5) The Sittaford Mystery

Inspector Narracott: The Sittaford Mystery

Murdered:

Captain Joseph Trevelyan:

- Had been prophesized to die by the 'Tommy Rot', the table turning seance, at 5.25am.

- was found died in the house at Exhampton; struck by a dark green baize tube.

- known to be women hater; disliked his servant, Mr Evan to marry a girl.

- Pro at skiing

- left a will that the inheritance goes to Pearson family, which is his nephew's family.

Crime Scene at Captain Trevelyan's house:

-window : deliberately broken rather than the burglar broke in

-because the window was not locked and forced open

- house was messed=> burglary?

- the trail to the house was covered by snow

- hence it was suspected to be done by a person whom Trevelyan knew.

'Tommy Rot' - the seance:

- conducted at Three Crown Motel at Sittaford, six miles away from Exhampton.

- characters involved: Major Burnably, Mr Ryrott, Violet, Mrs Willet, Ronnie Garfield and Miss Percehouse

- engaged a spirit called 'Ida', made some prophesy that seems to be

- The table could be shoved by someone.

It brings abomination to cheat with the spirits.

Suspects:

1) Evans:

- claimed that he did not return on that night, following his considerable master's order

- married to a girl whom Trevelyan did not like.

- claimed to be with his wife at home

2) Mrs Gardner- Trev's sis

- could have done it for inheritance because Trev was rich

- but has no news about pressing for money

3) Jim Pearson, nephew of Trev

- was seen visiting Trev on that night

- had ran away after hearing the news of death of Trev

- rather slow and edgy but has a clever solicitor, Miss Emily to be his fiance

- being the prime suspect, he was kept in prison while Miss Emily was out proving his innocence.

4) Charles Enderly, political journalist

- wanted to get close to Trevelyan to get hot news

- was working with Miss Emily to look for clues

- eying for Miss Emily to leave Jim for him

5) Major Burnably, close associate with Captain Trevelyan

- a friend who enjoy many activities with Captain Trevelyan.

- owed his life to Captain Trevelyan in the war time.

Clue:

- Ski Boot found hidden in the chimney, did not match with Trev's ski

- letter from the press about some research paper that was credited under Burnably's name.

Lead:

- Sittaford to Exhampton is downhill.

Battle Bk2: The Seven Dials Mystery

Superintendent Battle: The Seven Dials Mystery

Murdered:

--> Gerry Wade

-was found dead while sleeping

- Most likely he woke up in the middle of the night and drank a glass of water which was beside his bed and was poisoned by it.

Curious Mystery:

- Gerry Wade was a very sound sleeper who would not wake up even with large disturbance.

- The guests in the Lord Caterham decided to play a prank on Gerry Wade, by setting up eight alarm clocks in his room.

- The guest found it surprising that Gerry was still dead sleeping even there were 8 alarms ringing. More so when they found him dead.

The Seven dials?

- 7clocks were lined up in Gerry's room instead of 8. The last one was found thrown out of the window.

- Gerry mentioned it in is his last letter.

- A man was shot, came to Bundle and mentioned about the seven dial and 'Tell Jimmy Thesiger'.

- The 'Seven Dial' could be a place or a club or even a syndicate group.

The Seven dial meeting:

( 7 clock masked people)

No.1 : not present

No. 2: not present

No. 3: a woman with a mole on the back

No. 4: Master of No. 5

No. 5: Elegant man with foreign nationality

No. 6: Mr Mosgorousley, a russian

No. 7: suspected to be non-existence.

Characters:

Pongo-> suggested using alarm clock, left handed

Bill Eversleigh-> suggested to buy a dozen of alarm; all buy one

- likes Countess Radzley

Jimmy Thesiger-> (On the account of the man who was shot, Ronald): Jimmy needed to be informed about the seven dial.

- was involved in Bundle's adventure of investigation

- armed with an automatic pistol

Loraine, Gerry's sister

- was involved in Bundle's investigaion

- picked up a parcel of paper which was dropped from nowhere; spotted by Battle

Mr Mosgorovsky, rather sinister looking

- being identified as the No. 6 in the Seven Dials.

George, a rather dull person

Ronald Devereux,

- was the one who found Gerry Wade dead, suggested that it was a foul play but broke no mention to the coroner.

- was shot

Bundle, the main lead

- thought she ran over a man, Ronald. But the truth was that he was shot.

