POIROT INVESTIGATES: Playbook 3 · The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, & The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan

POIROT INVESTIGATES

Playbook 3 · The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, & The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan

Adapted from the Original work by Agatha Christie · Public domain (1924)

Hercule Poirot investigates a million-dollar robbery, a pharaoh's curse, and a seaside jewel theft.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part I
• Chapter 2 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part II
• Chapter 3 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part III
• Chapter 4 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part I
• Chapter 5 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part II
• Chapter 6 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part III
• Chapter 7 — The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan · Part I
• Chapter 8 — The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan · Part II

Chapter 1 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part I

Summary: Poirot is called to the London and Scottish Bank to investigate a case involving a missing million dollars in Liberty bonds. A young banker, Philip Ridgeway, is suspected of the theft.

It was a morning of great excitement for me. Poirot had received a mysterious letter, and he had read it with his usual inscrutable expression. He then informed me that we were to call upon the directors of the London and Scottish Bank, as they were in need of our services. I was delighted, for I had long wished to see the inner workings of a great financial institution.

The London and Scottish Bank was a magnificent building in the heart of the city. We were shown into the boardroom, where we found two gentlemen waiting for us. The first was Mr. Vavasour, the joint general manager, a tall, distinguished-looking man with a grave expression. The second was Mr. Shaw, the other general manager, a smaller, more nervous man.

Mr. Vavasour: "Monsieur Poirot, we have sent for you on a matter of the utmost urgency. A million dollars' worth of Liberty bonds have disappeared from our possession."

Poirot: "A million dollars! That is a large sum, Monsieur. How did this come about?"

Mr. Shaw: "The bonds were entrusted to my nephew, Philip Ridgeway, to take to New York. They were on the Queen Mary, on her maiden voyage, and they were stolen from his cabin."

Poirot: "And the young man — he is under suspicion?"

Mr. Vavasour: "He was in charge of them. He is the obvious suspect. But I do not believe he is guilty. He is a good boy, Poirot. I am convinced of his innocence."

Poirot listened carefully, his fingers drumming softly on the table. He then asked to see the young man, and we were shown into an office where Philip Ridgeway was waiting.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 2 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part II

Summary: Poirot and Hastings travel on the Queen Mary to investigate the case. Poirot examines the cabin and the passengers, searching for the thief.

Philip Ridgeway was a young man of about thirty, with a pleasant, open face. He was clearly upset by the accusation against him.

Philip Ridgeway: "Monsieur Poirot, I swear to you that I am innocent. I did not steal those bonds. I was entrusted with them, and I took every possible precaution to keep them safe."

Poirot: "Tell me exactly what happened."

Philip Ridgeway: "The bonds were sealed in a packet and placed in my portmanteau. The portmanteau had a special lock, and there were only three keys in existence — one held by Mr. Vavasour, one by Mr. Shaw, and one by McNeil, the bank's head of security. McNeil gave me his key for the voyage."

Poirot: "And the packet disappeared?"

Philip Ridgeway: "It was there when I retired to my cabin on the last night of the voyage. The next morning, when I opened the portmanteau, it was gone."

Poirot thought for a moment. "And no one else could have entered your cabin?"

Philip Ridgeway: "Only the steward, and he had no reason to steal the bonds. He would not have known they were there."

Poirot: "It seems, my friend, that we must investigate this matter thoroughly. I shall accompany you on the next voyage of the Queen Mary."

And so it was decided. Poirot and I were to travel on the Queen Mary to New York, and there we would investigate the case from the beginning.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 3 — The Million Dollar Bond Robbery · Part III

Summary: Poirot unravels the mystery and reveals the identity of the true thief. The case is solved through a clever deduction involving the lock and the keys.

On board the Queen Mary, Poirot was at his most brilliant. He examined the cabin thoroughly, questioning the steward and the other passengers. He also had a long conversation with the ship's doctor, who told him an interesting story.

It was not until we returned to London that Poirot explained the case to me. We were in his rooms, and he was looking extremely pleased with himself.

Poirot: "The solution, my friend, is quite simple. The thief was not Philip Ridgeway. It was McNeil, the bank's head of security. He planned the whole thing from the beginning."

Hastings: "But how did he do it? He was not on the ship."

Poirot: "He did not need to be on the ship. He had made a duplicate key to the portmanteau. He arranged for the bonds to be stolen by a confederate on board, who passed them to him when the ship docked in New York."

Poirot smiled. "The clue was the lock. It was a very special lock, and only a skilled locksmith could have made a duplicate key. McNeil was the only person who could have arranged it."

Hastings: "And what about Philip Ridgeway?"

Poirot: "He is innocent, my friend. He was the scapegoat, the man on whom suspicion would naturally fall. But I have proved his innocence, and the real thief is now in custody."

It was another triumph for Poirot, and I was proud to be associated with him.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 4 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part I

Summary: Poirot is approached by Lady Willard, who fears that a curse is killing the members of an archaeological expedition in Egypt. Poirot agrees to investigate.

One morning, Poirot received a visit from a lady of distinguished appearance and agitated manner. She was Lady Willard, the widow of the famous Egyptologist, Sir John Willard.

Lady Willard: "Monsieur Poirot, I have come to you in desperation. My husband, Sir John Willard, was the archaeologist who discovered the tomb of the Pharaoh Men-her-Ra. He died of heart failure shortly after the discovery. Then Mr. Bleibner, the American financier who financed the expedition, died of blood poisoning. And a few days later, his nephew Rupert shot himself."

Poirot: "A terrible coincidence, Madame. But what is it that you fear?"

Lady Willard: "I fear it is a curse! The papers are full of it. They say that the Pharaoh's curse is killing everyone who entered the tomb. And now my son, Guy, has gone out to Egypt to continue his father's work. I fear he will be next."

