a lawyer?
09:05No.
09:07Her English was good,
09:08but not for a minute
09:09would...
09:10anyone have taken her
09:11to be English.
09:12Why should I be
09:13a lawyer,
09:14mademoiselle?
09:15The girl stared
09:16at him sullenly.
09:18I thought you might be.
09:20I thought you had come
09:21perhaps to say
09:22that she did not know
09:23what she was doing.
09:24I have heard of her.
09:25such things.
09:26The not due influence.
09:28That is what they called it.
09:30No?
09:30But that is not right.
09:32She wanted me to have the money,
09:33and I shall have it.
09:35If it is needful,
09:36I shall have a lawyer of my own.
09:38The money is mine.
09:40She wrote it down.
09:41So,
09:41and so it shall be.
09:45She looked ugly.
09:46Her chin thrust out,
09:48her eyes gleaming.
09:50The door opened,
09:50and a tall woman entered,
09:51and said,
09:52Katrina?
09:54The girl...
09:55The girl shrank,
09:55flushed,
09:56muttered something,
09:57and went out
09:57through the window.
09:59What?
10:00Poirot turned
10:00to face the newcomer,
10:01who had so effectually
10:02dealt with the situation
10:03by uttering a single word.
10:05There had been authority
10:06in her voice,
10:07and contempt
10:08in a shade
10:08of well-bred irony.
10:10He realized at once
10:12that this was the owner
10:13of the house.
10:15Mary Delafontaine.
10:17Monsieur Poirot,
10:18I wrote to you.
10:19You...
10:20cannot have received
10:20my letter.
10:22Alas!
10:22I have been away
10:23from London.
10:24Oh, I see.
10:25Well, that explains it.
10:26I must introduce myself.
10:27My name is Delafontaine.
10:28This is my husband.
10:30Miss Baraby was my aunt.
10:34Mr. Delafontaine.
10:35Delafontaine had entered
10:35so quietly
10:36that his arrival
10:36had passed unnoticed.
10:38He was a tall man
10:39with grizzled hair.
10:40and an indeterminate manner.
10:42He had a nervous way
10:42of fingering his chin.
10:44He often looked at...
10:45towards his wife
10:45and it was plain
10:46that he expected her
10:47to take the lead
10:48in any conversation.
10:50I much regret
10:51that I intrude
10:51in the midst
10:52of your bereavement,
10:53said Hercule Poirot.
10:55Now, I quite realise
10:56that it is not your fault,
10:58said Mrs. Delafontaine.
11:00My aunt died on Tuesday evening.
11:02It was quite unexpected.
11:04There's a most...
11:05unexpected,
11:06said Mr. Delafontaine.
11:07Great blow.
11:09If...
11:10his eyes watched the window
11:10where the foreign girl
11:11had disappeared.
11:13I apologise,
11:14said Hercule Poirot.
11:15and I withdraw.
11:17He moved a step
11:18towards the door.
11:20Half a sec,
11:22said Mr. Delafontaine.
11:24You, uh...
11:25had an appointment
11:26with Aunt Amelia,
11:28you say?
11:29Parfait.
11:30Perhaps you will tell us
11:32about it,
11:33said his wife.
11:34If there's...
11:35anything we can do.
11:36No, he was of a private nature,
11:38said Poirot.
11:39I am...
11:40a detective,
11:41he added simply.
11:43Mr. Delafontaine...
11:45knocked over a little china figure
11:46he was handling.
11:47His wife looked puzzled.
11:49A detective...
11:50and you had an appointment
11:52with Aunty.
11:53But how extraordinary!
11:54She stared...
11:55said at him.
11:56Can't you tell us
11:56a little more,
11:57Monsieur Poirot?
11:59It...
12:00it seems quite fantastic.
12:03Poirot was silent
12:03for a moment.
12:04He chose...
12:05his words with care.
12:07It is difficult for me,
12:09Madame,
12:09to...
12:10know what to do.
