°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
Her¡¡death¡¡was¡¡a¡¡shock¡¡and¡¡a¡¡distress£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡would¡¡not¡¡be¡¡passionately¡¡
regretted¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡follow¡¡my¡¡thoughts¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡nodded¡¡his¡¡head¡¡gravely¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡you¡¡are¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨it¡¡is¡¡not¡¡as¡¡though¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡blood¡¡tie¡£¡¡
She¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡kind¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡generous¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡Cavendishes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡
their¡¡own¡¡mother¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Blood¡¡tellsalways¡¡remember¡¡thatblood¡¡tells¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Poirot£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡wish¡¡you¡¡would¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡why¡¡you¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡know¡¡if¡¡
Mrs¡£¡¡Inglethorp¡¡ate¡¡well¡¡last¡¡night£¿¡¡I¡¡have¡¡been¡¡turning¡¡it¡¡over¡¡in¡¡my¡¡mind£»¡¡
but¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡see¡¡how¡¡it¡¡has¡¡anything¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡the¡¡matter£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡silent¡¡for¡¡a¡¡minute¡¡or¡¡two¡¡as¡¡we¡¡walked¡¡along£»¡¡but¡¡finally¡¡he¡¡
said£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡do¡¡not¡¡mind¡¡telling¡¡youthough£»¡¡as¡¡you¡¡know£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡not¡¡my¡¡habit¡¡to¡¡
explain¡¡¡¡¡¡until¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡end¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡reached¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡present¡¡¡¡¡¡contention¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡
Inglethorp¡¡died¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡strychnine¡¡poisoning£»¡¡¡¡presumably¡¡¡¡administered¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡
coffee¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡what¡¡time¡¡was¡¡the¡¡coffee¡¡served£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨About¡¡eight¡¡o'clock¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Therefore¡¡she¡¡drank¡¡it¡¡between¡¡then¡¡and¡¡half¡past¡¡eight¡¡certainly¡¡not¡¡
much¡¡later¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡strychnine¡¡is¡¡a¡¡fairly¡¡rapid¡¡poison¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Its¡¡effects¡¡would¡¡
be¡¡¡¡¡¡felt¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡soon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡probably¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡hour¡£¡¡Yet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Inglethorp's¡¡
case£»¡¡the¡¡symptoms¡¡do¡¡not¡¡manifest¡¡themselves¡¡until¡¡five¡¡o'clock¡¡the¡¡next¡¡
morning£º¡¡nine¡¡hours£¡¡¡But¡¡a¡¡heavy¡¡meal£»¡¡taken¡¡at¡¡about¡¡the¡¡same¡¡time¡¡as¡¡
the¡¡poison£»¡¡might¡¡retard¡¡its¡¡effects£»¡¡though¡¡hardly¡¡to¡¡that¡¡extent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Still£»¡¡it¡¡
is¡¡a¡¡possibility¡¡to¡¡be¡¡taken¡¡into¡¡account¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡according¡¡to¡¡you£»¡¡she¡¡ate¡¡
very¡¡little¡¡for¡¡supper£»¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡the¡¡symptoms¡¡do¡¡not¡¡develop¡¡until¡¡early¡¡the¡¡
next¡¡morning£¡¡¡Now¡¡that¡¡is¡¡a¡¡curious¡¡circumstance£»¡¡my¡¡friend¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Something¡¡
may¡¡arise¡¡at¡¡the¡¡autopsy¡¡to¡¡explain¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡meantime£»¡¡remember¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡we¡¡neared¡¡the¡¡house£»¡¡John¡¡came¡¡out¡¡and¡¡met¡¡us¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡face¡¡looked¡¡
weary¡¡and¡¡haggard¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡dreadful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡business£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Monsieur¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡33¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡34¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
¡¨Hastings¡¡has¡¡explained¡¡to¡¡you¡¡that¡¡we¡¡are¡¡anxious¡¡for¡¡no¡¡publicity£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡comprehend¡¡perfectly¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡see£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡only¡¡suspicion¡¡so¡¡far¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡have¡¡nothing¡¡to¡¡go¡¡upon¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Precisely¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡a¡¡matter¡¡of¡¡precaution¡¡only¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡taking¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡cigarette¡case£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡lighting¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
cigarette¡¡as¡¡he¡¡did¡¡so¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡that¡¡fellow¡¡Inglethorp¡¡is¡¡back£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡met¡¡him¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡flung¡¡the¡¡match¡¡into¡¡an¡¡adjacent¡¡flower¡¡bed£»¡¡a¡¡proceeding¡¡which¡¡
was¡¡too¡¡much¡¡for¡¡Poirot's¡¡feelings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡retrieved¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡buried¡¡it¡¡neatly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡jolly¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡know¡¡how¡¡to¡¡treat¡¡him¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡difficulty¡¡will¡¡not¡¡exist¡¡long£»¡¨¡¡pronounced¡¡Poirot¡¡quietly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡John¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡puzzled£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡understanding¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡portent¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡this¡¡
