PROSECUTOR: Gentlemen of the jury... ..we have presented copious, clear evidence that Elinor Carlisle, who stands before you... ..is a vicious multiple murderess, and one who shows not the slightest feeling of remorse.

ELINOR: 'No remorse.

That's right.

'I feel nothing.

'Why should I?

'When you have wanted someone dead... '..longed for it, 'planned it, 'and watched till you see the last flicker of life 'in the eyes... ' PROSECUTOR: We ask you now to contemplate the full horror of the second cold-blooded murder wickedly planned and executed on a hot afternoon at Hunterbury.

The deadly salmon paste, so thickly spread.

ELINOR: 'He's trying to see just exactly why I did it... '..what I felt.

'All of it seems so inevitable now, 'as if it began years and years ago.

'And yet it was only last summer.

'The beginning... the beginning seemed happy.'

RODDY: Are the roses all right?

ELINOR: They're lovely.

Good.

I try to be a respectable fiance.

And you are.

Soon, even these extended lunch hours will be respectable.

CHURCH BELL TOLLS So... ..if I go to France for two weeks... ..you could meet me in Le Touquet.

And my Mama will be there by then, all very respectable, And we'll be back for the Astors' autumn ball.

How about it?

Elinor?

Oh, it sounds perfect.

There's something else on your mind today, isn't there?

SHE CHUCKLES SOFTLY Oh, Roddy, you know me so well.

Yes.

Something arrived this morning.

It's stupid, but I can't get it out of my mind.

I'm intrigued.

Is it a bill?

After all, it's the height of summer when the fairies dance and all the nasty bills come tripping along.

SHE CHUCKLES No.

But I want to show it to you.

"To warn you.

"Someone's sucking up to your aunt in Hunterbury "so you and your fiance get cut out of the will.

"The person may seem white as snow, "but wants to cheat you.

"The old lady... "The old lady will die of another stroke any day."

God.

It can't be true.

It's just someone out to cause trouble.

Yes.

I'm sure you're right.

It was quite a shock, though.

We haven't been down there this month.

- We should go.

- Because of this?

No.

Not... Not just this.

You care for her.

So do I.

But the house matters.

Think of the summers we spent there as children.

She always said she wanted one of us to have it, which means both of us, now we're engaged.

What in heaven's name's wrong with making sure?

Oh, Roddy, I'd love to go down.

Then it's settled.

Roddy, I decided to bring the letter after all.

I want to show it to Dr Lord.

- Oh.

Are you sure that's wise?

Yes.

If anyone knows who sent it, he would.

But darling, it's so poisonous.

Oh, well... if you must.

I still say you should burn it.

You know what I'd like?

Sometime, when we're married and living here together, we'll send all the servants away and do just exactly what we want.

ELINOR: Yes?

What about your meals?

We'll eat with our fingers by the fire.

ELINOR: Yes.

We won't allow anyone to disturb us.

BOTH: Just you and me and the wind in the trees!

Where's Mrs Bishop?

I don't know.

Somewhere.

The hall is always so dark.

LOUD CLUNK ELINOR: Oh!

Good Lord.

RODDY: I never did get used to this lift.

It's such a shame she doesn't use it now.

No, she doesn't even come out of her room any more.

Miss Carlisle, Mr Winter.

I'm so sorry.

The nurses are coping well, though... ..the last stroke did take your aunt so badly.

And look, here's another great help.

Just back from her studies in Germany.

You must both remember Mary, of course, the gardener's daughter?

Hello, Elinor, Roddy.

Hello, Mary.

Well, it's been a while.

Hello, Miss Carlisle, Mr Winter.

How good to see you.

Well, she's not so bad today.

But she may be asleep now.

Would you like to go in?

Yes, I think so.

Will you excuse us, please?

Thank you, Nurse Hopkins.

NURSE HOPKINS: Would you like some tea?

Oh, no, thank you.

I don't drink tea.

Mr Winter?

Oh, yes, please.

Elinor!

Aunt Laura.

I thought you were sleeping.

- Oh, no.

Lying here like a captive, as usual.

"Come away, death, "and in sad cypress let me be laid."

ELINOR: Morbid as ever.

It gets me through.

Roddy!

How lovely!

You know, I am so pleased you are engaged.

And I know your parents would have been, too.

About time, I thought.

It's wonderful to see you, Aunt Laura.

You look fine.

No, I don't.

Roddy, I'm quite sure you need some refreshment, and I want to have a little talk with your bride-to-be.

Fine.

I'll look in on you later.

Now don't go putting her off me, or I'll make a point of moving in here and wailing from your battlements.

LAURA LAUGHS Did you see Mary?

Yes.

I was astonished.

When did she get back?

Er, a few weeks ago.

I'm sure I told you.

Isn't she beautiful?

I am so glad she's come back from Germany, Elinor.

She's been very good to me.

And I'm so pleased you and Roddy are together.

You do care for him?

Of course I do.

Enough... ..and not too much?

What?

Oh, it's just something... ..we used to say.

How you should never care too much for a man.

Aunt Laura, tell me something.

Honestly.

Do you think love... ..is ever a happy thing?

Oh, Elinor.

Perhaps it always brings more sorrow than joy.

But who could do without it?

Anyone who has never really loved, hasn't lived.

NURSE HOPKINS: And now, Miss Carlisle's here with her fiance.

Miss Carlisle is still in with her now.

NURSE O'BRIEN: Miss Carlisle, the niece?

Is that right?

I never was that sure about her, to be honest.

NURSE HOPKINS: No?

NURSE O'BRIEN: Tries too hard.

They're calling them kissing cousins in the Tatler.

She's lucky to have caught him, and she knows it.

Behind the eyes, she's nervous as a kitten.

RODDY: I was dripping sweat.

I could hardly hold on.

MARY: But you did, you got right to the top.

I think you must have lost your grip.

RODDY: I couldn't help it.

My hands were slipping with the perspiration.

And then you fell at my feet, laughing.

BOTH LAUGH Oh, hello, Elinor.

We were just remembering the old times.

Of course.

We'll have lots to talk about.

There's tea in the dining room.

MARY AND RODDY LAUGHING LAURA: Now, look here, Doctor, I've said this before.

In any civilised country, I'd just say I wanted to end it all and you would finish me off with some nice, painless drug.

I'm not sure I wish to be hanged just yet.

Not now you're doing so well.

Leave me all your money, I might reconsider, if you like.

SHE CHUCKLES More humbug.

And who were you looking at?

Erm, your niece.

Elinor?

Oh, that reminds me.

She wants to see you before you go.

