The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-09-03

I luigi ss and I am not at all sure what
Anything I can do, Monsieur"
discretely "a away. d st Sagh; 1a Gsrte srlp %as
returning to the table.
I'VE are still deserted, MIR. Garter"
said Poirot.
"Oh-er-quite," said the other.
you know Mr.. Barton Russell well?"
Yes, known him q good while"
His sister-in-law, little Miss Wealth
erby, is very charming"
Eyes, pretty girl"
You know her well, too?"
Quite"
oh, quite, quite!" said Poirot.
Carter stared at him.
The music stopped and the others
Barton Russell said to a waiter:
Another bottle of champagne
quickly
Then he raised his glass.
See here, folks. I'm going to ask
you to drink a toast. To tell the truth,
there's an idea back of this little party
tonight. As you know, I ordered a table
gave us an empty place. Then, by a
very strange coincidence, M. Hercule
Poirot happened to pass by, and I asked
him to join Jul party.
You don't know yet what an apt
coincidence that was. You see that
empty seat tonight represents a lady
the lady in whose memory this party
gentlemen, is being held in memory
of my dear wife-Iris-who died ex.
actly four years ago on this very date!"
There was a startled movement round
the table. Barton Russell, his face quite
impassive, raised his glass;
I'll ask you to drink to her memory.
Iris!"
"Iris?" said Poirot sharply.
He looked at the flowers. Barton
Russell caught his glance and gently
nodded his head.
There were little murmurs round
the table.
"Iris-Iris ..." .
Everyone looked startled and un-
comfortable.
Barton Russell went on, speaking
with his slow m~onotonous American
intonation, each word coming out
weightily.
1T may seem odd to you all that
I should celebrate the anniversary of
a death in this way-by a supper party
in a fashionable restaurant. But I have
a reason-yeS, 7 have a reason. For
M. Poirot's benefit, I'll explain"
He turned his head towards Poirot.
-Four years ago tonight, M. Poirot,
there was a supper party held in New
York. At it were my wife and myself,
MI. Stephen Carter, who was attached
Anthony Chapel, who had been a guest
in our house for some weeks, and
Sonora Valdez, who was at that time
enchanting New York City with her
dancing. Little Pauline here" he pat
ted her shoulder, was only l6 but she
came to the supper party as a special
treat. You remember, Pauline?'
II remember-yes." Her voice shook
M. Poirot, on that night a tragedy
happened. There was a roll of drums
and the cabaret started. The lights
went DOWNFALL but a spotlight in the
middle of the floor. When the lights
went on again. NJ. Poirot, my wife was
esn to t. have ~ fallen s forward dsad on 1.-THE the
was potassium cyanide found in the
dregs of her wineglass,. and the remains
handbag"
She had committed suicide?" said
Poirot.
perhaps, a possible reason for such an
action-the: police thought SO. I &C
cepted their decision"
He pounded suddenly on the table.
But I was not satisfied :. No, for
four years I've been thinking and
brooding-and I'm not satisfied. I
don't believe Iris killed herself. I be-
leve, N. 'Poirot. that she was muir
dered-by n Of those people at the
table. Some n who, under cover Of
the darkness, slipped the half -emptied
packet Of cyanide into her handbag.
I think I know which Of them it was.
I mean to know the truth"
Lola's voice roSe sharply.