12:12Look here,
12:13said Mr. Delafontaine.
12:15She didn't mention Russians,
12:18did she?
12:20Russians?
12:21Yes, you know,
12:21Bolshies,
12:22Reds,
12:22all that sort of thing.
12:24Oh, don't be absurd.
12:25Henry,
12:25said his wife.
12:27Mr. Delafontaine
12:28collapsed.
12:29Oh!
12:30Sorry.
12:31Sorry.
12:31I...
12:32I...
12:32I just wondered.
12:35Mary Delafontaine
12:36looked frankly
12:36at Poirot.
12:38Her eyes were very blue.
12:40The...
12:40the colour of forget-me-nots.
12:42If you can tell us anything,
12:43Monsieur Poirot,
12:43I should be glad
12:44if you would do so.
12:45I can assure you
12:46that I have a reason
12:47for asking.
12:49Mr. Delafontaine...
12:50looked alarmed.
12:51Look, be careful,
12:52oh girl.
12:52You know,
12:53there may be nothing in it.
12:55Again his wife
12:56quelled him with a glance.
12:58Well,
12:58Monsieur Poirot...
13:00Slowly,
13:02gravely,
13:03Hercule Poirot...
13:05shook his head.
13:06He shook it
13:07with visible regret.
13:08But he shook it.
13:10At present,
13:11Madame,
13:12he said,
13:12I fear I must say...
13:14nothing.
13:15He bowed,
13:17picked up his hat
13:17and moved to the door.
13:19Mary Delafontaine
13:20came with him
13:20into the hall.
13:21On the doorstep
13:22he paused
13:22and looked at her.
13:25You are fond of your garden,
13:26I think, Madame.
13:27I?
13:28Oh, yes.
13:28I spend a lot of time gardening.
13:30Je vous fais mes compliments.
13:33He bowed once more
13:34and strode down.
13:35As he passed out of it
13:36and turned to the right
13:37he glanced back
13:38and registered two impressions.
13:40A sallow face
13:41watching him
13:41from a first-floor window
13:42and a man of erect
13:43and soldierly carriage
13:44pacing up and down
13:46on the opposite side
13:47of the street.
13:48Hercule Poirot
13:49nodded to him.
13:49Definitivement,
13:52he said.
13:53There is a mouse
13:54in this house.
13:54What move must the cat
13:57make now?
13:59His decision to
13:59book him to the nearest
14:00post office.
14:01Here he put through
14:02a couple of telephone calls.
14:03The result seemed to be
14:04satisfactory.
14:06He bent his steps
14:07to Charman's Green Police Station.
14:09where he inquired
14:11for Inspector Sims.
14:13Inspector Sims was a big
14:14burly man
14:16with a hearty manner.
14:18Monsieur Poirot,
14:19he inquired.
14:19I thought so.
14:21I've just this minute
14:22had a telephone call
14:23through from the
14:24Chief Constable of
14:24He said you'd be
14:26dropping in.
14:27Come into my office.
14:29The door
14:29shut.
14:30The inspector
14:31waved Poirot
14:32to one chair,
14:33settled himself
14:33in another,
14:34and turned again.
14:34gaze of acute inquiry
14:36upon his visitor.
14:37You're very quick
14:38to run to the mark,
14:39Mr. Poirot.
14:39Come to see us
14:40about this Rosebank case
14:41almost before we
14:42know it is a case.
14:43What put you
14:44onto it?
14:44Poirot drew out a letter
14:47he had received
14:48and handed it
14:49to the inspector.
14:49The latter read it
14:50with some interest.
14:52Hmm, interesting,
14:53he said.
14:54The trouble is
14:55it might mean
14:56so many things.
14:57Pity she couldn't
14:58have been a little
14:58more explicit.
14:59It would have helped
14:59her.
14:59just now.
15:01Or there might have
15:02been no need
15:03for help.
15:04You mean?
15:06She might have
15:07been alive.
15:09Oh, you go as
15:09f***ing.
