HERCULE POIROT TRIPLE PLAY MURDER WEARS A MASK, RENDEZVOUS W DEATH, MONEY MAD GHOUL

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: Hercule Poirot Triple Play – Murder Wears a Mask, Rendezvous with Death, Money Mad Ghoul
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Release Date: March 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

This special triple-feature episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers immerses listeners in the suspenseful world of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famously meticulous Belgian detective, as reimagined in three classic American radio plays from the 1940s:

• Murder Wears a Mask: An apparent crime of passion unfurls into a clever case of impersonation and greed.
• Rendezvous with Death: A tragic love triangle on a pleasure cruise leads to murder and the unraveling of a fiendishly orchestrated alibi.
• The Money Mad Ghoul: Poirot investigates an eerie series of grave robberies, uncovering a ghoulish theft operation hiding in plain sight.

Each story displays the witty repartee, intricate plotting, and sharp observational skills for which Poirot and his creator, Agatha Christie, are celebrated.

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1. Murder Wears a Mask

Key Segments:

• Begins at [01:51]
• Poirot introduced by narrator, in Harold Huber’s signature voice.

Plot Summary & Key Discussion Points:

• A Distraught Father’s Plea:

  • Richard Fields, a worried father and stockbroker, requests Poirot’s help to break up his daughter Laura’s affair with aging actor Archie Tremaine ([03:41]).
  • Poirot deduces Fields’ profession simply from observation:

    “The journal of Wall Street in your pocket tells me you are a stockbroker... you left your office shortly before the closing of the exchange. Now, you would not do this for a minor matter.”
    — Poirot ([03:45])

  • Poirot refuses, emphasizing his integrity:

    “No one in the world is rich enough to buy Hercule Poirot.”
    — Poirot ([05:32])

• Murder and Stolen Pearls:

  • Conflict over a pearl necklace (a wedding present) and accusations of substitution lead to the stabbing death of Archie Tremaine ([10:23]).
  • Poirot and Inspector Stevens investigate at the scene, with Poirot noticing bloody footprints and swapped shoes, deducing the killer left wearing the victim’s shoes, stuffed with newspaper ([11:09–11:54]).
  • Quote:

    “Now, all you have to do is find the owner of these shoes.”
    — Poirot ([11:57])

• Evidence and Red Herrings:

  • Suspicion falls on Fields, found trying to destroy evidence ([12:59]), yet Poirot remains unconvinced:

    “I always mistrust the open and shut cases.”
    — Poirot ([13:30])

• The Real Murderer Unveiled:

  • Poirot’s observation of Hackett’s parents (both blond/blue-eyed, Hackett dark-eyed) and tracking of the necklace return leads him to unravel Hackett’s elaborate deception ([20:21–21:22], [27:36–28:16]).
  • Hackett is unmasked as an actor-turned-thief who killed Tremaine, framed Fields, and nearly killed Laura as well. Poirot’s deductions hinge on Hackett’s acting background, shoe swapping, and timing of the necklace’s return ([28:09–30:13]).
  • Classic Poirot moment:

    “You were much more methodical when you did away with Archie Tremaine...”
    — Poirot ([28:49])

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2. Rendezvous with Death

Key Segments:

• Begins at [31:12]

Plot Summary & Key Points:

• A Cruise and Old Wounds:

  • Poirot spots simmering tensions between a love triangle: Simon Doyle, his wealthy wife Linda, and Jacqueline (“Jackie”) Belfort, his jilted former fiancée ([33:33–34:33]).
  • Poirot comments incisively:

    “One who loves and one who permits himself to be loved…”
    — Poirot ([34:42])

• Obsession Turns Deadly:

  • Jackie follows Simon and Linda onto the cruise, unable to move on ([36:06–36:41]). Envy and malice abound.
  • Jackie publicly threatens Simon after heavy drinking:

    “I told you, Simon, I’d kill you rather than see you go to another woman.”
    — Jackie ([43:24])

• A Shocking Night:

  • Simon is shot in the leg (or appears to be) during a confrontation ([43:36–44:14]).
  • Soon after, Linda Doyle is found murdered in her cabin, shot at close range; Jackie's compact is found at the scene ([45:00–47:00]).

• Investigation and Surprises:

  • Poirot sifts through alibis and physical evidence, noticing key anomalies with witnesses and dusting powder ([49:50–52:41]).
  • A secondary theft is revealed: Miss Robson confesses to stealing Linda's pearl necklace due to kleptomania but insists she is not the murderer ([52:52]).

• Poirot’s Denouement:

  • The true plot is dramatically exposed: Simon and Jackie conspired to murder Linda, creating an alibi via a fake shooting, then Simon killed his wife while Jackie was “in custody.” The gun was disposed of, and the two planned to rendezvous after the crime ([57:06–58:41]).
  • Poirot’s summing up:

    “Two people decide to commit a murder. They prepare for it. A perfect alibi…”
    — Poirot ([57:50])

• Final reflections:

  • “You and your lover, too, have a rendezvous with death.”
    — Poirot ([58:41])

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3. The Money Mad Ghoul

Key Segments:

• Begins at [59:30]

Plot Summary & Key Discussion Points:

• Grave Robbery Mystery:

  • Inspector Stevens consults Poirot about a series of grave break-ins where not just valuables, but entire coffins and bodies have been stolen ([60:41–61:58]).
  • Poirot observes: the graves form an alphabetical pattern—A, B, C, D, E, S ([62:20–62:33]).

• Case of the Living Dead:

  • Poirot and Stevens attempt to stake out the next grave (“G” — Herman Gilbert), but the thieves escape ([63:27–64:47]).
  • Poe-like gothic overtones as they visit supposed “widows,” only to find some “deceased” men still alive; the identity trail grows stranger ([65:55–66:59]).

• Bureaucratic Sleuthing:

  • Poirot traces all the burials to a single undertaker, Kermit J. Love, and the lack of direct body identification at the cemetery ([68:10–69:45]).
  • All six exhumed graves were managed by Love, who admits to seeing the bodies ([72:14–72:41]).

• The Cold Storage Racket:

  • Investigation into a cold storage plant reveals the criminal ring is using coffins and the cemetery to hide and smuggle stolen furs, not bodies; the alphabetical pattern aids their retrieval ([79:29–81:46]).
  • Poirot realizes none of the exhumed graves ever held real bodies ([81:46]).

• Climactic Trap:

  • Poirot tricks Love and his accomplice (the hearse driver) using perfume, gets captured but is quickly found; the criminals are arrested ([83:20–86:12]).
  • Poirot wryly quips about the dangers of “arresting a ghost,” playing with the story’s morbid humor ([82:25]).
  • Closing joke:

    “I did not mind the blow on the head, but did you have to be so stupid as to allow them to drop this coffin?”
    — Poirot ([86:20])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Deduction:

  “My talents, such as they are, are not available for such enterprises.”
  — Poirot refusing Fields’ job ([05:16])

• On Motives and Guilt:

  “You are beautiful, Madame… but you could have restrained that charm when you met M. Doyle. You, who had everything, took everything from your friend.”
  — Poirot to Linda ([40:01])

• Classic Poirot Irony:

  “Do not fly out of the handle, monsieur. Tell me, were these old graves which were violated?”
  — Poirot to Inspector Stevens ([62:01])

• On Theatrical Tricks:

  “I would suggest you have at one time been an actor…”
  — Poirot sees through Hackett ([27:15])

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Main Insights and Themes

• Poirot’s Deductive Method:

  • Reliance on subtle clues (shoes, eye color, newspaper in shoes, order of pearl returns, alphabetical grave sequence).
  • Sharp character readings and psychological insight—often revealing criminal minds via their own weaknesses (vanity, greed, jealousy).

• Classic Golden Age Radio Style:

  • Witty banter, lightning-paced interrogations, and the occasionally melodramatic climax.
  • Each episode blends melodrama and puzzle-box plotting to maximum effect.

• Moral Undercurrents:

  • Justice prevails, but not without deep human costs—false accusations, ruined relationships, devastating revelations.
  • Poirot’s compassion surfaces, notably in how he handles secondary offenders or the more tragic characters.

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Timestamps at a Glance

• [01:51] – "Murder Wears a Mask" begins – Fields approaches Poirot.
• [10:23] – Discovery of Tremaine’s body.
• [13:30] – Poirot questions the open-and-shut case.
• [20:21] – Poirot questions Hackett’s parents.
• [27:36] – Poirot unravels Hackett's plot.
• [31:12] – "Rendezvous with Death" opens – Poirot at the café.
• [43:12] – Jackie’s public shooting of Simon.
• [45:00] – Linda Doyle’s body found.
• [52:52] – Miss Robson admits to pearl theft.
• [57:50] – Poirot reveals murderers’ alibi trick.
• [59:30] – "Money Mad Ghoul" starts – Grave robberies revealed.
• [62:20] – Poirot identifies alphabetical pattern.
• [68:10] – All burials handled by Kermit J. Love.
• [83:20] – Poirot catches the criminals at the funeral parlor.

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Final Thoughts

This triple play episode is a treat for classic mystery enthusiasts and newcomers alike, serving up three varied plots—each highlighting Poirot’s “little grey cells” and unwavering sense of justice amid greed, jealousy, and cunning. The dialogue is brisk and evocative of golden age radio, with sly humor and enduring moral lessons.

Next Episode Teased:
Agatha Christie’s Poirot returns in “The Deadest Man in the World.”

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For full episodes and more golden age radio mysteries, visit: 1001storiespodcast.com

Transcript

[Podcast Narrator]

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[John Hagedorn]

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[John Hagedorn]

Welcome back, everyone, to 1001 Radio Crime Solvers. This is your host, John Hagedorn. I have a treat for you serious Ercub Poirot fans. This was an American radio mystery drama called Hercule Poirot. It ran from 1945 to 1947 on Mutual and CBS. Harold Huber played Poirot, who was based in New York instead of London in the series, which makes it interesting and was often involved in international capers. Agatha Christie chose Huber for the role after seeing him in the 1937 film Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo. This is a triple play today. Hope you enjoy it and if you do, leave us a kind review.

[Richard Fields]

Agatha christie's poirot. From the thrill packed pages of Agatha Christie's unforgettable stories of corpses, clues and crime, Mutual now brings you, complete with bowler hat and magnificent mustache, your favorite detective, Hercule Poirot in Murder Wears a Mask. Yes, I'd like to speak to Mr. Poirot.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Won't you come in?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Your name, please?

[Richard Fields]

Richard Fields.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Perrault's busy at the moment. Please sit down. I'll tell him, you hear?

[Richard Fields]

Thank you.

[Secretary / Assistant]

There's some magazines on the table at

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

your left,

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Perot. It's a Mr. Fields, eh?

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, he can wait. He's a very patient man. He only rang the bell once. Here, Abigail, I want you to taste this sauce now.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mmm. Oh, it's good. Good.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, ma foi, Abigail. It is superb. There are only three People in the world who know how to prepare this sauce. And you are about to become the fourth. Now, you take two tables.