cryptic¡¡saying¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡handed¡¡the¡¡two¡¡keys¡¡which¡¡Dr¡£¡¡Bauerstein¡¡had¡¡given¡¡
him¡¡to¡¡me¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Show¡¡Monsieur¡¡Poirot¡¡everything¡¡he¡¡wants¡¡to¡¡see¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡rooms¡¡are¡¡locked£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Poirot¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Dr¡£¡¡Bauerstein¡¡considered¡¡it¡¡advisable¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot¡¡nodded¡¡thoughtfully¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡he¡¡is¡¡very¡¡sure¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡that¡¡simplifies¡¡matters¡¡for¡¡us¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡went¡¡up¡¡together¡¡to¡¡the¡¡room¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tragedy¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡convenience¡¡I¡¡
append¡¡a¡¡plan¡¡of¡¡the¡¡room¡¡and¡¡the¡¡principal¡¡articles¡¡of¡¡furniture¡¡in¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot¡¡¡¡¡¡locked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡inside£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡proceeded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡minute¡¡
inspection¡¡of¡¡the¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡darted¡¡from¡¡one¡¡object¡¡to¡¡the¡¡other¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
agility¡¡of¡¡a¡¡grasshopper¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡remained¡¡by¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡fearing¡¡to¡¡obliterate¡¡any¡¡
clues¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot£»¡¡however£»¡¡did¡¡not¡¡seem¡¡grateful¡¡to¡¡me¡¡for¡¡my¡¡forbearance¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡you£»¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡friend£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡cried£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨that¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡remain¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡
how¡¡do¡¡you¡¡say¡¡it£¿ah£»¡¡yes£»¡¡the¡¡stuck¡¡pig£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡explained¡¡that¡¡I¡¡was¡¡afraid¡¡of¡¡obliterating¡¡any¡¡foot¡marks¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Foot¡marks£¿¡¡But¡¡what¡¡an¡¡idea£¡¡¡There¡¡has¡¡already¡¡been¡¡practically¡¡an¡¡
army¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room£¡¡¡What¡¡foot¡marks¡¡are¡¡we¡¡likely¡¡to¡¡find£¿¡¡No£»¡¡come¡¡here¡¡
and¡¡aid¡¡me¡¡in¡¡my¡¡search¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡put¡¡down¡¡my¡¡little¡¡case¡¡until¡¡I¡¡need¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡did¡¡so£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡round¡¡table¡¡by¡¡the¡¡window£»¡¡but¡¡it¡¡was¡¡an¡¡ill¡advised¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡34¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡35¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
proceeding£»¡¡for£»¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡it¡¡being¡¡loose£»¡¡it¡¡tilted¡¡up£»¡¡and¡¡precipitated¡¡the¡¡
despatch¡case¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Eh¡¡viola¡¡une¡¡table£¡¡¨¡¡cried¡¡Poirot¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨An£»¡¡my¡¡friend£»¡¡one¡¡may¡¡live¡¡in¡¡a¡¡
big¡¡house¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡have¡¡no¡¡comfort¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡After¡¡which¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡moralizing£»¡¡he¡¡resumed¡¡his¡¡search¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡small¡¡purple¡¡despatch¡case£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡key¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lock£»¡¡on¡¡the¡¡writing¡¡¡
table£»¡¡engaged¡¡his¡¡attention¡¡for¡¡some¡¡time¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡took¡¡out¡¡the¡¡key¡¡from¡¡the¡¡
lock£»¡¡and¡¡passed¡¡it¡¡to¡¡me¡¡to¡¡inspect¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡nothing¡¡peculiar£»¡¡however¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡
was¡¡an¡¡ordinary¡¡key¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Yale¡¡type£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡bit¡¡of¡¡twisted¡¡wire¡¡through¡¡the¡¡
handle¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Next£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡examined¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡framework¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡broken¡¡¡¡¡¡in£»¡¡
assuring¡¡himself¡¡that¡¡the¡¡bolt¡¡had¡¡really¡¡been¡¡shot¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡went¡¡to¡¡the¡¡
door¡¡opposite¡¡leading¡¡into¡¡Cynthia's¡¡room¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡That¡¡door¡¡was¡¡also¡¡bolted£»¡¡as¡¡
I¡¡had¡¡stated¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡However£»¡¡he¡¡went¡¡to¡¡the¡¡length¡¡of¡¡unbolting¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡opening¡¡
and¡¡shutting¡¡it¡¡several¡¡times£»¡¡this¡¡he¡¡did¡¡with¡¡the¡¡utmost¡¡precaution¡¡against¡¡
making¡¡any¡¡noise¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡something¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bolt¡¡itself¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡rivet¡¡
his¡¡attention¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡examined¡¡it¡¡carefully£»¡¡and¡¡then£»¡¡nimbly¡¡whipping¡¡out¡¡a¡¡
pair¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡¡¡forceps¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡case£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡drew¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡minute¡¡¡¡¡¡particle¡¡
which¡¡he¡¡carefully¡¡sealed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡a¡¡tiny¡¡envelope¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡the¡¡chest¡¡of¡¡drawers¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡tray¡¡with¡¡a¡¡spirit¡¡lamp¡¡and¡¡a¡¡small¡¡
saucepan¡¡on¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡small¡¡quantity¡¡of¡¡a¡¡dark¡¡fluid¡¡remained¡¡in¡¡the¡¡saucepan£»¡¡
