Hercule Poirot's Christmas - Agatha Christie [29]
Alfred, his brown eyes like those of a suffering dog, said hoarsely:
‘Thank you. It’s terrible—quite terrible. I—this is my wife.’
Lydia said in her quiet voice:
‘It has been a frightful shock to my husband—to all of us—but particularly to him.’
Her hand was on her husband’s shoulder.
Colonel Johnson said:
‘Won’t you sit down, Mrs Lee? Let me introduce M. Hercule Poirot.’
Hercule Poirot bowed. His eyes went interestedly from husband to wife.
Lydia’s hands pressed gently on Alfred’s shoulder.
‘Sit down, Alfred.’
Alfred sat. He murmured:
‘Hercule Poirot. Now, who—who—?’
He passed his hand in a dazed fashion over his forehead.
Lydia Lee said:
‘Colonel Johnson will want to ask you a lot of questions, Alfred.’
The chief constable looked at her with approval. He was thankful that Mrs Alfred Lee was turning out to be such a sensible and competent woman.
Alfred said:
‘Of course. Of course…’
Johnson said to himself;
‘Shock seems to have knocked him out completely. Hope he can pull himself together a bit.’
Aloud he said:
‘I’ve got a list here of everybody who was in the house tonight. Perhaps you’ll tell me, Mr Lee, if it is correct.’
He made a slight gesture to Sugden and the latter pulled out his note-book and once more recited the list of names.
The businesslike procedure seemed to restore Alfred Lee to something more like his normal self. He had regained command of himself, his eyes no longer looked dazed and staring. When Sugden finished, he nodded in agreement.
‘That’s quite right,’ he said.
‘Do you mind telling me a little more about your guests? Mr and Mrs George Lee and Mr and Mrs David Lee are, I gather, relatives?’
‘They are my two younger brothers and their wives.’
‘They are staying here only?’
‘Yes, they came to us for Christmas.’
‘Mr Henry Lee is also a brother?’
‘Yes.’
‘And your two other guests? Miss Estravados and Mr Farr?’
‘Miss Estravados is my niece. Mr Farr is the son of my father’s one-time partner in South Africa.’
‘Ah, an old friend.’
Lydia intervened.
‘No, actually we have never seen him before.’
‘I see. But you invited him to stay with you for Christmas?’
Alfred hesitated, then looked towards his wife. She said clearly:
‘Mr Farr turned up quite unexpectedly yesterday. He happened to be in the neighbourhood and came to call upon my father-in-law. When my father-in-law found he was the son of his old friend and partner, he insisted on his remaining with us for Christmas.’
Colonel Johnson said:
‘I see. That explains the household. As regards the servants, Mrs Lee, do you consider them all trustworthy?’
Lydia considered for a moment before replying. Then she said:
‘Yes. I am quite sure they are all thoroughly reliable. They have mostly been with us for many years. Tressilian, the butler, has been here since my husband was a young child. The only newcomers are the betweenmaid, Joan, and the nurse-valet who attended on my father-in-law.’
‘What about them?’
‘Joan is rather a silly little thing. That is the worst that can be said of her. I know very little about Horbury. He has been here just over a year. He was quite competent at his job and my father-in-law seemed satisfied with him.’
Poirot said acutely:
‘But you, madame, were not so satisfied?’
Lydia shrugged her shoulders slightly.
‘It was nothing to do with me.’
‘But you are the mistress of the house, madame. The servants are your concern?’
‘Oh yes, of course. But Horbury was my father-in-law’s personal attendant. He did not come under my jurisdiction.’
‘I see.’
Colonel Johnson said:
‘We come now to the events of tonight. I’m afraid this will be painful for you, Mr Lee, but I would like your account of what happened.’
Alfred said in a low voice: ‘Of course.’
Colonel Johnson said, prompting him:
‘When, for instance, did you last see