15:09far as that, do you?
15:10Hmm, well,
15:11I'm not sure
15:12you're wrong.
15:13I pray of you,
15:14inspector,
15:14recover.
15:14Don't do me the facts.
15:15I know nothing at all.
15:17Well, that's easily done.
15:18Old lady was taken
15:19bad after different
15:19dinner on Tuesday night.
15:21Very alarming.
15:22Convulsions,
15:22spasms,
15:23what not.
15:24They sent for a doctor.
15:24By the time he arrived
15:26she was dead.
15:26Idea was she had died
15:28of a fit.
15:29Well, he didn't much
15:30like the look of things.
15:32He hemmed and hoared
15:33and put it with a bit
15:34of soft sword.
15:34order, but he made it clear
15:36that he couldn't give
15:37a death certificate.
15:38And as far as the fan
15:39family go,
15:40that's where the matter
15:41stands.
15:42They're awaiting the result
15:43of the post-mortem.
15:44We
15:44we've got a bit further.
15:46The doctor gave us
15:46the tip right away.
15:48He and the police surgeon
15:49did the autopsy
15:49together
15:50and the result
15:51is in no doubt
15:52whatever.
15:52The old lady died
15:53of a large dose of
15:54strychnine.
15:56Aha.
15:56Yeah, that's right.
15:57Very nasty bit of work.
15:59Point is,
15:59who gave
15:59it to her?
16:00It must have been
16:01administered very shortly
16:02before death.
16:03First idea was
16:04it was given
16:04to her in her food
16:06at dinner,
16:06but frankly
16:07that seems
16:08to be a washout.
16:09They had
16:09artichoke soup
16:11served from a tureen,
16:12fish pie
16:13and apple tart.
16:14Miss Baraby,
16:17Mr. Delafontaine
16:18and Mrs. Delafontaine
16:19Miss Baraby
16:20had a kind of
16:21nurse attendant,
16:22a half-Russian girl,
16:22but she didn't eat
16:23with the family.
16:24She had the remains
16:25as they came out
16:26from the dining room.
16:27There's a maid,
16:28but it was her night out.
16:29She
16:29left the soup
16:30on the stove
16:31and the fish pie
16:31in the oven
16:32and the apple tart
16:33was cold.
16:34All three of the maid
16:34ate the same thing
16:35and apart from that
16:36I don't think
16:37you could get strychnine
16:38down anyone's throat
16:38that way.
16:39Stuff's as
16:39bitter as gall.
16:41The doctor told me
16:41you could taste it
16:42in a solution
16:42of one in a thousand
16:43or something like that.
16:44She had money,
16:46the old lady?
16:47Well, very well to do,
16:48I imagine.
16:49Of course,
16:49we haven't got exact
16:49details yet.
16:50The Delafontaines
16:51are pretty badly off
16:52from what I can make out.
16:53The old lady helped
16:54with the upkeep
16:54of the house.
16:54Poirot smiled a little.
16:57He said,
16:58So you suspect
16:59the Delafontaines
16:59Delafontaines.
17:01Which of them?
17:03Well, I don't exactly
17:04say I suspect
17:04either of them
17:05in particular.
17:06But there it is.
17:08They're her only
17:08near relatives
17:09in her...
17:09death brings them
17:10a tidy sum of money,
17:11I've no doubt.
17:12We all know
17:13what human nature is.
17:14sometimes inhuman.
17:17Yes, that is very true.
17:19And that was...
17:19nothing else
17:20the old lady
17:20ate or drank?
17:23Well,
17:23as a matter of fact...
17:24Ah, voilà!
17:26I felt that
17:27you had something
17:27as you say
17:28up your sleeve.
17:29The soup.
17:29The fish pie.
17:30The apple tart.
17:32A betise.
17:33Now we come to the hub.
17:34of the affaire.
17:36Well,
17:36I don't know about that.
17:37But as a matter of fact,
17:38the old girl
17:39took her cash...
