Read Cards on the Table for Free Online Page B

they are foolish, these questions that I ask? But it is not so. I want to get at the characters of these four players, and when it is only about bridge I ask, everyone is ready and willing to speak.”
    â€œI never think your questions foolish, M. Poirot,” said Battle. “I’ve seen too much of your work. Everyone’s got their own ways of working. I know that. I give my inspectors a free hand always. Everyone’s got to find out for themselves what method suits them best. But we’d better not discuss that now. We’ll have the girl in.”
    Anne Meredith was upset. She stopped in the doorway. Her breath came unevenly.
    Superintendent Battle was immediately fatherly. He rose, set a chair for her at a slightly different angle.
    â€œSit down, Miss Meredith, sit down, Now, don’t be alarmed. I know all this seems rather dreadful, but it’s not so bad, really.”
    â€œI don’t think anything could be worse,” said the girl in a low voice. “It’s so awful—so awful —to think that one of us—that one of us —”
    â€œYou let me do the thinking,” said Battle kindly. “Now, then, Miss Meredith, suppose we have your address first of all.”
    â€œWendon Cottage, Wallingford.”
    â€œNo address in town?”
    â€œNo, I’m staying at my club for a day or two.”
    â€œAnd your club is?”
    â€œLadies’ Naval and Military.”
    â€œGood. Now, then, Miss Meredith, how well did you know Mr. Shaitana?”
    â€œI didn’t know him well at all. I always thought he was a most frightening man.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œOh, well he was! That awful smile! And a way he had of bending over you. As though he might bite you.”
    â€œHad you known him long?”
    â€œAbout nine months. I met him in Switzerland during the winter sports.”
    â€œI should never have thought he went in for winter sports,” said Battle, surprised.
    â€œHe only skated. He was a marvellous skater. Lots of figures and tricks.”
    â€œYes, that sounds more like him. And did you see much of him after that?”
    â€œWell—a fair amount. He asked me to parties and things like that. They were rather fun.”
    â€œBut you didn’t like him himself?”
    â€œNo, I thought he was a shivery kind of man.”
    Battle said gently:
    â€œBut you’d no special reason for being afraid of him?”
    Anne Meredith raised wide limpid eyes to his.
    â€œSpecial reason? Oh, no.”
    â€œThat’s all right, then. Now about tonight. Did you leave your seat at all?”
    â€œI don’t think so. Oh, yes, I may have done once. I went round to look at the others’ hands.”
    â€œBut you stayed by the bridge table all the time?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œQuite sure, Miss Meredith?”
    The girl’s cheeks flamed suddenly.
    â€œNo—no, I think I walked about.”
    â€œRight. You’ll excuse me, Miss Meredith, but try and speak the truth. I know you’re nervous, and when one’s nervous one’s apt to—well, to say the thing the way you want it to be. But that doesn’t really pay in the end. You walked about. Did you walk over in the direction of Mr. Shaitana?”
    The girl was silent for a minute, then she said:
    â€œHonestly— honestly —I don’t remember.”
    â€œWell, we’ll leave it that you may have done. Know anything about the other three?”
    The girl shook her head.
    â€œI’ve never seen any of them before.”
    â€œWhat do you think of them? Any likely murderers amongst them?”
    â€œI can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it. It couldn’t be Major Despard. And I don’t believe it could be the doctor—after all, adoctor could kill anyone in much easier ways. A drug—or something like that.”
    â€œThen, if it’s anyone, you think it’s Mrs.