[Secretary / Assistant]

You see, there's someone waiting.

[Hercule Poirot]

Monsieur Fields maybe? I suppose we must see him. Come.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Fields, this is Mr. Perol.

[Richard Fields]

Oh, how do you do?

[Hercule Poirot]

Bonjour, monsieur. Well, it must be an important matter which calls you away from your business at the moment when it is most active.

[Richard Fields]

Well, as a matter of fact, I don't recall mentioning my business.

[Hercule Poirot]

But it was not necessary, monsieur. The journal of Wall street in your pocket tells me you are a stockbroker. Since it is only now 3 o', clock, it is obvious you left your office shortly before the closing of the exchange. Now, you would not do this for a minor matter.

[Richard Fields]

Oh, you're right. I've come to you on a matter that affects me very deeply. It concerns my daughter's welfare. You see, Mr. Perrot, she's quite young, not quite 18. And at that, she's rather immature for her age.

[Hercule Poirot]

Yes, yes, machine. But let us come to the point, please. I have a sauce cooking. Important business waiting for me. Well, now, what is the young lady's difficulty?

[Richard Fields]

She met this ham actor when he went up to her school to address the dramatic society. He's still quite distinguished looking in a desolate sort of way. And she promptly became infatuated with him. It's partly his reputation, I guess. He's been a matinee idol for 20 years.

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, that seems very normal behavior for a young girl of her age.

[Richard Fields]

Yes, but the horrible part of it is that he became equally interested in her. Why, the man's old enough to be her father. Oh, you must have heard of him.

[Hercule Poirot]

His name? Wait, wait, monsieur, please. I should prefer to hear all the facts before you mention any names. I never like to engage in idle gossip.

[Richard Fields]

This is no gossip, I assure you. I was up at this, at this man's apartment only an hour ago. He was showing my daughter a necklace he had bought her as a wedding present.

[Hercule Poirot]

Monsieur. He woos her with diamonds.

[Richard Fields]

It is not illegal in this case, Mr. Poirot. It's immoral. She's too young to see through it.

[Hercule Poirot]

But why do you come to me?

[Richard Fields]

I want you to help me break up this affair. The man has led a sordid life. You're an investigator.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

If you dug around, you could produce

[Richard Fields]

proof of some of the things he's done. Proof that even Laura would have to believe.

[Hercule Poirot]

I'm sorry, monsieur. You've come to the wrong person. My talents, such as they are, are not available for Such enterprises. Good day, sir.

[Richard Fields]

I can afford to pay you well, monsieur.

[Hercule Poirot]

No one in the world is rich enough to buy Hercule Power. Now, you will excuse me, please. I have important work in the kitchen.

[Richard Fields]

All right. I can't force you to do it,

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

but I want you to know that

[Richard Fields]

you're leaving me no alternative.

[Hercule Poirot]

What do you intend to do?

[Richard Fields]

Something very simple, Mr. Poirot. And at the same time, very conclusive. Good day. Come in.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, Hackett.

[Richard Fields]

You got here fast.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I was worried, Mr. Tremaine.

[Richard Fields]

This is the first time you've ever

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

called me back on my day off. I suppose that's a pretty reckless thing

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

to do to a valet these days.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

No, sir. Just startling. Is anything wrong? I'm afraid so.

[Richard Fields]

You ever seen this before?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Why, yes, sir. It's the jewel case you had out this morning. I gathered it contained a pearl necklace which you bought for miss fields.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes.

[Richard Fields]

$10,000 necklace.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

A wedding present. Yes, sir.

[Richard Fields]

Open the box, Hackett.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

They're very lovely, sir. Are they? Oh, yes, sir.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Very lovely.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Hackett, you're a liar. I beg your pardon? You're a liar.

[Richard Fields]

You know perfectly well these are not

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

real pearls, Mr. Tremaine. Surely a jest.

[Richard Fields]

You've made a mistake, Hackett. You thought I was a complete fool, didn't you? You waited till Laura and I left for the theater at 2 o' clock and then substituted these cheap, cultivated pearls for the real ones, hoping I'd never

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

find out until it was too late. I couldn't do that, sir.

[Richard Fields]

The pair of pearls were in the

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

safe and know the combination.

[Richard Fields]

Who put them in the safe?

[John Hagedorn]

I did.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

You asked me to. But I didn't ask you to leave the safe open, did I?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I remember now that I didn't hear

[Inspector Stevens]

you twirl the knob.

[Richard Fields]

What did you do with those pearls?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I never touched them.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Very well.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Give you your chance.

[Richard Fields]

I'm turning you over to the police.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Don't touch that phone, Tremaine.

[Richard Fields]

Are you cheap bungling thief posing as a valet. I should have realized what a bad performance it was. Well, I'm sure your experience will come in handy in prison.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Drop that phone, Tremaine.

[Richard Fields]

Get your hands off me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

All right, Tremaine, you asked for it.

[Richard Fields]

What are you.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Put down that knife. Put down that. Oh, I did.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Exit, Mr. Tremaine.

[John Hagedorn]

Hello?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Hello, Mr. Fields?

[Hercule Poirot]

Yes.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

This is Archie Tremaine.

[Richard Fields]

Tremaine, where's Laura?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Right here at my place.

[Richard Fields]

You filthy swine. I told you this afternoon I wouldn't

[Hercule Poirot]

have her seeing you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well, I don't see how you can stop her. We're getting married tonight.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Married?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes. We'd like to have your blessing. Why don't you come down?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I wouldn't come down.

[Richard Fields]

Yes, yes, maybe I will. Sure, I'll give you my blessing.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Germaine, wait for me.

[Richard Fields]

I'll be down in 20 minutes.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Don't worry. I'll be here, and so will the police.

[Hercule Poirot]

Inspector Stevens, I tell you, the next time we have dinner together, it will be in a place without a telephone. Then I will be short. Not least, we can finish our dessert without interruption.

[Richard Fields]

Here we are. This is the place you could have stayed and finished your dessert, Poirot. I didn't take you by force.

[Hercule Poirot]

It is the same thing for you. You very slyly tell me you have received an anonymous call reporting a murder. You know I cannot resist such a situation. He has excellent taste, this Monsieur Archie Tremaine. Me, I like very much these brownstone houses.

[Richard Fields]

Nobody home. Place is dark. We're probably on a wild goose chase.

[Hercule Poirot]

But the door, it is open. And the light switch, I presume, is here. So.

[Richard Fields]

And now we better start looking around, just to make sure. Now, let's try the library first.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

It should be.

[Hercule Poirot]

There's no doubt down this hall here. All these bombstones, you know, they are very much the same

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

here.

[Hercule Poirot]

Inspector, Flash your light around, please.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

All right.

[Hercule Poirot]

Use the switch.

[Richard Fields]

Tremaine.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Tremaine.

[Richard Fields]

Yeah, he's dead, all right. Stabbed through the heart.

[Hercule Poirot]

Stabbed once, Inspector, with. With that letter opener.

[Richard Fields]

He must have dropped on the spot. There's no other blood around? Just that one big pool he's lying in.

[Hercule Poirot]

And these bloody footprints all over the floor.

[Richard Fields]

They must be the murderers, Poirot. He stood over the body to make sure Tremaine was dead and didn't notice that the blood was oozing around his shoes. Then he went over to the desk here, maybe to make a call. Then into the bathroom to wash his hands. They came out, headed for the door.

[Hercule Poirot]

And what, Inspector?

[Richard Fields]

Well, footprints stop suddenly. I don't get this, Inspector.

[Hercule Poirot]

Have you observed this newspaper? Half the front page is turned off.

[Richard Fields]

You think the murderer dried his shoes with it?

[Hercule Poirot]

No, no, Inspector. I believe this is what happened. He did all the things you have described. Then when he reached this point where the footsteps stop, he realized that his shoes were bloody. Well, he could not go out wearing such shoes, and he could not carry them in his hands. Now, he looked down, and voila, he sees another pair of shoes. Fine, clean shoes, free of any blood.

[Inspector Stevens]

Where?

[Hercule Poirot]

On the feet of the dead man.

[Richard Fields]

You mean these shoes belong to the murderer?

[Hercule Poirot]

But obviously, they are covered with blood and the laces are open because the shoes are a trifle too small. Now, the murderer put on the dead man's shoes. He finds they are too large, so he tears a part of the newspaper and stuffs it into the shoes in order that he may walk with more comfort.

[Richard Fields]

By Jove, Poirot, I believe you're right.

[Hercule Poirot]

Now, all you have to do is to find the owner of these shoes.

[Richard Fields]

We'll try it through checking the manufacturer's code number.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Wait.

[Hercule Poirot]

Perhaps I can make the task easier. Inspector, I think you will find that the owner of the shoes is a stockbroker named George Feats.

[Richard Fields]

Now, look, Poirot, this is too much. You've been working your little gray cells overtime.

[Hercule Poirot]

How can you. No, no, no, no. I will explain, mon ami. I will explain. You will notice that the heel of the right shoe is worn down considerably more than the left. Earlier today, this Monsieur Feels, who limps rather badly, came to see me. He uttered dire threats against someone who fitted the description of poor Monsieur Tremainier. So you see, Inspector, I employ the sharp eyes and the ears rather than the little grey cells, and they tell me that you had better question this Monsieur Fields at once.

[Richard Fields]

Well, Poirot, you were right. We've got Fields here at headquarters on the lock and key. He's our man, all right. He was trying to burn Tremaine's shoes when we called on him.

[Hercule Poirot]

You are sure he is the guilty man?

[Richard Fields]

Of course. He tried to tell us some cock and bull story about getting a call from Tremaine and finding him dead when he got there. Says he got his shoes all bloody before he saw the body. And then he became panicky and changed them, just as I thought. But he's the killer, all right. You said yourself he threatened Tremaine. It's an open and shut case.

[Hercule Poirot]

Myself, I always mistrust the open and shut cases. Tell me, what of the anonymous telephone call you received?

[Richard Fields]

The way I figure it, Poirot, Fields called us himself. And then he thought maybe he could beat the rat. So he wiped off all his fingerprints, changed shoes with a dead man and ducked.

[Hercule Poirot]

A very intelligent reconstruction, Inspector. Very intelligent.

[John Hagedorn]

Hello.

[Hercule Poirot]

I must return to my office now.

[Inspector Stevens]

If anything you do, I'll let you know.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Good. Good.

[Hercule Poirot]

Bonjour, Inspector.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Poirot.

[Hercule Poirot]

No. Oh, Mamzel.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Fields.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Poirot, may I please talk to you for just a moment?

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, but of course, but of course. I know how distraught you must be.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Eh?

[Hercule Poirot]

Here is a bench in the corridor. I don't Think we will be disturbed here.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Thank you.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mamzel.