17:39before meals.
17:42You know,
17:42not a pill
17:43or a tablet,
17:43one of those
17:44rice paper...
17:44things with powder
17:45inside.
17:46Some perfectly
17:47harmless thing
17:48for the digestion.
17:49And...
17:49Admirable.
17:50Nothing is easier
17:51than to fill a cache
17:52with strychnine
17:52and substitute it
17:54for one of the other.
17:54It slips down the throat
17:56with a drink of water
17:56and he's not tasty.
17:58No,
17:59that's all right.
17:59Trouble...
17:59Trouble is,
18:00the girl gave it to her.
18:02But the Russian girl?
18:03Yes.
18:04Katrin...
18:04She was a kind of
18:07lady-help
18:08nurse-companion
18:09to Miss...
18:09Barraby.
18:11Fairly ordered about
18:12by her, too,
18:13I gather.
18:14Fetch this,
18:14fetch that.
18:14Fetch the other,
18:15rub me back,
18:16pour out me medicine,
18:17run round to the chemist...
18:18You know,
18:18all that sort of business.
18:19You know...
18:19how it is
18:20with these old women.
18:21They mean to be kind,
18:22but what they need
18:23is a sort of
18:23black slave.
18:24Poirot smiled.
18:26And there you are,
18:27you see,
18:28continued Inspector Sims.
18:29It doesn't...
18:29fit in
18:30what you might call
18:31nicely.
18:33Why should the girl
18:34poison her?
18:34Miss Barraby dies
18:36and now the girl
18:36will be out of a job
18:37and jobs aren't easy
18:38to find.
18:39She's not trained
18:39or anything.
18:39Still,
18:41suggested Poirot,
18:43if the box of caches
18:44was left...
18:44about anyone
18:46in the house
18:46might have
18:47the opportunity.
18:49Naturally,
18:49we're on to that,
18:50Monsieur Poirot.
18:51I don't mind telling you
18:52we're making our inquiries
18:53quiet-like,
18:54if you understand.
18:54me,
18:56such as
18:56when the prescription
18:57was last made up,
18:58where it was usually kept.
19:00Patience and a lot
19:01of spade work.
19:02That's what'll do
19:03the trick in the end.
19:04And then there's
19:05Miss Barraby's solicitor.
19:06I'm having an interview
19:07with him tomorrow.
19:08And the bank manager.
19:09There's a...
19:09lot to be done still.
19:12Poirot rose.
19:13A little favour,
19:14Inspector...
19:14you will send me
19:16a little word
19:16how the affair matches.
19:18I would esteem
19:18it a great favour.
19:19Here is my telephone number.
19:22Well, why,
19:22certainly,
19:23Monsieur Poirot.
19:23Two heads are better
19:24than...
19:24one.
19:25And besides,
19:26you ought to be in on this,
19:27having had that letter and all.
19:29You are too amiable,
19:31Inspector.
19:32Politely,
19:33Poirot shook hands
19:33and took his leave.
19:34He was called to the telephone
19:37on the following afternoon.
19:39Is that Monsieur Poirot?
19:42Inspector Simms here?
19:43Things are beginning to sit up
19:44and look pretty.
19:44in that little matter
19:45you and I know of.
19:47In verity?
19:48Tell me,
19:49I pray of you.
19:49Well,
19:51here's item number one
19:52and a pretty big item.
19:53Miss...
19:54Ahem.
19:54B
19:55left a small legacy
19:57to her niece
19:57and everything else
19:58to...
19:59Ahem.
19:59Kay.
20:01In consideration
20:02of her great kindness
20:03and attention,
20:04that's the way it would...
20:04was put.
20:05That alters the complexion of things.
20:08A picture rose swiftly
20:09in Poirot's...
20:09mind,
20:10sullen face
20:11and a passionate voice
20:12saying,
20:13The money is mine.
20:14She wrote it down
20:16and so it shall be.
