Sad Cypress (Hercule Poirot 22)

“If the alternative theory suggested by the Defence is possible and consistent with the evidence, the accused must be acquitted.

“I will ask you to consider the verdict with courage and diligence, weighing only the evidence that has been put before you.”

III

Elinor was brought back into the court.

The jury filed in.

“Gentlemen of the jury, are you agreed upon your verdict?”

“Yes.”

“Look upon the prisoner at the bar, and say whether she is guilty or not guilty.”

“Not guilty….”

Five

They had brought her out by a side door.

She had been aware of faces welcoming her… Roddy…the detective with the big moustaches….

But it was to Peter Lord that she turned.

“I want to get away….”

She was with him now in the smooth Daimler, driving rapidly out of London.

He had said nothing to her. She had sat in the blessed silence.

Every minute taking her farther and farther away.

A new life….

That was what she wanted….

A new life.

She said suddenly:

“I—I want to go somewhere quiet…where there won’t be any faces….”

Peter Lord said quietly:

“That’s all arranged. You’re going to a sanatorium. Quiet place. Lovely gardens. No one will bother you—or get at you.”

She said with a sigh:

“Yes—that’s what I want….”

It was being a doctor, she supposed, that made him understand. He knew—and didn’t bother her. So blessedly peaceful to be here with him, going away from it all, out of London…to a place that was safe….

She wanted to forget—forget everything… None of it was real any longer. It was all gone, vanished, finished with—the old life and the old emotions. She was a new, strange, defenceless creature, very crude and raw, beginning all over again. Very strange and very afraid….

But it was comforting to be with Peter Lord….

They were out of London now, passing through suburbs.