[Hercule Poirot]

Let me assure you of my great sympathy. If there is anything I can do.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Where is Mr. Poirot? You can prove my father is innocent.

[Hercule Poirot]

That would be extremely difficult, Mamzel. All the evidence seems to point to his guilt.

[Secretary / Assistant]

But I don't care about the evidence. He didn't do it. He couldn't.

[Hercule Poirot]

He was in my office, Ms. Fields, and he threatened to take desperate measures.

[Secretary / Assistant]

He lost his head, but he didn't mean what he said.

[Hercule Poirot]

And he was there, in Monsieur Tremaine's apartment about the time of the murder. He admits this?

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, of course he admits it. He has nothing to hide.

[Hercule Poirot]

Ah, but at first, Mamzel, he did deny it. And the exchange of shoes, the removal of the fingerprints? Oh, no. These do not seem to be the acts of an innocent man, Mr. Poirot.

[Secretary / Assistant]

He was trapped. Someone lured him down there and planted the evidence to convict him.

[Hercule Poirot]

That is what he tells us, and

[John Hagedorn]

I will not see.

[Hercule Poirot]

It is impossible, you know. But there must be proof.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Don't worry. I'll find it somehow. George will help me.

[Hercule Poirot]

George. Oh, that is Monsieur Hackett.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Yes, Archie's valet. He knew a lot about Archie. He's downstairs now talking to the detectives. I'll go and get. Oh, here he comes.

[John Hagedorn]

George.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

George, I beg you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Oh, Miss Stevens. How are you?

[Secretary / Assistant]

George, this is Mr. Poirot, the great detective.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

How do you do, sir? I've heard of you, of course.

[Hercule Poirot]

I have heard fine things about you, too.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, thank you.

[Secretary / Assistant]

George, you've got to help me find the murderer.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well, Miss Fields.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Go on, say it. You think my father's guilty.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

No, I won't say that. But I don't see how I can help you.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, did Mr. Tremaine have any enemies, anyone who hated him?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Enemies? I don't think so. Of course, there were many people who disliked him.

[Hercule Poirot]

Why, monsieur?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well, frankly, sir, he was rather an egomaniac. He couldn't stand being in the background for a minute. It was always top billing for Archie Tremaine. But as I told the police, I don't. I can't think of anyone who'd want to kill him.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, maybe some woman who was jealous about the necklace.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

The necklace?

[Secretary / Assistant]

Yes, the pearl necklace he was going to give me. You were there, George, when he showed it to me that afternoon.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Oh, yes, miss. I heard some conversation about it. Of course, I didn't see it.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Mr. Poirot, the police found the necklace, didn't they? Matched pearls with a small diamond clasp?

[Hercule Poirot]

No, mamzel, I Do not believe so. I myself saw everything that was found in the house. But this is the first I have heard of a necklace. Oh, Monsieur, I hope you will not be offended if I. If I ask about your movements on the day of the murder.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

That was the first thing the Police asked me, Mr. Poirot. It was my day off. I left Mr. Tremaine's apartment shortly after he did and spent the rest of the day and the whole evening with my parents. I do that every week on my day off. I see.

[Hercule Poirot]

I see. Your parents, they live here in this city?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, of course. They share a flat with me.

[Hercule Poirot]

Was merely curious. You know, Mamzel, I do not know where this matter of the necklace may lead us, but it gives one curiously to think. What say you, Monsieur Hackett?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I think Miss Fields has brought up something important. Something very, Very. Now, listen, you two. You live with me, do you understand? The date was April 5, Thursday. And I was here all evening.

[Hercule Poirot]

Were you, George?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That's interesting.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I don't like your tone, Daisy.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And I don't like getting the short end of the deal all the time.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

What. What is this? Peter, hold up.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, no, Hackett, I wouldn't say that. But we do all the dirty work as a rule, and you get most of the dough.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well, this time I have done all the dirty work, and you just have to be smart. That little chubby Frenchman or Belgian or whatever he is, doesn't look like much, but don't let his accent and that. That phony looking mustache fool you. It's going to take great acting to make him believe that you are my parents.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And it's going to take a great deal more money to make us try it. We don't want it.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

All right, all right. I'll double your share on this job. But watch your se. That may be him now. I wait in the next room, just in case.

[Hercule Poirot]

No rough stuff. Hackett and I will handle it with kid gloves. Yes? Bonjour, madame. My name is Poirot. Hercule Poirot. May I have a few words with you? Well, yes. Come in. What is it, Mama?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

A gentleman, Pa. Man named Perrault.

[Hercule Poirot]

Yes, and my secretary, Miss Thatcher. How do you do?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Howdy.

[Hercule Poirot]

Excuse my shoes being off. We wasn't expecting any callers. Oh, no, no, no, no. Do not be deranged, monsieur. We will be here only a few moments. Will you have some cherry cordial, sir?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I made it myself, madame.

[Hercule Poirot]

You are too kind.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, no.

[Hercule Poirot]

I wish only to ask a few questions about your son, George.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What about him?

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, you know I presume that his late employer was found murdered.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, yes. Poor Mr. Tremaine.

[Secretary / Assistant]

A kinder man there never was.

[Hercule Poirot]

Every Thursday, George would come around and talk about nothing but his wonderful Mr. Tremaine. Every Thursday, madam? Yes, sir. His day off. Tell me. On April 5th, the day of the murder, he was here that day too. What do you mean?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mr. Perrault?

[Hercule Poirot]

Of course. He was here all day from about 2.30 on. He was teaching us to play gin rummy.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do you play gin rummy, Miss? No.

[Secretary / Assistant]

I'm not very good at cards and I don't drink.

[Hercule Poirot]

Tell me, Madame, where is your son now?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I believe he's over at Mr. Tremaine's place straightening things up, you know.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I see.

[Hercule Poirot]

I see.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Abby.

[Hercule Poirot]

You've both been very kind. Oh, must you go so soon? I said you would only be a moment. Come, Abigail.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, I'm sorry George wasn't home. We'll tell him you were here. Lovely old couple, aren't they? I don't see how their son could do anything wrong.

[Hercule Poirot]

I do not see how he can be their son. What did you not observe, Abbey, that the kindly old gentleman and his wife, they both have fair hair and blue eyes. Yes, but Monsieur Hacket, his eyes are dark brown. It is impossible, Abigail, for two blond blue eyed parents to have anything but blue eyed children.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

May I help you, sir?

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, yes, if you don't mind, I am interested in a necklace which you recently sold to a Mr. Archie Treme.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Really? May I ask what your interest is?

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, my name is Hercule Poirot. I would like to. Poirot, the brilliant Belgian detective. Oh, Monsieur, I am flattered. Most people take me for French.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

We've heard of you. The diamond people in Antwerp.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

The.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

They speak your name with reverence.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, thank you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Thank you.

[Hercule Poirot]

Now, about this necklace. Oh, yes, you. You did sell a necklace to Monsieur Tr. Yes.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

A very fine pearl necklace. See, it was delivered to him on April 3.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

April 3?

[Hercule Poirot]

Two days before he was murdered. This puts a new light on everything.

[Secretary / Assistant]

How so, chief?

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, the motive, Abbey, if the motive was robbery, Monsieur Fields is clear. He himself is very wealthy. He would not kill for jewels.

[Secretary / Assistant]

But it's gone, chief. Who took it?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I do not know, Abbey.

[Hercule Poirot]

But when we find the person who has the necklace, we will have the murderer.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

In that case, Mr. Poirot, you'll have to arrest me, eh? You. I have the necklace right here. Mr. Tremaine returned it on, let me

[Hercule Poirot]

see, on April 5th, last Thursday, Monsieur Tremaine himself returned.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, Mr. Poirot. He bought it on the understanding that he could return it within 10 days.

[Hercule Poirot]

He walked in here last Thursday, said

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

he'd changed his mind about the lady and the necklace.

[Hercule Poirot]

And you refunded his money? Yes.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

As a matter of fact, we gave him the cash. It was just after three and the banks were closed. He said he was leaving town that night.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, there you are, chief. That brings Mr. Fields right back into the picture.

[Hercule Poirot]

Monsieur, you are quite certain that it was Archie Tremaine who was here?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Positive. His picture was in the papers every other week. I imagine everybody knew what Archie Tremaine looked like. The silver hair, the Monaco.

[Hercule Poirot]

No. Then it must be so. Come, Abigail. There is still one small matter about which I must satisfy myself.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Where are we going, chief?

[Hercule Poirot]

To the library, Abbey, to do some research.

[Secretary / Assistant]

The library? What do you expect to find there?

[Hercule Poirot]

The biography of a murderer.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Why, Miss Fields. This is a surprise, Hackett.

[Secretary / Assistant]

I had to come here to Mr. Tremaine's house. I had to come and see for myself. Is there anything.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I'm terribly sorry, miss. I've gone through all of Mr. Tremaine's belongings and there's not the slightest clue, not the slightest suggestion that anyone else

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

could have killed him.

[Secretary / Assistant]

It's horrible.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Horrible.

[Secretary / Assistant]

They've indicted him, Hackett. They're going to try my father for murder.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, I know.

[Secretary / Assistant]

They were about to let him go because of that missing necklace.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

And then they found out that it had been returned.

[Secretary / Assistant]

I. I can't understand it. I can't believe that Archie returned it. We were going to be married. It was all agreed.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well, miss, your father was so set

[Hercule Poirot]

against it that perhaps, you know, that

[Secretary / Assistant]

would have made Archie more stubborn.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

If I could

[Secretary / Assistant]

wait. I just thought of something. What time was that necklace returned?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

A little after three, according to the jeweler. At least that's what the papers say.

[Secretary / Assistant]

A little after three?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, miss.

[Secretary / Assistant]

But that's impossible. Why didn't I think of it sooner? It's impossible, Hackett, because Archie was with me at the theatre from 2.30 until 5. He couldn't have been at the jeweler's.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

You must be mistaken, miss.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, no.

[Secretary / Assistant]

No, I'm not.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

The necklace was returned.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Well, then someone else returned it. Someone else returned it and got the money for it.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

But no one had access to it except Mr. Tremaine.

[Secretary / Assistant]

No one but Mr. Tremaine. And you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Me?

[Secretary / Assistant]

You, Hackett. You had access to the necklace and you knew my father had threatened Archie.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You.

[Secretary / Assistant]

You're the murderer.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Sit very quietly, Miss Fields. I don't want to shoot you unless I have to.

[Secretary / Assistant]

You killed him. You stole the pearls and you framed my father. I'm going to call the police.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

No, you don't. Jermaine tried that. Now he's dead. No, that won't do either. The door is locked. I locked it as you came in.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Get away from me. Get away.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I'm sorry, my dear. Now I'll just gag you so that you're not tempted to scream again. There we are now. Hello, Daisy. I have a little job for you. No, it's not as hard as the other one. Doesn't require as much talent. Is that laundry wagon still available? It is. I have Pete drive it down here to Tremaine's place. I'll have a bundle ready for him. Pete.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, bonjour, monsieur. May we come in?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Why, the place is topsy turvy, Mr. Poirot. I'm in the middle of packing.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Good, good, good.