20:18The legacy would not come
20:19as a surprise.
20:19to Katrina.
20:21She knew about it beforehand.
20:24I...
20:24Item number two,
20:26continued the voice
20:27of Inspector Sims.
20:28Nobody but...
20:29Kay handled that cachet.
20:32You can be sure of that?
20:34Well,
20:35the girl herself
20:35doesn't deny it.
20:36What do you think of that?
20:38Extremely interesting.
20:39We only want one thing more.
20:41Evidence of how the strickening
20:42came into her possession.
20:43Well,
20:43that oughtn't to be difficult.
20:44And the young lady...
20:47Kay?
20:48I'm detaining her on...
20:49suspicion.
20:50Don't want to run any risks.
20:52She might have some funny
20:53friends in the country
20:54who...
20:54tried to get her out of it.
20:56No,
20:57said Poirot.
20:58I do not think she...
20:59has any friends.
21:01Oh,
21:01really?
21:02What makes you say that,
21:03Monsieur Poirot?
21:04It is...
21:04just an idea of mine.
21:07There were no other items,
21:08as you call them?
21:09No,
21:10nothing that's strictly relevant.
21:11Miss B
21:12seems to have been
21:14monkeying about...
21:14quite a bit with her shares lately.
21:16Must have dropped
21:16quite a tidy sum.
21:18It's rather a funny business
21:19one way and another.
21:19but I don't see how it affects
21:21the main issue.
21:22Well,
21:22not at present,
21:22that is.
21:23No.
21:24Perhaps...
21:24you are right.
21:26Well,
21:27my best thanks to you.
21:28It was most amiable
21:29of you touring.
21:29me up.
21:30Oh,
21:30not at all.
21:31I'm a man of my word.
21:32I could see you were interested.
21:34Who knows?
21:34You may...
21:34be able to give me
21:35a helping hand
21:36before the end.
21:38Oh,
21:38that would give me
21:38great pleasure.
21:39It's...
21:39might help you,
21:40for instance,
21:41if I could lay my hand
21:41on a friend
21:42of the girl Katrina.
21:44Well,
21:44I thought you...
21:44said she hadn't got
21:45any friends,
21:46said Inspector Sim,
21:47surprised.
21:48I was wrong,
21:49said...
21:49Hercule Poirot.
21:50She has won.
21:53Before the inspector
21:54could ask a further question,
21:54Poirot had rung off.
21:58With a serious face,
21:59he...
21:59wandered into the room
22:01where Miss Lemon
22:01sat at her typewriter.
22:03She raised her hands
22:03from the keys
22:04at her employer
22:04and said,
22:04Poirot's approach
22:05and looked at him
22:06inquiringly.
22:07I want you,
22:08said Poirot,
22:09to figure to your...
22:09herself a little history.
22:12Miss Lemon dropped her hands
22:13into her lap
22:13in a resigned manner.
22:14She enjoyed typing,
22:17paying bills,
22:18filing papers
22:18and entering up engaged.
22:19To be asked
22:21to imagine herself
22:22in hypothetical situations
22:23bored her very much.
22:24but she accepted it
22:26as a disagreeable part of duty.
22:29You are a Russian girl,
22:33began Poirot.
22:34Yes,
22:36said Miss Lemon,
22:37looking intensely British.
22:39You are...
22:39alone and friendless
22:41in this country.
22:42You have reasons
22:42for not wishing
22:43to return to Russia.
22:44You...
22:44are employed
22:45as a kind of drudge,
22:47nurse attendant
22:47and companion
22:48to an old lady.
22:49You are meek
22:51and uncomplaining.
22:54Yes.
22:54Yes,
22:56said Miss Lemon
22:56obediently,
22:57but entirely failing
22:58to see herself
22:59being...
22:59meek to any old lady
23:01under the sun.
23:02The old lady
23:03takes a fancy to you.
23:04She decides to...
23:04leave her money to you.
23:06She tells you so.
23:08Poirot paused.