and¡¡an¡¡empty¡¡cup¡¡and¡¡saucer¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡drunk¡¡out¡¡of¡¡stood¡¡near¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡wondered¡¡how¡¡I¡¡could¡¡have¡¡been¡¡so¡¡unobservant¡¡as¡¡to¡¡overlook¡¡this¡£¡¡
Here¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡clue¡¡¡¡¡¡worth¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Poirot¡¡¡¡¡¡delicately¡¡¡¡dipped¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡finger¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡
liquid£»¡¡and¡¡tasted¡¡it¡¡gingerly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡made¡¡a¡¡grimace¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨CocowithI¡¡thinkrum¡¡in¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡passed¡¡on¡¡to¡¡the¡¡debris¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor£»¡¡where¡¡the¡¡table¡¡by¡¡the¡¡bed¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡overturned¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡reading¡lamp£»¡¡some¡¡books£»¡¡matches£»¡¡a¡¡bunch¡¡of¡¡keys£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡crushed¡¡fragments¡¡of¡¡a¡¡coffee¡cup¡¡lay¡¡scattered¡¡about¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Ah£»¡¡this¡¡is¡¡curious£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Poirot¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡must¡¡confess¡¡that¡¡I¡¡see¡¡nothing¡¡particularly¡¡curious¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡do¡¡not£¿¡¡Observe¡¡the¡¡lampthe¡¡chimney¡¡is¡¡broken¡¡in¡¡two¡¡places£»¡¡
they¡¡lie¡¡there¡¡as¡¡they¡¡fell¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡see£»¡¡the¡¡coffee¡cup¡¡is¡¡absolutely¡¡smashed¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡35¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡36¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡MYSTERIOUS¡¡AFFAIR¡¡AT¡¡STYLES¡¡
to¡¡powder¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¨¡¡I¡¡said¡¡wearily£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡suppose¡¡some¡¡one¡¡must¡¡have¡¡stepped¡¡on¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Exactly£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Poirot£»¡¡in¡¡an¡¡odd¡¡voice¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Some¡¡one¡¡stepped¡¡on¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡rose¡¡from¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡and¡¡walked¡¡slowly¡¡across¡¡to¡¡the¡¡mantelpiece£»¡¡
where¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡abstractedly¡¡¡¡¡¡fingering¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡ornaments£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡straightening¡¡
thema¡¡trick¡¡of¡¡his¡¡when¡¡he¡¡was¡¡agitated¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mon¡¡¡¡¡¡ami£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said£»¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡me£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨somebody¡¡¡¡¡¡stepped¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡cup£»¡¡
grinding¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡powder£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡reason¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡either¡¡¡¡¡¡because¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡
contained¡¡¡¡¡¡strychnine¡¡¡¡¡¡orwhich¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡far¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡seriousbecause¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡
contain¡¡strychnine£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡made¡¡no¡¡reply¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡was¡¡bewildered£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡it¡¡was¡¡no¡¡good¡¡
asking¡¡him¡¡to¡¡explain¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡or¡¡two¡¡he¡¡roused¡¡himself£»¡¡and¡¡went¡¡
on¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡investigations¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡picked¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bunch¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡keys¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
floor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡twirling¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡fingers¡¡¡¡¡¡finally¡¡¡¡¡¡selected¡¡¡¡¡¡one£»¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡
bright¡¡and¡¡shining£»¡¡which¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lock¡¡of¡¡the¡¡purple¡¡despatch¡case¡£¡¡
It¡¡¡¡¡¡fitted£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡opened¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡box£»¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡moment's¡¡¡¡¡¡hesitation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡closed¡¡
and¡¡relocked¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡slipped¡¡the¡¡bunch¡¡of¡¡keys£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡the¡¡key¡¡that¡¡had¡¡
originally¡¡stood¡¡in¡¡the¡¡lock£»¡¡into¡¡his¡¡own¡¡pocket¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡authority¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡through¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡papers¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡
doneat¡¡once£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡then¡¡made¡¡a¡¡very¡¡careful¡¡examination¡¡of¡¡the¡¡drawers¡¡of¡¡the¡¡wash¡¡¡
stand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crossing¡¡the¡¡room¡¡to¡¡the¡¡left¡hand¡¡window£»¡¡a¡¡round¡¡stain£»¡¡hardly¡¡
visible¡¡on¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡brown¡¡carpet£»¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡interest¡¡him¡¡particularly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡
went¡¡down¡¡on¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡examining¡¡it¡¡minutelyeven¡¡going¡¡so¡¡far¡¡as¡¡to¡¡
smell¡¡it¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Finally£»¡¡he¡¡poured¡¡a¡¡few¡¡drops¡¡of¡¡the¡¡coco¡¡into¡¡a¡¡test¡¡tube£»¡¡sealing¡¡it¡¡up¡¡
carefully¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡next¡¡proceeding¡¡was¡¡to¡¡take¡¡out¡¡a¡¡little¡¡notebook¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡have¡¡fou