POIROT INVESTIGATES: Playbook 5 · The Case of the Missing Will, The Adventure of the Clapham Cook, The Lost Mine

POIROT INVESTIGATES

Playbook 5 · The Case of the Missing Will, The Adventure of the Clapham Cook, The Lost Mine, & Epilogue

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

Hercule Poirot concludes his investigations with three final cases and a farewell.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 — The Case of the Missing Will · Part I
• Chapter 2 — The Case of the Missing Will · Part II
• Chapter 3 — The Adventure of the Clapham Cook · Part I
• Chapter 4 — The Adventure of the Clapham Cook · Part II
• Chapter 5 — The Lost Mine · Part I
• Chapter 6 — The Lost Mine · Part II
• Chapter 7 — Epilogue: Farewell to Poirot

Chapter 1 — The Case of the Missing Will · Part I

Summary: A young woman, Violet Marsh, seeks Poirot's help after her wealthy uncle's will is lost. She suspects her cousin, and Poirot uncovers a clever deception.

I was reading the morning paper in Poirot's rooms when the doorbell rang. A moment later, a young lady was shown in. She was about twenty-five, with dark hair and a determined expression. She carried a leather handbag, and she held herself with an air of quiet confidence.

Violet Marsh: "Monsieur Poirot, I have come to you because I have nowhere else to turn. My uncle, Mr. Andrew Marsh, has died, and his will has disappeared. I suspect my cousin, Mr. Simon Marsh, of having destroyed it."

Poirot: "But why would he do such a thing, Mademoiselle?"

Violet Marsh: "Because if the will is not found, the property goes to him as the nearest male relative. My uncle had promised me that I would inherit his estate. He told me so many times."

Poirot: "And you believe he made a new will, naming you as his heir?"

Violet Marsh: "I am sure of it. He had a new will drawn up, and he told me that he had signed it in the presence of witnesses. But now it has vanished."

Poirot listened intently, his eyes fixed on the young woman's face. "And the solicitor who drew up the will?"

Violet Marsh: "He died a week before my uncle. He was a Mr. Jeremy Witherspoon, and his office burned down shortly after his death. All his papers were destroyed."

Poirot: "It is a very convenient coincidence, Mademoiselle. Very convenient indeed."

Poirot agreed to take the case, and we set off for the house of the late Mr. Andrew Marsh.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 2 — The Case of the Missing Will · Part II

Summary: Poirot investigates the missing will and discovers a secret compartment in the deceased's desk. He reveals the truth to Violet Marsh and solves the case.

We arrived at Mr. Marsh's house, a large Victorian mansion in the country. We were greeted by the nephew, Simon Marsh, a tall, cold-eyed man of about forty.

Simon Marsh: "I don't know what my cousin has been telling you, Monsieur Poirot. There is no will. My uncle died intestate, and the property comes to me as the nearest male relative."

Poirot: "We shall see, Monsieur. I should like to examine your uncle's study, if I may."

Poirot examined the study carefully. He looked at the desk, the bookshelves, and the fireplace. Finally, he gave a cry of triumph.

Poirot: "Here it is, my friend. A secret compartment in the desk. The will is hidden inside."

He opened the compartment and took out a sealed envelope. Inside was the will, perfectly preserved, leaving everything to Violet Marsh.

Violet Marsh: "Oh, Monsieur Poirot! I knew it! I knew he had not forgotten me!"

Poirot: "The will was not destroyed, Mademoiselle. It was merely hidden. Your cousin knew it was there, but he could not find the secret compartment."

Simon Marsh was arrested for attempting to defraud his cousin. Violet Marsh inherited her uncle's fortune, and she thanked Poirot with tears of gratitude.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 3 — The Adventure of the Clapham Cook · Part I

Summary: A young couple, the Boveys, approach Poirot about their missing cook. Poirot investigates and discovers the cook is connected to a sinister criminal enterprise.

I was enjoying a quiet afternoon in Poirot's rooms when we received a visit from a young couple. They were Mr. and Mrs. Bovey, a pleasant, well-to-do pair who seemed deeply troubled.

Mrs. Bovey: "Monsieur Poirot, we have come to you about a most peculiar matter. Our cook has disappeared."

Poirot: "A cook? That is an unusual case, Madame. Tell me the details."

Mr. Bovey: "She left a week ago. She said she was going to visit her sister in the country. We did not think anything of it, but she never returned. And then we received a letter from her, saying she was leaving our service permanently."

Poirot: "And why does that trouble you?"

Mrs. Bovey: "Because the letter is in a handwriting I have never seen before. I believe the cook did not write it. I believe she has been kidnapped."

Poirot's eyes lit up. "This is most interesting, Madame. Most interesting indeed. I shall take the case."

We went to the Bovey's house in Clapham, a comfortable villa in a quiet street. Poirot questioned the servants and examined the cook's room. He found nothing unusual, except for a small scrap of paper hidden under the carpet.