23:09Miss Lemon said...
23:09Yes,
23:11again.
23:13And then the old lady
23:14finds out...
23:14about something.
23:15Perhaps it is a matter
23:16of money.
23:17She may find
23:17that you have not
23:18been honest with her.
23:19or it might be
23:21more grave still,
23:22a medicine
23:22that tasted different,
23:23some food that disagrees.
23:24read.
23:25Anyway,
23:26she begins to suspect
23:27you of something
23:28and she writes
23:29to a very famous...
23:29detective in me.
23:32I am to call upon her shortly
23:33and then...
23:34as you say,
23:36the dripping
23:36will be in the fire.
23:38The great thing
23:39is...
23:39to act quickly.
23:41And so,
23:42before the great
23:43detective arrives...
23:44the old lady
23:45is dead
23:46and the money
23:47comes to you.
23:49Tell me,
23:50does that seem
23:51to you reasonable?
23:53Quite reasonable,
23:54said Miss Lemon.
23:54Quite reasonable
23:56for a Russian,
23:57that is.
23:58Personally,
23:59I should never take
23:59you...
23:59a post as a companion.
24:01I like my duties
24:02clearly defined
24:02and, of course,
24:03I should not dream...
24:04of murdering anyone.
24:07Poirot sighed.
24:09Oh, how...
24:09I miss my friend Hastings.
24:11He had such an imagination,
24:12such a romantic mind.
24:14It is true...
24:14that he always imagined wrong,
24:16but that in itself
24:17was a guide.
24:19The telephone...
24:19rang,
24:20and Miss Lemon
24:21went out of the room
24:21to answer it.
24:22She came back to say,
24:24It's Inspector...
24:24Simms again.
24:26Poirot hurried
24:26to the instrument.
24:28Hello?
24:29Hello?
24:29What is that you say?
24:33Simms repeated his statement.
24:34We found a packet of strychnine
24:37in the girl's bedroom,
24:39tucked under...
24:39beneath the mattress.
24:41The sergeant's just come in
24:42with the news.
24:44They're about clinching...
24:44which is it, I think.
24:46Yes,
24:47said Poirot.
24:48I think that...
24:49clinches it.
24:51His voice had changed.
24:53It rang with sudden confidence.
24:54When he had rung off,
24:57he sat down at his writing-table
24:59and arranged...
24:59the objects on it
25:00in a mechanical manner.
25:01He murmured to himself,
25:03There was something wrong.
25:04I felt it.
25:07No,
25:07not felt.
25:08It must have been something I...
25:09so...
25:11We found the little gray cells.
25:13Ponder.
25:14Red.
25:14Reflect.
25:16Was everything logical and in order?
25:18Reflect.
25:19The girl.
25:21Her anxiety about her money.
25:24Madame Delacroix...
25:24Maria Fontaine.
25:26Her husband.
25:28His suggestion of Russians.
25:29Imbazil,
25:32but he is an imbazil.
25:34The room.
25:37The garden.
25:39Ah!
25:41Yes!
25:42The garden!
25:44He sat up very stiff.
25:48The green light shot.
25:49John in his eyes.
25:51He sprang up
25:52and went into the adjoining room.
25:53The garden.
25:55Miss Lemon.
25:56Will you have the kindness
25:56to leave what you are doing
25:57and make an investigation for me?
25:59An investigation,
26:01Monsieur Poirot?
26:02Well,
26:02I'm afraid I'm not very good.
26:03Poirot interrupted her.
26:04You said one day
26:05that you knew all about tradesmen.
26:08Well,
26:08certainly I do,
26:09said Miss Lemon.
26:09with confidence.
26:11Then the matter is simple.
26:12You are to go to Charmands Green
26:14and you are to go to Charmands Green.
26:14You are to discover a fishmonger.
26:17A fishmonger?
26:19asked Miss Lemon.
26:19Unsurprised?
26:21Precisely.
26:21The fishmonger
26:22who supplied Rosebank with fish.