- initiated the investigation

- went to 7 dial secret meeting room

- eavesdropped the secret conservation- seeing a few people with clock mask

The incident at the house part at the Abbey:

- Loraine heard fighting

- Jimmy was shot in the right arm, fired by a man trying to escape out of the window and climbing down the Ivy

- Jimmy shot first, but only one bullet. The automatic didn't work

- O'rourke was drugged and woke up and found the formula sheet missing

- (It was suspected to be robbery): The thief threw away his pistol even when there was noone pursuing him

- Based on both Loraine and Jimmy's description of the thief-> he was big size and uneducated sounding

- (On Countess Radzky's account): Jimmy was cultured, english gentlemen and she came down to look for a book with an electric torch.

Leads:

- found burnt left hand glove with teethmark

Battle Bk1: The Secrets Of The Chimneys

Superintendent Battle: The Secrets of the chimneys

Murdered:

-->Giuseppe, a hotel waiter who took notice of Anthony Cade's belonging which contained important manuscript

- suspected of stealing the letters instead of the manuscript and blackmailed Virginia.

- was found shot in Virginia's house with a pistol which has Virginia's name on it.

- was discovered by Virginia and his body was disposed with the help of Anthony who came to pay Virginia a visit

--> Count Stanislaus

- suspected of having a few identities: Prince Michael or Herzoslovakia

- purpose of being present was to meet Mr Herman Issactein

- took a loan for certain terms such as granting oil concession

- the only person who saw him in real person before was Virginia

- had verified by Virgina that Prince Michael was indeed dead

- was shot without a gunshot heard and no revolver recovered.

Suspects:

1) King Victor, also known to the thief of royal jewellery

- had been released

- could be among their midst in disguise

2) Anthony Cade, running errand for his friend, Jimmy Mcgrath

- supposed to deliver the manuscript to Virginia

- could have killed Giuseppe and placed him in Virginia's house and pretended to help Virginia to clear the body.

- discouraged Virgina to call the police as it will cause Virginia to fall for the murderer's plan of stopping her to go to the Chimneys,(estate).

- seemed to be nosepoking and even considered himself to be an 'amateur detective'; smart with murderer's mind.

3) Virgina, pretty early widow

- Giuseppe could be blackmailing her and she killed him

- however claimed to be willing and it was thrilling to be blackmailed

- paid a small sum of ransom but promised to pay alot more in the future

4) Mr Herman Issactein, great financier

- motive of killing Count Stanislaus for oil

5) Mademoiselle Brun, french governess

- been here for 2 months.

- her room's light went on after the gun shot took place

6) Comrades of the Red Hand

- group of anonymous politic activists who might plan for assassination to fulfill politics

7) Mr Fish

- strangle man who likes to follow people around

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (12/6)

Hercule Poirot: The Third-Floor Flat

Murdered:

Miss Ernestine Grant murdered in her own flat. She was shot and put behind the curtain.

Sequence of Event:

1) Pat forgot to bring her house key. Jimmy & Donavan climbed into the 3rd flat instead of the 4th flat from the chute.

2) Donavan could not switch on the kitchen light.

3) Jimmy switched on one light and they found the room was not Pat's flat.

4) They went back to open the door for the girls at the 4rd floor.

5) There was blood at Donavan hand but he did not hurt himself.

6) Jimmy suggested to go down the apartment to investigate.

7) Donvan daresay that there wasn't anything really wrong

8) Jimmy found the dead lady, Mrs Ernestine

Clue:

-Donavan got stained with blood while touching the red table cloth-> The murder was committed near the table and the body was moved to the window and hid behind the curtain.

- Miss Ernestine's maid turned in about 10 o'clock, everything was quiet and she thought her mistress had gone to bed. She took in the letters which had come by evening post.

- Maid went out at 5 o'clock so the estimated time of death was 8pm.

- There was small letter in the pocket of the dead woman:

-> 'I will come to see you in this evening at half past 7' ( no fingerprints on it)

- found silk handkerchief with Initials - J.F =>John Fraser.

Suspects:

1) John Fraser, still an unknown person

- murderer was careful in leaving no fingerprint and cautiously hid the body but could not have possibly left behind the letter and the handkerchief.

Leads:

Poirot pulled off some tricks and found a letter and a key in Donavan's pocket.