Poirot: "This scrap of paper is the key, my friend. It has an address on it—a house in the East End of London. I believe that is where we will find the cook."

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 4 — The Adventure of the Clapham Cook · Part II

Summary: Poirot finds the cook and discovers that she was part of a blackmail ring. He helps the Boveys bring the criminals to justice.

The address on the scrap of paper led us to a grimy house in the East End. Poirot knocked on the door, and it was opened by a surly-looking woman who demanded to know our business.

Poirot: "We are looking for a woman named Annie Henderson. She was the cook at Mr. Bovey's house in Clapham."

Woman: "I don't know anyone by that name. You'd better go."

Poirot: "I think you do know her. And I think she is inside this house."

Poirot pushed past the woman and entered the house. We found the cook in a back room, looking pale and frightened. She was being held prisoner by a gang of blackmailers.

Cook: "Oh, Monsieur Poirot! I am so glad you have come! They forced me to write that letter. They said they would kill me if I didn't."

Poirot: "Do not worry, my dear woman. You are safe now. The police are on their way."

The gang was arrested, and the cook was reunited with the Boveys. Poirot had once again solved a mystery that had baffled everyone else.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 5 — The Lost Mine · Part I

Summary: Poirot is asked to investigate the disappearance of a Chinese businessman who holds the key to a valuable lost silver mine.

It was a cold November morning when Poirot received a telegram from a Mr. Samuel Saunders, a wealthy American businessman. He was coming to London on urgent business, and he needed Poirot's help.

Samuel Saunders: "Monsieur Poirot, I have come to you on a matter of great importance. I have a partner, a Chinese businessman named Mr. John Chang. He knows the location of a lost silver mine in the Himalayas. He was supposed to meet me here in London two weeks ago, but he never arrived."

Poirot: "And you fear that he has been kidnapped?"

Samuel Saunders: "I fear that he is dead. He had enemies, Monsieur Poirot. Powerful enemies who wanted the secret of the mine."

Poirot agreed to investigate. He contacted the police and made inquiries at the Chinese Embassy. He discovered that Mr. Chang had arrived in London safely, but that he had left his hotel and disappeared.

Poirot: "It is a baffling case, my friend. But I am sure that we will find the solution."

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 6 — The Lost Mine · Part II

Summary: Poirot uncovers a clever scheme involving a fake Mr. Chang and a plot to steal the secret of the mine. The real Mr. Chang is found alive and well.

After several days of investigation, Poirot gathered all the interested parties together in his rooms. He had sent for Mr. Saunders, the Chinese Ambassador, and a mysterious man who had been following Chang.

Poirot: "The case is solved, my friends. Mr. Chang is not dead. He is alive and well, and he is here with us now."

Samuel Saunders: "What? But where is he?"

Poirot: "He is standing before you, Monsieur. This gentleman is Mr. John Chang."

Everyone gasped. The mysterious man who had been following Chang stepped forward and bowed.

Mr. Chang: "I apologize for the deception, gentlemen. I had to disappear. There were people who wanted to kill me for the secret of the mine. I had to make them think I was dead."

Poirot: "The man who was supposedly Mr. Chang was an impostor. He was part of a plot to steal the secret of the mine. But I was able to see through the deception."

Poirot had solved the case. Mr. Chang was safe, and the secret of the lost mine was secure. It was a fitting end to the adventures of Hercule Poirot.

References:
Poirot Investigates - Project Gutenberg

Chapter 7 — Epilogue: Farewell to Poirot

Summary: Poirot and Hastings reflect on their adventures together. Poirot announces his retirement and moves to the country to grow vegetable marrows.

I sat in Poirot's rooms on the last evening of our time together. He had decided to retire from active detective work and move to the country to grow vegetable marrows.

Poirot: "It has been a great pleasure, my friend. We have had many adventures together. We have solved many mysteries. But now it is time for me to rest."

Hastings: "I shall miss you, Poirot. You have taught me so much."

Poirot: "And you have been a good friend to me, Hastings. A loyal and faithful friend."

I remembered all the cases we had solved together: the "Western Star," the tragedy at Marsdon Manor, the million-dollar bond robbery, the Egyptian tomb, the jewel robbery at the Grand Metropolitan, the kidnapped Prime Minister, the disappearance of Mr. Davenheim, the Italian nobleman, the missing will, the Clapham cook, and the lost mine. Each one had been a triumph of Poirot's brilliant mind.

Poirot: "You will come and visit me, Hastings? I will show you my vegetable marrows."

Hastings: "I will, Poirot. I will come often."

We shook hands, and I left him sitting in his chair, looking content and peaceful. It was the end of an era. The great Hercule Poirot had retired from the detective business.

Poirot: "Remember, my friend, the little grey cells. They are the most powerful weapon in the world."

I smiled and nodded. I would never forget that lesson. It was a lesson that had served me well in all our adventures together.

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