[Hercule Poirot]

I may be of some help to you. You know.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I have a very orderly mind.

[Hercule Poirot]

Come, Abigail. Hey. Oh, but, monsieur, this is not the middle of the packing. It is barely the beginning.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, the other rooms are all done. I've left this one for the last.

[Hercule Poirot]

And after this room is packed away,

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

the curtain will ring down on Archie Tremaine.

[Hercule Poirot]

Ah, you phrase it so well. Of course, there is still the small matter of punishing the murderer.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Yes, I know. You know, I feel sorry for him.

[Hercule Poirot]

For whom?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

For Mr. Fields. He's not really a murderer. I mean, say he's not the criminal type. He was driven to do what he did.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, you know, that. That is very interesting, monsieur. Very interesting.

[Secretary / Assistant]

I see.

[Hercule Poirot]

I see that you are quite a student of criminology.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Well.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, come, come, my friend. Do not be so modest. You have many accomplishments.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Have I?

[Hercule Poirot]

But of course, of course. For example, I would suggest that you have at one time been an actor. I do not leap so, monsieur. Look, you frightened my secretary. She's dropped your glove.

[John Hagedorn]

Oh.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Oh, yes, Maclove.

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

You startled me, Mr. Poirot. I didn't think that anybody would remember me. I gave up the theater some years ago.

[Hercule Poirot]

Oh, contrary, monsieur. I. I do not remember you. I never saw you. But you still use the expressions of the theater. Did you not see Monsieur Tremaine? Always wants top billing, you see. Tell me, what was your thought on the stage? Impersonations? Nispa?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I did some impersonations.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Why, no.

[Hercule Poirot]

I was merely wondering if your experience as an actor could have something to do with this case.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

I'm afraid I don't understand.

[Hercule Poirot]

Well, by a strange coincidence, Monsieur, this case involves a very clever impersonation.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Really? Oh, that's the back door.

[Hercule Poirot]

You're expecting a delivery?

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

No, it must be the laundry wagon. I'm sending out all the soiled stuff.

[Hercule Poirot]

Wait, Monsieur Hackett, I will go with you.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

You will what?

[Hercule Poirot]

I will go with you. I have a tremendous interest in this laundry.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Why, there's no need for you to go. The bundle is already at the back door.

[Hercule Poirot]

Nevertheless, I should like to see it. You know, I have developed an overwhelming curiosity about the laundry ever since I picked up this glove from the floor.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Glove?

[Hercule Poirot]

Oy. One solitary, unaccounted for ladies glove. It was careless of you, Monsieur Akit, to leave it lying about. You were much more methodical when you did away with Archie Tremain.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

What? You don't know what you're talking about.

[Hercule Poirot]

I assure you, my friend, I know precisely what I'm talking about. You are a thief, monsieur. You have been one since you gave up the acting five years ago. Ah, yes, monsieur, I looked it up. You have plied your trade by posing as a valet or butler and stealing from your employer when the opportunity presented itself. In this case, the opportunity came on the day you saw the necklace Monsieur Tremaine had bought for Ms. Fields. You stole the necklace and went to the jeweler's impersonating Tremaine and received the cash for it by your man. Unfortunately, Monsieur Tremaine found you out the very same day. He threatened to call the police, so you killed him.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And then?

[Hercule Poirot]

Then a delicious thought occurred to you, monsieur. The thought of implicating an innocent man. So you called the police to tell

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

them of a murder.

[Hercule Poirot]

That was a mistake, monsieur.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That was when I started to believe you're clever.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

But you talk too much. I guess Pete will have two more bundles to take with him.

[Richard Fields]

Okay, Pete, Pick him up, Hackett.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

But I thought.

[Hercule Poirot]

Where's Pete?

[Richard Fields]

Don't worry. We've got him nice and safe in a patrol wagon right where you'll be in just a minute.

[Hercule Poirot]

You see, monsieur, your goose is boiled.

[Richard Fields]

Be sure to listen next week when Agatha Christie, America's favorite mystery writer, brings you her favorite detective, Hercule Poirot. In the Case of Death Points a Finger. Agatha Christie's Poirot is directed by Carl Eastman. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Whether you're into unsolved mysteries, solved mysteries, or creating your own mysteries, Amazon Music's got millions of podcast episodes waiting. Just download the Amazon Music app and start listening to your favorite podcasts ad free included with prime. Time. And the little gray cells they will always catch The Criminal Agatha Christie's Poirot. From the Thrill Fact pages of Agatha Christie's unforgettable stories of corpses, clues and crime mutual now brings you, complete with bowler hat and magnificent mustache, your favorite detective, Hercule Poirot, starring Harold Huber in Rendezvous with Death. If you'll wait just one moment, sir, we'll have a place for you, but a lot for me, miss you. Your cafe enjoys such a great popularity, I do not see an unoccupied table for you, Mr. Farrow. There's always a table. You see, I've had one set up for you right next to the dance floor. This way, sir. We haven't seen much of you lately. It is true. I have been busy getting all my affairs in order. I intend to take a cruise on your Great Lakes in two weeks time. In that way, I shall have a vacation and observe something of your great country at the same time. And we'll miss you, but I hope you enjoy it. Here we are. Merci bien. You're alone, I take it? Oui. Sometimes, you see, I prefer to sit on the side and observe the behavior of others. Look out on the dance floor, monsieur. You would expect to read pleasure in every face, eh? And yet it is not so. Some of those faces are suburbs. Some vacant looking, some actually unhappy. But this couple which approaches, they are different, no? Huh? Oh, Ms. Belfort and Mr. Doyle, yes, they're different. They're in love. Oh, I see. That explains it. The young lady's flushed face, her laughter. Yes, and that's something else in her eyes, eh? Ah, she cares too much, that little one. If you will bring me the wine leaf. For you, Mr. Poirot, I have something very special. You see, darling?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

You dance divine, Jacky.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, pardon me, sir. Not at all, miss.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

And your by far the handsome man in this room.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It's just that you have no eyes for anyone else.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, no, Simon. You're too modest, darling. What are you thinking about?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, well, that opportunity you've wangled for me handling the Ridgeway properties.

[Inspector Stevens]

Do you really think Linda Ridgeway will

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

give me a trial?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I know she will, dear. Linda's my friend. I told her all about you. She won't let us down.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I might let her down.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Nonsense. She may be fabulous, rich and glamorous, but she's as easy to please as any ordinary person. It's just the right job for you.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

As a matter of fact, I think it is.

[Inspector Stevens]

I really haven't any doubts as to

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

my ability, and I intend to make good for your sake.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, Darling, we'll wait three months to make sure you won't be fired. And then.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And then we'll get married. Oh, it'll be so wonderful, Jackie, won't it?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I wonder you really can as much as I did.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Don't be absurd, Jackie.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I wonder. Oh, well. Let's dance.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Here we are, Mr. Poirot. Just three bottles left. You see, monsieur, the old, old story, eh? One who loves and one who permits himself to be loved. Me. I won.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, on a cruise. It is permissible to introduce oneself, Nesta. Though we have barely left the dark.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, of course, but.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But you would rather be alone, eh? The last time I saw you, M. Belfort, you did not look unhappy.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Really, I don't think we've.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Forgive me, Mamzel. First, I present myself. I am Hercule Poirot.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

How do you do?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

The name means nothing to you?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

No, I'm afraid not.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is my business, Mademoiselle Belfort, to remember names and faces. I sat at the table next to you and your handsome young man at the Cafe Dufour two weeks ago. Richards, the Metro d' Hotel told me who you were.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I see.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, so. I must confess I could not help overhearing some of your conversations. That is why I was so glad to see you again. You and Monsieur Doyle. You are perhaps here on your honeymoon?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Monsieur Doyle is here and he's on his honeymoon. But it's not with me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ma foi. This is incredible.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, I would have thought so too, if you heard our conversation. You must have heard us talking about my best friend, Linda Ridgway.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, yes. It was through your efforts Monsieur Doyle obtained a position in her employ.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

That's right. And after she saw him, she decided she wanted him not as an employee, but as a husband.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But the young man.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Diamonds weak. Linda's not only beautiful, but very rich. If the combination was irresistible, it took her just one week.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But in that case. What are you doing here?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I don't know, Mr. Poirot. Seems as though I'm just driven to following them everywhere. Maybe seeing me constantly will spoil their happiness. Maybe Simon will realize what a fool he's been. Maybe I'll do one.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do not even think such thoughts.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

How did you know what I was thinking?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, there is desperation in your eyes. Map of petite. But you are too young and, I hope, too intelligent to do anything for. For which you will be sorry later.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Don't worry, Matt Poirot. If I do anything, somebody else will be a lot sorrier.

[Inspector Stevens]

Come on, Linda, let's go forward.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

To the sundeck. You could use a burn, you know.

[Inspector Stevens]

You look so pale.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, it's wonderful here on the ship, Simon. Whoever. And her. For the first time in days, I feel free.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I'm so glad, darling.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Why should she persecute me? Why does she follow me, follow us wherever we go, just staring and staring. I couldn't help it, Simon, could I? I couldn't help loving you and your loving me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Jackie's a queer sort, Linda. She'll get over that.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Simon. Oh, no. No, not again.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What is it, Linda?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

There, by the rail. Jackie.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Good Lord, Simon.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'll go mad, I know it. She's driving me mad.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Linda, get hold of yourself. She's coming this way.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'm going back.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

No.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No. We've got to face her. We've got to show her we're not afraid.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, sir. I guess you're right. Hello, Linda. We seem always to be running into each other. How are you? Hello, Simon. You're looking well. Though not as well as last week.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, Jackie, we didn't expect you here.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Didn't you? I thought I'd surprise you. Simon. Oh, Simon, what can we do? You're Mr. Paro?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

At your service, madam.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Perhaps you know who I am.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes, Madam Doyle. I have heard your name. I know exactly who you are. Won't you sit down?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Thank you. Mr. Poirot. I've heard a great deal about you, and I know that you're very clever. I need someone to help me, and I think you're the man to do it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, you are very amiable, madame.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

It concerns a certain young lady. Ms. Jacqueline Belfort.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Louis. Madame. I know that. You see, I witnessed a little scene that occurred on deck this morning.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Mr. Poirot, that girl is persecuting me. It's got to stop.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What do you suggest?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'm sure I don't know. There must be some kind of legal action one can take Me?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I do not know of any. So long as she does not use insulting language or threaten you with bodily harm, you cannot prevent her from appearing in the same public places as you frequent.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

But this is ridiculous. Do we have to be subjected to this subtle torture wherever we go? It's intolerable.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I sympathize with you, madame, especially since I imagine you have not all often had to put up with things, eh? Of course, you can always leave when she turns up.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

But that would be running away, as though.

