Start of a transcript of: The Little Four An Interactive Fiction by Arthur Hastings Release 12 / Serial number 250910 / Inform 7 v10.1.2 Inform 7 v10.1.2 Identification number: //D7161343-DEE7-406A-A979-17AA03EFA8DA// Interpreter version 1.3.7 / VM 3.1.3 Questions version 5.2 by Michael Callaghan Undo Output Control version 6.0.220529 by Nathanael Nerode (based on the extension by Erik Temple; integrates Empty Command Handling by Daniel Stelzer based on code by Matt Weiner) > about [There is no way to lose this game?making mistakes may result in a slightly different path for the story, but will never put an end to it. There is a help guide available (which includes the building's floor plans as well as various hints and tips) on the IFComp site and in the downloadable folder. The bulk of the experience consists of LOOK-ing in rooms and EXAMINE-ing various things, but a small range of other actions can be attempted, most of them only useful or relevant in limited cases. You will not need more than these actions to reach the end of the story: - GO [in a direction] - EXAMINE (or X) [something or someone] - TALK TO (or T) [someone] - LOOK (or L) (for a description of the current room) - WEAR [something] - USE [something] - TAKE [something] - READ [something] You may type COMMANDS for a more complete list of accepted verbs, or HELP for more details regarding movement and interaction within the environment. The status bar at the top of the screen displays your current room and objective. Nouns highlighted in bold are generally the more important ones, and can almost always be abbreviated to their first three letters for convenience. Every effort has been made to allow a variety of synonyms and interactions?however, due to the hand-crafted nature of these lists, possibilities can sometimes slip through the cracks. As an additional note, due to the layout required for interacting with the interface, this story is best experienced on a larger screen such as a computer or a tablet, and may otherwise be a bit cramped. Sincerest apologies for any oddities or inconveniences! The author can be contacted at arthur.hastings@post.com for any and all inquiries, comments or issues. Special thanks go to these beta-readers, who generously gave of their time for testing and provided invaluable help: Jude, Franzi, Jirushi, legallyagraverobber, and two anonymous testers (display name to be determined). Additional thanks to these players, who kindly pointed out further issues and gave helpful feedback: Vivienne Dunstan, iaraya Please note that this is not an officially licensed work?it is a noncommercial transformative piece intended to fall under fair use and/or fair dealing. There are some direct quotes from the source material, which are identified as such and are mostly constrained to two specific items; they were copied from Project Gutenberg in the U.S. public domain. All credit otherwise goes to Agatha Christie, to the copyright holders, and to the people who did the phenomenal work of translating Christie's masterful prose into official adaptations (with special mention to the television series Agatha Christie's Poirot). A list of sources, attributions, references and inspirations can be found at thelittlefour.blog .] > help [In this type of interactive story, a text parser is used to interact with your environment. You do not need to worry about winning or losing?the narrative will continue to unfold regardless, only changing in small ways to respond to your choices. The story should normally proceed fairly smoothly, but if you feel stuck at any point, there is a help guide (which includes the building's floor plans) available on the IFComp site and in the downloadable folder. The parser accepts simple commands which are typically composed of one verb and, when relevant, one noun. Common synonyms for nouns are usually accepted. Terms made up of multiple words can be abbreviated to a single word. Articles are optional?you can PET THE DOG or simply PET DOG. Uppercase letters are used here for ease of reading, but inputs are not case-sensitive. To move around, you can GO in any cardinal direction (NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST) as well as UP and DOWN or INSIDE and OUTSIDE. Example: you can move northward by typing GO NORTH The parser is designed to understand directions even without the use of GO, and every direction can also be abbreviated to a single initial letter (save for IN/OUT) for convenience's sake. Example: you can move southward by typing SOUTH or S At any time, you can input LOOK (or L) to view the description of the room you are in. The status bar at the top of the screen will display some basic information about the current story state. Some other useful commands are EXAMINE (or X), TALK TO (or T), READ (or R), OPEN and CLOSE, INVENTORY (or I), and TAKE. Examples of valid inputs with varying degrees of abbreviation: EXAMINE MYSELF, T POIROT (for talking to Poirot), R BOOK (for reading a book), OPEN DRA (for opening a drawer), X REF (for examining the refrigerator), L (for printing a new description of the current room). The commands SAVE and RESTORE can be used to mark your progress; however, if you are playing directly on the IFComp website instead of playing a downloaded copy, please be warned that updates to the entry (for necessary bug fixes, etc.) may occur between different visits, which will unfortunately make the old save files incompatible. You are very welcome to contact the author at arthur.hastings@post.com if you need technical assistance or have any other questions. For more information about this particular work and the actions that are most relevant to it, you may use the ABOUT command. For a more complete list of available actions, type COMMANDS.] > x me Looking at myself in the mirror, I absentmindedly patted my hair and adjusted my collar. > i I was carrying: a pair of spectacles a wrist-watch (being worn) > x spectacles For a few years already, Poirot had been using a pince-nez to read, while I had managed to avoid the need for any lenses. I was chagrined that time had now caught up to me in turn. > wear them I'm not sure what 'them' refers to. > wear spectacles I preferred to keep the spectacles safely tucked away in my pocket, only taking them out when I needed to read something. > x watch Still plenty of time. > l The Guest Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) I had been occupying Poirot's guest bedroom since my return two years prior. My collection of mementos were hung and strewn all about. In front of the window stood a modest writing desk, bearing a notebook and a car guide. The wardrobe and mirror were placed nearby. Prominently displayed on the sideboard next to my bed was a picture of Cinderella. From here I could go north to the bathroom I share with Poirot, or go west to the flat's hallway. Having already buttoned my shirt and slipped on a patterned sleeveless pullover, I was now almost ready to leave the room?all that was left was to don one of the three neckties I had laid out. > x shirt That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > x mementos Dozens of mementos and trinkets of all kinds decorated the room?war medals, souvenirs from places where I had vacationed with Poirot, small presents from the children, keepsakes from our time in the Argentine. > x desk The desk on which I wrote the better part of this very story, and on which I hope to write many more in the future. In documenting Poirot's cases, I had discovered a hidden passion for the art, and enjoyed it immensely. I sometimes liked to work in my friend's sitting room, in the family flat, or in some café or another?but when I needed peace and stillness, I sought refuge here. > xnotebook That was something I could not do?or if I could, I currently judged it to be unnecessary or undesirable. > x notebook I had started keeping notes about the puzzles and solutions of various mysteries in an attempt to gain a better understanding of Poirot's methods?an initiative which had met with my friend's warm approval. Poirot took relatively few cases nowadays and so my notebook had not seen as much use as I would have liked, but I still enjoyed jotting down thoughts and observations whenever we had investigative discussions. > x guide Poirot had pulled out this magazine guide on my birthday only weeks prior to seek my opinion on his top choices before placing an order. He himself had sold his Messaro-Gratz in the previous year for a pretty penny?in favour of a more practical and less ostentatious vehicle which we both made use of?and he knew of my own hopes of someday getting back into competitive motoring. Upon presentation of the guide he had called my attention to the newest supercharged Alta two-seater, excitedly boasting of its one hundred and eighty "horse-vapours", and I was admittedly awed by the list of specifications. I had insisted it was too extravagant a present but I was privately glad for Poirot's stubbornness, as I had terribly missed the sport and was eager to practise it once more. > take guide No point in encumbering myself with unnecessary items. > x bed Ever since the war, I have suffered from a recurrence of horrific nightmares and unwelcome visions from the trenches. Habituated to my wife's reassuring presence upon waking from these dreams, and being now deprived of it, I had badly struggled to adjust. Poirot was a light sleeper and would check on me when I tossed and turned too violently, which had been an unexpected relief. > x picture Dulcie Hastings, née Duveen, a professional acrobat whom Poirot and I had met while investigating a case in France. To me she had always been Cinderella, and indeed ours had been a fairytale romance. She had been the sweetest and truest wife a man could have. That she had been snuffed out barely at mid-life was to me the height of unfairness, and there were still times when I would suddenly experience that fearsome rush of grief and anger all over again. My only comfort was that she died, as she would have wished, with no drawn out suffering from illness or old age. But the deep loneliness created by her passing left me lost and homesick, and in the end?after arranging her final resting place, in a beautiful and peaceful location which I know she would have approved of?I made the difficult decision to come back to England. > l The Guest Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) I had been occupying Poirot's guest bedroom since my return two years prior. My collection of mementos were hung and strewn all about. In front of the window stood a modest writing desk, bearing a notebook and a car guide. The wardrobe and mirror were placed nearby. Prominently displayed on the sideboard next to my bed was a picture of Cinderella. From here I could go north to the bathroom I share with Poirot, or go west to the flat's hallway. Having already buttoned my shirt and slipped on a patterned sleeveless pullover, I was now almost ready to leave the room?all that was left was to don one of the three neckties I had laid out. > take pciture That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > take picture No point in encumbering myself with unnecessary items. > x neckties I had laid out a red necktie, a green necktie and a paisley necktie, but had not yet decided which one to wear. > x red A classic red necktie which had served me well for many years. > x green The green necktie was a relatively recent acquisition, and showier than my usual garb. I had not yet had many opportunities to wear it. > x paisley The paisley necktie had been a gift from Poirot, before my expatriation. The little man has always been fond of that pattern. > * why nt [Thank you for your comment!] > take paisley I finally opted for the paisley necktie and put the others away. I was now ready to head down to my flat and take Bob on that dreaded walk?but decided to allow myself the indulgence of a warm cup of coffee first. > n Bathroom (Poirot's Flat) A distinctive feature of our flat's main bathroom was the imposing and luxurious clawfoot bathtub stretching underneath the window. On shelves near the mirror and sink lay an assortment of toiletries, including an impressive array of combs and a bottle of Revivit. From here I could go north to Poirot's bedroom, or go south to the guest bedroom. > * the classic clawfoot tub! [Thank you for your comment!] > x tub I had initially had doubts about the "modern" styling of Whitehaven Mansions and its furnishings, as I associated the term with cheap decor and flimsy, insubstantial objects; a far cry from the durable and traditionally charming furniture I had grown accustomed to. I had been happily surprised to find in this flat a reasonable compromise between old-fashioned philosophies and modern enhancements, and the sturdy, elegant bathtub was a shining example of the former. We planned to install a shower-head onto the tub?I had had the opportunity to shower on many occasions in the past, but never with warm water, and was eagerly looking forward to it. > x toiletries On our shelves were a variety of hygiene products, including my English Fern aftershave and Poirot's cologne Pour un homme. In neatly graduated rows stood our bottles of medicine?most of them stocked purely at Poirot's insistence?notably the anti-grippe, which was a regular part of my friend's arsenal and was autocratically administered to the children and myself whenever we took cold. > x combs Poirot owned a variety of combs and brushes and other grooming tools, which he insisted served distinct and important purposes. He kept spares in different drawers around the flat as if they were emergency kits. At all times he carried on his person at minimum one comb, one miniature mirror and one small tin of pomade, which he liberally employed to set himself to rights whenever his hair or moustaches were the least bit disturbed. > take comb No point in encumbering myself with unnecessary items. > x revivit For a few years Poirot's hair had been growing greyer from visit to visit, until suddenly becoming jet-black once again; he had shocked me by revealing?in his typical jestful and circumspect manner?that he was now dyeing it. I did not fall in with his particular brand of vanity and was unwilling to