So... ..what do you think of her?

Eh?

She's, erm... She's very impressive.

Yes, very impressive.

Yes, she is.

You know, you ought to get married, Doctor.

I'm sorry.

I just couldn't think of anyone else to take into our confidence.

No, no, I'm flattered.

But you're right.

This is a horrible thing.

I suppose it must be someone in the village.

But who could the letter be referring to?

Who has access to our aunt other than the nurses?

Well, Ted Horlick the gardener is up there.

He helps carry the oxygen.

Mrs Bishop goes in, the vicar, myself... Mary Gerrard is there a lot, of course.

Nurse O'Brien lives in and now, of course, Nurse Hopkins comes in every day, too.

I suppose Mary is the newest here.

Could somebody be jealous of her?

Does she have a suitor?

I don't think so.

Though Ted Horlick always did have a soft spot for her.

It's probably nothing to do with her.

I'm sorry.

Somehow a thing like this just plays on your nerves.

Just the idea of someone spying and trying to cause bad feeling.

Yes, it's probably best forgotten.

You have been kind, but it's idiotic of me to ask you to play detective.

Shall we just burn it?

DR LORD: No, no, no.

Nobody need play detective.

I know a real one.

His name is Poirot.

'He's staying here a few days, preparing evidence for a trial.

'He's horribly bored... 'and I'm sure would leap at the chance of some diversion.

'He has some peculiarities, 'like his endless herbal teas.

'He's charming, but very, very discreet.'

Mon ami.

The doctor who bears a message is always a sight most worrying.

I hope you've not heard from one of my physicians.

Of course not, Poirot.

How are you?

Are you settling in?

Is it more comfortable?

For some, maybe.

As for me...

I have my work, of course, but... what pleasure is there for me in the evidence of a case I solved one year since?

No.

I am, as you say, bored to the tears.

Perhaps I can help.

You see, a lady whom I admire a good deal has come to me with a problem, an anonymous letter.

Ah!

You mean there may be a little exercise at last?

Well, don't get too excited.

I'm sure it's trivial.

Ah, now there's Ted Horlick with Mary Gerrard.

She is a great favourite at Hunterbury House.

This letter was about that household.

It's a grand film, it's Garbo.

It's all set in Paris.

I'm sorry, Ted.

I've already said no.

Have you set your eyes on someone else, is that it?

MARY: No, of course not.

- Bon.

Enter, if you please?

- Thank you.

The writer of this has been very careful.

That interests you?

Mais oui.

Regard the pressure on the page.

Now regard the words.

There is malice here.

What is just as concerning, the pretence of malice.

I do not believe for one moment that the writer of this letter wishes to protect the interests of Elinor Carlisle.

Unless, of course, Elinor Carlisle wrote this herself.

That's a strange suggestion, Poirot.

I could see how upset she was.

Strange to you perhaps, mon ami, but once I found your strategy with your pawns most strange and then you nearly put me in check.

That was a long time ago.

To say the truth, when you came here, I thought this letter would be a thing just trivial.

And yet... ..the care of its construction, something of the words and the design, tells to me that is not the case.

Of course, as you say, it may lead to nothing.

So why, huh?

Why do I sense the outlook may be dark?

MRS BISHOP: Miss Carlisle?

ELINOR: Mrs Bishop?

Have you seen Mr Winter?

No, but I don't think he's upstairs.

The garden maybe?

- Oh, yes, of course.

Thank you.

NURSE O'BRIEN: He's nice enough, Mary, dear, but I'm sure you can do better.

- NURSE HOPKINS: Yes.

With your education, especially.

Now, do let us see what your aunt sent.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I was looking for Mr Winter.

Oh, I haven't seen him.

Have you, Mary?

No, I've just come back from the Post Office.

This is from my Aunt Mary in New Zealand, my mother's sister.

I was named after her, so she always sends me things.

That is kind.

Yes.

She emigrated before I was born.

And now she's the only family I have left.

NURSE O'BRIEN: What a lovely thing!

Oh.

Yes, it is.

I'm sorry to interrupt you.

You should show it to Mrs Welman.

You know, she's been so kind to me.

Only today, she was saying she might help me in the future.

Just like she did with my schooling.

Well, I suppose I'll look in on Aunt Laura before I go to bed.

Of course.

I'll sit here a little.

Then I could always come and tuck you in.

Perhaps not tonight.

Mrs Bishop may be doing her rounds.

There's time enough.

All right.

I'll let you REST tonight.

So... how did you like meeting Mary again?

What?

Oh, yes, she's... She's a sweet girl.

Night-night.

MUFFLED GROANING SHE WHEEZES, COUGHS LAURA GROANING - What are you doing?

- Elinor.

I was just making her more comfortable.

SHE GROANS SOFTLY Oh, yes, of course.

Good night.

- Good night.

MRS BISHOP: Do come this way.

I'll get your drinks.

Elinor Carlisle, this is Hercule Poirot.

- Monsieur Poirot.

- Mademoiselle Carlisle.

- This is my fiance Mr Winter.

- Monsieur Winter.

How do you do?

We are so grateful to you for coming.

Oh, please, not at all.

It is most kind of you to invite me.

We're honoured.

The Cartwright trial is causing excitement.

Indeed.

For me, alas, it is like eating the same meal three times a day.

- Excuse me.

- Of course.

Monsieur Poirot, this is Mary Gerrard whose late father looked after the garden here.

She's just returned from Europe.

Mademoiselle Gerrard.

I'm very glad to meet you, Monsieur Poirot.

Canape, madam?

Oh, I'll take the salmon, thank you.

POIROT; Mademoiselle Gerrard, may I ask where in Europe?

Germany.

I was staying with a family near Freiburg.

Oh, the Black Forest, it's a beautiful country.

The National Socialists are doing quite a fair job there.

I sometimes wish we had politicians like that here.

I think, Monsieur, that you are most fortunate that you do not.

Do you?

Oh, well, it's too pleasant an occasion for European politics.

Excuse me.

Mademoiselle.

So, Monsieur Poirot, do you think my letter is important?

I cannot yet give to you an answer, Mademoiselle Carlisle.

But naturally, I take everything to be important until it proves otherwise, even the strategies at chess of my friend Dr Lord.

Does he ever win?

No.

But one time he came close.

No, no, no.

He has a mind truly wonderful for the game.

WINDOW CREAKING ELINOR: That is my aunt, Monsieur Poirot.

She's too ill to join us, I'm afraid.

I realise it is much too soon to say who may have written the letter, but I know Dr Lord has told you about our household.

So... Do you have any suspicions about who it refers to?