[Secretary / Assistant]

As though?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Exactly, madame. As though you were guilty, eh?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes, madam. That is why you cannot tolerate Ms. Belfort. You have a feeling of Guilt?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

How dare you?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You are beautiful, Madame. You are rich, you are clever, and you have charms. You could have restrained that charm when you met M. Doyle, but you chose not to. And so you, who had everything, took everything from your friend.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Mr. Poirot. Let's not talk about the past. The question is, what can be done now?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I, Madame Doyle, can do nothing. Jackie has threatened us.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

She threatened to. Well, to kill us both.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I see. I did not know that.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Then you will act for me?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, madam. I have already spoken with Ms. Belfort. I'm afraid there is nothing I can do in that direction. But I must tell you this, madam. The situation is full of difficulty and danger for all three of you.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

No spades, Mrs. Doyle. What? Oh, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, Ms. Rosen. That's stupid of me. I have got a spade. Yes, I thought you must have. A queen from dummy.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Please, Mr. Doyle. Waiting for your play, huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Pennington.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I wouldn't let her accept my game, darling. Just let her sit over there and stay her. The last four tricks of mine. Ace of clubs and three trumps.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, that game and rubber. Well played, Miss Robert.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Thank you. Well, I guess I'll turn.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Lynn.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

You coming, darling?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Not just yet, Linda. I think I'll have a drink first.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

All right, Simon. Good night, Miss Robert. Good night, Mr. Pennington.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I'll take a few turns around the deck. Good night, Doyle. Good night. Good night, Mr. O.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Good night. Did I leave my bag here, Mr. Oh, yes, there it is. Mr. Oakson, don't go to bed. Please don't. I feel like making a night of it. Stuart.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oh, yes, miss?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Another double Scotch. I'd love to stay, Miss Bell. Sit down. We girls must stick together, you know. I think you ought to go to bed. Everyone else has. Except Mr. Doyle over there. Oh, yes, Mr. Doyle. He was a man and he done her. That's who you are, miss, thanks to it. Well, here's to crime, Miss Wilkeson. Cornelia, Tell me about yourself. There's nothing to tell, really. You're a happy sort of person, aren't you? I wish I were like you. Do you? I suppose everyone considers the next person a little happy. I remember.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Excuse me.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Diamond. Ring the bell. I want another drink.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

The stewards have gone to bed.

[Inspector Stevens]

It's afternoon.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I tell you, I want another drink.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You've had quite enough drinks.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What business is it of yours?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

None.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What's the matter, Simon? You afraid? I really think I should go. Oh, no, stay, Cornelia. You know what Simon's afraid Of he's afraid. I'm going to tell you the story of my life. Oh? You see, he and I were once engaged. Really? Yes. This is a very sad story.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Go to bed, Jackie. You're drunk.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Afraid of a scene, aren't you? Better get out of here quickly, because I'm gonna talk. I'm gonna talk a lot. I told you, Simon, I'd kill you rather than see you go to another woman.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Jackie, get hold of you.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

You didn't think I meant it, did you? You're so wrong. I've only been waiting. You're my man, do you hear? I'll shoot you like a dog.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Jackie.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Put that down. Dirty dog you are. Jackie. Mr. Pennington, come quickly. He's got him. Diamond, your leg is bleeding right through your. I didn't mean this, Diamond. I didn't really mean it. I should never have kept the gun with me.

[Hercule Poirot]

Is it bad?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

My leg? I'll be off, all right. Please, Pennington, for pity's sake, don't say anything about this to anyone. Especially Belinda. Where's the gun? She kicked it under the sofa.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, Lord, I wish I were dead. I'd kill myself. I'd be better off dead.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ms. Robeson, get her to her cabin. Pennington will help you stay with her until the nurse gets there. And Pennington, after you send the nurse for Jackie, bring the doctor here for me. I don't like the way my leg's bleeding.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Mr. Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mr. Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens]

Eh? Oh.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Huh.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Petty.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes, sir? What is he? Beg pardon, sir. The captain would like to see you in his cabin right away. It must be a matter of great importance. What has happened? Mr. Doyle, sir. He was shot last night by Miss Belfort Blur. Then it has happened. Yes, sir. And something else has happened. Something worse. Indeed? Yes, sir. Sometime last night, Mrs. Doyle was murdered. All right, Stuart, you can wait outside. Just happen. Well, Mr. Poirot, there she is. Doctor said death was instantaneous. She was killed between 12 and 1. Bullet entered behind the left ear and lodged in the brain. A bullet from a small caliber gun held at very close range. Yes, but no one heard the shot. Well, that is not surprising, monsieur. The explosion would be scarcely noticeable above the sound of the engines. She was probably asleep when the murderer entered. To destroy such beauty, one must have a very powerful motive, eh? I presume nothing has been touched. That's right. The room is just as we found it. Observe, Captain, here on the floor, a compact that the initial J on it. Precisely. The letter J. I must inform you, Captain, that Madame Doyle Had a very dangerous enemy on board this ship. Mademoiselle Jackie Belfort. Belfort? Do you mean to stand there and tell me, Poirot, that this Belfort woman shot Simon Doyle, then murdered Linda Doyle and left her compact on the floor? Why, that's incredible. Is it, missy? Perhaps. Perhaps. No, Mamzel. Belleforth is high strung and nervous. She is a type who might make such a mistake. Well, then, what are we waiting for? Why don't we go and get her evidence, monsieur? Evidence? For example, the gun. Where is it? Not a trace of it, Mr. Poirot. And the bullets? The bullet in Doyle's leg and the one in the woman's head. Doctor says he's almost positive they came from the same gun. You see, after Doyle was taken to the infirmary, he sent Pennington back to get the gun from under the sofa. And he's gone. Ah. What's that you're doing? I am merely observing these two bottles of nail polish. One is marked Red Plum, the other rosebud. Madame Doyle wore the red plum last night. Oh, but these rosebuds. Sacre. No, the odor is atrocious. It smells not of a rose, but of vinegar. Yeah, that's all very interesting, Mr. Poirot, but we've got a murder here on our hands. Are you making any headway? I see you expect miracles from Mercul, Poirot. I do not deal in them, monsieur. All I can do is employ the little dry cell.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Oh.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And what do they tell you? Many things. Things which the eyes alone do not tell. For example, your eyes, without a doubt, have observed this jewel case which is just a fraction of an inch open. Well? Well, I ask myself, why should it be open? Therefore, I lift the lid and discover. Great Scott. Exactly. That the priceless string of pearls Madame Doyle was wearing last night is go.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, Good morning, Captain. Mr. Poiro.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Good morning, Nurse. How is M. Belfo?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

He's still sleeping.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I see you gave her something, eh? For the nerves?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes. I gave her a morphine injection. She was so unstrung last night, I was afraid she might do something terrible.

[Inspector Stevens]

It looks as if she has.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What do you mean, Captain?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I mean that after shooting Mr. Doyle in the card room, this pretty little Spitfire up and murdered Mrs. Doyle.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Mrs. Doyle?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That's right.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

And you think she did it?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, no, no, ma'. Am. We do not think anything as yet. We are merely investigating. But there is an abundance of evidence pointing to Ms. Belfort.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

But when could she have done it?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You have been with her all the time.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Why, yes. She hasn't searched in the room since I came on at 12:30 last night.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You are quite sure, Mamzel?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'm positive. I gave her the hypo as soon as I came in. And she hasn't stared out of this room since.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I see. And you, Nurse, perhaps you took a turn about the deck.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I beg your pardon, sir. When I'm in charge of a patient, I don't go out strolling.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Forgive me, ma'. Am. I did not mean to offend. Hello, Monsieur le Capitaine. What do you say now, eh? It begins to seem M'mmoelle Belfort may not be guilty after all. Why not? She might have done it before the nurse got here. Maybe as soon as diamond oil was carried out of the card room, she sneaked back, got the gun from under the sofa, slipped into Linda Doyle's room and killed her. Yes, that is possible. There may have been time. Tell me, Mamzel, when you arrived here, was Miss Belfort alone?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Why, no. Miss Robeson was with her. She'd brought her down from the card room in a terrible condition. She couldn't have left her alone.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Confound it, I don't understand this. If that's true, this girl has a perfect alibi. She was in the card room when Linda Doyle left. And she was with Miss Robeson every minute after that. Until the nurse took over.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Oui.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I am beginning to think we must exclude Miss Belfort from our calculations. You mean. But how about all the evidence against her? The combat and the fact that her gun was used? It is possible, Captain, that someone else wished to point suspicion at Miss Belfort. Someone who saw what occurred in the card room. Someone who had heard her threats. Miss Robeson was there, and of course, Mr. Pennington came right in. But. Oh, that's ridiculous. What possible motive could either have? You are forgetting the matter of the pearls. The pearls? Of course I'd forgotten about them. Oh, come on. We'll search Bennington's cabin. An excellent idea. But first we will have a few words with Mamzel Hobson. You see, Captain, I have observed something about that young lady that intrigues me very much. Okay, if that's how you want it. Oh, Nurse, let me know when Miss Belford wakes up.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, Captain.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What gets me, Mr. Parlo, is what happened to the gun? Where has it disappeared? That is simple. It was thrown overboard. But the question is, why has it disappeared? What do you mean? If the murderer was at such pains to point suspicion at Miss Belfort, why did he not leave Miss Belfort's Gun in Madame Doyle's room. Oh, Hello, Doctor. How's Mr. Doyle? Well, the bone is badly fractured. I'm afraid of an infection. He's running a little fever. Oh, that is a pity. Doctor, tell me, how long after the shooting of Simon Doyle did you and Pennington arrive in the cartoon? I guess about five minutes. He must have been in agony while he waited. He could not move Doyle. Out of the question. With that leg, he couldn't have dragged himself two foot, and certainly not without leaving a trail of blood. You can count him out, Poirot. Apparently, that unfortunate one, his alibi is written in blood. Miss Hobson, will you tell me just once more exactly what occurred last night?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Well, as I said, everyone had left the card room except the four of us, who were playing bridge, and Jacqueline Belfort, who was sitting off in the corner, drinking rather heavily.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Then the game broke up, and Madame Doyle left.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

That's right. Mr. Pennington went out at the same time to stroll on deck, he said. That left Mr. Doyle, Jackie and myself. Then there was the scene. Jacqueline shot Mr. Doyle and kicked the gun under the sofa. I called Mr. Pennington in, and together we got Jackie down to a cabin.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Now, Mamzell, this is very important. Are you sure that you were with Miss Belfort every moment from the time you left the card room until the nurse arrived?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, I'm positive.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And after that, Mamzel, what do you mean? You did not, by any chance go back to the card room and fetch the gun?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What do you think?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I. I merely ask the question, Mamzel. Did you?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Certainly not.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What did you do?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I went to my cabin.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And you stayed there all night?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Why, yes.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You are quite sure, Mamzel, you did not go to Linda Doyle's room at any time during the night?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