Poirot listened attentively, his eyes gleaming with interest. "You believe in a curse, Madame?"

Lady Willard: "I do not know what to believe. But I cannot bear to lose my son. I beg you to go to Egypt and investigate this matter."

Poirot: "I will do so, Madame. I am fascinated by this case."

I was amazed when Poirot agreed to go to Egypt. I did not believe in curses, and I thought the whole thing was nonsense. But Poirot seemed to take it very seriously.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 5 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part II

Summary: In Egypt, Poirot meets the members of the expedition and examines the tomb. He discovers that the "curse" is actually a clever murder plot.

We arrived in Egypt and made our way to the excavation site. The tomb of King Men-her-Ra was a magnificent sight, carved into the rock of the desert. Poirot was deeply impressed by the ancient art and architecture.

We were greeted by Dr. Ames, the archaeologist in charge of the expedition, and by Guy Willard, Lady Willard's son. Both men seemed nervous and apprehensive.

Dr. Ames: "Monsieur Poirot, I am glad you have come. The deaths of Sir John and Mr. Bleibner have cast a shadow over this expedition. The men are afraid, and they are threatening to leave."

Poirot: "Tell me about the deaths. What exactly happened?"

Dr. Ames: "Sir John died of heart failure shortly after we opened the tomb. Mr. Bleibner died of blood poisoning a few days later. His nephew Rupert then shot himself in New York."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully. "And you believe this is the work of a curse?"

Guy Willard: "I do not know what to think, Monsieur Poirot. But I am afraid. I fear I will be the next to die."

Poirot: "Do not fear, Monsieur. I am here to protect you."

Poirot then asked to see the tomb. He spent a long time examining it, paying particular attention to a small opening in the wall.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 6 — The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb · Part III

Summary: Poirot reveals that the "curse" was a carefully planned series of murders, motivated by greed. He exposes the killer and solves the mystery.

That evening, Poirot gathered the members of the expedition together in the main tent. He stood before them, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Poirot: "I have solved the mystery of the Egyptian tomb. There is no curse. The deaths of Sir John Willard, Mr. Bleibner, and Rupert Bleibner were not the work of supernatural forces. They were the work of a cold-blooded murderer."

Hastings: "Who is the murderer?"

Poirot: "The murderer is Dr. Ames."

Dr. Ames gave a cry of astonishment. "This is madness! Why would I kill them?"

Poirot: "For money, Monsieur. Sir John Willard had discovered a secret in the tomb — the location of a hidden treasure. He told you about it, and you planned to steal it. You killed him, and then you killed Mr. Bleibner and his nephew to prevent them from discovering the truth."

Dr. Ames broke down and confessed to the crimes. He was taken away by the local authorities, and the mystery of the Egyptian tomb was solved.

Guy Willard: "Thank you, Monsieur Poirot. You have saved my life."

Poirot: "It was my pleasure, Monsieur. The power of superstition is a power that is very great indeed, but it cannot stand against the little grey cells."

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 7 — The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan · Part I

Summary: Poirot and Hastings are staying at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel in Brighton when a valuable pearl necklace is stolen from a wealthy guest. Poirot takes on the case.

It was a delightful spring day when Poirot and I decided to take a short holiday in Brighton. We were staying at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel, a magnificent establishment overlooking the sea. I was enjoying the sea air and the feeling of relaxation, when I was brought back to reality by a cry of distress from the next room.

The cry was from Mrs. Opalsen, a wealthy stockbroker's wife, who had been staying at the hotel with her husband. She had just discovered that her priceless pearl necklace had been stolen.

Mrs. Opalsen: "Oh, Monsieur Poirot, I am so glad you are here! My pearls, my beautiful pearls, they are gone! Someone has stolen them!"

Poirot: "Calm yourself, Madame. Tell me what happened."

Mrs. Opalsen: "I had them in my jewel case in the drawer of my dressing-table. I went to fetch them just now, and they were gone!"

Poirot: "And the drawer was locked?"

Mrs. Opalsen: "Yes, I always keep it locked."

Poirot examined the room carefully. He then called the hotel manager and the police, and began his investigation.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 8 — The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan · Part II

Summary: Poirot uncovers a clever plot involving a maid and a chambermaid. The case is solved through a careful examination of the room and the time frames.

Poirot questioned everyone in the hotel. He spoke to Mrs. Opalsen's maid, Celestine, and to the hotel chambermaid. Both women denied any knowledge of the theft.

Poirot: "Celestine, you have been with Mrs. Opalsen for how long?"

Celestine: "For three years, Monsieur. I am her personal maid."

Poirot: "And on this occasion, you were in the room when the chambermaid came to clean?"

Celestine: "Yes, Monsieur. I have orders never to leave Mrs. Opalsen's room."

Poirot: "And the chambermaid was with you the whole time?"

Celestine: "She was in the room with me, except for two short intervals when she went into my room. But she was only gone for a few seconds each time."

Poirot then went to the room next door and examined the connecting door. He discovered that the door had a bolt, and that the bolt had been recently oiled.

Poirot: "The solution, my friend, is quite simple. The pearls were stolen by Celestine, the maid. She had an accomplice in the next room, who was waiting for her signal. During the two short intervals when the chambermaid was in the maid's room, Celestine opened the drawer, extracted the jewel case, and passed it through the bolt-hole to her accomplice."

Hastings: "But how could she do it in such a short time?"

Poirot: "The bolt-hole was the key. The case was passed through the hole, and the theft was complete in less than fifteen seconds."

Celestine confessed to the crime, and the pearls were recovered. Poirot had once again demonstrated his remarkable powers of deduction.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

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Adapted from the Original work by Agatha Christie
Public domain (1924) · This adaptation follows the playbook series format