The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie I GO TO STYLES CHAPTER I The intense interest aroused in public by what was known at the time as “The Styles Case” has now somewhat subsided. Nevertheless, in view of the world-wide notoriety which attended it, I have been asked, both by my friend Poirot and the family themselves, to write an account of the whole story. This, we trust, will effectually silence the sensational rumours which still persist. I will therefore briefly set down the circumstances which led to my being connected with the affair. I had been invalided ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE 16TH AND 17TH OF JULY CHAPTER II. I had arrived Styles on the 5th of July. I come now to the events of the 16th and 17th of that month. For the convenience of the reader I will recapitulate the incidents of those days in as exact a manner as possible. They were elicited subsequently at the trial by a process of long and tedious cross-examinations. I received a letter from Evelyn Howard a couple of days after her departure, telling me she was working as a nurse at the ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE NIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY CHAPTER III To make this part my story clear, I append the following plan of the first floor of Styles. The servants’ rooms are reached through the door B. They have no communication with the right wing, where the Inglethorps’ rooms were situated. 01 It seemed to be the middle of the night when I was awakened by Lawrence Cavendish. He had a candle in his hand, and the agitation of his face told me at once that something was seriously wrong. “What’s the matter?” I ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie POIROT INVESTIGATES CHAPTER IV The house which the Belgians occupied in village was quite close to the park gates. One could save time by taking a narrow path through the long grass, which cut off the detours of the winding drive. So I, accordingly, went that way. I had nearly reached the lodge, when my attention was arrested by the running figure of a man approaching me. It was Mr. Inglethorp. Where had he been? How did he intend to explain his absence? He accosted me eagerly. “My God! This is ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie IT ISN’T STRYCHNINE, IS IT? CHAPTER V “Where did you find I asked Poirot, in lively curiosity. “In the waste-paper basket. You recognise the handwriting?” “Yes, it is Mrs. Inglethorp’s. But what does it mean?” Poirot shrugged his shoulders. “I cannot say—but it is suggestive.” A wild idea flashed across me. Was it possible that Mrs. Inglethorp’s mind was deranged? Had she some fantastic idea of demoniacal possession? And, if that were so, was it not also possible that she might have taken her own life? I was about to expound ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE INQUEST CHAPTER VI In the interval before the inquest, Poirot unfailing in his activity. Twice he was closeted with Mr. Wells. He also took long walks into the country. I rather resented his not taking me into his confidence, the more so as I could not in the least guess what he was driving at. It occurred to me that he might have been making inquiries at Raikes’s farm; so, finding him out when I called at Leastways Cottage on Wednesday evening, I walked over there by the fields, hoping ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie POIROT PAYS HIS DEBTS CHAPTER VII As we came out of Stylites Arms, Poirot drew me aside by a gentle pressure of the arm. I understood his object. He was waiting for the Scotland Yard men. In a few moments, they emerged, and Poirot at once stepped forward, and accosted the shorter of the two. “I fear you do not remember me, Inspector Japp.” “Why, if it isn’t Mr. Poirot!” cried the Inspector. He turned to the other man. “You’ve heard me speak of Mr. Poirot? It was in 1904 he ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie FRESH SUSPICIONS CHAPTER VIII There was a moment’s stupefied silence. Japp, was the least surprised of any of us, was the first to speak. “My word,” he cried, “you’re the goods! And no mistake, Mr. Poirot! These witnesses of yours are all right, I suppose?” “_Voilà!_ I have prepared a list of them—names and addresses. You must see them, of course. But you will find it all right.” “I’m sure of that.” Japp lowered his voice. “I’m much obliged to you. A pretty mare’s nest arresting him would have been.” He ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie DR. BAUERSTEIN CHAPTER IX I had had no opportunity as yet passing on Poirot’s message to Lawrence. But now, as I strolled out on the lawn, still nursing a grudge against my friend’s high-handedness, I saw Lawrence on the croquet lawn, aimlessly knocking a couple of very ancient balls about, with a still more ancient mallet. It struck me that it would be a good opportunity to deliver my message. Otherwise, Poirot himself might relieve me of it. It was true that I did not quite gather its purport, but I ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE ARREST CHAPTER X To my extreme annoyance, Poirot was not and the old Belgian who answered my knock informed me that he believed he had gone to London. I was dumbfounded. What on earth could Poirot be doing in London! Was it a sudden decision on his part, or had he already made up his mind when he parted from me a few hours earlier? I retraced my steps to Styles in some annoyance. With Poirot away, I was uncertain how to act. Had he foreseen this arrest? Had he ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION CHAPTER XI The trial of John for the murder of his stepmother took place two months later. Of the intervening weeks I will say little, but my admiration and sympathy went out unfeignedly to Mary Cavendish. She ranged herself passionately on her husband’s side, scorning the mere idea of his guilt, and fought for him tooth and nail. I expressed my admiration to Poirot, and he nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, she is of those women who show at their best in adversity. It brings out all that ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie THE LAST LINK CHAPTER XII Poirot’s abrupt departure had intrigued us greatly. Sunday morning wore away, and still he did not reappear. But about three o’clock a ferocious and prolonged hooting outside drove us to the window, to see Poirot alighting from a car, accompanied by Japp and Summerhaye. The little man was transformed. He radiated an absurd complacency. He bowed with exaggerated respect to Mary Cavendish. “Madame, I have your permission to hold a little _réunion_ in the _salon_? It is necessary for everyone to attend.” Mary smiled sadly. “You ...Read More

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie POIROT EXPLAINS CHAPTER XIII. “Poirot, you old villain,” I said, “I’ve a mind to strangle you! What do you mean by deceiving me as you have done?” We were sitting in the library. Several hectic days lay behind us. In the room below, John and Mary were together once more, while Alfred Inglethorp and Miss Howard were in custody. Now at last, I had Poirot to myself, and could relieve my still burning curiosity. Poirot did not answer me for a moment, but at last he said: “I did not deceive ...Read More