No. I went right to sleep. You believe me, don't you, Ms. Wolfson?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

A person has been murdered on this ship and another one seriously wounded. I can only believe what I see.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What do you mean?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

This large container of dusting powder on your vanity table, Mamzel. I am wondering why so much of it has spilled.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, I. I guess I was pretty jittery last night. My hand must have shaken.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I see. Then you will not mind if I turn the box over? What?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

What for?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mamzel, do not think me harsh. I have been observing you in the dining room for several days, and I know that you are a sick person. Forgive my saying so, but you are mentally ill. You know that? Oui. I have seen you slip into your purse a pair of silver tongues. And several other objects, I am sure. You are aware, Miss Robson, that you are a kleptomaniac.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes, I know. I can't help it, Mr. Poirot. I've tried. Oh, I've tried terribly hard to break the habit. When I get the impulse to take something, I can't resist it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, it is a condition, Mamzel, which cannot be fought. It must be cured.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

The pearls are in the powder box. I couldn't sleep during the night. I kept thinking about the necklace Linda Doyle had been wearing. About two o', clock, I got out of bed and slipped down the corridor and into Mrs. Doyle's room. The pearls were in their case on the dressing table. I took them and came back. But I didn't kill her. I didn't. I had no reason to.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I thank you, mamzel. And now, if you please, I will take these pearls.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'm ready to be turned over to the Captain.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, ma'. Am. No one need know of this. I shall merely announce that the pearls have been found.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, thank you, Mr. Poirot. You. You're too good.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Au contraire, mademoiselle. You are too unfortunate.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'm glad Mr. Pennington didn't find out.

[Secretary / Assistant]

He.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

He'd have made it very difficult for me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Monsieur Pennington? Well, what has he to do with the necklace?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Didn't you know Mr. Pennington was the trustee of Mrs. Doyle's estate?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Satristi. That gives one furiously to think. Doctor says Doyle's coming along all right now. I'm pleased to hear that, Captain. Where do we stand, Mr. Poirot? That's what I want to know. We don't seem to be making any headway. I'd like to solve this thing before we talk. You make dumb your sense, Captain. The case is solved. You mean you know who killed Linda Doyle? Louis. I know. Ah. Kills the infernalist. Hello, Captain. Hello, Mr. Doyle. Feeling a little better? Yes, lots.

[Archie Tremaine / George Hackett]

Thank you.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mr. Poirot here says he solved the case. Have you? I know who murdered your wife. No. Sit still, Mr. Pennington. This will interest you. Thank you. I. I'd like to stay. Who did it, Mr. Poirot? It couldn't have been Jackie. Mr. Pennington's been telling me the facts. Monsieur Pennington is right. Miss Belfort did not commit the murder. Understand me? She has the capacity for it, that little one. And there is much evidence pointing to her. But she did not have the opportunity. Therefore, she is eliminated. I've sent for her. I feel partly responsible for what happened last night. I wanted to know. I understand. Oh, that is thoughtful of you, monsieur. Though your consideration comes a bit late, eh, Poirot? Who did it? Well, let us see. If it was not Miss Belfort, then we must assume it was someone else who knew where the gun was. Who could that be? Miss Robeson and Mr. Pennington and, of course, Doyle here. And what are we looking for, eh? A person who knows where the gun is. Who knows that Miss Belfort has threatened Madame Doyle and will therefore be suspected. Who has an opportunity and who has a motive. What motive could Miss Robeson have? I do not know, Monsieur Pennington. But I know what motive you would have. I. Oui, monsieur. You were the trustee of Linda Ridgeway's estate. She was still a minor. You had no concern. But suddenly she marries and you find that you will have to account. What about it? My accounts are in perfect order. I do not think so, monsieur. I took the liberty of looking through your paper. If you had no concerns, why did you draw up all those documents which would clear you of all responsibility? You hoped Linda Doyle would sign them, Nesta. Did you not, monsieur? Yes, I did. But she wouldn't sign them. She was too good a businesswoman. I was a little short. I'd speculated with some of her funds, but I was making it up. I only needed a little more time. But you didn't get more time. So you killed her. No, I didn't kill her.

[Hercule Poirot]

I swear.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Simon.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Come in, Jackie.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Simon, I must have been insane. I'm a horrible, jealous beast. I don't deserve to live.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It's all right, Jackie. I understand.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

You understand? You don't hate me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, Jackie. Everything was messed up.

[Inspector Stevens]

We were all responsible.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You and I and Linda. We won't ever see each other again. But I want you to know I bear no malice.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Thank you, Simon. That'll help.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I suppose you have heard about Linda?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes. Horrible. I feel responsible for that, too.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

No, no, don't feel that way. Mr. Poirot knows you didn't do it. He knows who did.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Do you, Mr. Poirot?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Oui. Mazel. It is very simple. From the very beginning, there was one question that perplexed me. Why did the murderer point the finger of suspicion at you, even to the extent of leaving your compact and then take your gun away with him? It would have been more convincing if he had left it. Well, what's the answer? There can be only one answer, Captain. The murderer took the gun away because he needed it.

[Inspector Stevens]

Needed it?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What for? To shoot someone. But no one was shot after Mrs. Doyle's murder. You are wrong, Captain. Someone was shot. Monsieur Simon Doyle.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, no, no, no, Mr. Poirot. You've got it wrong. Simon was shot before Mrs. Doyle was killed.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Let us say, Ms. Belfort rather, that Simon was shot at before Mrs. Doyle was killed. But he was not hit. The bullet struck a table as it was intended to. I have but a few minutes ago recovered it. That's impossible, Mr. Poirot. I saw him a second later. He was writhing on the floor in agony. One can pretend to writhe, but the blood. His handkerchief was clutched over his leg and it was saturated with red. Oui, red ink, monsieur. Red ink. Mixed with nail polish and smelling very distinctly of vinegar, as all ink does, Mr. Poirot. Oui, mon capitant. This is all beyond me. Please explain what happened.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Why?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is very simple, monsieur. Two people decide to commit a murder. They prepare for it. A perfect alibi. At a Pre arranged signal, Ms. Belfort picks a fight and pretends to shoot Monsieur Doyle in the leg. He falls to the floor, apparently injured and bleeding. Ms. Belfort is taken away and Monsieur Doyle is free for five minutes. He snatches the gun from under the sofa, slips down to his wife's room, murders her, and returns to the cartoon. Then, and this required great courage, he shoots himself in the leg and hurls the gun overboard through the open pothole. Voila. And a minute later, when I came back with the doctor, his leg really was fractured. And he has the perfect alibi. He actually cannot move. Hello, Monsieur Doyle. You are very silent, but your face, it is very expressive. You're a devil, Poirot. It would have worked with anybody.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

No. No, it didn't.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is no use. Mamzel. You love this young man deeply. But you love wealth even more, eh? Enough to kill for it. And now, you see, you and your lover, too, have a rendezvous with death. Be sure to listen at the same time next week when Agatha Christie, America's favorite mystery writer, brings you her favorite detective, Hercule Poirot, in the Deadest man in the World. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[John Hagedorn]

Time.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And the little gray cells, these will always catch the criminal Hercule Poirot, Detective extraordinary. From the filled packed pages of Agatha Christie's unforgettable stories of corpses, clues and crime. Mutual now brings you, complete with bowler hat and magnificent mustache, your favorite detective, Hercule Poirot, starring Harold Hubers in the Adventure of the Money Mad Ghoul.

[Podcast Narrator]

For everyone who solves crime from their couch, knows more about forensics than their own job and has trust issues with small Town sheriffs. Amazon Music's millions of podcast episodes are calling. Just download the Amazon music app and start listening to your favorite true crime podcasts ad free included with Prime.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, good morning, Inspector Stevens. It is just 8:30. Do not tell me you have become a victim of the insomnia.

[Inspector Stevens]

I'm not in the mood for kidding, Poirot. I've been up all night, but not with insomnia. I've just come from the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

In that case, permit me to say that you are a singularly healthy looking ghost.

[Inspector Stevens]

That may be funny to you, but I frankly admit that I'm worried. There have been six grave robberies at Pleasant Valley in the last two months, Stevens.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I advise you to look for a tall red headed man who walks with a limp, is left handed and wears lashes.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, you're amazing. How do you know?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mon ami, your faith in me is touching. You enter my apartment and tell me that some graves have been robbed and honestly believe that I know the criminal's identity. I assure you I am as much in the Dr. Until, that is, you provide me with more information.

[Inspector Stevens]

Oh, well, here are the facts as I have them. The robbery started about two months ago with the opening of the grave of Robert Alden. This was followed a few days later by the grave robbery of James Bennett. In the next six weeks, the graves of Richard Colt, Alan Devers, Victor Edwards and Michael Fallon were opened and desecrated.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Pardon? Exactly what did these ghouls take from the grave?

[Inspector Stevens]

Everything.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

A little moment, Stephen. You are trying to tell me that these wolves took with them the casket and the bodies?

[Inspector Stevens]

That's just what they did. Took everything. And it beats me what in the delicious.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do not fly out of the handle, monsieur. Tell me, were these old graves which were violated?

[Inspector Stevens]

Funny you should ask me that. All of them were the graves of people who died recently.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And that gives one two things, eh, my friend? And now you will please get for me the names and the locations of the graves of people who have died recently whose last names start with a

[Inspector Stevens]

G. With a G. What are you driving at?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Will you repeat for me the last names of the former occupants of the graves that have already been robbed?

[Inspector Stevens]

Well? Alden, Bennett, Colt, Devers, Edwards, Balance, Stephens.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

A, B, C, D, E, S. That is curious, Nesta. Strange enough so that you and I shall watch at the graves of the lately departed whose last name names begin with a G.

[Inspector Stevens]

I'm beginning to feel more like a grave watcher than a police officer, Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do not fear, mon brav. No one would ever suspect you of being anything but a police officer. Officer, flash the light on the tombstone, please. We must make certain this is the grave we seek. All right. There we are. This is it.

[Inspector Stevens]

All right. Herman Gilbert. Died May 16, 1945.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Let us conceal ourselves behind this hedge and wait. I think Mr. Gilbert will have visitor.

[Inspector Stevens]

I don't know what makes you so sure? There were four other people whose last

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

name started with G. Who, mon ami. But this is the most recent.

[Inspector Stevens]

You know, Poirot, I hate to admit this, but I'm mighty glad you're here with me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I don't like cemeteries.

[Inspector Stevens]

They're too gloomy and damp to suit me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Stevens, hush. Huh. You were right, Poirot. Someone coming? Yes, and use the proper tools for their gruesome work. Humphrey. Taylor.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Taylor.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Hey. Stop. Come back.

[John Hagedorn]

Stop.

[Inspector Stevens]

Rail fire. Now, Poirot, if you won't tell me what your angle on this case is, at least you might tell me where you're going.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mon ami, if you promise not to sneeze, I will tell you.