This interloper?

There is no need for me to suspect.

The writer has made it obvious.

How?

Alors, the phrase, "White as snow."

It is most odd, yes?

But certainly, it is used deliberately.

So tell to me, who was it that had the little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow?

Mary.

Oui.

MARY CHUCKLING IN DISTANCE AUNT LAURA GROANING WEAKLY: Help me.

DOOR UNLOCKS Help me!

NURSE O'BRIEN: Mrs Welman, are you all right?

Oh, dear.

You're not yourself.

Now, don't you get agitated.

You've had another turn.

I'll call Doctor.

Please.

Lewis.

I-I... need... to see the photograph of Lewis.

Not this again.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY Please, I can't open your private things.

I must get the doctor.

Please.

SHE CLICKS TONGUE Mrs Welman, you're ill.

I must send for the doctor now, I must.

LAURA CONTINUES GROANING DR LORD: It's all right.

Keep calm.

Don't excite yourself.

IN SLURRED SPEECH: You want somebody to come?

Your lawyer?

You want your lawyer to come?

IN SLURRED SPEECH: Provis...

Provision?

You want to change something in your will, Aunt Laura?

Related to Mary?

Mary Gerrard.

I'll call the lawyers, Seddon should be here directly.

Please don't worry yourself about it.

DR LORD: Rest now.

Rest now.

It will be done.

May I go in?

Oh, yes, of course.

The doctor is there.

I see.

Yes.

Well, thank you.

I'll meet him here tomorrow.

Goodbye.

Seddon can't be here until tomorrow.

Is that all right?

Yes, I think so.

She's had another stroke, but I'm sure she has a little time yet.

I've seen some improvement since last night.

NURSE O'BRIEN: Have you lost something, dear?

It's that sarcoma in the village.

Eliza Rykin.

I was sure I put her tube of morphine in here for tomorrow.

But somehow it's gone.

The only place I put my bag down was out there in the corridor.

Why don't you look again, dear?

Nobody here would take it.

NURSE HOPKINS: No, it's gone.

Now your work is done, I thought you'd be singing.

I am content to return to London, mon ami, but I do not like the unfinished business.

- What, the letter?

- Oui.

Well, perhaps you wanted it to be more than it was.

I promise you... they've other things to think about now.

- Yes?

- Ordinary things.

Ah.

Even so, I return this letter with reluctance.

And only because it is not my property.

Ask them to keep it safe, if you please, and keep me informed of any developments.

I'm sure there'll be none.

Of course.

Bon.

There's no sense in keeping it.

Even your detective failed to get anywhere.

But, Roddy, he asked us to keep it safe.

No doubt to cover his own failure.

He's gone now.

We have more important things to think about.

Thank God the doctor said she may come out of this.

You shouldn't be too gloomy.

She wouldn't want that.

No.

It's just seeing her like this.

I'm so tired, Roddy.

I think I'm going to go to bed early.

What are you going to do?

- I'll let you sleep.

You look all in.

I'll just play some billiards or something before I go up.

KNOCK AT DOOR Elinor?

Nurse Hopkins is happy to stay tonight and take over from Nurse O'Brien, but she would like a word.

Thank you, Mary.

Are you off home now?

Well, I'd really like to stay.

Of course.

If you want to stay close by, use the room at the end.

My aunt would like that.

- Thank you.

Good night.

CLOCK CHIMES DISTANT CLATTERING FAINT MUSIC PLAYING, PEOPLE GIGGLING MARY: Oh, but I don't...

I don't know.

NURSE: Miss Carlisle.

Miss Carlisle.

Mrs Welman's been taken very bad.

The doctor is called.

You must come at once.

I'm coming.

I'm very sorry.

Would it have been painful?

No, no.

Absolutely not.

Sometimes you have a sudden relapse like that.

It's very quick.

And in its way, it's a mercy.

You must take all the consolation you can from that.

I'm so sorry, Elinor.

But... thank God for it, I say.

I couldn't have borne seeing her lingering on in the state she was in tonight.

You saw her tonight?

What?

Oh, yes, erm...

I left the cards and looked in briefly while the nurse was getting tea.

She was lying there, breathing so hard.

I hated seeing her like that.

It's probably why I felt so strange all evening.

I know I wasn't really myself.

No?

You should go to bed.

I won't come in and disturb you.

Not tonight.

Good night, Roddy.

Extra!

Standard!

Standard!

I'll have a Times, if you please.

Certainly, Sir.

Thank you, Sir.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you, Sir.

Latest!

Gershwin dies.

The British Library, if you please.

Standard!

Standard!

VICAR: '..commit her body to the ground.'

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes.

Dust to dust.

In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

Amen.

ALL: Amen.

DR LORD: You came back just because of this?

POIROT SPEAKS IN FRENCH DR LORD: It was quite sudden, but I was probably unduly optimistic in my diagnosis.

Sometimes they change quickly.

She had another stroke that affected her very badly.

So you see, the letter, it was correct.

It said that she would die after another stroke.

Yes, that's true, but given the severity of the first stroke, it's hardly remarkable.

Poirot, I think you may be overreacting.

There was no murder.

Please do be honest with me.

In your profession as a doctor, this is your true opinion?

Yes, it is.

And I have to ask you to honour it, as a friend.

So you give to me no choice.

I don't want to see people upset.

When will you go back?

- I'm not going back.

I intend to stay a little.

And... perhaps we can play some chess.

NURSE O'BRIEN: Well, now, we're nearly all done here.

What a terrible shame they didn't offer the village a cup of tea.

It's not the same without it.

- Maybe.

But Miss Carlisle didn't look good at all.

I doubt she had the strength.

Hmm.

Strength enough to hear the will, though.

The lawyer's down there with her now.

Mrs Welman would've made sure there was refreshment after a funeral, you mark my words.

Oh, I meant to ask you, dear, did you find that tube of morphine when you went home?

No.

I did not.

I don't understand it.

But there were some papers and things I threw out, so it may have been there.

- Yes.

That must have been it.

I wouldn't worry about it any more if I were you, dear.

Well, time to say goodbye.

SEDDON: Again, I'm very sorry for what happened, Miss Carlisle, Mr Winter.

But I count it a great pity she didn't summon me earlier.

ELINOR: Mr Seddon, it's perfectly obvious she wanted to alter her will.

That's clear to everyone.

She mentioned Mary.

And she wanted to change it.

Miss Carlisle, I can assure you of one thing, you are wrong in that assumption.

There could be no change, as such.

You see, your aunt made no will.

- What?

- But that's extraordinary.