26:25When you have found him,
26:26you will ask him
26:26a sudden question.
26:29He handed her a spoon.
26:29Slip of paper.
26:31Miss Lemon took it,
26:32noted its contents,
26:33without interest,
26:34then nodded and
26:34slipped the lid
26:35on her typewriter.
26:37We will go to Charmands Green
26:39together.
26:39said Poirot.
26:41You go to the fishmonger
26:42and I to the police station.
26:44It will...
26:44take us but
26:45half an hour
26:46from Baker Street.
26:48On arrival
26:49at his destination,
26:49he was greeted
26:50by the surprised
26:51Inspector Sims.
26:52Well,
26:53this is quick work,
26:54Monsieur Poirot.
26:54I was talking to you
26:55on the phone
26:56only an hour ago.
26:57I have a request
26:58to make to you
26:59that you allow me to...
26:59to see this girl,
27:00Katrina...
27:02What is her name?
27:04Katrina...
27:04Reiger?
27:05Well,
27:06I don't suppose
27:06there's any objection
27:07to that.
27:08The girl,
27:09Katrina,
27:09looked...
27:09looked even more
27:10sallow and sullen
27:11than ever.
27:13Poirot spoke to her.
27:14very gently.
27:16Mademoiselle,
27:17I want you to believe
27:19that I am not your...
27:19enemy.
27:20I want you to tell me
27:21the truth.
27:23Her eyes snapped,
27:24defunding her.
27:24defiantly.
27:26I have told you
27:27the truth
27:28to everyone
27:29I have told you.
27:29all the truth.
27:31If the old lady
27:31was poisoned,
27:32it was not I
27:33who poisoned her.
27:33It is all amazing.
27:34mistake.
27:36You wish to prevent
27:37me having the money.
27:39Her voice was raw.
27:39gasping.
27:40She looked,
27:41he thought,
27:41like a miserable
27:42little cornered rat.
27:44Tell me about
27:45this cachet,
27:46Mademoiselle.
27:47Monsieur Poirot
27:48went on.
27:49Did no one handle it
27:51but you?
27:52I have said so,
27:54have I not?
27:54They were made up
27:55at the chemists
27:56that afternoon.
27:57I brought them
27:57back with me
27:58in the bag.
27:59That was just
27:59before...
27:59supper.
28:00I opened the box
28:01and gave Miss Barrowby
28:02one with a glass of water.
28:04No one touched them
28:05but you?
28:07No.
28:09A...
28:09cornered rat
28:10with courage.
28:13And Miss Barrowby
28:14had for supper
28:14a...
28:14only what we have been told.
28:16The soup,
28:17the fish pie,
28:17the tart.
28:19Yes.
28:22A hopeless yes.
28:24dark,
28:25smouldering eyes
28:26that saw no light anywhere.
28:29Poirot patted
28:29her shoulder.
28:31Be of good courage,
28:32Mademoiselle.
28:34There may yet be...
28:34freedom.
28:35Yes.
28:36And money.
28:37A life of ease.
28:39She...
28:39looked at him suspiciously.
28:42As he went out,
28:43Simms said to him,
28:44I don't quite...
28:44get what you said
28:45through the telephone.
28:47Something about the girl
28:47having a friend.
28:49She has won.
28:52Me,
28:53said Hercule Poirot
28:54and had left...
28:54the police station
28:55before the inspector
28:56could pull his wits together.
28:59At the...
28:5914 cat tea-rooms,
29:01Miss Lemon did not
29:02keep her employer waiting.
29:03She went straight
29:04to the point.
29:04The man's name is
29:07Rudge
29:08in the high street
29:09and you were quite right.
29:09A dozen and a half,
29:11exactly.
29:12I've made a note
29:13of what he said.
29:14She...
29:14handed it to him.
29:17Arr!
29:19It was a deep...
29:19rich sound
29:20like a purr of a cat.