[Inspector Stevens]

You can't blame me for sneezing. I couldn't help it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is not the sneeze that annoys me. It is the effect it had upon the case. Now, these robbers are warned that we are on the scent. They will be more cautious.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, where are we going?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

We are here at the place Robert Alden lived. The first person whose grave was opened. Is it not significant to you also, Stevens, that there have been no graves of women disturbed?

[Inspector Stevens]

That's so. I never thought of that.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You did not. I was so sure you had. Well, well, what is it?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Speak up.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Don't keep me standing here in the draft. Don't miss you. But did a Robert Alden live here? Robert Alden? Yes, he certainly did. But you can't see him. He's dead. That we already know. Monsieur, we would like some information. Why? What are you bothering about Robert Alden for? This is Inspector Stevens of the New York Police, and we wish some information. Robert Alden was a fine man. As fine a man as ever lived. He used to try to cheat me at checkers once in a while, but I was too smart for him. Were you related?

[John Hagedorn]

No.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But he was my best friend and lived with me in this house for over 20 years. Then perhaps we could see his wife. That's a good one. Robert never married at all. He was a bachelor until the day he died. I see. Were you at the funeral, monsieur? Of course I was. Don't you think I have any decent feelings? I even remember the date. It was June 13th. Yeah, June 13th, 1920.

[Inspector Stevens]

I'm all in, Poirot, and I don't understand this. Alden's been dead for 25 years. Nobody ever heard of Devers, Edwards and Fallon. I can't make any sense out of this.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Patience, mon ami. We do know that there was a Richard Cote and that he has a widow. Here's the house. Now, I beg of you to allow me to ask the questions, eh? The poor lady will doubtless be upset by her recent bereavement.

[Inspector Stevens]

Okay, Poirot. I'll let you handle everything. He seems upset. All right.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Madame Colt. Well?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Yes? I'm Mrs. Cole. What is it? You ring.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Are you Madame Hoff's Colt?

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Oh, I suppose it's my husband you want to see. I'll call him. Dick. Oh, Dick, darling.

[Inspector Stevens]

What the devil? Am I crazy or.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes, madam, we should very much like to see your husband. Coming, Lydia. Well, darling, what's this all about? Who are these people? Friends of yours?

[Inspector Stevens]

I'd like to know what this is all about.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

All right, Please, mon chef. Stevens. Monsieur, I am Hercule Poirot, and this is Inspector Stevens of the police. He is disturbed because he finds you a singularly healthy ghost.

[Inspector Stevens]

Ghost? I don't know what you're talking about.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You have had no other husbands, madame?

[Inspector Stevens]

What are you saying?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

If this is some kind of game I don't like.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Be quiet, Dick. There's evidently been some mistake. No, Mr. Poirot. Dick is my only husband.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, he ought to be dead.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

I'll thank you right now.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Gently, gently. And now, Madame Colt, if you will be so good as to close the door, we will attempt to perceive the reason behind your husband's so sudden return to life.

[Inspector Stevens]

Now, let's get to the bottom of it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That is exactly what we wish. You, Monsieur Colt, are supposed to have died on the 3rd of August of this year. I never felt better in my life.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Who on earth could have played such

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

a horrible joke on it? Madame, I assure you this is no joke.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

But there must be other Richard Colts in New York. Are you sure you have the right one?

[Inspector Stevens]

Yeah, we got the right Richard Colt. The manager of Pleasant Valley Cemetery gave us your address. I think you two better come along with me.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That will not be necessary, mon ami. We have a more logical task to perform. We go to call on the manager of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Oh, Inspector Stevens, have you made an arrest as yet?

[Inspector Stevens]

No, I'm sorry to say we haven't.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

This is dreadful, Simply dreadful. I don't know what the world's Coming to. And even a cemetery is no longer a peaceful place.

[Inspector Stevens]

Ah, yeah, I know how you feel, Mr. Kenton. Oh, this is Hercule Poirot, Mr. Dr. Kenton, the manager here.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, Inspector, you are making progress.

[Inspector Stevens]

After all, if you've obtained the assistance

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

of the famous Mr. Poirot. Thank you, Mr. Kenton. And now, as one man of intelligence to another, eh? Perhaps you would like to answer a few questions for me.

[Inspector Stevens]

Certainly.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What is it you'd like to know? What is the procedure for the interment of a body in this cemetery? By that I mean, do you personally see the bodies when they arrive here for burial?

[Inspector Stevens]

No, Mr. Poirot, that is hardly necessary. All that is required is the issuance

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

of a death certificate. Then you did not actually yourself see the body of Monsieur Richard Colt? Why, no.

[Inspector Stevens]

I should have thought it most unusual if I had. The undertaker simply gives me the necessary papers, and I make out the assignment of the grave.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And the name of the undertaker, if you please.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, let me see. I'm sure I have it here in the files.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes. Yes, it's Love.

[Inspector Stevens]

Kermit J.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Love. And the address? 6000, 611 Ithaca street and now, if you would be so kind, could I perhaps have the names of the undertakers for the other five bodies disturbed by the ghouls? Well, I. That will be difficult, but perhaps I can mail that information to you tomorrow. I regret to disturb you, but I should like it now. Very well. I. Here's a strange coincidence.

[Inspector Stevens]

What's that?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

If I may be permitted to guess, monsieur, it is that Monsieur Kermit J. Love is also the undertaker for the other. Yes, that is correct, Mr. Poirot. And now, Stephen, we go to walk into the parlor of Monsieur Love.

[Secretary / Assistant]

Ah.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

One could be at peace in so gentle an atmosphere, mon ami. Did you not hear those beautiful chimes? That is enough pushing on the bell. Stevens, someone is coming to the door. Good afternoon, gentlemen. Won't you come in? Thank you, Monsieur Love. Come, Stephen. May I offer my profound sympathy for your great loss. You may rest assured that Kermit J. Love will do all in his power to assist you in this moment of need.

[Inspector Stevens]

We'd like to ask you a few questions.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Of course. We handle all the necessary details.

[Inspector Stevens]

You've got the wrong idea. We want.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I understand. Perhaps you would like your little friend here to speak for you. That is an excellent idea, Monsieur Love. Wait outside for me, Steve. I will take care of all details.

[Inspector Stevens]

Oh, well, all right. But I don't see why.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Your friend is quite upset. Was it his wife? No, he is not married. I see. Then his mother, perhaps, or some other close member of the family? No, no, no, no. It is not that at all, monsieur. But I don't quite understand. Then perhaps this will assist you. Were you not the undertaker for Orden Bennett?

[John Hagedorn]

Cr.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Devil, Edward. And silence. I'm afraid that is a rather unethical question. Unethical question. Now, it is I who do not understand, monsieur. Sir, you certainly don't understand. I take my profession seriously, if I may say so. I am doctor, lawyer, administer to the dead. It is I who escorts them into the next world, so to speak. And I also, monsieur, take my profession seriously. Which is of no interest to me. You are exceedingly rude and inquisitive. I will not have the secrets of the dead laid bare. They must rest. Rest in peace. But that is just what they have not been allowed to do, monsieur. That is regrettable, but I don't see how it concerns me. This is a most magnificent establishment you have here. Thank you. Good day. Tell me, what are those cabinets in the wall?

[Inspector Stevens]

Don't.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Don't touch them. They are resting places for those awaiting burial. And they are occupied now? Most certainly. Ah, I see. The cards say that two of them are occupied by Monsieur P. Fox and Monsieur S. Martin. I don't like your attitude. As I told you before, it's rude and unethical. Rude? To inquire about your business with Messrs. Alden Bennett Colt. Devils and silence. I'm interested in whether you were the undertaker for those gentlemen. Monsieur Love, you came in here with your friend and led me to believe you were seeking my professional service. One moment, monsieur. I'm afraid you leaped too quickly to that conclusion, my friend, and I said nothing. I have not permitted to release the information you've asked for. Perhaps you will be good enough to oblige me when you learn the identity of my friend who waits outside. If you will excuse me, I have some duties to perform. He is Inspector Stevens of the New York Police. I can ask him to make this request for me. Oh. Oh, the police. Well, that's an entirely different matter. Yes, I was the undertaker for the lady gentleman you mentioned. And you saw the bodies? Naturally. You are quite certain of this? Monsieur Kermit, Jlove Incorporated is a reputable firm. We have been in business for the last 27 years. If I tell you I saw the bodies, there are no further questions necessary. Now, is there anything else you'd like to know? No, monsieur. That will be all for the moment. Ah.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, Paul, looks like this time I Was right. Kenton has no business down in this part of town.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Patience, mon ami. We have not yet seen what Mr. Kenton does here.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, we've seen enough for me. He ducked out of his house, and ever since we've been following him, he's been acting suspicious.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Suspicious?

[Inspector Stevens]

Besides, there's nothing down here except factories and warehouses, and they're closed at night.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

We will see a hand move here. It appears you may be right. Do you notice that car just turning the corner hurt?

[Inspector Stevens]

Oh, I believe we got him. Kenton's in on this.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Gently, gently. Let us stand in this doorway and observe what is going on, eh?

[Inspector Stevens]

Hey, they're gonna break into that cold storage plant. Come on, Poirot. Throw up your hand.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Get cat.

[Inspector Stevens]

Poirot, he just turned the corner.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Come back, stop and go, darn it. Pierrot. Perro, where are you? Coming, my friend. Coming with Mr. Kenton.

[Inspector Stevens]

At least we got somebody. All right, Kenton, speak up. We know everything.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Bick for yourself, Mol die. There are still a few things that puzzle me.

[Inspector Stevens]

It's as plain as pike staff. Come along, Kenton. Take your hands off of me. I warn you, Inspector. I'll sue you for forced arrest. What's the meaning of always shouting and shooting?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mr. Kenton, perhaps you will be kind enough to explain what you were doing in this neighborhood at this time of night? Certainly. I was going to get some pipe tobacco.

[Inspector Stevens]

If you can't think of a better one than that, Kenton. Come along.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Let us permit Mr. Kenton to finish. You'd better. He'll be making a bad mistake. Just so happens that I smoke a special kind of tobacco mixed for me

[Inspector Stevens]

by a friend of mine.

[Richard Fields]

His name.

[Inspector Stevens]

His name happens to be Rosemary Leeds. She's a very charming girl.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Engaged to my son. She's a chemist.

[Inspector Stevens]

She happens to have her office down here. And once in a while, she mixes a particularly mild mixture for me, and

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I come down, pick it up and take her home.

[Inspector Stevens]

That's a good one, all right. I suppose you didn't see that hearse.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I didn't see anything, but I heard a lot.

[Inspector Stevens]

Then Mr. Poirot asked me to come with him.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Poirot?

[Inspector Stevens]

I've got this all figured now. Somehow they're taking the bodies out of the cemetery to the cold storage plant and leaving them there.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What for, Mongraph?