Not, I fear, as extraordinary as you might think, Mr Winter.

People are often superstitious, they think if they make a will, it means they'll die, so they put it off.

- Didn't you reason with her?

- Frequently.

She said all the usual things, that she didn't intend to die just yet.

It's just human nature, I'm afraid.

People will go on avoiding a thing in their personal life which is distasteful to them.

So, the upshot is very simple.

Since your aunt died with no bequests, no will, no settlements or trusts, everything, including this house, goes to her next of kin, which of course is you, her niece.

Elinor Carlisle.

- Everything?

Apart from death duties.

The estate will still be substantial.

RODDY: No, Elinor, you should have it all.

I don't want you to think otherwise.

It's your right.

- But, Roddy, we said it didn't matter who was left the money since we were to be married, you remember?

Yes.

But are we?

I thought that was the idea.

Of course, if you've got other plans now... Roddy, can't you be honest?

I don't know what's happened to me.

I do.

It's Mary, isn't it?

I saw you.

God, I... Something happened when I first arrived here, when we were in the garden.

I don't know what.

Isn't it obvious?

Every time you look at her, I see it in your face.

I didn't want to feel like this.

I was quite happy.

It's upset all decent, reasonable things.

VOICE BREAKING: Love isn't reasonable.

SHE SOBS SHE SNIFFLES You'd better take this back, Roddy.

Will she marry you?

I don't know.

Well, give it time.

Take the fortnight in France.

Clear your head.

If you still feel the same after you're back, then it's time to pursue it.

I didn't deserve you.

Even as a friend.

Sometimes it's all like a dream.

As if I may wake up and find she wasn't there.

But she is there.

Damn you, Mary.

Ah, Mary.

Sit down, please.

Thank you.

So, what are your plans now?

Do you intend to go away?

Not directly.

I have to clear out my parents' things from the lodge house.

That'll take me a few days.

I've been putting it off ever since I got back.

As you know, Mary, my aunt always took a great interest in you.

Yes, she was very kind.

You will be aware that she made no will.

I have thought about that last day a good deal.

It seems to me that if she had lived, she would have wanted to make several legacies.

I've made provision for the servants, but you don't quite come into that class.

I'm sure she would have wanted to make some contribution for your future.

Therefore I am arranging, as soon as probate is granted, to advance you... £7,000.

That sum is to be yours to do with absolutely as you please.

Thank you.

It was quite a surprise that she left no will.

But, then, many people don't.

Yes, I only made one myself this year.

A will?

Oh, Nurse O'Brien thinks everyone should.

I have my aunt in New Zealand, so I named her.

You've been so kind.

It was my aunt's wish.

Well, that's all, I think.

Thank you.

- Bonjour, Mademoiselle Gerrard.

- Hello.

You're in a hurry.

I've just heard some good news.

I'm on my way to meet someone.

- I'm pleased, Mademoiselle.

Mademoiselle... is it your intention to remain in the village?

I'm staying here for now.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Pardon.

I will not detain you further.

Mademoiselle?

Please be careful as you go.

Of course.

That's a great piece of luck for you, Mary.

It was good of Miss Carlisle to do the right thing.

She didn't.

Well, she didn't look very pleased about it.

Hardly surprising after what happened with you and Mr Winter.

NURSE HOPKINS: Nurse!

That's hardly our business.

Sorry, dear, but the whole village must be talking about it.

I didn't lead him on.

Ah, but has he made you an offer?

The truth is... he's indicated.

Well, there you are, now.

Isn't that romantic?

Excuse me.

I do hope it's all right.

You wonder if it won't hurt her in the end.

I know.

That family at the house has not always been lucky in love.

Mademoiselle Carlisle, you permit that I join you?

Oh, yes, of course.

I wish to speak to you of your anonymous letter.

I do not yet know who wrote it.

- Oh, the letter.

- Oui.

So much has happened, I'd quite forgotten.

I'm afraid, Monsieur Poirot, the letter is destroyed.

It doesn't matter who sent it now.

We will never know, anyway.

Mademoiselle Carlisle.

It is no matter if the letter is destroyed.

It is in here.

I said I did not yet know.

I did not say never.

So please extend to me the courtesy of having confidence in my skills.

Oh, I'm sorry, Monsieur Poirot.

The truth is, I'm a little distracted.

I'm sure you've heard that my engagement is ended.

I'm sure the whole village is talking about it.

Ah, yes, of course.

I was very sorry to hear it.

If you permit, Mademoiselle, I extend to you my utmost sympathy.

I can understand the ache of the heart.

It is a place very lonely.

Thank you.

It is certainly hard when the accident of another person's return, of... ..another person's beauty... ..suddenly destroys your life.

HE SPEAKS IN FRENCH But then a man who is swayed by such things... ..is not likely to be constant.

Is that not so?

- That is not so.

It's only her.

Nobody else could've changed him.

Nobody.

Mary's destroyed everything.

And I can't help it, Monsieur Poirot, but I just wish...

I wish so much... ..that she was dead.

DR LORD: Come on, Poirot.

Drink it.

You see, it troubles you also, my dear doctor, that the glass, it is poured, it is perfect in every way, and yet I choose not to drink.

I wait, and this troubles you.

What are you thinking?

About action that is uncompleted.

Action that is suspended.

Like this, pouring without drinking.

And yet, surely, once it is poured it will be drunk, huh?

But no.

And it is the same here.

For crime, it can be like this also.

You questioned me for staying here.

But sometimes, as in the case of your letter, I see a pattern, I...

..I see a colour.

I sense in my heart... ..the inevitability.

And yet, what can I, Poirot, do?

Nothing.

For the glass sits on the table, waiting.

Waiting for someone to drink.

Me?

The cook and the maids have taken a week, as you asked them, but I don't require time off.

And you shouldn't be alone in the house.

It's not right.

Mrs Bishop, I just want to go quietly through my aunt's things.

I don't need anyone, you see?

I'm almost certainly going to sell.

The other servants wondered if that would be the case.

Naturally, we had hoped...

Yes.

I had hoped, too.

Miss Carlisle, what can I do for you?

I wanted some sandwich paste, Mr Turner.

Of course.

Now, what would you like?

Salmon?

Crab and shrimp?

Ham and tongue?

In spite of the names, I always think they taste rather alike.

In a way.

But, of course, they're tasty.

Very tasty.

- I wanted salmon.

Oh, and crab and shrimp.

People used to be rather afraid of eating fish paste, didn't they?

There have been cases of ptomaine poisoning.

I can assure you, Miss Carlisle, this is an excellent brand.

I've never had a single complaint.

Oh, of course.

