Sad Cypress (Hercule Poirot 22)

“You didn’t suggest that the morphia had been left on the mantelpiece in your cottage?”

“Well, when I couldn’t find it I thought that must have been what had happened.”

“In fact, you didn’t really know what you’d done with it!”

“Yes, I did. I put it in the case.”

“Then why did you suggest on the morning of June 29th that you had left it at home?”

“Because I thought I might have done.”

“I put it to you that you’re a very careless woman.”

“That’s not true.”

“You make rather inaccurate statements sometimes, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t. I’m very careful what I say.”

“Did you make a remark about a prick from a rose tree on July 27th—the day of Mary Gerrard’s death?”

“I don’t see what that’s got to do with it!”

The judge said:

“Is that relevant, Sir Edwin?”

“Yes, my lord, it is an essential part of the defence, and I intend to call witnesses to prove that that statement was a lie.”

He resumed:

“Do you still say you pricked your wrist on a rose tree on July 27th?”

“Yes, I did.”

Nurse Hopkins looked defiant.

“When did you do that?”

“Just before leaving the Lodge and coming up to the house on the morning of July 27th.”

Sir Edwin said sceptically:

“And what rose tree was this?”

“A climbing one just outside the Lodge, with pink flowers.”

“You’re sure of that?”

“I’m quite sure.”

Sir Edwin paused and then asked:

“You persist in saying the morphia was in the attaché case when you came to Hunterbury on June 28th?”

“I do. I had it with me.”

“Supposing that presently Nurse O’Brien goes into the box and swears that you said you had probably left it at home?”