[Inspector Stevens]

I don't know yet, but I'm going to find out.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do that, Monsieur Stevens. And while you risk pneumonia, I will check upon Monsieur Kenson. Come, monsieur. We will see whether this mamzel leaves is waiting for you with your tobacco. Hello. Hello, Borrow Take some advice.

[Inspector Stevens]

Lay off that investigation.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Are you referring to the case of the counterfeit dentist?

[Inspector Stevens]

You know darn well what I'm talking about.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

If you don't stop investigating those empty

[Inspector Stevens]

graves, you'll find yourself filling one of them.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I think. Think not, monsieur.

[Inspector Stevens]

What makes you so sure?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But it is obvious you have not yet come to the letter P. Wise guy. Good day, Stephen.

[Inspector Stevens]

Yeah, what's good about it? We're not getting anywhere at all. I still don't trust that Canton. I know his alibi stood up, but that dame's engaged to his son. Maybe they're all in it together. Have you got anything new?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I have just been informed that we have made considerable headway.

[Inspector Stevens]

Yeah? Who told you?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I do not know.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, that's fine. We're making headway. But you don't know how.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I do know how it is that I do not know who. I have just received a telephone threat against the life of Hercule Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens]

All right, all right. But I don't see how that helps. We get those all the time.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Observe, mon ami. Only one of four people could have inspired that telephone calls. Either Ms. Or Madame Colt, Ms. Kenton, the manager of Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Or Ms. Ke Love, this so sympathetic undertaker.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, yeah, I suppose you're right.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

But of course.

[Inspector Stevens]

What are you doing?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Calling Mr. Kenton.

[Inspector Stevens]

Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Alicia Kenton. This is Hercule Poirot. Tell me, if you please, have you any funerals scheduled from the establishment of Kermitjay Love for today? Yes, I have three. And their last names? Wing, Levitt and Harkness. Ah, indeed. And what time is the Harkness funeral? That's strange. Kermit Love just phoned me about moving the time up to 10 o'clock this morning. A thousand thanks, Monsieur Kenton. Quickly given the police car and escort. We must be at Pleasant valley cemetery in 15 minutes.

[Inspector Stevens]

What for?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

To attend a funeral.

[Inspector Stevens]

We're almost there.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Plural.

[Inspector Stevens]

There's the entrance.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Mr. Poirot. What's wrong?

[Inspector Stevens]

What happened?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Quickly. The Harkness grave. Where is it to be?

[Inspector Stevens]

In the east plot, directly up this path.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

This way. Stevens. Bring your men. We must hurry. What's wrong, Mr. Poirot?

[Inspector Stevens]

Why the police?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

If we are not too late, you will have your answer. Stevens, look. They are on the hill. They're getting into their car. Stop.

[Inspector Stevens]

Stop.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Save your breath and your ammunition. They're out of range.

[Inspector Stevens]

We're always too late. In this case.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I would not say that, my friend. We put them to such haste, they neglected to bury Monsieur Harkness.

[Inspector Stevens]

Great Scott. The coffin's empty. They took Harkness body with them.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Come, come, Stevens. Your face shows the worries of the world. Do not be so depressed.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, I'm not exactly happy, Poirot. Never taken you so long to figure out a case. You always had something that helped us. When I came to your apartment before.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Patience, mon ami. The harvesting of the clues grows near, eh?

[Inspector Stevens]

I can't wait for any harvest. I'm going to take all the people involved in this case and throw them into jail.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, ah, ah, mon ami. Now, you are not using your little gray cells.

[Inspector Stevens]

You work on the gray cells. I'm going to fill my cells down at police headquarters.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And that will be of benefit to no one. We must proceed with calm.

[Inspector Stevens]

How can I be calm? We're up against a dead end. If we'd only gotten to that cemetery five minutes earlier. This whole thing's driving me crazy.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I admit the case holds a few peculiar aspects.

[Inspector Stevens]

Peculiar?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Is that all you can call it?

[Inspector Stevens]

Now, look, Poirot. We go to a funeral, but before we get there, the mourners decide to take a powder. Then they take the body with them.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

What's going on?

[Inspector Stevens]

Am I losing my mind?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I can only reflect on the case itself, Stephen, not on your personality.

[Inspector Stevens]

Why are you so quiet? You got something up your sleeve?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is always possible that something may pop out.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, it had better soon. I can't stand much more of this. The funeral this morning was too much for me. I still can't understand what they wanted

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

with that body faecrible at his eyes. Stevens. I, Hercule Poirot, who have been blind.

[Inspector Stevens]

What do you mean, Poirot? What's the matter, Stevens?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It has been in front of my eyes all this time. The most important clue. And I have kicked it away like an unwanted beast. Okay, okay.

[Inspector Stevens]

Let's have it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Listen carefully, Stevens. This morning at the cemetery, when we frightened the men away. You remember?

[Inspector Stevens]

Yeah, of course. Go on.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Now, think carefully. You did not see any of those men carry a body with them?

[Inspector Stevens]

Wait a minute. No, they weren't.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You're right. Exactly. And the reason they were not carrying a body was because there was nobody to carry. What? But the question remains, what was in that coffin that they were so anxious to take with them?

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, I don't know.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Do you? I have a small idea.

[Inspector Stevens]

What else can you put in the casket except a body?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

A great many things, mon ami. But the point to follow here is about the bodies which were removed from the six open graves.

[Inspector Stevens]

What about them?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Think back to our interview with Monsieur And Madame Colday, he was very much alive. And we could not find even a trace of those other dead gentlemen. Except.

[Inspector Stevens]

Except Robert Alden, who'd been dead for 25 years.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Exactly. Now, do you not see?

[Inspector Stevens]

No, I don't.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

The answer to my question is so simple. Mon Dieu. There never were bodies in the graves that were opened.

[Inspector Stevens]

Oh, I get it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Why, that's wonderful, Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens]

I still don't get the idea behind these phony burials and what sort of racket they've been running.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Well, that is a two part question, mon ami. The first part I know. The second part in due time.

[Inspector Stevens]

You mean you know who's in back of all this?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

There is only one possibility, Stephen. Since there were no bodies in the six graves that were opened, we can now proceed to apprehend the one man who claims to have seen all the six bodies.

[Inspector Stevens]

Kermit J.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Love.

[Inspector Stevens]

The undertaker. Yeah, but I think Kenton was in on it with him. He needed an accomplice.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Possibly. But it is Ms. Love who interests me. And with such a man, we will have to move most carefully. Have you ever tried to arrest a ghost, Stephen?

[Inspector Stevens]

Maybe not, Poirot. But Love won't find me so easy to use in his disappearing bodies act. And this time, Kenton won't have an alibi.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Come, mon pap.

[Inspector Stevens]

Where are we going?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

To a perfume store. And then to the funeral parlor of Monsieur Lutz.

[Inspector Stevens]

Perfume store? This is no time to be buying gifts.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

It is not a gift. I require some perfume.

[Inspector Stevens]

Okay, okay. This time I know which one of us is going crazy.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Stop, Christy. Why do I have to make so much noise? Oh, well. I will not awake those who sleep in this building. What have we here? They are beautiful. They are worth a great fortune. I admire your taste, Monsieur. Borrow. Ah, Monsieur Love, it is I who must compliment you. These stolen pearls are among the finest I have ever seen. We took great care in selecting them and disabled. Magnifique. But did you not have difficulty in disposing of them? Ordinarily we would have, but you initiated a new system. A system of cold storage, I would say. Precisely. You put the furs in a coffin, selected a name at random, then buried only the name. The coffin contained the furs. Who would think of looking for furs in a cemetery? No one, monsieur. However, do you not think it was a bit obvious to proceed alphabetically so that you would know in what order to dig up the coffin? We found it very satisfactory. What made you so, Inspector? An even more obvious mistake, monsieur. Come, monsieur. Marking the cabinets that were supposed to contain bodies, but which actually held the stolen cell. S. Martin P. Fox. If you intended that as a joke, it was a poor one. I'm afraid it was just expedient, Mr. Poirot. I have no sense of humor. Well, monsieur, I'm glad to see that you are so reasonable. Inspector Stevens is waiting outside. Denny.

[Inspector Stevens]

Yes, Mr. Love.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ah, the driver of the hearse, Monsieur Denny. It is only natural he would be in this little game. His name, Mr. Poirot, in your case, should be Sharon. An absolution, Monsieur Love. Cheryl ferried the bodies of the living across the river.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Sticks.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

And they died. Which is exactly what is going to happen to you. But, monsieur, did I not tell you that Inspector Stevens is waiting outside?

[Inspector Stevens]

The way you're going out of here,

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Ms. Eve, tomorrow not even Inspector Stevens will know that it's you. You're going to be carried in a coffin. Watch his hand, Daddy. Finish walking. Hurry, Denny. Get him in this coffin before that blasted Stephen gets. He's heavy for such a little guy. That's it. Don't bother screwing the top down. We'll do that later. Sure smells sweet. Like a flower almost. Never mind that. Let's get going. Yeah, I'll take the back end. Don't hurry now. All in a second, buddy. Officer, please. We are dealing with the dead. Oh, I ain't sorry.

[Inspector Stevens]

Well, I see you're still working, Mr. Love.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Yes, Inspector.

[Inspector Stevens]

Unfortunately.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Are that work never ends.

[Inspector Stevens]

Something smells pretty funny to me around here.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Riley.

[Inspector Stevens]

What would you say it was?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

I don't know, sir, but it sure smells the high heaven.

[Inspector Stevens]

That's it with perfume. Let's have a look in that.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

That. Will you kindly assist me, mon chef? Stevens.

[Inspector Stevens]

I'm glad you're all right, Poirot.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

All right, mon ami. I did not mind the blow on the head, but did you have to be so stupid as to allow them to drop this coffee?

[Inspector Stevens]

Hey, wait a minute, pl. Don't get sore. Where are you going?

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Not angry, my friend. I merely go home to take a bath. Be sure to listen next week when Agatha Christie, America's favorite mystery writer, brings

[Inspector Stevens]

you her favorite flute.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

Hurt your toro. Starring Harold Huber in the parallel murder case. Music for Poirot is composed and conducted by Sylvan Levin. The program is directed by Carl Eastman. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

[John Hagedorn]

Thanks for joining us, everyone. And we'll be back next week at Charmin.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

We heard you shouldn't talk about going to the bathroom in public, so we

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

decided to sing about it.

[Inspector Stevens / Male Supporting Characters]

You can use less better than the rest. Shaman Ultra Strong Booty Pass the clean test Shaman Weave texture it's the best. Study up, teach a lesson on fresh your Booty Pass the clean Testament Ultra Strong Charmin Ultra Strong with Diamond Weave texture Cleans better than the leading one plaid brand so you can use less.

[Female Characters (e.g., Mamzel, Nurse, Ms. Belfort)]

Enjoy the go with charming.