Roger Mystery

Chapter 33 Ursula's Testimony
Ursula looked at Poirot in silence for a while, and then she couldn't help herself any longer.She nodded and burst into sobs.

Caroline behind me quickly stepped forward to hug her and patted her shoulder lightly.

"Now, don't cry, dear," she reassured, "it'll be all right. You see—it's going to be all right."

For all her curiosity and love of gossip, Caroline is actually very kind.Seeing Ursula so sad, she couldn't care less about pursuing the secret Poirot had uncovered.

After a while Ursula sat up straight and wiped away her tears.

"I was too fragile, too stupid," she said.

"No, you can't say that, boy," said Poirot soothingly. "We can all understand the pressure you have been under this week."

"It must have been a terrible ordeal," I said.

"You know all about our marriage," continued Ursula, "but how did you find out? Was it Ralph?"

Poirot shook his head.

"You should know why I came tonight," she said, "this—"

Ursula produced a crumpled newspaper, and I recognized at once the news item written by Poirot.

"The papers say Ralph has been arrested. Since nothing can be done now, I don't need to cover up any more."

"You may not believe everything in the newspaper, ma'am," Poirot replied in a low voice with a slight shame. "Speaking of which, you'd better tell all the inside information clearly. What we need most now is the truth."

Ursula hesitated to speak, and looked at him dubiously.

"You don't trust me," said Poirot mildly, "but you have come to me on purpose? Why?"

"Because I don't believe Ralph could kill," Ursula said quietly, "you're so clever that you're sure to bring the truth to light. And—"

"what?"

"I think you are very kind."

Poirot nodded frequently.

"That's good—well, it's very good. Look, I really believe your husband is innocent—but things have gotten worse. If I'm going to save him, I'll have to tell you everything you know— It doesn't matter if it looks against him."

"You are very understanding," said Ursula.

"You want to make it all clear, don't you? Let's start from the beginning."

"You're not going to throw me away?" said Caroline, sinking into an armchair. "I just want to know, why is this kid pretending to be a parlor maid?"

"Fake?" I asked.

"Yes, impersonation. Why? For a bet?"

"To survive," Ursula replied dully.

Then she plucked up the courage and began to tell herself about her life experience.Let me briefly paraphrase it in my own words.

There were seven in Ursula Boone's family--a well-established Irish family in the downfall.After the death of their father, most of the girls in the family had to go out to earn a living.Ursula's eldest sister is married to Captain Friot, and it was she I visited last Sunday.It is not difficult to understand now why she was restless at the time.Ursula was determined to be self-reliant, but she didn't want to be a nurse--a job any untrained girl could do.Ursula chose the job of parlor maid.But she doesn't bother to call herself a "parlor maid who was born as a noble lady", but really wants to do her job as a parlor maid.Her sister issued a letter of introduction for her.At Finley Manor, she was criticized for being different, but her work was impeccable - quick, hard-working and thorough.

"I love this job," she explained, "and have a lot of discretionary time."

Then she talked about how she met Ralph Payton, fell in love, and finally got married secretly.This was not Ursula's intention, but in the end Ralph convinced her.He claimed that he couldn't let his stepfather know that he married a girl from a poor family, so it was best to marry in secret first and tell him when the time was right.

And so Ursula Boone became Ursula Payton.Ralph said he wanted to pay off his debts, get a job, and then announce the marriage to him when he was able to support her and no longer depend on his stepfather.

But for a man like Ralph Paton, it's easier said than done.He hoped that while keeping the marriage a secret from his stepfather, he could persuade his stepfather to pay off his debts and help him regain his footing.But Roger Ackroyd, when he heard the amount Ralph was owed, flew into a rage, and refused to give him a hand.A few months later, Ralph was called back to Finley Park.Roger Ackroyd straight up throws a big problem: he wants Ralph to marry Flora.

At this point, Ralph Payton once again exposed his character flaws.He repeated the same mistakes and chose the simplest and most direct solution.From Ursula's statement it was easy to hear that there was no love between Flora and Ralph; it was nothing more than a transaction for both parties.The marriage meant freedom, wealth, and great prospects to Flora, and Ralph naturally had other plans.With his financial situation deteriorating, this opportunity was a lifeline that would allow him to pay off his debts and start over.Ralph is not the kind of person who is good at planning long-term things, but it is estimated that he also foresees that it is only a matter of time before he and Flora break off the engagement in the future.Flora made an appointment with him not to announce the marriage for the time being, and he tried every means to keep it from Ursula.For he knew instinctively that Ursula's strong and resolute character could not be deceived, and could never have approved of such an arrangement.

The decisive moment came when Roger Ackroyd, always domineering, decided to announce the marriage of the two young men.He said nothing to Ralph, only talked to Flora.Although Flora's attitude was cold, she did not object.But for Ursula, the news came as a bolt from the blue.She hurriedly called Ralph back from the city, and they had a private meeting in the woods—the very time my sister overheard.Ralph begged her to hold her tongue for a while, but Ursula resolutely refused to hide, and resolved to tell Mr. Ackroyd the truth at once without delay.The couple had a big fight and broke up unhappy.