I didn't mean anything.

Thank you.

We'd best hurry, Mary.

Miss Carlisle is expecting us for lunch.

MARY: All right.

That's the last of the living room clear.

What a tangle!

Have you come across any old gardening gloves in there, Mary?

MARY: Hold on.

LIFT WHIRRING IN DISTANCE Hello?

Sorry, did I give you a fright?

I was just getting my other apron.

Of course.

I'm making sandwiches.

I saw Mr Winter in the village.

Is he back again so soon?

What?

No, Roddy's not here.

He's still abroad.

Well, it certainly looked like him.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Yes.

FLIES BUZZING I'm sorry, there seem to be rather a lot of flies around.

The salmon is for you, Mary.

It's nearest.

- Thank you.

Oh, I'm sorry.

The others are crab and shrimp.

Thank you.

I meant to get some coffee, but I quite forgot, in the end.

If there's tea, I can make some.

Oh, yes.

Not for me but, please.

♪ Polly put the kettle on ♪ Remember?

We used to sing that when we were children.

Yes, I do.

It is a pity, isn't it?

You can never go back.

NURSE HOPKINS: Here we are.

There.

It's nice and strong.

There you are, Mary.

MARY: Thank you.

This was very thoughtful of you, Miss Carlisle.

It's a nuisance to have to break off and go into the village for lunch.

SHE GRUNTS Are you all right, Mary?

It's just the sandwich was rather bitter.

I hope the paste was all right.

NURSE HOPKINS: Mine was all right.

Will you have some more tea?

Are you sure you won't have a cup, Miss Carlisle?

No, thank you.

Then I'll just go and turn off the kettle.

I left it on in case we wanted to fill the pot up again.

Mary.

Yes?

Nothing.

I thought I saw a man outside.

Is there someone here?

No.

Only Ted.

It wasn't him.

Ooh, it's quite hot in here.

- Yes, it faces south.

Well, I tidied up the other plates.

Let me finish these.

Thank you.

Did you prick yourself?

Oh, no.

Oh, it was the rose trellis.

It's quite a jungle.

I may have to ask Ted to help us.

SHE SOBS SOFTLY Are you all right, Miss Carlisle?

You're not looking quite the thing.

Oh, well, I...

I just want to get all this clearing done.

Well, I'll be up when I'm finished down here.

FOOTSTEPS RECEDING QUICKLY NURSE HOPKINS: So, it's Nellie and Mrs Markinson for these, and that poor creature at Ivy Cottage who's not quite all there could have some of the night things.

This'll be a godsend to them.

I think I'll take them there myself while Mary gets on at the lodge.

She's gone back there, has she?

Mary?

No, I left her in the library.

Well, that was ages ago.

What's she been doing?

Mary?

Mary?

Why, she's fallen asleep.

Come on, my girl.

Wake up.

Mary?

Mary?

Mary!

I'll have to call Dr Lord this moment.

- What's the matter?

- The matter?

This girl is near death.

I think she's been poisoned.

POIROT: You have heard?

That Elinor Carlisle has been charged with murder?

Yes.

There's something I have to tell you.

This way.

Ah, Poirot, have a look at this.

We found it yesterday, just here where those sandwiches were made.

We can't find any more, but it has been identified as part of the label for morphine.

They shared the tea.

So it must be the sandwiches.

Are you aware that a phial of morphine disappeared from this house?

- What?

- Oui.

Dr Lord here just told me of it.

It was in the bag of the nurse.

I'm sure the nurses will confirm it.

So Miss Carlisle had ample opportunity to take it and use it.

And her motive was clear.

She was distraught that her fiance had abandoned her for the deceased.

Of course, there are some difficulties, like the fact they all ate the sandwiches.

It is scarcely a difficulty if you read the statements.

Yes, they all ate the sandwiches.

But the poison, it only needed to be in one.

And the favourite of Mary Gerrard, as Elinor Carlisle herself testifies, it was the salmon.

Then that's how it was done.

Then there's your anonymous letter.

That doesn't really fit.

- Why not?

Let us suppose that Elinor Carlisle was most anxious about the return of Mary Gerrard for there is much talk of her beauty.

She knows that her fiance and Mary were close in the past and that they were bound to meet together here.

So Elinor Carlisle herself writes the anonymous letter, hoping to turn him against Mary.

She wishes him to think that she is a girl out for what she can get.

But it does not work.

She loses him.

So she is driven to a crime far more desperate.

How could she hope to get away with it?

My dear doctor, I am describing a crime of passion.

DR LORD: Poirot, how could you do that?

How could you build a case against Elinor Carlisle?

She's not a murderer.

- How can you be certain?

- You saw her qualities.

- And I saw her pain.

She is not capable of it.

On the contrary, she is more than capable.

That man has no idea of the woman.

My dear doctor, do you suppose I was advancing the case to help him?

Given the facts that I see here, any prosecuting counsel, any idiot of a magistrate, would come to the conclusions that I have just advanced like that.

And I think that it is fair to say that you are partial.

I don't deny it, but she didn't do this.

Please, I'm begging you.

Help me find the truth.

POIROT: My dear doctor, you ask for my help, but I do not think you have been completely honest with me.

I still have my suspicions about the death of Laura Welman.

And I am going to ask the police to exhume her body.

And so I ask you again, to tell me truthfully... What will they find?

I don't know.

But possibly morphine.

Mon Dieu.

I do not understand you.

You told to me otherwise.

You made me hold back.

As a friend, you said.

Good God.

Poirot, please.

I never dreamt of such a thing.

I thought that it was probably natural.

But there was another possibility.

I was aware that she might have taken the drug herself.

She'd often talked of it.

I comprehend.

You were playing the merciful doctor.

As I say, she talked of it.

Under such circumstances, I didn't wish to cause a scandal by insisting on an autopsy.

I must insist that you are now completely honest with me.

You did not give her the drug at her request?

I swear to you I didn't.

I told her myself, I have no wish to be hanged.

I wouldn't do it.

Very well.

All the same, I wish you had told me you had suspicions.

Because if you are right, it will be worse now for Elinor Carlisle than I could have thought.

So, you do not wish to talk?

I made a statement.

I have nothing else to say.

Mademoiselle Carlisle, you are aware of how your silence, it will be construed?

It is no matter.

NURSE HOPKINS: It's such a shock, I can tell you.

Now, you have some tea.

Merci.

Like I told the police, Monsieur Poirot, Miss Carlisle was so strange, very strange in her manner.

I had thought it for days, but that afternoon she was downright odd.

Talking as if she didn't know what she was saying and her eyes, so bright and queer.

