Poirot's
Lacrosse Stick Mystery
I
The body was lying face up…
"This is a most unusual case," said Poirot, as he bent over the body of Lord Edgar.
"I knew that when I saw it," said Lady Alice, wife of Lord Edgar, who was looking distraught. "I walked into the drawing room, to fetch a book I left it here, and it was dark and I tripped over something soft. I hastened to turn the light on, and I saw the body. It gave me such a fright!" Her voice went up an octave whilst she spoke.
"Do not fret Mademoiselle, it will be fine," said Poirot soothingly. "It was good of you to act so calmly by telephoning the police. Now what was the time when you discovered the body? Did you perchance happen to look at a clock?"
"Yes," said Lady Alice slowly "There's a clock outside the drawing room, I looked at it on my way in, and it was just before 10 o'clock"
"Merci," said Poirot "It is good that you can remember. Now, do you have any idea where the murder weapon came from?"
"NO!" said Lady Alice forcefully, "No one here plays lacrosse, and no one would own a stick if they didn't!"
"Then this is then really most unusual, and that is saying quite a bit considering some cases I have had. What intrigues me is why would the murderer leave such an obvious weapon with the body?" said Poirot slowly "Do they not have any sense?"
"Oh, will you be able to find out who did it?" burst out Lady Alice, beginning to cry.
"Do not cry Mademoiselle, I am sure inspector Jefferson and I can get to the bottom of this. I think you should go and lie down, this has been very stressful for you."
Poirot ushered her from the room, and inspector Jefferson entered.
"Nasty business this is" he said thoughtfully. "Never seen anything like it. A lacrosse stick as the murder weapon, what a strange choice…"
"It indeed has never been done, at least as far as I know" said Poirot, with a faraway look on his face, as though he was thinking hard "We should interview the other occupants of the house, to see where they were at the time of the murder."
"Precisely what I was thinking," said Inspector Jefferson hastily, "you know, old chap, I'm very flattered to be working with you, your really have a sixth sense when it comes to murder"
"No, I just see what other overlook." said Poirot, trying to seem modest, "We should talk to Mademoiselle O'Dreir, the head maid here at Heatherfield Castle. They left the room to begin their interviews.