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (6/6)

Hercule Poirot: The king of clubs

Murdered: Henry Reedburn, the impressario

He was found dead in his library with a bruise between the eyes and a heavy blow at the back of his head.

Connection:

Zara, the clairvoyant, read cards for Valerie & M.Le Prince.

The last card was King (club)-> Beware, a man holds her in power puts her in great danger.

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (4/6)

Hercule Poirot: The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly

Mystery:

A mysterious note was issued to Waverly family threatening to kidnap the little Johnnie at the specified time and date. Waverly family are to pay the ransom in advance to avoid little Johnnie been abducted.

Victim:

Little Johnnie Waverly, the only son, 3 yr old

-kidnapped for £ 50 000.

How was the crime committed:

- Mrs Waverly felt sick, suspected of food poisoning

- Mr Waverly found a note pinned to his pillow with the message: 'At 12 o'clock', after leaving the room for 10mins

- Mr Waverly fired the whole bunch of nurses due to suspicious inside doing. Only left 2 people he trusted.

They were:

-> Miss Colins, wife's secretary

-being employed for a month with very efficient knowledge

-> Mr Tredwell, Mr Waverly's butler

-who had worked a lifetime serving Waverly's family

- Little Johnnie was with his father & the police inspector until they went out of the house, hearing the policemen had caught someone.

- After that, they caught sight of Johnnie's flayen curls in a car that drove past the front of the house.

- heard the chiming of a church clock from the village, inspector checked the watch and it was exactly 1200pm. The clock in the house was faster by 10mins.

- Police chased after the car and found the boy was not Johnnie.

- (The account of the man caught by the Police trepassing the house): A man gave him money to deliver the parcel and the letter to Waverly House by 1200 at 1150am. The letter: '£75 000 to redeem Johnnie'.

- Johnnie was successfully kidnapped.

Hiding place in the house:

Since the police guarded the house inside and outside, the kidnapper must be in the house hiding.

There was priesthole in the house; a secret chamber in the house. However it was known only to Tredwell, Waverly family but not Miss Collins.

Suspects:

1) Mr Tredwell, the butler

- knew about the priesthole

- Mrs Waverly never liked him

2) Mr Waverly

- heed no advice from the police and always do things in his own way

- left his boy and went out to see the caught man

- the last person in contact with Johnnie

3) Miss Collins and Mrs Waverly

- Miss Collins was looking after the sick Madam in the room

- They were alibi for each other

- However, they could be in cahoot

Leads:

- small imprints of toy dog feet on the floor in the corner of the priesthole

- no footsteps on the floor of the priesthole

- Mrs Waverly was rich and it was her money that restored the impoverished estate; could not possibly have enemy

- Mrs Waverly was not fond of parting her money

Poirot Bk38: Early Cases (2/6)

Poirot: The Adventure Of The Clapham Cook

Mystery:

The mysterious disappearance of a cook, Mrs Eliza Duhn happened on a Wednesday.

-She sent a letter for her box 2 days later, which was already packed and corded before she left.

-Seemed that she had already determined not to return

Coincidentally, there was another mystery.

An absconding clerk, Davis, was from the same bank as Simpson, was caught embezzling £50 000 worth of negotiable shares.

Suspects:

1) Davis, the defaulting clerk

- could have fled away with Eliza

- however the idea was absurd as Eliza was a middle aged stout with grey hair.

2) Mr & Mrs Thed, a stingy employer of Eliza

- could have forced Eliza to leave before paying her salary as she left before being paid.

- had no disagreement with Eliza as the cook.

3) Simpson, a tenant

- honest young man working in the same bank as Davis

4) Annie, another parlourmaid of the house

- (On her account): she had no disagreement with the Eliza and Eliza cooked the meal before leaving the house and even mentioned about the food in the house.

- she knew what Eliza's favourite food: stewed peaches

- ( Simpson's account): couldn't say if the maid & the Eliza in good terms, could only suppose so

5) Carter Paterson, the man who came for the trunk

6) Mr Crotchet, lawyer

- beaded man with hat

-came to ask Eliza to accept the will

Clues:

The box which cook left behind, also called Trunk, was huge in size

Lead:

After Poirot put up advertisement and found Eliza

Eliza's story was: A beaded man told her that she would inherit the house and money but she had to give up on her domestic job.

(Eliza's account): she sent a letter to Mrs Trod, asking for her luggage, and did not receive her luggage in her truck but separate parcel.