And you said that... she "looked" guilty?

Oh, yes, she was trembling before and afterwards.

It was as if she'd been caught out.

Those sandwiches that she made... ..did they look the same?

They were not on different bread?

No.

Definitely not.

White bread.

Looked very much the same.

But Mary had the salmon and we had the crab.

When I think of how poor Mary was when we found her... She was one of the most beautiful girls I ever saw, Mr Poirot.

And not stuck-up as she could have been.

The old lady had taken a tremendous fancy to her.

Surprising perhaps?

Oh, that depends.

It might be quite natural in one way.

And, surely, it does an elderly person good to have a young face about.

I see.

And there's nothing else?

Nothing else at all that you can tell to me about Mary Gerrard?

I don't know of anything.

HE SIGHS Mary was not poisoned before she came here.

How could she have walked from the lodge?

Non.

Without doubt, Mary was poisoned in this room.

Both she and Nurse Hopkins shared the tea, so...

It must have been the sandwiches.

But, Poirot, somebody could easily have entered in here and tampered with them.

There was a figure in the garden out there.

Perhaps it was somebody from Mary's past.

Or what is more likely, someone we know.

TED: I made a statement to the police, Mr Poirot.

I wasn't around this side of the house at all that day.

I was up near the road.

Did you see a figure?

No.

I-I did see a car.

It was, erm, parked on the road early in the afternoon.

And did you recognise the car?

No.

I don't think so.

I think it was green.

I just can't believe... anyone would do such a thing.

And certainly not Miss Carlisle.

Tell me, Monsieur Horlick, you were fond of Mary, were you not?

Everyone knows that.

It wasn't the same when she came back from abroad.

But did she have any enemies?

Not that I know.

She was always a bit different, but... ..people liked her.

Then after she came back, nobody knew her so well.

And why is that?

She was just changed.

Not stuck-up exactly.

Just... not one of us any more.

This is for Mary.

"But she is in her grave, and, oh, the difference to me."

Wordsworth.

I read him much.

This poem expresses perhaps what you feel.

Yes.

I suppose it's widely known what I feel, if you have to bring it up.

Pardon, please.

Forgive me, Monsieur Winter.

There are certain things one should not say, but nevertheless, a detective, he is forced to ask about the feelings of people.

Oh.

If it helps Elinor, Poirot, ask all you want.

Merci.

You returned home early from France, I believe.

You were seen here on the day of the murder.

Yes, all right, I did come back.

I didn't want Elinor to know.

You see, I'd decided to ask Mary to marry me.

- And you saw her?

- No.

No, I didn't.

She wasn't expecting me, so I decided to wait.

I certainly wasn't going to barge into Hunterbury.

I waited here, close to Mary's lodgings.

And, of course, Mary, she never came.

I saw an ambulance, police cars.

People were talking.

I overheard what they said.

I couldn't face anyone, so I took a train back into town and waited for news.

When I learnt she was dead, I felt like... And you do not think Elinor did this?

No, of course not.

The fact that they dragged Elinor into this makes it even more tragic.

So, if she escapes the gallows, you will reconsider your engagement?

What do you think I am?

Of course not.

It is ended.

But I want her to be all right.

She's a very decent person.

Better than... - Than you?

Is that what you were going to say?

No doubt at all, Poirot.

Several ounces of morphine were found in her body.

It was administered on the day she died.

You're very kind, Mr Poirot.

I am happy to answer your questions.

Of course, I heard about Mrs Welman.

And what a terrible thing, too.

And you had no suspicions at that time?

Not the least in the world.

So, tell to me, if you please, did anyone else enter the room of Madame Welman that night other than Mademoiselle Carlisle?

I never left her side.

Except when Miss Carlisle came in.

She was so bold and clever, that one.

So, why would she have wanted to do it?

For the money, that's why.

She knew quite well, if she didn't do it, every penny would go to Mary Gerrard.

And that's the truth.

So, Mary Gerrard was a girl who was scheming and clever?

No.

Oh, that's a terrible thing to say.

Mrs Welman adored her.

She was a very sweet girl.

"But not one of us."

Pardon.

She was an only child.

Is it possible perhaps that she could have been adopted?

What?

No, certainly not.

I must say, this is a lovely cake.

She made a will.

Is that correct?

It's awful.

Awful to think of it now.

Nurse Hopkins and I advised her it was a good thing to do.

We thought she should since she had expectations.

I wish we'd never mentioned it now.

So the £7,000 goes to her aunt.

She has no other family here?

Just her mother's sister who's nursing out in New Zealand.

I've written to the old lady, and what a shock it will be, too.

So, will Miss Carlisle be hanged?

CAR HORN BLARES If she is found guilty.

PROSECUTOR: Mrs Welman, whose money went to Elinor Carlisle, was murdered by morphine.

Mary Gerrard, who came between Elinor Carlisle and her fiance, was murdered by morphine.

Nobody in the world had the slightest motive to commit these murders other than the accused.

No-one had the slightest opportunity other than the accused.

And this... vengeful woman, who openly wished her victim dead to more than one witness never expressed the slightest remorse.

Gentlemen of the jury, what is your verdict?

Guilty.

SPECTATORS MURMURING SHE SIGHS Elinor Carlisle.

You are sentenced to be taken hence to the prison in which you were last confined.

And from there to a place of execution, where you will be hanged from the neck until dead.

And may the Lord have mercy upon your soul.

MARY'S VOICE ECHOING 'Monsieur Poirot.'

Mademoiselle?

'Please be careful as you go.'

MARY: 'Of course.'

VOICE ECHOES HE GASPS HE EXHALES SHARPLY POIROT: I will admit I have not been sleeping very well.

But last night finally I sleep.

And I dream.

I dream.

I dream of the victim.

As she was at first.

On the street outside of my hotel.

A girl so lovely, the favourite of Madame Welman.

A girl who is liked by everyone, and yet she is still a mystery.

And then... ..then I wake up.

And I recall something.

What?

HE CLICKS TONGUE Oh...

It is a detail.

In fact, it is half a detail, one twentieth of a detail, but, yes, my friend, it worries me.

Something that the Nurse Hopkins said concerning Mary.

- What about her?

- Yes, what about her?

What is behind her?

You're not making sense.

And suddenly, I see that there is something that the good Nurse Hopkins does not wish me to know.

That she thinks has no bearing on the crime, but I believe that it may.

But surely she would realise that.

My dear doctor, Nurse Hopkins is a woman of high intelligence.

But her intellect is hardly equal to that of mine.

She might not see it, but Hercule Poirot, he would.