Ursula made up her mind, and went straight to Roger Aykroyd that afternoon for a showdown.Their conversation was full of gunpowder--it would have been even worse if Roger Aykroyd hadn't been in trouble.But the situation is still deteriorating.Aykroyd will not easily forgive those who deceive him.He basically took his anger out on Ralph, but Ursula also got involved because Aykroyd thought she was trying to "seduce" the millionaire's adopted son.The two sides completely turned their faces.

That night Ursula slipped out of the side door as promised to meet Ralph in the gazebo.The meeting turned into a recrimination between the two.Ralph blames Ursula for ruining his career with an untimely leak; Ursula berates Ralph for playing with his feelings.

Roger Aykroyd's body was discovered just over half an hour after the pair separated.After that night Ursula never saw Ralph again, nor heard from him.

As Ursula spoke, I became more and more astonished at the horror of this series of facts.If Aykroyd lived, he would amend the will - I know him too well, that's the first thing he'll do.And his death is a timely rain for Ralph and Ursula.No wonder Ursula kept her mouth shut and resumed her role as parlormaid.

Poirot's words interrupted my meditations.From his serious tone, it is not difficult to hear that he also feels the seriousness of the situation.

"Miss, I have a question, and you must answer it truthfully, because this is the key to the whole case: When did you and Ralph break up in the gazebo? It's not too late to answer before you think about it. Your answer needs to be very precise."

Ursula smiled wryly.

"Do you think I haven't double-checked in my head? It was exactly 09:30 when I went out to meet him. Major Brant was walking on the terrace, and I had to take a long detour through the bushes to avoid him. The time I reached the gazebo was supposed to be About nine-thirty-three. Ralph was there waiting for me. I stayed with him ten minutes--not much longer, for I got back into the house at exactly nine-forty-five."

It dawned on me at this moment that the reason why she was obsessed with the question of time that day was because she was eager to prove that Ackroyd was killed before 45:[-], not after.

Poirot's next question was aimed at this as well.

"Who left the gazebo first?"

"I."

"You left Ralph alone in the arbor?"

"Yes—but don't you think—"

"My opinion doesn't matter, miss. What did you do when you got back?"

"I'm going back to my room."

"Until when?"

"Around ten o'clock."

"Can anyone prove it?"

"Proof? You mean proof that I'm in my house? Oh, no one testifies. But sure—ah! I see, they might think—they might think—"

There was a look of horror in her eyes.

Poirot helped her finish.

"Think you sneaked into the study through the window and stabbed Mr. Ackroyd to death while he was sitting on the chair? Yes, they will probably turn to that."

"Only a pig would have such an idea." Caroline patted Ursula on the shoulder indignantly.

Ursula buried her face in her hands.

"It's terrible," she murmured, "it's terrible."

Caroline shook her affectionately.

"Don't worry, my dear," she said. "M. Poirot doesn't think so. As for your husband, frankly, I have a bad opinion of him. He's gone away, leaving you alone in your fright."

But Ursula shook her head desperately.

"Oh no," she cried, "nothing like that, Ralph would never have run away for himself. Now I see that when he heard of Mr. Ackroyd's death he probably thought I was the murderer." .”

"He doesn't think that way," said Caroline.

"I was so cruel to him that night - so tough, so mean. I should have tried to hear him explain - but I didn't believe he really cared, just poured out all the things I thought about him, with All the coldest, most heartless words I could think of - I was hurting him as much as possible."

"It can't hurt him," Caroline said. "Don't worry about what you say to men. They are quite self-righteous and don't listen to anything except flattery."

Ursula was still wringing her hands nervously.

"After the murder, he hasn't shown up and I'm so worried. I was guessing - but right away I'm convinced he won't - he won't ... but I hope he comes back and clears himself up. I know, he's very Trust Dr. Sheppard, maybe Dr. Shepard knows where he's hiding." She turned to me and said, "That's why I told you what I did that day, thinking that if you knew where he was hiding It should be passed on to him."

"Me?" I asked in surprise.

"How does James know where he's hiding?" Caroline asked sternly.

"I know it's unlikely," Ursula admitted, "but Ralph talks about Dr. Sheppard a lot. I know that in Kings Abbott his best friend is Dr. Shepard."

"My dear boy," I said, "I have no idea where Ralph is now."

"Indeed." Poirot chimed in.

"But—" Ursula produced the clipping in bewilderment.

"Ah! That," said Poirot with some embarrassment, "it's just a scrap of paper, madam. I never believed that Ralph Paton was arrested."

"But how—" Ursula began slowly.

Poirot hastily changed the subject.

"One more question—was Captain Peyton wearing shoes or boots that night?"

Ursula shook her head. "I forgot."

"What a pity! But it's no wonder. Well, miss," he tilted his head with a smile and exaggeratedly shook his index finger, "there is no other problem. Don't blame yourself too much, cheer up, and trust Hercule Poirot."

(End of this chapter)