ABC谋杀案 35

Thirty-one,HERCULE POIROT ASKS QUESTIONS,It was a clear November day. Dr. Thompson and Chief Inspector Japp had come round to acquaintPoirot with the result of the police court proceedings in the case of Rex v. Alexander BonaparteCust.,Poirot himself had had a slight bronchial chill which had prevented his attending. Fortunately hehad not insisted on having my company.,“Committed for trial,” said Japp. “So that’s that. ”,“Isn’t it unusual?
” I asked, “for a defence to be offered at this stage? I thought prisoners alwaysreserved their defence.”,He’s a trier, I will say. Insanity’s the only defence possible. ”,Poirot shrugged his shoulders.,“With insanity there can be no acquittal. Imprisonment during His Majesty’s pleasure is hardlypreferable to death.
”,“I suppose Lucas thought there was a chance,” said Japp. “With a first-class alibi for the Bexhillmurder, the whole case might be weakened. I don’t think he realized how strong our case is.,Anyway, Lucas goes in for originality. He’s a young man, and he wants to hit the public eye. ”,