Murder in the Mews - Agatha Christie [57]
‘He might have wished to look out of the window. Last view out over the estate.’
‘My dear friend, you do not suggest that with any conviction. In fact, you know it is nonsense. At eight minutes past eight it was dark, and in any case the curtains are drawn. No, there must be some other explanation…’
‘There’s only one as far as I can see. Gervase Chevenix-Gore was mad.’
Poirot shook his head in a dissatisfied manner.
Major Riddle rose.
‘Come,’ he said. ‘Let us go and interview the rest of the party. We may get at something that way.’
Chapter 6
After the difficulties of getting a direct statement from Lady Chevenix-Gore, Major Riddle found considerable relief in dealing with a shrewd lawyer like Forbes.
Mr Forbes was extremely guarded and cautious in his statements, but his replies were all directly to the point.
He admitted that Sir Gervase’s suicide had been a great shock to him. He should never have considered Sir Gervase the kind of man who would take his own life. He knew nothing of any cause for such an act.
‘Sir Gervase was not only my client, but was a very old friend. I have known him since boyhood. I should say that he had always enjoyed life.’
‘In the circumstances, Mr Forbes, I must ask you to speak quite candidly. You did not know of any secret anxiety or sorrow in Sir Gervase’s life?’
‘No. He had minor worries, like most men, but there was nothing of a serious nature.’
‘No illness? No trouble between him and his wife?’
‘No. Sir Gervase and Lady Chevenix-Gore were devoted to each other.’
Major Riddle said cautiously:
‘Lady Chevenix-Gore appears to hold somewhat curious views.’
Mr Forbes smiled — an indulgent, manly smile.
‘Ladies,’ he said, ‘must be allowed their fancies.’
The chief constable went on:
‘You managed all Sir Gervase’s legal affairs?’
‘Yes, my firm, Forbes, Ogilvie and Spence, have acted for the Chevenix-Gore family for well over a hundred years.’
‘Were there any — scandals in the Chevenix-Gore family?’
Mr Forbes’s eyebrows rose.
‘Really, I fail to understand you?’
‘M. Poirot, will you show Mr Forbes the letter you showed me?’
In silence Poirot rose and handed the letter to Mr Forbes with a little bow.
Mr Forbes read it and his eyebrows rose still more.
‘A most remarkable letter,’ he said. ‘I appreciate your question now. No, so far as my knowledge went, there was nothing to justify the writing of such a letter.’
‘Sir Gervase said nothing of this matter to you?’
‘Nothing at all. I must say I find it very curious that he should not have done so.’
‘He was accustomed to confide in you?’
‘I think he relied on my judgment.’
‘And you have no idea as to what this letter refers?’
‘I should not like to make any rash speculations.’
Major Riddle appreciated the subtlety of this reply.
‘Now, Mr Forbes, perhaps you can tell us how Sir Gervase has left his property.’
‘Certainly. I see no objection to such a course. To his wife, Sir Gervase left an annual income of six thousand pounds chargeable on the estate, and the choice of the Dower House or the town house in Lowndes Square, whichever she should prefer. There were, of course, several legacies and bequests, but nothing of an outstanding nature. The residue of his property was left to his adopted daughter, Ruth, on condition that, if she married, her husband should take the name of Chevenix-Gore.’
‘Was nothing left to his nephew, Mr Hugo Trent?’
‘Yes. A legacy of five thousand pounds.’
‘And I take it that Sir Gervase was a rich man?’
‘He was extremely wealthy. He had a vast private fortune apart from the estate. Of course, he was not quite so well-off as in the past. Practically all invested incomes have felt the strain. Also, Sir Gervase had dropped a good deal of money over a certain company — the Paragon Synthetic Rubber Substitute in which Colonel Bury persuaded him to invest a good deal of money.’
‘Not very wise advice?’
Mr Forbes sighed.
‘Retired soldiers are the worst sufferers