And suddenly there raises in my mind so many questions.

No, I was right before.

Something here is crooked.

But, Doctor, time is short.

There is something I need from you.

It is a book.

How does it call itself?

A book which describes various medicines you prescribe.

A formulary?

Oui, c'est ca.

I must borrow it.

Merci.

When I visited you before, I said it was surprising how Madame Welman favoured Mary Gerrard.

You said it was "only natural".

And I thought you were merely talking about a friendship that it was natural.

And then I think again of Mary and I hear that word again "natural".

And I see that you used it... deliberately.

Oh, I know it.

And now you must tell to me why.

Nurse O'Brien and I had both heard the old lady crying out about something in her past.

There was a man called Lewis.

But we both knew there was much more to it than that.

And then I found this.

In the lodge.

After Mary had died.

It is Madame Welman, huh?

And the baby?

It's Mary Gerrard.

So Mary was the illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman.

It's a sad story, as you'll see from the letter.

The man couldn't marry her.

He had his own family.

Some time later, he was killed on the Western Front.

The Gerrards had no children.

Mrs Welman went to Scotland and took Mrs Gerrard with her.

Where the baby was born.

Naturally, she paid for Mary's schooling and told them she would provide for her.

But she couldn't admit the truth.

She had to avoid the scandal.

But at last Mary becomes clearer.

But what sadness.

"So, dear Mary... "..for all these years I've had to keep this secret... "from the girl I brought up "and such a hardship that has been."

Of course, we had suspected as much.

Nurse intimated she knew, but... ..what's the point of it coming out now?

I was going to destroy these.

As I said before, Mr Poirot... ..let the dead rest in peace.

No.

Not when one has to consider the living.

Mademoiselle Carlisle, you would say nothing before.

But now I know a little more.

And I want to help you.

I believe I can.

But you must answer some questions about that day.

I beg of you.

SHE CLICKS TONGUE Why?

Is there any purpose?

Yes, of course, there's a purpose.

Please.

Now, just tell it to me from the very beginning.

Firstly, why did you give time off to the servants?

I was upset.

I wanted to be alone.

And when you made the sandwiches, did you see anyone outside?

No.

All right.

Then you went to sort through some things of your aunt.

Did you discover anything that affected you or any private matters concerning your aunt?

What?

No.

Then you took Mary and Nurse Hopkins into the library where you gave to them the sandwiches.

What was Mary doing when you left her?

She was on the sofa.

She seemed normal.

Now... each detail, if you please.

- I went down to the pantry.

- Oui.

Nurse was there doing the washing-up.

Mm-hm.

She said she'd seen a man in the garden.

I didn't see anything.

So what then did you talk of?

I don't know.

Oh, yes.

The rose trellis by the lodge.

She had a mark on her arm where the thorn had scratched her.

And then it all came back to me.

All of it.

How when we were children, Roddy and I kept having this quarrel about the War of the Roses.

He liked the white rose.

SHE SCOFFS I said they weren't real.

Because they didn't even smell.

I preferred red.

Because they were big and dark and smelled.

VOICE BREAKING: Like summer.

Then I realised something, yes, I did.

There was no reason to kill Mary.

Because Roddy would never have stayed with me.

I know it.

When you went back... ..Mary was dying?

You might as well ask me then, did I intend to kill Mary Gerrard?

Non.

Non, Mademoiselle.

Now please do forgive me.

I have very little time.

You have told me all that I need.

And there are some things I still do not wish to know.

SHE SOBS KNOCK AT DOOR Ah, Monsieur Horlick, enter if you please.

I'm sorry, Mr Poirot, there is something I need to say in private.

- Monsieur Horlick... ..you see before you a miserable animal who has been a triple imbecile.

I am 36 times an idiot.

Forgive me, but I have discovered something in a way that is most painful.

Hideously painful, but very important.

POIROT SPEAKS IN FRENCH No matter.

Please to sit.

And tell to me what you wish to say.

It concerns Dr Lord, Sir.

If you do not agree, I will go higher.

I wish you to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.

I will do what I can, Sir.

It will have to be tomorrow.

Very well.

DR LORD: Poirot, you realise we have less than a day and a night.

Why did you ask me here?

Because I wanted to show you... this.

The Zephirine rose.

So?

Isn't that Mr Winter?

- Oui.

What is going on?

What did Elinor say?

I will tell it to you.

She told me of a quarrel, a long time ago... ..and how she and Mr Winter were on different sides.

And it made it very clear to me, mon ami, how she fell in love a long time ago with a man who could not return her feelings.

And so, Doctor, I began to see through all the lies that had been told to me.

Who has lied to you?

Everyone.

Particularly you.

But at last, the matter, it is almost concluded.

For I have made a trap.

Shall we go back to the house?

I have the message from the Inspector, Poirot.

But can you tell me what is this all about?

It strikes me as very unpleasant.

I never wanted to see this room again.

- I'm not surprised.

- What does that mean?

Gentlemen, please.

I have concluded that nothing in this matter is what it seems.

Firstly, we have heard that on the day of the murder there was seen lurking in the garden a man who was very tall and resembled you, Mr Winter.

I told you, I never came here.

Would you be surprised to learn of the will of Mademoiselle Carlisle?

I established it last night that it leaves everything to you.

I swear I had no idea.

So, perhaps you stood outside and observed her making the sandwiches.

And thought that they were for her.

Alors, if she died, you would be a man very rich.

This is outrageous.

I told you, I never came into the grounds.

However, if she was hanged... you would be equally rich.

So, let us assume... ..as did the trial, that the murder, it was successful.

It is easy to imagine you or another being aware that Elinor Carlisle intended to invite Mary Gerrard here and also to know that the preference of Mary was for salmon paste.

Both of these things were well-known.

- Are you including me?

POIROT: I include everyone.

Now, this person has the phial of morphine, and the chance, it comes.

And this is what he finds.

The sandwiches.

One of salmon paste, the other two of shrimp and crab.

Our murderer... approaches the sandwiches.

And at once he observes that the colour and the texture are identical.

So, which one is the salmon paste?

There's no way on earth he could distinguish by smell.

So, what can this person do?

I am afraid that there is only one thing he can do.

He tastes.

It was bad enough the first time.

But then, suddenly, I realised how stupid I had been.

Ah!

I, Hercule Poirot, had followed my reasoning, yes, but I failed to take into account the madness of the English palate.

For, gentlemen, what do we find?

We find that we are entering into the realms of lunacy.

I do not care if our murderer had the palate of a master chef.

He could never distinguish between these slurries.

No, it is a fact, these sandwiches are all but indistinguishable.