29:24Hercule Poirot
29:24betook himself
29:25to Rosebank.
29:26As he stood
29:27in the front garden,
29:28the sun setting behind him,
29:29Mary...
29:29Mary Delafontaine
29:30came out to him.
29:33Monsieur Poirot?
29:34No.
29:34Her voice sounded surprised.
29:36You've come back?
29:38Yes,
29:39I have come back.
29:39He paused and then said,
29:43When I first came here,
29:44madame...
29:44The children's nursery rhyme
29:46came into my head.
29:48Mistress Mary...
29:49...
29:49Quite contrary.
29:51How does your garden grow?
29:53With cockle shells and...
29:54silver bells and pretty maids
29:57all in a row.
29:59Only...
29:59they are not cockle shells
30:01are them and them.
30:02They are oyster shells.
30:04His hand pointed.
30:08He heard her catch her breath
30:09and then...
30:09stay very still.
30:13Her eyes asked a question.
30:14He nodded.
30:16May we?
30:17I know.
30:18The maid left our dinner already?
30:19She will swear
30:21and Katerina will swear
30:22that he's all you had.
30:24Only...
30:24you and your husband know
30:26that you brought back
30:27a dozen and a half oysters.
30:29A little treat.
30:29Poor Labontant.
30:32So easy to put a strychnine
30:33in a oyster
30:33it is swallowed...
30:34Comme ça.
30:37But there remains the shells.
30:39Hmm.
30:39They must not go in the bucket.
30:41The maid would see them
30:42and so you thought
30:43of making an edging of them.
30:44to a bed.
30:46But there were not enough.
30:47The edging is not complete.
30:49The effect...
30:49is bad.
30:51It spoils the symmetry
30:52of the otherwise charming garden.
30:54Those few oyster shells
30:56struck an alien note.
30:58They displeased my eye
30:59on my first...
30:59visit.
31:01Mary Delafontaine said...
31:03I suppose you care...
31:04from the letter.
31:06I knew she had written
31:07but I didn't know
31:08how much she had said.
31:09Poirot answered evasively.
31:12I knew at least
31:13that it was a family...
31:14matter.
31:15If it had been
31:16a question of Katrina
31:17there would have been
31:18no point in hushing things up.
31:19I understand that you
31:21or your husband
31:22handled Miss Barrowby's
31:23securities to your own profit.
31:24and that she found out.
31:28Mary Delafontaine nodded.
31:29We have done it for years.
31:32A little here and there.
31:34I never really...
31:34realised she was sharp enough
31:35to find out.
31:37And then I learned
31:37she had sent for a detective.
31:39And I found out too
31:41that she was leaving
31:42her money to Katrina.
31:44Ha!
31:44that miserable little creature.
31:49And...
31:49and so
31:50the strychnine
31:51was put in Katrina's bedroom.
31:53I comprehend.
31:54You save yourself
31:55and your husband
31:56from what I may discover
31:58and you saddle
31:59an innocent...
31:59child with mother.
32:01Had you no pity, madame?
32:04May I...
32:04Mary Delafontaine shrugged
32:06her shoulders.
32:07Her blue forget-me-not eyes
32:08looked into Poirot's.
32:09He remembered
32:11the perfection of her acting
32:13the first day he had come
32:14and...
32:14and the bungling attempts
32:16of her husband.
32:17A woman above the average
32:19but...
32:19inhuman.
32:21She said...
32:22Pity.
32:23Pity.
32:24for that miserable,
32:26intriguing little...
32:28rat!
32:29Pity.
32:29Her contempt rang out.
32:33Hercule Poirot said slowly...
32:34I think, madame,
32:36that you have cared
32:37in your life
32:38for two things only.
32:39One is your husband.
32:43He saw her lips tremble
32:44and...
32:44and the other...
32:46is your garden.
32:48He looked around him...
32:49His glance seemed to apologize
32:52to the flowers
32:53for that which he had done.
32:54and was about to do.
32:57Pity.
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