resort to these kinds of tricks myself, but my own thinning and greying hair nonetheless distressed me. I felt it was unfair that I should be the only one showing these signs of aging, and looking worse off by way of comparison. I wondered if by making a convincing case I could entice Poirot to abandon the product! > take revivit I had no use for such tinctures?and the colour was far too dark for my own hair, anyway. > l Bathroom (Poirot's Flat) A distinctive feature of our flat's main bathroom was the imposing and luxurious clawfoot bathtub stretching underneath the window. On shelves near the mirror and sink lay an assortment of toiletries, including an impressive array of combs and a bottle of Revivit. From here I could go north to Poirot's bedroom, or go south to the guest bedroom. > n Poirot's Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) The contents of Poirot's bedroom were positioned with such attention to straightness and symmetry that crossing the threshold felt to me like stepping into the man's own fantastic mind. Cedric basked on the dresser underneath the window which faced the bed, defying the perfectly angular nature of his surroundings. The sideboard displayed a family photograph. On the floor near the wardrobe and mirror was a pair of monogrammed slippers. From here I could go south to our shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway's end. > x cedric A stuffed caiman, brought as a present for Poirot during one of my visits home from South America to conduct business relating to the ranch. I shot the beast on the Orinoco, in Venezuela, and was quite proud of my feat. Poirot, despite his claims to the contrary, was perturbed by the strong chemical smell which had lingered far beyond the time frame given to me by the taxidermist. I had resigned myself to seeing old Cedric relegated to the back of a closet, but had been pleasantly surprised to find him in his place of honour on Poirot's dresser upon my return. > x bed Of a good size and very comfortable, like mine. On occasion I had entered Poirot's room while he was still asleep and found him lying on his back in the very middle of the bed, with his hands up above the bedclothes, looking very much like a great cat contentedly rolling onto his back to show his belly. > x photo One of the first photographs shot with our Kodak, some time after we settled in. It shows Poirot, the children and myself?along with Bob, who could not sit still and came out slightly blurred?arranged around my living room with joyous expressions as we posed for the camera. The sight of the great Hercule Poirot in his shirtsleeves, a small child on each knee, never failed to amuse and gladden me! > x slippers Poirot, in his dandyish and self-admiring manner, loved to have his most luxurious personal items inscribed with his elegant monogram of an intertwined H and P. He sometimes wore these dark velvety slippers around the house after his bath, when the day's schedule allowed him to keep a casual presentation. I confess that the aches of advancing middle age were making me crave comforts that I had scorned as a younger man, and I was tempted to procure some slippers of my own. > w End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. > x window Rain harshly beat down on the window panes?for once I found myself dreading my morning walk with Bob. > w I could hear Poirot talking on the telephone?better not to disturb him. > s Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. > w The dining area is in the same room as Poirot's study, and I could hear him talking on the telephone?better not to disturb him. > s Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > x cots That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > x coats Aside from our overcoats, the stand bore a small assortment of hats. Poirot was fond of bowler and homburg hats?I favoured fedoras, and had brought multiple Stetsons back from the Americas. Also of note were Poirot's many mufflers, which he was wont to wrap himself in at the first sign of chill. > x stick A dark and sleek stick topped with a beautiful silver swan. I had been saddened to see Poirot limping badly upon our reunion at Styles, walking up the village path with his cane in hand. Thankfully, it later became apparent that the injury was only temporary, and that my little friend could still be as spry as ever when he was roused?though he tended towards slowness and sedentarity anyway, preferring to exert only his brain when possible. He took his walking-stick everywhere he went and considered it an essential part of his elegant presentation. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small piece of paper. On a hook near the refrigerator hung Poirot's apron. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. > x machine A gleaming metallic contraption which Poirot had purchased on special order from Gaggia, and which contained a state-of-the-art steamless mechanism. Poirot was a consummate gourmet and often went to great lengths for the sake of his palate. For my part, I have never been very choosey when it comes to coffee?and in any case I preferred even the bitterest of coffees to the disgustingly thick drinking chocolate which Poirot was fond of?but I had been pleasantly surprised upon tasting the difference. > x paper A handwritten note, probably left by Poirot?I thought I recognized his elegant penmanship. > read it I held the note at arm's length for some frustrating moments before finally giving in and taking out my spectacles. Bon matin, I will be consulting with Scotland Yard for some time to-day. I should be finished by lunchtime, I think. Give my regards to the children, - H.P. > l Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small piece of paper. On a hook near the refrigerator hung Poirot's apron. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. > x apron I have always known Poirot to be a masterful cook; lately, he had been honing his skills with particular zeal by cooking dinner on most nights, and appeared determined to outdo himself at every opportunity. He was on a mission to render even the most dubious of Belgian dishes somehow palatable to young children. He sometimes spoke fondly of his mother as he explained a recipe's origins, offering us glimpses into a past which he had been reticent about for as long as I have known him. > w Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > w Miss Lemon's Office (Poirot's Flat) The office was dominated by dozens of neatly-arranged cabinets housing Miss Lemon's precious filing system. A sliding window on the northern wall communicated with the dining area, allowing a clear view of Poirot's desk at the other end of the room. Aside from her typewriter, she presently had on her desk a handbag, a shorthand pad, a statuette of a cat, and some queer-looking charts. From here I could go east to the flat's entrance. Miss Lemon herself sat at the desk, typing at her usual furious pace. > x filing The minute details of Poirot's every case were stored in Miss Lemon's comprehensive filing system, which is her pride and joy. She happily turned up even on weekends to ensure everything was in order. Since my return, I had seen Poirot steadily become a lot more selective with his cases. He still delighted in tackling those particularly thorny mysteries which stimulated his "little grey cells", and maintained a steady income through solving problems for influential or high-paying clients?on occasion he also acted out of pity, helping a victim whose situation appeared hopeless?but on the whole he turned down many more cases than he accepted, kept significantly reduced office hours, and more often than not acted purely as a consultant. Owing to this new state of affairs, Miss Lemon did not have enough work to fill her days (nor enough new material to expand and refine her beloved system), and was growing restless. Poirot and I had encouraged her to seek part-time employment elsewhere, which she had done successfully; having a whole new filing system to elaborate seemed to bring her no end of pleasure. > x typewriter At one time in my life, I had been employed as a private secretary to a member of Parliament, before moving on to work for Lloyd's of London. I was therefore accustomed to the use of typewriters and considered myself quite proficient. Miss Lemon's mastery of them was on an entirely different level, however, and put my own typing skill to shame. > x handbag Far be it from me to scrutinize a lady's belongings?still, I could not help but notice that Miss Lemon's handbag was brand new and rather fancy. While Poirot was not stingy with his employees, I wondered if perhaps her second employer sought to seduce her with better pay. > x pad The shorthand pad was an integral part of Miss Lemon's arsenal, and I had often been impressed by the ease and speed with which she condensed complex instructions into a mere handful of symbols. > x cat An elegant carved statuette of a cat which Poirot had brought back as a souvenir of our trip to Egypt. Miss Lemon was terribly fond of cats and owned a few herself?which, I suspect, is how she came to meet the veterinarian who she now worked for when she was not needed by Poirot. The man had apparently saved the life of one of her kittens and she was extremely fond of him. Designing a system to organize the files of feline patients of various breeds, she told me, was even more satisfying than sorting our own human clients. > xcharts That was something I could not do?or if I could, I currently judged it to be unnecessary or undesirable. > x charts Miss Lemon prides herself on her encyclopedic knowledge of nearly any subject?a skill which Poirot has made use of more than once. One of her only weak points, I came to learn, was the intricacies of the mystical and esoteric systems which are not well understood by science. In recent months we had been learning together about mediumship, hypnosis, forms of divination such as the tarot and I Ching, and zodiacs both eastern and western. I found it all endlessly fascinating, though the eerieness of certain practices sometimes unsettled me. > x lemon Efficient and serious to a fault, Miss Felicity Lemon was Poirot's secretary, loyal to her filing system first and to him second. She had a somewhat plain but pleasantly professional appearance. Poirot had hired her during my absence and had nothing but praise for her performance?he only bemoaned her lack of imagination or curiosity. I had found an unlikely friend in her and enjoyed her occasional dry wit. > talk to lemon I greeted Miss Lemon warmly. "Hello, Captain Hastings! I'll be out early to-day?I have an appointment. All the work will be done, of course." I had a strong suspicion that said appointment was with the mysterious veterinarian who had been contracting her recently, and felt a burning urge to pry which I resisted with great difficulty. > talk to lemon I made small talk with Miss Lemon, who kindly inquired about the children. > e Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small piece of paper. On a hook near the refrigerator hung Poirot's apron. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. > make coffee With the help of our marvellous machine, I poured out a cup of espresso, then took a moment to enjoy the simple pleasure of midday quietude. I found myself relishing even the falling rain drops and their calming staccato sounds?so long as it was the window pane who received them rather than me. Alas, it was now time to put an end to my contemplation and brave the storm with Bob. > w Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > out Whitehaven Mansions Hall (Second Floor) The halls of Whitehaven Mansions had an atmosphere of understated opulence. Though the sleek and modern decor had initially felt foreign after years of rural living, I now felt perfectly at home walking across that distinctive geometrical parquet. There were four doors to every floor, of which door 203 was Poirot's. From here I could go inside Poirot's flat, or go down the stairs to the first floor. > x door For the time being, I was lodging with Poirot, as he had a spare bedroom and the other flat was already filled by my children. > d Whitehaven Mansions Hall (First Floor) After two years of travelling between the first few floors of our building multiple times per day, I had developed by force of habit a sort of automatic behaviour, and navigated these stairways as naturally as our private rooms. My family resided on this floor, behind door 103. From here I could go inside my family's flat, go up the stairs to the second floor, or go down the stairs to the lobby. > x door While preparing my return to England after Cinderella's passing, I had felt lost. I had no near relations to turn to, and no established residence; prior to my marriage I had been living with Poirot at our old house from which he had long since moved away. My little friend had been surprisingly solicitous after learning of our circumstances?even refraining from his customary French embraces on our reunion, so as to not overwhelm us?and had kindly secured for my family the flat below his which stood vacant. > open door It wasn't something I could open. > n Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. Bob leapt on me as soon as I walked through the door, nearly bowling me over. He was already holding his leash in his mouth. I greeted him with a hearty rub as I grabbed an umbrella and threw on my mackintosh. > x bob Bob was a lively wire-haired terrier with a mostly white coat and a wonderful temperament. He had formerly belonged to Miss Arundell, a prospective client who had sadly been murdered before Poirot and I ever received her missive. Poirot had been offered the opportunity to keep Bob, but it was ultimately I who stepped in and took over his care?I have always adored dogs and understand them better than most. His unstintingly cheerful and affectionate presence had been a balm for all of us. Bob hopped around my feet and let out a happy "wuff". > pet bob I gave Bob an affectionate pat as he happily nudged my hand. Bob fixed me with a pleading look, cocking his head endearingly. > x leash Bob's favourite object in the world, after his food bowl. He had quickly learned to associate it with walks and often took it upon himself to make sure we remembered our duties. Bob attempted to push his leash into my hand with a plaintive whine. > take leash I took the leash from Bob and clipped it onto his collar. He snorted excitedly and gave the leash a light tug, but upon being called to heel he sat at my feet obediently. > take leash I was already holding Bob's leash. > l Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. > x coats The stand typically bore a few clothes belonging to the children and to Miss Pearson, as well as a mackintosh (currently on my person) which I kept on hand for days like to-day. The hat portion did not see much use, for the time being? I looked forward to passing on some of my own fashions to the boys once they were grown. > w Spare Room (The Hastings's Flat) Unlike Poirot I had never felt any need to engage a secretary, so this room initially had no clear purpose to us. It had since been appointed as a bedroom for our housekeeper. Though she seldom spent the night away from her mother's house, I felt responsible for providing room and board. From here I could go east to the entrance. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > e Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. Bob stood by me on his leash, sniffing the air curiously. > e Kitchen (The Hastings's Flat) Our family's kitchen was furnished in much the same way as Poirot's, granting us all the convenience of modern technology. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore a tray of small sandwiches. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the entrance. Miss Pearson stood at the sink, washing dishes. Bob stood by me on his leash, patiently waiting for us to move on. > x sandwiches Miss Pearson had prepared these for the children?she habitually made light meals for them throughout the day. Having not had breakfast or lunch yet, I felt peckish, and was inclined to sample them. > eat sandwiches I scarfed down a few sandwiches and felt satiated. > x pearon That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > x pearson Our housekeeper was Miss Annie Pearson?no relation to Mrs. Pearson, the landlady Poirot and I had when we took up rooms together after our wartime reunion. Annie was actually a close relative of George, Poirot's distinguished former valet, who now held a very prestigious post on my friend's recommendation. She worked for us part-time, providing a range of general services, and typically went home later in the day to care for her aging mother. > talk to pearson Miss Pearson wished me good morning as she worked. > l Kitchen (The Hastings's Flat) Our family's kitchen was furnished in much the same way as Poirot's, granting us all the convenience of modern technology. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore a tray of small sandwiches. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the entrance. Miss Pearson stood at the sink, washing dishes. > w Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > n Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses my flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the entrance, go east to the girls' bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Bob stood by me on his leash, sniffing the air curiously. > w Dining Room (The Hastings's Flat) The principal room of my flat encompassed the dining area as well as the living room. I currently stood on the southern end, next to the dining table and near Bob's food and water bowls. From here I could go north to step into the living room, or go east to the hallway. Bob stood by me on his leash, patiently waiting for us to move on. > * extra line [Thank you for your comment!] > x bowls Always kept full by Robert, who dutifully attended to them every morning. He had been admirably eager to care for our dog and had even begun to take him on walks when circumstances permitted. > n Living Room (The Hastings's Flat) The principal room of my flat encompassed the living room as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, inside the half-circle of large and comfortable seats which faced our television. A doorless cupboard positioned beside the bookcase held our collection of board and card games, and the wireless sat atop a chest of drawers. Assorted sporting equipment was propped against the wall near the window. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway. Thomas, Grace, Robert and Judith were sitting on the rug, playing Monopoly. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > x tv An incredible device which the children had welcomed with no small amount of excitement. I myself had been very glad for the ability to watch the Wimbledon Championships the previous year despite having to stay home due to an ill-timed bout of fever. Recently there had been a film broadcast which featured renowned actress Mary Marvell?a former client of Poirot whose case I had assisted with?and I had revelled in the children's awe and wonder on learning of my past association with her. Despite his stated disinterest in most of the current programming, Poirot sometimes found his way down to our flat to watch something with us. (Coincidentally, I am writing these words on the very day that our television service resumed, after a years-long wartime interruption.) > x bookcase In the bookcase was an eclectic mix of children's books?a more varied and stimulating offer than I had gotten in my own childhood. Some of them were beginning to be outgrown by even the youngest of the family, while others still saw regular use. Among the many titles were Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Hobbit, Mary Poppins, Nancy Drew, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Winnie-the-Pooh, Fables de La Fontaine, Contes de ma mère l'Oye, and Pinocchio (Poirot, being multi-lingual, had been tempted to acquire it in the original Italian?but I felt that one foreign language in their education was enough for the time being). Lately my friend had also proudly introduced a few contemporary Belgian comic-books; the children were especially fond of the Tintin series, which featured a small dog strongly resembling Bob. > l Living Room (The Hastings's Flat) The principal room of my flat encompassed the living room as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, inside the half-circle of large and comfortable seats which faced our television. A doorless cupboard positioned beside the bookcase held our collection of board and card games, and the wireless sat atop a chest of drawers. Assorted sporting equipment was propped against the wall near the window. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway. Thomas, Grace, Robert and Judith were sitting on the rug, playing Monopoly. > x wireless Frequently used by myself for the news, when I wasn't at Poirot's flat?by Miss Pearson, who was fond of entertainment programmes?or else by the children when the Children's Hour was on. It was currently turned on, providing some pleasant background noise. > x drawers The chest of drawers was currently closed. > open it I opened the drawer, revealing a spare key and a photo album. > x equipment Racquets, bats, clubs, a quaint croquet set and other assorted sporting goods were lined up against the wall. I have always been an avid player of various sports, and now more than ever encouraged frequent family outings to play all together?though the bustle of London agreed with us, I was afraid the convenience of city living would make us idle and unhealthy. Poirot has always been dislinclined towards strenuous activity and was reticent to participate at all; thankfully, the children's encouragement (and my own tactful suggestions that it might help his waistline) have induced him to partake in some of the milder activities. To my frustration, my friend had been blessed with a natural talent for golf, which went to waste due to his dislike of the sport which he termed "shapeless and haphazard". > x key A spare key to Poirot's flat?just in case. > x album Our album had filled up nicely thanks to the camera we acquired for the household, which has been used to document every major event since. In the front pages were some nostalgic older photographs?a rare surviving portrait of myself as a child?a few pictures from the Duveen side of the family, which included Americans and Italians?images of Poirot and myself clipped from newspaper articles about our more high-profile cases?and lovely shots from my wedding, where Cinders had looked radiant and effortlessly beautiful. Poirot was my best man, of course, though he was already a celebrity by then and his presence stole the show somewhat. > take key No point in encumbering myself with unnecessary items. > read album There was nothing there for me to read. > l Living Room (The Hastings's Flat) The principal room of my flat encompassed the living room as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, inside the half-circle of large and comfortable seats which faced our television. A doorless cupboard positioned beside the bookcase held our collection of board and card games, and the wireless sat atop a chest of drawers. Assorted sporting equipment was propped against the wall near the window. The chest of drawers was open, revealing a spare key and a photo album. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway. Thomas, Grace, Robert and Judith were sitting on the rug, playing Monopoly. > x tom My firstborn child, already twelve years old. He was growing into a fine young man, though he still had the soft voice and endearing earnestness of a boy, and in recent months he had been particularly eager to take up the "family business" of detection. I had already identified in him a great potential for managing the finances and operation of our ranch in the Argentine?before we had decided to sell it after all?but the keen intellect he was demonstrating in other pursuits had astounded me. > x grace My eldest daughter Grace was only a year younger than Thomas and was quickly becoming a gracious young lady, as befit her name. She always kept her light brown hair in plaited pigtails. I recalled with deep emotion how her mother used to tie it for her every morning, and could hardly believe that only a few years had passed since then. She now drew great pride and a certain girlish enthusiasm from tying it by herself and generally taking care of her own grooming. On occasion, when Poirot was available, she liked to have him do her hair instead?he was surprisingly proficient at braiding, having apparently learned by performing the service regularly as a child for his little sister Yvonne. The result was always impeccably even and tidy, to Grace's delight, and Poirot seemed to find the delicate and repetitive work soothing. > x robert Whereas my eldest son Thomas wholly took after Cinders in appearance, Robert was like a miniature version of myself, from his fair hair and blue eyes to his mild but reactive disposition. Our only major point of difference was his intense fear of horses, developed after an unfortunate accident on the ranch which thankfully caused no other lasting harm. I still dreamt of taking him riding someday and had not yet given up hope. > x judith The youngest of the family, Judith, was a dark child in looks as well as personality. Secretly I held a special fondness for her, though I did not understand her in the least. She had been the slowest to warm up to Poirot?then had begun to quibble with him with increasing frequency?and nowadays they appeared to have reached a sort of amicable understanding. In one another they had found their match in terms of being secretive and obstinate (I will at least admit to the latter tendency in myself). > x monopoly A favourite in our household?each child had a lucky game piece and a preferred strategy. I fared well whenever we all played together but had managed to beat Poirot himself only once, thanks to an improbable string of disastrous dice throws on his part. The fancy-dressed and mustachioed man printed on some of the cards, who bore a striking resemblance to my friend, had been the subject of many jokes among the children. At the moment they were enthusiastically playing, treating the purchase and sale of their little properties with the utmost seriousness. > talk to tom He gave me a small smile. "Hello, Father." > talk to grace She looked up with a joyous expression. "Hello, Father!" > talk to judith She responded with the barest hint of a smile. "Hullo, Father." > talk robery That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > talk robert He beamed at me. "Hello, Papa!" > e End of Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go west to the living room, or go east to the boys' bedroom. Bob stood by me on his leash, sniffing the air curiously. > x window Rain harshly beat down on the window panes?for once I found myself dreading my morning walk with Bob. > s Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses my flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the entrance, go east to the girls' bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Bob stood by me on his leash, patiently waiting for us to move on. > n End of Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go west to the living room, or go east to the boys' bedroom. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > e Boys' Bedroom (The Hastings's Flat) The boys' bedroom was populated by army-men as well as model ships of all sizes. Desks bearing school supplies stood under the window next to the mirror, and on a nearby dresser was a stuffed rabbit sitting atop a familiar book. Bob's ball was resting at my feet. A picture of Cinderella hung near the two hastily-made beds. From here I could go south to the shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway's end. Bob stood by me on his leash, sniffing the air curiously. > x men Robert owned an entire corps of army-men of varied makes and origins?from play sets, special series, even Christmas crackers?and all of them were currently scattered across the room. I often had to remind him to put them away, which delighted Poirot who had often complained of my own propensity to leave things lying about. > x ships Robert's love of little army-men was only outmatched by his passion for ships of all kinds. In the corner of the room was the jewel of his collection?a magnificient minature sailboat, with a mast nearly as tall as I am, which Poirot and I had purchased on my sudden fancy to float a ship around park ponds as a summer pastime. I had sadly not been able to bring it with me to the Argentine and was glad to find that my friend had kept it. The ship was still sometimes taken out for a bit of sailing, but it typically served a more decorative purpose nowadays. > x supplies Robert made up his mind very early on about a career in the Royal Navy and was already champing at the bit as he waited to come of age. He admired the heroics of my younger days and the active role that I had played in bringing down several fearsome opponents. While it pleased me greatly to be looked up to, I will candidly confess that I did not think myself truly worthy of it. I had once led my men into battle with pride?and even now could still muster up the requisite courage to face most varieties of danger?but I had developed a sort of cowardly attitude towards military combat which saddened me deeply. I had secretly been glad to be exempted from the imminent drafts, and the thought of Robert facing similar horrors chilled me to the core. As for Thomas, he was set to attend Eton just as I had. Poirot was outwardly supportive, but it was plain to me that he was actually very upset by the prospect; I suspected a combination of his mother-hen tendencies and his desire to take Thomas into his personal tutelage. I could hardly condemn his feeling?the thought of separating the family even temporarily after we had suffered such a devastating loss put a significant damper on my own feelings of excitement and fatherly pride. Besides, the idea of having one of the world's finest minds bent to my son's education and training held a strong appeal. In the end, war broke out before the next school year, which cemented our decision to hold Thomas back after all. > x rabbit Robert's beloved stuffed animal, modeled after Peter Rabbit. It worried me to see him hold onto a toy like this at his age, but I continually reminded myself of Cinderella's advice not to be an overbearing parent, and tried to trust that I was bringing him up adequately enough already. > x book On giving the book a second glance, I quickly recognized it as a copy of The Big Four, written by myself two decades prior. My friend Mrs Oliver?who is an acclaimed author of detective fiction and has offered positive critique of my accounts of Poirot's cases?had shocked and saddened me by implying that this book was by far my worst. To me it seemed a faithful retelling of the most exciting and eventful adventure I have ever had with Poirot, and one where I had truly appeared at my best. I had lent Thomas my own personal copy. > x ball Bob had a habit of keeping his favourite ball in the boys' bedroom. The sight of it called to mind that fateful case in Market Basing which brought him into our care. There had been a theory that the victim fell down the stairs after tripping on a ball which Bob had left nearby?he had ultimately been cleared, but I still thought it wise to watch my step. > x picture One recurring point of concern for my late wife and myself had been Robert's innocence and tenderness of feeling. While Thomas has often shown an admirable placidity and stiff-upper-lip despite his underlying earnestness, his little brother could seldom mask his emotions and consistently failed to develop any real sense of stoicism. I had myself once been a somewhat sensitive child but had quickly grown out of it, and hoped to see Robert do the same. Poirot recurringly offered me dubious compliments alluding to my supposedly transparent and "beautiful" nature?even Cinders had traitorously agreed with him at one point?ridiculous and exaggerated perceptions! > s Bathroom (The Hastings's Flat) A distinctive feature of the flat's main bathroom was the imposing and luxurious clawfoot bathtub stretching underneath the window. On shelves near the mirror and sink lay an assortment of toiletries, including four colourful toothbrushes. From here I could go north to the boys' bedroom, or go south to the girls' bedroom. Bob stood by me on his leash, patiently waiting for us to move on. > x toothbrusehs Poirot and I have instilled in the children a healthy fear of the dentist, which motivated them to brush their teeth conscientiously. > s Girls' Bedroom (The Hastings's Flat) The girls' bedroom was inhabited by an extended family of dolls. Desks bearing school supplies stood under the window next to the mirror, and on a nearby dresser were tidy piles of artistic materials and boxed chemistry sets. A picture of Cinderella hung near the two beds. From here I could go north to the shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > x dolls Grace's collection mixed traditional porcelain dolls with modern composition toys. This past Christmas, Poirot and I had gifted her a model that could close her eyes and even cry?to Poirot's great relief, not loudly enough to be heard from his flat on the upper floor! > x supplies In terms of schooling and career paths, Judith was by far the most ambitious of the girls. She dreamt of going into science, applying herself to her studies with a focus and determination which went beyond her years. Grace, on the other hand, was devoted to her artistic hobbies and otherwise did not seem to mind performing any type of labour. She had a marked interest in other cultures and countries and had expressed a desire to travel the world someday. To Poirot's chagrin, her fascination was extended moreso towards the Orient than the Continent, but he valiantly persisted in imparting fragments of his own culture to her and her siblings. > x materials Grace possessed a romantic and artistic temperament, and spent most of her free time practising various crafts. Recently she had taken to knitting, after Miss Lemon generously donated some of her own supplies. > x sets Judith's uncommonly keen interest in chemistry only seemed to intensify with every new set we gifted her. A few months prior, around Christmas-time, she had come to us requesting more advanced material. I was inclined to accept, having already begun to make peace with my daughter's peculiarities; Poirot, about as old-fashioned as I am but lacking the child-rearing delicacy which my late wife imparted to me, had blundered into a minor confrontation. "But Judith, it is not healthy for a young lady to spend so much time with the test tubes! See you, it is important to learn other skills also?like the cooking, for when you have a husband to feed." When she suggested defiantly that she might not want to marry, Poirot delivered scandalized exhortations?which fell on deaf ears. Though I could understand my friend's reasoning and did not entirely disagree, it seemed somewhat hypocritical for a confirmed bachelor like himself to be touting the benefits of marriage. I could plainly see that Judith shared my thoughts. With startling suddenness she changed her tack. "Then I shall marry a scientist, like Marie Curie did, and we'll hire a cook. Or?or I'll find a husband who cooks and tidies like you, Uncle Hercule! I only hope he'll do those things as well as you can..." What a masterful coup de grâce! I had had to hide my beaming face behind my newspaper. Flattery has always been Poirot's weak point, and Judith was not shy about appealing to his vanity. He inevitably wound up indulging her and never seemed to begrudge her getting the upper hand. That time had been no exception, and I have not heard further complaints regarding the chemistry sets. > x picture One of my greatest fears after the loss of my wife was of the girls being left without a female presence in their lives. It had been a great relief to see Grace bond with both Miss Lemon and Miss Pearson, but I could not stop worrying about Judith?Judith, with her fierce temper, her tendency to keep her own counsel which had so often made me feel slighted, and her complete lack of interest in the usual feminine pursuits. At those times I tried my best to keep Cinderella's words of advice in mind, and carry on her spirit and wisdom. She had shared my concerns about Judith's intensity of feeling and queerness of character, but insisted that our children should be allowed to make their own choices and mistakes. I tried to trust in our daughter and avoid smothering her at all costs. > w Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses my flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the entrance, go east to the girls' bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Bob stood by me on his leash, sniffing the air curiously. > s Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. Bob stood by me on his leash, patiently waiting for us to move on. > s Whitehaven Mansions Hall (First Floor) After two years of travelling between the first few floors of our building multiple times per day, I had developed by force of habit a sort of automatic behaviour, and navigated these stairways as naturally as our private rooms. My family resided on this floor, behind door 103. From here I could go inside my family's flat, go up the stairs to the second floor, or go down the stairs to the lobby. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > d Whitehaven Mansions Hall (Lobby) The building's lobby was a simple but beautiful room of particularly angular and symmetrical design?the architect was a man after Poirot's own heart! From here I could go outside the building, or go up the stairs to the first floor. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > out So torrential was the rain that even Bob did not want to stay outside for long?to my great relief. In a matter of minutes I was back in the lobby watching the old boy shake himself dry. > u Whitehaven Mansions Hall (First Floor) After two years of travelling between the first few floors of our building multiple times per day, I had developed by force of habit a sort of automatic behaviour, and navigated these stairways as naturally as our private rooms. My family resided on this floor, behind door 103. From here I could go inside my family's flat, go up the stairs to the second floor, or go down the stairs to the lobby. Bob stood by me on his leash, furiously wagging his tail. > n I unleashed Bob as I walked in the door, whereupon he sauntered down the hallway and into the dining room. My mackintosh and umbrella were promptly put away. A glance at my wrist-watch revealed that it was already almost time for our housekeeper to leave for the day. I felt somewhat guilty about arriving late this morning and letting her handle the children on her own; I resolved to speak with her before she departed. >>>> Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door, and from it hung Bob's leash. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. > x leash Bob's favourite object in the world, after his food bowl. He had quickly learned to associate it with walks and often took it upon himself to make sure we remembered our duties. > i I was carrying: a necktie (being worn) a pair of spectacles a wrist-watch (being worn) > e Kitchen (The Hastings's Flat) Our family's kitchen was furnished in much the same way as Poirot's, granting us all the convenience of modern technology. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore a tray of small sandwiches. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the entrance. Miss Pearson stood at the sink, putting away the last of the dishes. > talk to pearson I made small talk with Miss Pearson then inquired as to the children's behaviour and whereabouts, feeling slightly awkward. She assured me that they had been angels all morning, had already eaten, and were still engrossed in a game?though they inexplicably persisted in using the living room rug as their play area in spite of her encouragement to relocate the board to the dining table. Relieved, I profusely thanked her, making further conversation as I escorted her to the front door and bid her farewell. Having finally completed my morning routine, I was eager to see the children one more time and then go check on Poirot. >>>> Entrance (The Hastings's Flat) The entrance to my flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for coats and hats stood near the door, and from it hung Bob's leash. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to the spare room. > n Hallway (The Hastings's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses my flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the entrance, go east to the girls' bedroom, or go west to the dining room. > w Dining Room (The Hastings's Flat) The principal room of my flat encompassed the dining area as well as the living room. I currently stood on the southern end, next to the dining table and near Bob's food and water bowls. From here I could go north to step into the living room, or go east to the hallway. I was pleased to see that the board game had migrated away from the rug after all, and was satisfied to find everyone in high spirits?Thomas, Grace, Robert and Judith were sitting at the table, playing Monopoly. Bob dozed at the foot of Robert's chair. > x bob Bob was a lively wire-haired terrier with a mostly white coat and a wonderful temperament. He had formerly belonged to Miss Arundell, a prospective client who had sadly been murdered before Poirot and I ever received her missive. Poirot had been offered the opportunity to keep Bob, but it was ultimately I who stepped in and took over his care?I have always adored dogs and understand them better than most. His unstintingly cheerful and affectionate presence had been a balm for all of us. > pet bob I scratched Bob's chin as he waggled blissfully. > talk to tom He gave me a small smile. "Hello, Father." > talk to grace She looked up with a joyous expression. "Hello, Father!" > talk to robert He beamed at me. "Hello, Papa!" > talk to judith She responded with the barest hint of a smile. "Hullo, Father." > e I was about to step out into the hallway when I heard footsteps at my back. I turned to find Thomas smiling at me expectantly. "Are you going to see Uncle Hercule soon?" As I nodded he continued, "Can I come?" "What about Monopoly?" I inquired, glancing at his siblings who were busy arguing over a minor rule point. "Weren't you playing?" "Well I was, only I've gone bankrupt already, and watching them play is so boring..." I suggested several more activities, but he appeared determined to shoot down every last one. Beginning to suspect that he merely wanted to spend time with Poirot and myself, I relented and led the way out of our flat. >>>> Whitehaven Mansions Hall (First Floor) After two years of travelling between the first few floors of our building multiple times per day, I had developed by force of habit a sort of automatic behaviour, and navigated these stairways as naturally as our private rooms. My family resided on this floor, behind door 103. From here I could go inside my family's flat, go up the stairs to the second floor, or go down the stairs to the lobby. > I was momentarily dumbstruck. > x tom My firstborn child, already twelve years old. He was growing into a fine young man, though he still had the soft voice and endearing earnestness of a boy, and in recent months he had been particularly eager to take up the "family business" of detection. I had already identified in him a great potential for managing the finances and operation of our ranch in the Argentine?before we had decided to sell it after all?but the keen intellect he was demonstrating in other pursuits had astounded me. > s This room's exits are up, down and inside. > u Whitehaven Mansions Hall (Second Floor) The halls of Whitehaven Mansions had an atmosphere of understated opulence. Though the sleek and modern decor had initially felt foreign after years of rural living, I now felt perfectly at home walking across that distinctive geometrical parquet. There were four doors to every floor, of which door 203 was Poirot's. From here I could go inside Poirot's flat, or go down the stairs to the first floor. Thomas came up behind me. > in Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Miss Lemon stepped out of her office just as we entered the flat. Thomas and I warmly bid her farewell as she collected her coat and walked out the door. Thomas had followed me into the room and was inspecting his surroundings very closely. > n Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Thomas had followed me into the room and was fiddling with a small magnifying-glass. > w I gave the door frame a few polite knocks as I stepped into the dining room to reach Poirot's study, and he looked up from his desk with a warm smile. "Hastings! Good morning, mon ami! You are looking well." I had no time to respond before Thomas made his presence known, slipping past me to greet Poirot cheerily. "Bonjour, oncle Hercule!" Poirot gave a delighted little cry. "Ah! If it is not the young master Thomas! Bonjour, mon garçon! How are you on this fine afternoon?" Thomas laughed. "I'd hardly call it fine, Uncle Hercule! Haven't you seen the weather?" Poirot spun towards the window with an exaggerated air of surprise. "Mon Dieu, but you are right! It is raining the ropes!" They exchanged jocular smiles. "Well, actually," I interjected, "that's rather the problem! Tommy here is complaining of boredom, and there's only so much to be done while cooped up indoors..." Poirot affected an appraising look. "Indeed? And pray tell, jeune homme, have you already finished your schoolwork?" I was glad to hear him ask the question which should have occurred to me earlier?but had not. Thomas beamed proudly. "Oui, j'ai fait tous mes devoirs!" His French was improving at a frightening pace. Poirot hummed in approval and tented his fingers. "Excellent! Then we must find another way to occupy these little grey cells of yours, hein? Allow me to think for one moment..." Thomas and I shared an anticipatory glance. >>>> Before long, my friend's eyes were twinkling as he rose from his chair and began to pace the room. "There is one thing I can propose?a case, if you both are willing to play the detectives. If you search my apartment, you will find one object which has been disturbed, with ample evidence to deduce the culprit. I would like you to investigate and try to arrive at the correct answer." Thomas looked to me, wordlessly seeking permission, and I could not resist tousling his hair affectionately. "Well, young man, it sounds like we have our work cut out for us!" Seeing the boy's face light up with excitement, Poirot and I had a hearty chuckle. As Poirot delivered the last of his instructions, he ran a hand over the crown of Thomas" head, gently brushing the disarrayed strands back into place. "You have until dinner-time to bring me your answers. I will start the preparations right away, I think?it will take a long time to cook. Perhaps we can all go out for a promenade to-night, if these so deplorable conditions pass as the good weathermen predict?" We gaily answered in the affirmative, and Poirot left us in his study with a final bonne chance. >>>> Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. I noted with some surprise that Poirot had been uncharacteristically neglectful, leaving the desk drawer ajar. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. > * odd spacing issue before "drawer" [Thank you for your comment!] > x sofa Poirot nearly always sat up very straight, prim and proper to the uttermost, and only relaxed his posture when he was especially at ease or else very deep in thought. For my part, I was not overly concerned with decorum while ensconced in our private quarters. As such I had often enjoyed a nice sprawl in my favourite arm-chair or a restful nap on the sofa, and was particularly fond of lying there with the daily news or an enthralling book. > x ashtray Both Poirot and I smoked cigarettes?his were tiny and Continental?and I was also partial to pipe-smoking. In recent years there had been some talk among doctors as to the potential harms of tobacco use, and we successfully cut back on our consumption by common agreement. But even Poirot, for all his vaunted self-control, struggled to kick the habit entirely?I'm afraid I did not fare much better. > x wall My little friend is an avid collector of art. Nowhere was this hobby more apparent than in his sitting room, whose wall bore multiple paintings in perfectly even spacing. Unsurprisingly, Poirot's tastes leant towards angles and geometric shapes, though he also had a few interesting scenes and portraits in bold colours. Among the paintings hung a framed cheque for a single guinea?a reward from the mundane case of an absconding cook which Poirot had initially thought beneath him, but had in the end led to the arrest of a murderer. He kept it on display to remind himself never to dismiss the commonplace or trivial. > x bookcase Poirot's bookcase held tomes of all kinds, most of which were of the detective genre. Among the titles were The Leavenworth Case, Arsène Lupin: gentleman cambrioleur, Le mystère de la chambre jaune, The Cask, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?and, notably, the works of Ariadne Oliver. She is a friend of ours and a fellow author, though her stories are fictional rather than biographical and center an eccentric Finnish detective. Of course, my own writings featured prominently on the shelves, alongside those of other men who have accompanied Poirot on cases in my absence. Everything was there, from my earliest publications in The Sketch to all the full-length books that followed, and even their French translations. Poirot often complained about what he saw as the capital crime of publishers?not sticking to a unified format?and had endeavoured to sort his own collection by height. It was presently neatly arranged in that very manner, giving me the impression of gazing at a small and colourful staircase. > x wireless The wireless was on, and I listened with skepticism to the weatherman predicting beautiful weather to-night. > x gramaphone That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > x gramophone Our gramophone was accompanied by a neatly-organized box of discs. The opera recordings, classical pieces and melancholy French songs were to be expected?what had surprised me was finding among them some lively dance music and jazz tracks. My friend was apparently an enthusiastic dancer when he put his mind to it, though I had not yet managed to coax a demonstration out of him. Lately I had added to the box a few records suiting my own tastes. > x knife An elegant paper-knife in the shape of a miniature sword, which I had gifted Poirot on one of his birthdays many years prior. Only after his unwrapping of the present had I realized belatedly that he already possessed a perfectly fine and serviceable paper-knife, and likely had no use for a second one. Nonetheless, he appeared taken with it, and has seemingly been employing it ever since. > x cup Poirot drank tea often, but unlike me he preferred herbal brews like camomile which contain no actual tea leaves. With clockwork regularity he drank a daily tisane of his own concoction to which he always added exactly three spoonfuls of sugar, and steeped it to particularly noxious intensity whenever he felt an illness coming on. > x drawer The drawer of Poirot's desk had been left slightly ajar, piquing my curiosity. > x cat This small hand-sewn cat had been a present to Poirot from Grace, made under Miss Pearson's supervision, and sported a familiar black moustache. For weeks prior, observing Poirot's fastidious grooming habits which involved meticulously fixing his whiskers and dusting every square inch of his jackets, the children had teasingly begun likening him to a "pussycat". He would respond with affected affront belied by a fond twinkle in his eye, which invariably only intensified the children's giggling. I could not help agreeing with their assessment?my friend had always shown a distinctly feline manner and temper. Grace had handed her present to Poirot bashfully, apologizing for its lopsidedness. He had thanked her profusely before declaring, in his most solemn style: "Ah, oui, it is true; our little friend, he possesses not the symmetry, and his moustaches are of the most crooked! But do not concern yourself, ce n'est pas grave?he is only a kitten. I will teach him." Since then the little cat had been Poirot's constant companion. Whenever he needed to occupy his hands and soothe his nerves while thinking, he seemed to enjoy the challenge of attempting to balance the toy perfectly upright despite its oversized head and uneven construction. > look in drawer I couldn't see inside, since the drawer was closed. > open drawer I must stress that I am not the type to snoop through anyone's affairs?even on investigations, I despised doing so, and found it unbecoming of a gentleman. However, Poirot had never seemed to mind my handling of his belongings (as long as it did not disturb his precious order too severely), and it did not feel as though anything in the flat was truly meant to be off-limits to me. With this reasoning in mind, I gingerly opened the desk's drawer, revealing a spare key and a file folder. > x spare A spare key to my flat?just in case. > x file Looking at the thick file folder, I felt a shameful curiosity regarding its contents. > open it I delicately opened the file folder to find three small stacks of papers. Drawings from the children?crudely-drawn portraits of Poirot with outsized moustaches, abstract pieces appealing to his zealous love of squares, and one surprisingly competent sketch of the two of us apprehending a murderer? Advance inquiries made to prestigious institutions?the Curie Institute in Paris, the Naval College at Dartmouth? On the third one I read the words "Last Will and Testament". I was shocked into a sudden sense of gravity. Though I knew Poirot had named me his executor, and he was also mine, I had never pried into his exact intentions. Despite myself I found my eyes drifting down the page?provisions made for our employees?inheritance distributed among our family, save for a smaller portion to be sent back to Belgium?specific bequests for the children; his pocket-watch to Thomas, his cast-iron cookware to Grace... I looked away, overcome. When Poirot had resorted to faking his own death in our battle with that international crime syndicate known as the Big Four, it had felt as though a good part of me died with him; many years later, I still could hardly bear to recall those torturous months I spent attempting to avenge him at any cost. The prospect of an even greater and more permanent loss was intolerable. Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I closed the folder and carefully replaced it where it had been. > close drawer I shut the desk's drawer once more. > s Dining Room (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the dining area as well as the combined sitting room and study. I currently stood on the southern end, next to the dining table on which lay the daily papers. Miss Lemon's office was visible through a sliding window in the south wall, not far from the liquor cabinet. From here I could go north to approach Poirot's desk, or go east to the hallway. Thomas had followed me into the room and was affecting an air of deep concentration. > x cabinet The cabinet contained a selection of high-quality alcohols and mixers. I was especially fond of hot toddies or whisky and soda, while Poirot preferred his drinks with grenadine or other flavoured syrups and creams. We sometimes brought a good wine out from the kitchen to share with guests. > x papers I religiously consulted the daily papers to check on the performance of my stocks and keep abreast of match results. Poirot did not share my enthusiasm for either activity, and was particularly doubtful of the former, but he did not nag me much unless he feared I was making a truly ruinous investment. I would often sit in his study, on mornings where he was not otherwise engaged, and read aloud to him from sensational headlines in the Daily Newsmonger or the Daily Blare just like old days. > l Dining Room (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the dining area as well as the combined sitting room and study. I currently stood on the southern end, next to the dining table on which lay the daily papers. Miss Lemon's office was visible through a sliding window in the south wall, not far from the liquor cabinet. From here I could go north to approach Poirot's desk, or go east to the hallway. > x window Through the sliding window I could see Miss Lemon's office, which was currently empty. > s I tried not to make a habit of climbing through windows?except whenever Poirot and I needed to infiltrate a suspect's dwelling. > n Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. The desk's drawer was now closed. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. Thomas had followed me into the room and was quietly humming to himself. > n This room's exits are south and east. > e End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. Thomas had followed me into the room and was taking a moment to relax, standing with his hands in his pockets. > talk to tom He gave me a small smile. "Hello, Father." > e Poirot's Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) The contents of Poirot's bedroom were positioned with such attention to straightness and symmetry that crossing the threshold felt to me like stepping into the man's own fantastic mind. Cedric basked on the dresser underneath the window which faced the bed, defying the perfectly angular nature of his surroundings. The sideboard displayed a family photograph. On the floor near the wardrobe and mirror was a pair of monogrammed slippers. From here I could go south to our shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway's end. Thomas had followed me into the room and was absorbed in contemplation of familiar objects. > x slippers Poirot, in his dandyish and self-admiring manner, loved to have his most luxurious personal items inscribed with his elegant monogram of an intertwined H and P. He sometimes wore these dark velvety slippers around the house after his bath, when the day's schedule allowed him to keep a casual presentation. I confess that the aches of advancing middle age were making me crave comforts that I had scorned as a younger man, and I was tempted to procure some slippers of my own. > x photo One of the first photographs shot with our Kodak, some time after we settled in. It shows Poirot, the children and myself?along with Bob, who could not sit still and came out slightly blurred?arranged around my living room with joyous expressions as we posed for the camera. The sight of the great Hercule Poirot in his shirtsleeves, a small child on each knee, never failed to amuse and gladden me! > l Poirot's Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) The contents of Poirot's bedroom were positioned with such attention to straightness and symmetry that crossing the threshold felt to me like stepping into the man's own fantastic mind. Cedric basked on the dresser underneath the window which faced the bed, defying the perfectly angular nature of his surroundings. The sideboard displayed a family photograph. On the floor near the wardrobe and mirror was a pair of monogrammed slippers. From here I could go south to our shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway's end. > w End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. Thomas had followed me into the room and was arranging his clothing with surprising meticulousness. > s Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Thomas had followed me into the room and was taking a moment to relax, standing with his hands in his pockets. > save [A save file was successfully created. Please note that save files stored on the IFComp website could potentially disappear between visits?for any questions, or to attempt recovery of lost data, please contact the author at arthur.hastings@post.com ] > s Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Thomas had followed me into the room and was quietly humming to himself. > w Miss Lemon's Office (Poirot's Flat) The office was dominated by dozens of neatly-arranged cabinets housing Miss Lemon's precious filing system. A sliding window on the northern wall communicated with the dining area, allowing a clear view of Poirot's desk at the other end of the room. Aside from her typewriter, she presently had on her desk a shorthand pad, a statuette of a cat, and some zodiac charts. From here I could go east to the flat's entrance. The office was now empty, Miss Lemon having already left for the day. Thomas had followed me into the room and was absorbed in contemplation of familiar objects. > e Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Thomas had followed me into the room and was arranging his clothing with surprising meticulousness. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. Casually turning from his work, Poirot suddenly froze, his eye trained on my chest. "Mon ami, always you dress in haste! Your tie is crooked. Permit me?" Though I could not see anything wrong with my necktie's current state, I obligingly lifted my chin as Poirot began to adroitly re-do the knot. While he did so he murmured his approval at my choice of pattern, gazing at the fabric with warm reminiscence of the happy days we had shared all those years ago. Then, with a final adjustment and a satisfied smile, he returned to his cooking. Thomas had followed me into the room and was taking a moment to relax, standing with his hands in his pockets. > x bowl I glanced inside the bowl sitting near Poirot, which was being used to mix some sort of sauce. The appetizing smell made me impatient for dinner. > x fridge Thanks to Poirot's extraordinary professional success, as well as my own respectable savings, we had been able to afford some of the most advanced devices of the time. The refrigerator was a marvel of technology and I already struggled to imagine life without it. My friend's eating habits were still as queer as ever; for breakfast, alongside his drinking chocolate and the occasional French pastry, he typically had toast made from a square loaf of bread?which he then cut into smaller, perfectly even squares?and two eggs which must be of the exact same size. His grocer had taken to sorting out a special box of matched eggs, for which Poirot has been immensely grateful. > talk to poirot "En passant, Hastings, the Chief Inspector sends his regards. We should invite him again for dinner soon?he and his so-patient wife." Despite his tactless and sometimes offensive nature, Japp was a good man who we had often collaborated with in the pursuit of justice, and I enjoyed his visits. Poirot having been Chief of Police himself back in Belgium before pivoting to private detection, I fancied there was a friendly rivarly of sorts between them?in which my little friend almost always had the upper hand, though Japp and his force occasionally wound up taking the credit anyway. > s This room's exits are west. > n This room's exits are west. > w Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Thomas had followed me into the room and was quietly humming to himself. > w Miss Lemon's Office (Poirot's Flat) The office was dominated by dozens of neatly-arranged cabinets housing Miss Lemon's precious filing system. A sliding window on the northern wall communicated with the dining area, allowing a clear view of Poirot's desk at the other end of the room. Aside from her typewriter, she presently had on her desk a shorthand pad, a statuette of a cat, and some zodiac charts. From here I could go east to the flat's entrance. The office was now empty, Miss Lemon having already left for the day. Thomas had followed me into the room and was absorbed in contemplation of familiar objects. > x typerwriter That was not in my field of view?or if it was, it did not hold my attention. > x charts Miss Lemon prides herself on her encyclopedic knowledge of nearly any subject?a skill which Poirot has made use of more than once. One of her only weak points, I came to learn, was the intricacies of the mystical and esoteric systems which are not well understood by science. In recent months we had been learning together about mediumship, hypnosis, forms of divination such as the tarot and I Ching, and zodiacs both eastern and western. I found it all endlessly fascinating, though the eerieness of certain practices sometimes unsettled me. > x cat An elegant carved statuette of a cat which Poirot had brought back as a souvenir of our trip to Egypt. Miss Lemon was terribly fond of cats and owned a few herself?which, I suspect, is how she came to meet the veterinarian who she now worked for when she was not needed by Poirot. The man had apparently saved the life of one of her kittens and she was extremely fond of him. Designing a system to organize the files of feline patients of various breeds, she told me, was even more satisfying than sorting our own human clients. > l Miss Lemon's Office (Poirot's Flat) The office was dominated by dozens of neatly-arranged cabinets housing Miss Lemon's precious filing system. A sliding window on the northern wall communicated with the dining area, allowing a clear view of Poirot's desk at the other end of the room. Aside from her typewriter, she presently had on her desk a shorthand pad, a statuette of a cat, and some zodiac charts. From here I could go east to the flat's entrance. The office was now empty, Miss Lemon having already left for the day. > x system The minute details of Poirot's every case were stored in Miss Lemon's comprehensive filing system, which is her pride and joy. She happily turned up even on weekends to ensure everything was in order. Since my return, I had seen Poirot steadily become a lot more selective with his cases. He still delighted in tackling those particularly thorny mysteries which stimulated his "little grey cells", and maintained a steady income through solving problems for influential or high-paying clients?on occasion he also acted out of pity, helping a victim whose situation appeared hopeless?but on the whole he turned down many more cases than he accepted, kept significantly reduced office hours, and more often than not acted purely as a consultant. Owing to this new state of affairs, Miss Lemon did not have enough work to fill her days (nor enough new material to expand and refine her beloved system), and was growing restless. Poirot and I had encouraged her to seek part-time employment elsewhere, which she had done successfully; having a whole new filing system to elaborate seemed to bring her no end of pleasure. > x pad The shorthand pad was an integral part of Miss Lemon's arsenal, and I had often been impressed by the ease and speed with which she condensed complex instructions into a mere handful of symbols. > e Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Thomas had followed me into the room and was inspecting his surroundings very closely. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. Thomas had followed me into the room and was taking a moment to relax, standing with his hands in his pockets. > x poirot Poirot and I were a study in contrasts. The man was no taller than five feet, five inches, and had always possessed a delicately plump frame (which had grown slightly plumper of late, to his dismay). His attire was unapologetically foreign and dandified, subject at all times to his mania for neatness. He was by turns coolly commanding and demonstrative to an embarrassing degree. In spite of our many differences, we had become the dearest of friends in the pursuit of our shared interest in detection. > talk to poirot "It is on days such as this one that I miss the hearth we had in our old home! But I should not complain overly. The electric heating, it has been satisfactory." > talk to poirot Poirot suddenly winced at some light ache or chill. "Ah, je me fais douillet?I become too sensitive in my old age..." I vehemently reminded him that we were neither of us elderly just yet, and that I for one still felt possessed of ample fortitude. He laughed and went back to his work. > talk to poirot "Mon ami, you do not deceive me?I know that look in your eyes. You are hoping for a clue, non? Well, as you have accused me in the past, I am the human oyster. You will have to search for yourself!" > talk to poirot "Mon ami, you do not deceive me?I know that look in your eyes. You are hoping for a clue, non? Well, as you have accused me in the past, I am the human oyster. You will have to search for yourself!" > n This room's exits are west. > w Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. Thomas had followed me into the room and was absorbed in contemplation of familiar objects. > n Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Thomas had followed me into the room and was fiddling with a small magnifying-glass. > e The Guest Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) I had been occupying Poirot's guest bedroom since my return two years prior. My collection of mementos were hung and strewn all about. In front of the window stood a modest writing desk, bearing a notebook and a car guide. The wardrobe and mirror were placed nearby. Prominently displayed on the sideboard next to my bed was a picture of Cinderella. From here I could go north to the bathroom I share with Poirot, or go west to the flat's hallway. Thomas had followed me into the room and was quietly humming to himself. > w Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. Thomas had followed me into the room and was affecting an air of deep concentration. > w Dining Room (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the dining area as well as the combined sitting room and study. I currently stood on the southern end, next to the dining table on which lay the daily papers. Miss Lemon's office was visible through a sliding window in the south wall, not far from the liquor cabinet. From here I could go north to approach Poirot's desk, or go east to the hallway. Thomas had followed me into the room and was inspecting his surroundings very closely. > n Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase, which had a strange look, and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. The desk's drawer was now closed. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. Thomas had followed me into the room and was quietly humming to himself. > x bookcase Something about Poirot's bookcase caught my eye, but I could not immediately identify what it was. There were no obvious gaps in the books. Not a speck of dust to be seen, as usual. Then it struck me at once: the Poirot novels were all in a jumble! Instead of being neatly sorted by height, they were now arranged in a totally chaotic order. "Eureka!" I ejaculated, startling Thomas who rushed to join me in examining the books. Said ejaculation had sadly been premature, however. I did not have the faintest idea who could have done this or why?furthermore, I could not understand how Thomas and I had missed all this disorder during our earlier visits to the room. The boy was at present stroking his chin pensively, a deep furrow creasing his brow. >>>> Poirot coincidentally walked past the open door at that very moment, sweeping at his apron with his favourite little clothes-brush, and stopped in his tracks when he spotted us near the bookcase. "Ah, you find the disturbed object at last! Now there is only the matter of finding the culprit. Remember: the motive?the opportunity?the psychology?always it is they who reveal the truth of a case. You have already all the information that you need." Poirot had hardly finished speaking when Thomas suddenly came out of his trance and ran wide-eyed to his side. Leaning over, he whispered into Poirot's ear, and I saw a smile appear on my friend's face unlike any I had seen before. "Bravo, Thomas! You impress me very much!" My son was sporting a triumphant grin of his own; a Cheshire kitten to make the cat proud. >>>> Poirot turned to me. "It seems you have some 'catching-up' to do, my friend. No, no, do not despair, there is still time?simply take a moment to work your little grey cells, then come speak to me when you have found the solution. I will not allow you to throw the rag!" "Towel", said Thomas and I in unison. Poirot beamed with good humour. "Précisément. Now, if you will excuse me, I cannot leave the stove unsupervised for long. À tantôt, mes amis!" Before I could ask any questions, he had already gone back to his cooking. Thomas soon deserted me as well, announcing his intent to rejoin his siblings until dinner was ready. "Good-bye, father?and good luck!" >>>> Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase, which had a strange look, and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. The desk's drawer was now closed. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. > x bookcase Poirot's bookcase held tomes of all kinds, most of which were of the detective genre. Among the titles were The Leavenworth Case, Arsène Lupin: gentleman cambrioleur, Le mystère de la chambre jaune, The Cask, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?and, notably, the works of Ariadne Oliver. She is a friend of ours and a fellow author, though her stories are fictional rather than biographical and center an eccentric Finnish detective. Of course, my own writings featured prominently on the shelves, alongside those of other men who have accompanied Poirot on cases in my absence. Everything was there, from my earliest publications in The Sketch to all the full-length books that followed, and even their French translations. Poirot often complained about what he saw as the capital crime of publishers?not sticking to a unified format?and had endeavoured to sort his own collection by height. However, the order of the books had now been jumbled, and it fell to me to deduce the culprit. My attempt to gather clues by examining them further sadly proved fruitless. > e End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. > s Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. > e The Guest Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) I had been occupying Poirot's guest bedroom since my return two years prior. My collection of mementos were hung and strewn all about. In front of the window stood a modest writing desk, bearing a notebook and a car guide. The wardrobe and mirror were placed nearby. Prominently displayed on the sideboard next to my bed was a picture of Cinderella. From here I could go north to the bathroom I share with Poirot, or go west to the flat's hallway. > n Bathroom (Poirot's Flat) A distinctive feature of our flat's main bathroom was the imposing and luxurious clawfoot bathtub stretching underneath the window. On shelves near the mirror and sink lay an assortment of toiletries, including an impressive array of combs and a bottle of Revivit. From here I could go north to Poirot's bedroom, or go south to the guest bedroom. > n Poirot's Bedroom (Poirot's Flat) The contents of Poirot's bedroom were positioned with such attention to straightness and symmetry that crossing the threshold felt to me like stepping into the man's own fantastic mind. Cedric basked on the dresser underneath the window which faced the bed, defying the perfectly angular nature of his surroundings. The sideboard displayed a family photograph. On the floor near the wardrobe and mirror was a pair of monogrammed slippers. From here I could go south to our shared bathroom, or go west to the hallway's end. > w End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. > s Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to the guest bedroom, or go west to the dining room. > s Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > w Miss Lemon's Office (Poirot's Flat) The office was dominated by dozens of neatly-arranged cabinets housing Miss Lemon's precious filing system. A sliding window on the northern wall communicated with the dining area, allowing a clear view of Poirot's desk at the other end of the room. Aside from her typewriter, she presently had on her desk a shorthand pad, a statuette of a cat, and some zodiac charts. From here I could go east to the flat's entrance. The office was now empty, Miss Lemon having already left for the day. > e Entrance (Poirot's Flat) The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. > x poirot To speak of Poirot without mentioning his luxuriant moustaches is to commit a grave omission. He was inordinately proud of them, keeping them trimmed and pomaded in a supremely symmetrical manner. His black hair, which nowadays had mostly receded to the sides of his head and was slicked back gracefully, had also once been parted right down the middle. It could be difficult to take my friend seriously when his primness and vanity were manifesting in full force?however, I had come to realize that he actually preferred to be underestimated, and deemed it a valuable tactical advantage. > save [A save file was successfully created. Please note that save files stored on the IFComp website could potentially disappear between visits?for any questions, or to attempt recovery of lost data, please contact the author at arthur.hastings@post.com ] > talk to poirot "Ah, Hastings! Have you come to solve the mystery?" (Y/N) >> y Poirot smiled at me with a worrying twinkle in his eye. "You are sure, mon ami? You are ready to give your final response? Do not worry yourself for the culprit?there will be no consequence for such a minor infraction." (Y/N) >> y Who should I accuse? >tom "Pardon? I did not comprehend that name." >thomas Was I really prepared to accuse Thomas? (Y/N) >>y Poirot shook his head. "Non, our dear Thomas is definitively innocent!" After a theatrical pause, he smiled kindly and asked: "Surely you do not give your tongue to the cat already, mon cher? I will allow you to guess again, if you wish. What say you?" (Y/N) >>y I eagerly agreed and prepared my next theory. Who should I accuse? >poiroit "Pardon? I did not comprehend that name." >poirot Was I really prepared to accuse Poirot himself? (Y/N) >>y After a moment of surprise, Poirot beamed at me. "Yes! Yes! It was indeed I! I was the only one with the motive and the knowledge to commit the deed, as you have certainly realized?and the only people in the apartment at the time were you, myself, and Thomas. It was for me a child's game to exit the kitchen while you were not in view and perform my little trick." Turning back to his pots and pans, he continued: "You have done well, Hastings. You develop your grey cells at last!" "I'm awfully disappointed," I admitted. "I thought I had it right the first time around?" Poirot interrupted me. "It is true, it was veritably a case of the most simple. You should have been able to solve it on the first try, if you had applied more method to your thinking. But to one with a beautiful nature such as yours, it is not so easy to cast your doubts on a friend. And that trusting and honourable nature, it is worth all the little grey cells in the end! Now, if you please, fetch the children?dinner will be on the table soon..." >>>> Upon entering the dining room, the three younger Hastings surrounded Poirot to deliver enthusiastic greetings and impassioned pleas in a nearly unintelligible chorus. Thomas had no doubt shared the details of his special case and inadvertently stoked their envy. I was about to call them to order when Poirot chuckled obligingly, appeasing them with reassurances and calls of "Doucement! Un à la fois!" whilst he smoothed out the wrinkles they had inflicted on his clothes. As was his habit, he sat them around the table clockwise from tallest to shortest, leaving the chair at his right side for me. The food was succulent as always and elicited compliments from around the table which made Poirot preen and purr. By the meal's end the children had extracted from him promises of handcrafted mysteries, private tutoring, personalized desserts and even Monopoly lessons. My little friend had never been more in demand since the height of his career. Admiration is to Hercule Poirot as cream is to a cat, and indeed as we rose to clear the table he was the striking image of a smugly pleased Persian. >>>> It was only midway through washing the dishes that a feeling of great offense suddenly smote me. "Poirot! You lied!" "Pardon?" said Poirot, passing back a plate he had not deemed clean enough to be worthy of wiping dry. I scrubbed it vindictively as I elaborated on my thought. "When I came to see you with Thomas. You said there was something in your flat that had been disturbed. But there was nothing at all to find until you went and disturbed the books yourself?" "Mais bien sûr! What would you have me do, Hastings? Have a genuine case already prepared? It would have been a coincidence remarkable, that! And take note that I only said you would find something disturbed?you did?I made no other claims. It was merely an omission and not a lie." I scoffed in disbelief. "That's rot and you know it! A lie is a lie." In truth, my indignation had already passed. Thomas and I had undeniably enjoyed ourselves to-day and I recognized Poirot's good intentions. But I liked him to be fair and sporting in his mysteries, and felt a petty need to take him to task. Once more I extended the plate, which I had so vigorously scrubbed that it could not possibly fail to meet Poirot's standards again. When my friend failed to take it from my hand, I turned to find his hazel eyes fixed on me in comically exaggerated solicitude. "Mon ami?I have hurt you? I am desolated! I offer you a thousand excuses. Non, thirty-six thousand! Or even?" I burst out in laughter despite myself, unable to maintain my cold façade, and benevolently saved him from further multiplications. Our conversation continued in good humour as we finished cleaning up. >>>> The rest of the evening went by quickly. As promised by the weathermen, the skies had cleared up by sunset, and all seven of us went out for a nice long stroll. When it was time for the children to turn in for the night, both Poirot and I were requisitioned for bedtime stories and tucking-ins. I walked past the girls' bedroom?taking a moment to make sure Poirot was not reading from one of the ghastlier French fairy tales?to go wish the boys good-night. Robert was already curled up under the sheets, rabbit in hand and Bob at the foot of his bed, while Thomas was engrossed in The Big Four and had to be coaxed to put it away for the night. I came out of their room just in time for the end of Poirot's story. "Ils vécurent heureux et eurent beaucoup d'enfants." He walked out soon after. "Bonne nuit, mes chéries?have beautiful dreams!" >>>> Finally, as Poirot and I had a nightcap in his study, I dwelt on the past day?which had, in many ways, been a distillation of the changes our lives had undergone since I made the decision to come home from the Argentine. My friend appeared to share my contemplative mood and was gazing out the window with a dreamy expression. Looking at this extraordinary man who had supported and cared for us through these harrowing times, I suddenly felt remiss. "Thank you," I blurted out. He turned to me, looking confused. "What for, mon ami?" I was wrong-footed. "For?well?you know. All of your help, and your patience with the children?" Poirot raised a hand, mercifully putting an end to my floundering. "Non, non," he implored. His vehemence surprised me. "It is I who should thank you. Do you know, Hastings?" I waited for him to continue, but he stayed silent for long moments. >>>> When he finally spoke, it was with a dismissive wave of the hand. "Never mind it. I grow sentimental in my old age, that is all." I winced. It pained me to hear Poirot call himself old?it seemed an indirect attack on my own bygone youth. My friend loves to be mysterious; any intriguing crumbs of information he deigns to hand out often serve the sole purpose of inviting admiration and interest in his genius. For once I got the impression that he was not playing coy, but was genuinely embarrassed. This only aroused my curiosity further. Sensing that I had no intention of letting the matter slide, Poirot relented with a sigh and picked up where he had left off. "Do you know," he started, gazing deeply into his sirop de cassis, "that the day we began our war on the Big Four is one that I have regretted most bitterly?" I stared at him, uncomprehending. "Regretted? But we had a near-flawless victory! You called it 'the great case of your life'!" He smiled a touch ruefully. "Perhaps. But often and often I have wondered what could have been. When you returned from your ranch to visit, you will recall, I was on my way to retire to South America. Then the Big Four?the reveal of their plans?our adventures over these many months?and when it was all finished, the opportunity had passed... instead, I resigned myself to attempt to grow the vegetable marrows again, here in England. Someday, peut-être, they would cease to annoy and enrage me." >>>> He was looking at me now. His eyes shone green in the lamplight. "But, mon cher, now I have the good fortune to cultivate something infinitely more important than vegetable marrows: the curious and clever young minds. And they are unutterably dear to me?as is their father." It was now my turn to gaze into my drink, and I felt myself flush. I had never been much good at emotional conversations and was already feeling another fluster coming on. "Thomas won't stop talking about you, you know," I offered. "I'm afraid that someday I'll find him parting his hair in the middle just to impress you!" Poirot gave a loud, gleeful laugh. "Ah, there is hope for the boy yet?unlike his father! But I admit it, the un-symmetrical style, it suits you after all. And the grey at your temples?très distingué!" I was caught between the pleasure of the praise and the embarrassment of my hair being discussed at all. It was still a sore point for me. >>>> I glanced back up as Poirot drank the last of his liqueur. "He has the great brain, our Thomas," he mused. "But also your beautiful heart. I hope the years do not change that in him..." Before I could muster a response to the latest in a series of disarming compliments?which Poirot had an uncanny talent for delivering?my friend stood and consulted his pocket-watch. "Bon, I have kept you long enough! It grows late, and to-morrow is a school day." Passing by my arm-chair, he stopped to put his hand on my shoulder, and beamed affectionately on me. "Bonne nuit, Arthur." >>>> I sat there for some time after Poirot retired, lost in thought, feeling pleasantly warm despite the evening's chill. Once the sounds of his bedtime preparations had subsided, I willed myself to rise and follow suit. >>>> Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. The desk's drawer was now closed. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. > undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. >undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. >undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. >undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. >undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. > undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. > undo Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. > undo Entrance (Poirot's Flat) [Previous turn undone.] The entrance to Poirot's flat was flanked by a small closet on one side and a lavatory on the other. A stand for our coats and hats stood near the door. Poirot's walking stick had been carefully laid against the wall. From here I could go out the front door, go north along the hallway, go east to the kitchen, or go west to Miss Lemon's office. > e Kitchen (Poirot's Flat) Poirot's kitchen, spotless as always, was equipped with some of the latest and greatest technologies. The window was framed by sturdy cabinets and the counter underneath it bore an espresso machine alongside a small mixing bowl. The refrigerator occupied a corner of the room. From here I could go west to the flat's entrance. Hercule Poirot stood here in his apron, busying himself with meal preparation. > talk to poirot "Ah, Hastings! Have you come to solve the mystery?" (Y/N) >> yes Poirot smiled at me with a worrying twinkle in his eye. "You are sure, mon ami? You are ready to give your final response? Do not worry yourself for the culprit?there will be no consequence for such a minor infraction." (Y/N) >> y Who should I accuse? >Poirot Was I really prepared to accuse Poirot himself? (Y/N) >>y After a moment of surprise, Poirot beamed at me. "Yes! Yes! It was indeed I! I was the only one with the motive and the knowledge to commit the deed, as you have certainly realized?and the only people in the apartment at the time were you, myself, and Thomas. It was for me a child's game to exit the kitchen while you were not in view and perform my little trick." Turning back to his pots and pans, he continued: "You have done well, Hastings. You develop your grey cells at last!" I responded demurely. "It's nothing special. It was rather obvious, really. A clear contradiction?" Poirot interrupted me. "Ah, you Englishmen. Always the supreme modesty! It is true, it was veritably a case of the most simple. But to one with a beautiful nature such as yours, it is not so easy to cast your doubts on a friend. I admit it, I underestimated you, and thought that you would fail; I was an imbecile to do so! Now, if you please, fetch the children?dinner will be on the table soon..." >>>> Upon entering the dining room, the three younger Hastings surrounded Poirot to deliver enthusiastic greetings and impassioned pleas in a nearly unintelligible chorus. Thomas had no doubt shared the details of his special case and inadvertently stoked their envy. I was about to call them to order when Poirot chuckled obligingly, appeasing them with reassurances and calls of "Doucement! Un à la fois!" whilst he smoothed out the wrinkles they had inflicted on his clothes. As was his habit, he sat them around the table clockwise from tallest to shortest, leaving the chair at his right side for me. The food was succulent as always and elicited compliments from around the table which made Poirot preen and purr. By the meal's end the children had extracted from him promises of handcrafted mysteries, private tutoring, personalized desserts and even Monopoly lessons. My little friend had never been more in demand since the height of his career. Admiration is to Hercule Poirot as cream is to a cat, and indeed as we rose to clear the table he was the striking image of a smugly pleased Persian. >>>> Midway through washing the dishes, I suddenly had an urge to confront Poirot. "You know, that mystery was all well and good, but it wasn't very fair." Pardon?" said Poirot, passing back a plate he had not deemed clean enough to be worthy of wiping dry. I scrubbed it nonchalantly as I elaborated on my thought. "When I came to see you with Thomas. You said there was something in your flat that had been disturbed. But there was nothing at all to find until you went and disturbed the books yourself?" "Mais bien sûr! What would you have me do, Hastings? Have a genuine case already prepared? It would have been a coincidence remarkable, that! And take note that I only said you would find something disturbed?you did?I made no other claims. It was merely an omission and not a lie." I scoffed in disbelief. "That's rot and you know it! A lie is a lie." I privately congratulated myself on playing my role to perfection. I liked Poirot to be sporting in his mysteries, and felt a petty need to take him to task. Once more I extended the plate, which I had so exhaustively scrubbed that it could not possibly fail to meet Poirot's standards again. When my friend failed to take it from my hand, I turned to find his hazel eyes fixed on me in twinkling amusement. "Come now, Hastings?have you not succeeded in proving yourself with this little case? I pray of you, do not enrage yourself!" His tone suggested that he considered my forgiveness a foregone conclusion, and I felt my cold façade crumbling under the weight of his earnestly expectant gaze. My involuntary smile did not escape his notice. His air of blithe satisfaction as he puffed out his chest and went back to work caused me to burst out in laughter despite myself, and our conversation continued in good humour as we finished cleaning up. >>>> The rest of the evening went by quickly. As promised by the weathermen, the skies had cleared up by sunset, and all seven of us went out for a nice long stroll. When it was time for the children to turn in for the night, both Poirot and I were requisitioned for bedtime stories and tucking-ins. I walked past the girls' bedroom?taking a moment to make sure Poirot was not reading from one of the ghastlier French fairy tales?to go wish the boys good-night. Robert was already curled up under the sheets, rabbit in hand and Bob at the foot of his bed, while Thomas was engrossed in The Big Four and had to be coaxed to put it away for the night. I came out of their room just in time for the end of Poirot's story. "Ils vécurent heureux et eurent beaucoup d'enfants." He walked out soon after. "Bonne nuit, mes chéries?have beautiful dreams!" >>>> Finally, as Poirot and I had a nightcap in his study, I dwelt on the past day?which had, in many ways, been a distillation of the changes our lives had undergone since I made the decision to come home from the Argentine. My friend appeared to share my contemplative mood and was gazing out the window with a dreamy expression. Looking at this extraordinary man who had supported and cared for us through these harrowing times, I suddenly felt remiss. "Thank you," I blurted out. He turned to me, looking confused. "What for, mon ami?" I was wrong-footed. "For?well?you know. All of your help, and your patience with the children?" Poirot raised a hand, mercifully putting an end to my floundering. "Non, non," he implored. His vehemence surprised me. "It is I who should thank you. Do you know, Hastings?" I waited for him to continue, but he stayed silent for long moments. >>>> When he finally spoke, it was with a dismissive wave of the hand. "Never mind it. I grow sentimental in my old age, that is all." I winced. It pained me to hear Poirot call himself old?it seemed an indirect attack on my own bygone youth. My friend loves to be mysterious; any intriguing crumbs of information he deigns to hand out often serve the sole purpose of inviting admiration and interest in his genius. For once I got the impression that he was not playing coy, but was genuinely embarrassed. This only aroused my curiosity further. Sensing that I had no intention of letting the matter slide, Poirot relented with a sigh and picked up where he had left off. "Do you know," he started, gazing deeply into his sirop de cassis, "that the day we began our war on the Big Four is one that I have regretted most bitterly?" I stared at him, uncomprehending. "Regretted? But we had a near-flawless victory! You called it 'the great case of your life'!" He smiled a touch ruefully. "Perhaps. But often and often I have wondered what could have been. When you returned from your ranch to visit, you will recall, I was on my way to retire to South America. Then the Big Four?the reveal of their plans?our adventures over these many months?and when it was all finished, the opportunity had passed... instead, I resigned myself to attempt to grow the vegetable marrows again, here in England. Someday, peut-être, they would cease to annoy and enrage me." >>>> He was looking at me now. His eyes shone green in the lamplight. "But, mon cher, now I have the good fortune to cultivate something infinitely more important than vegetable marrows: the curious and clever young minds. And they are unutterably dear to me?as is their father." It was now my turn to gaze into my drink, and I felt myself flush. I had never been much good at emotional conversations and was already feeling another fluster coming on. "Thomas won't stop talking about you, you know," I offered. "I'm afraid that someday I'll find him parting his hair in the middle just to impress you!" Poirot gave a loud, gleeful laugh. "Ah, there is hope for the boy yet?unlike his father! But I admit it, the un-symmetrical style, it suits you after all. And the grey at your temples?très distingué!" I was caught between the pleasure of the praise and the embarrassment of my hair being discussed at all. It was still a sore point for me. >>>> I glanced back up as Poirot drank the last of his liqueur. "He has the great brain, our Thomas," he mused. "But also your beautiful heart. I hope the years do not change that in him..." Before I could muster a response to the latest in a series of disarming compliments?which Poirot had an uncanny talent for delivering?my friend stood and consulted his pocket-watch. "Bon, I have kept you long enough! It grows late, and to-morrow is a school day." Passing by my arm-chair, he stopped to put his hand on my shoulder, and beamed affectionately on me. "Bonne nuit, Arthur." >>>> I sat there for some time after Poirot retired, lost in thought, feeling pleasantly warm despite the evening's chill. Once the sounds of his bedtime preparations had subsided, I willed myself to rise and follow suit. >>>> Study (Poirot's Flat) The principal room of Poirot's flat encompassed the combined sitting room and study as well as the dining area. I currently stood on the northern end, next to the sofa and arm-chairs which I had so often enjoyed lounging in, and their accompanying side table which held an ashtray. Side by side against the well-adorned wall stood the bookcase and a cupboard supporting the wireless and the gramophone. Poirot's desk was placed opposite the seats, near the window. On it was the morning's correspondence surrounded by an array of items aligned with astonishing precision. Alongside the standard writing implements were a paper-knife, a cup of tisane, and a small velvet cat. The desk's drawer was now closed. From here I could go south to step into the dining area, or go east to the hallway's end. > e End of Hallway (Poirot's Flat) The flat's hallway ended here, capped off by a single window. From here I could go south along the hallway, go east to Poirot's bedroom, or go west to Poirot's study. > e I held back from entering Poirot's room, not wishing to disturb him. > s Hallway (Poirot's Flat) I now stood in the centre of the small hallway which traverses Poirot's flat from south to north. From here I could go north to the hallway's end, go south to the flat's entrance, go east to my bedroom, or go west to the dining room. > e As I stepped into my bedroom and began preparing for bed, I indulged in pleasurable imaginings of what the next day would surely bring. A brisk constitutional with Bob?an animated breakfast with the children?stimulating conversation with Poirot? and then? *** The End *** Would you like to RESTART, RESTORE a saved game, QUIT or UNDO the last command? > quit