So I come to the conclusion.

I, Hercule Poirot, do not care what was said at the trial.

This could never ever be the practical method of murder.

So Elinor Carlisle did not poison the sandwich.

- No, she did not.

- Who did?

Nobody.

- So it was an accident?

POIROT: No, no, non.

She was murdered, but not by these disgusting sandwiches.

I said just now that everyone had lied to me.

For example, the man that Nurse Hopkins saw outside here.

- She was lying?

POIROT: No, no, no.

Indeed she was not.

And you know that, Dr Lord, because you are aware of who it was.

It was you.

Monsieur Horlick recognised your car, but did not want to say so in front of you.

So last night he came to the hotel to tell it to me.

So here is yet another lie.

But why?

Was it because you feared for Elinor Carlisle?

Was it your heart I could forgive?

Or something much more sinister?

All right.

All right.

I would have done anything to protect her.

I was just a fool to think I could deceive you.

Oui.

Either a fool or something worse.

LIFT DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES Please do remain.

I will return.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No, of course not.

I had a message to come here.

Oui.

As you know, someone entered this room on the last night that Madame Welman was alive.

And gave to her the morphine.

You told to the court that you never left the side of your patient except when Mademoiselle Carlisle was present.

She was the accused, so no person could challenge you.

But it is a fact that Monsieur Winter entered this room when you were making the tea.

And perhaps others.

Maybe I was out a few times.

That's no crime.

That is not your only lie.

When I asked you if Mary Gerrard was adopted, you denied it.

Why did you not tell to me the truth?

What?

That?

But it has no bearing.

No bearing?

You suppose the fact that Mary Gerrard was the illegitimate daughter of Madame Welman has no bearing on this?

Elinor Carlisle only inherited the money because she was the nearest next of kin to Madame Welman.

Now it emerges that she was not.

At that point, Mary Gerrard stood to inherit £200,000.

Ah, so that's it.

It was another motive for Miss Carlisle to do away with her.

On the contrary.

It was no motive at all.

Such an action, it would have been pointless.

Since Mary Gerrard had already made a will.

Was it you who told her to do that?

We talked about it.

What are you saying, Mr Poirot?

That someone other than Elinor Carlisle benefits from her death.

This came to me yesterday.

And then I began to think again about the anonymous letter.

Designed to breed the distrust between Mary Gerrard and Elinor Carlisle.

And, suddenly, the light, it began to dawn.

About, amongst other things, New Zealand.

Excuse me.

KETTLE WHISTLES NURSE HOPKINS: Well, Mr Poirot.

So long as you wanted me here, I thought I'd make us a cup of tea.

Oh, thank you.

You are most kind.

And now, perhaps, you'll please tell me what this is about?

The truth is, Nurse Hopkins, I brought you here to talk to you about this rose.

It is a rose on the trellis at the lodge.

You were pricked, I believe, by its thorn.

Yes.

But as you can quite well regard... ..the Zephirine rose, it has no thorn.

Well, then, it was a nail from the trellis.

I thought it was a thorn.

It was sharp enough, too.

Your tea.

Merci.

Quite so.

A mistake.

Tell me, you have lived in New Zealand?

How would you discover that?

Mind you, it is known.

Is it?

The truth is, I have tried to discover it myself, but without any success.

It little matters.

But I did have a little more success in discovering your real name.

Your first name is Mary, the same as Mary Gerrard.

And your surname... is Riley.

The same as her adopted mother.

Poor Mary, she never guessed who you really were, did she?

And that letter that you showed me, you never discovered it here at the lodge.

No, it was a letter you received.

At the time I thought that the wording was rather strange.

"And so, dear Mary...

"..I have had to keep this secret "from the girl I brought up."

So, why would the writer address her daughter directly as Mary and then proceed to talk about her in the third person?

Because it was not a mother writing to her daughter at all.

No.

It was a mother writing to her sister.

Confessing the secret of the true parentage of her adopted daughter.

Oh, yes, it was your letter.

Sent to you, her aunt in New Zealand.

And this planted a temptation which grew.

What temptation?

The temptation of a big inheritance.

And it was for that reason that you came here.

You tried to stir up feelings against Mary with your poison pen.

The anonymous letter.

You killed Madame Welman, knowing that she had made no will.

You even tricked poor Mary into making a will in favour of her kind aunt in New Zealand.

Encouraged by the postcards and presents which you arranged.

Oh, yes, she was named after you.

And yet you killed her.

Later you would have released that sad letter, ensuring that the settlement would change.

And from a safe distance, claim your money.

This is a strange sort of fiction, Mr Poirot.

But so long as you've finished your tea, I'll wash up.

But I still worried about the scrap of label they discovered here.

Certainly it said "morphine".

But there was one bit that did not quite fit.

The small "m".

Why not the capital?

And eventually I realised... that it was only part of the name of the drug that they discovered.

HE COUGHS It was incomplete.

And not one for morphine at all.

HE COUGHS And I searched and searched.

And at last I discovered a drug of great interest.

Apomorphine.

An emetic.

Yes, an emetic, Mr Poirot.

Apomorphine makes you vomit.

Swallow poison and inject that... and you vomit quite enough to expel the poison.

And so it was the tea.

You poisoned it.

You drank it with Mary.

HE CLEARS THROAT WEAKLY: And a little while later, Elinor Carlisle finds you with a prick from the needle in your arm, standing over that basin where you had been so sick.

And now I have to do it again.

The poison's safely washed up.

Though, luckily, I had much less than you.

Not morphine this time.

Something nastier.

But nobody will quite know how it entered your system.

And there's no trace of it.

HE COUGHS Oh, but, my dear lady... ..there is.

You see.

I hate and always have hated... ..tea.

And here... is your emetic.

I removed it from your bag.

Give me that!

CONSTABLE 1: Come on, lads!

CONSTABLE 2: I've got her.

SHE GRUNTS Damn you!

You filthy little foreigner!

There was no way they could have found out.

None.

Poirot, come now.

We have a car waiting.

We need to hurry.

There's no time to waste.

And Dr Lord also, if you please.

I think you will be needed.

Monsieur Winter.

This is for you.

It is from the lodge and it saved your life.

You have been acquitted.

SHE GASPS You are free to go.

SHE LAUGHS But...

There is someone outside who will explain everything amongst other things who it was who wrote to you, your letter.

And it is to him that you should give the thanks.

SHE SOBS Monsieur Poirot, you know what I told you.

I... Mademoiselle Carlisle, wanting a death is no crime.

Bon.

Now go.

May I take you home?

Yes.

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