The Incredible Theft, Agatha Christie

[isabel79]

Second short story within Murder in the Mews.

Characters:
Sir Charles McLaughlin, Lord Mayfield:  Host.  Engineering firm.
Lady Julia Carrington:  Wife of George, mother of Reggie.  40yo.
Sir George Carrington:  Air Marshal, Former Navy.  Husband to Julia, father of Reggie.
Mrs. Vanderlyn:  American.
Mrs. Macatta:  MP.  Housing and Infant Welfare.
Reggie Carrington:  21yo.  Son of Sir George and Lady Julia.
Mr. Carlile:  Secretary of Mayfield.
Hercule Poirot:  Belgium detective.
Leonie:  Maid to Mrs. Vanderlyn.
Hunberly:  Prime Minister.


Summary:
Chapter I:

Dinner party.  Guest are described.  Sitting around a round table.

The women leave the table.  Soon Reggie, then Mr. Carlile.  Leaving the Minister of Armaments (Lord Mayfield) and the head of the Air Force (Sir George) alone.

They talk of a new bomber.  Talking about not being ready, advantages to being late.

The subject changes to Mrs. Vanderlyn.

Mayfield questions Sir George if he was wondering why Mrs. Vanderlyn was here...  That Mayfield had fallen victim.

Sir George is curious as to why this weekend.

Where there are carcasses, vultures will follow.  Mrs. Vanderlyn is a vulture.

Mayfield explains Mrs. Vanderlyn is American.  Previously married to an Italian, a German and a Russian.  She has useful contacts in each country.

She is well dressed, lives comfortable, unaware of her source of money.

She has seductive beauty.  Men will tell her about their job and feel she is intensely interested.  They tend to tell more than they should and suffer the consequences.

She has many friends in the services.

She had been hunting near an armaments factory and befriended people who were not all sporting in character.

Mayfield again asks if Sir George fears him falling victim to her.  Mayfield says he is too smart and old for that.

Carrington finds it odd...  That she should be there when he and Mayfield were given info that could revolutionize the problem of Air Defense.

Mayfield says it is the bait.  They know of Mrs. Vanderlyn, but have no proof.  Tempt her with something big.  The specifications of the new bomber.

They decide to go to the drawing room.

George reveals Julia is a born gambler.

Chapter II:

In The drawing room with the women Mrs. Vanderlyn was at a disadvantage.[1]

It would have been quiet if not for Mrs. Macatta.

Mayfield and Sir George enter and mention a game of bridge.

Reggie enters.

At 10:45, George notes the time and says they should stop for the night.

George and Charles have work to do, which interests Mrs. Vanderlyn.

Mrs. Vanderlyn comments on Reggie's game.  Lady Julia comments with disgust.

Lady Julia feels Reggie is young, naive, too trusting.

The 3 women leave.

Mr. Carlile enters and is told to get the files and papers ready.  George and Mayfield will join him after a walk.

As Carlile exits he bumps into Mrs. Vanderlyn.  She has forgotten her book.  Reggie hands it to her.

She leaves and Reggie soon says his goodnights and leaves.

George and Mayfield walk on the terrace, first talking of Vanderlyn's perfume, then of technical things.

Deciding to head back in, turning around Mayfield sees someone slip across the terrace from his study.

George did not see anything, but comments on his poor reading sight.

They enter the study through the open window.

Carlile is within, prepping papers by a safe.

Carlile excuses himself for the night.

Before leaving, Mayfield comments about the absence of the bomber plans.[2]

Carlile says they were on top.  They are not.

Carlile looks through the papers and is positive he placed them there.

Mayfield is good humored.  You left them in the safe...

Mayfield checks the safe.  There are gone.

Mayfield asks whose been in the room.  Carlile says no one.

Vanderlyn?  Carlile says no.  Carrington agrees.  The scent of her perfume would remain.

Carlile admits to leaving the room.  He heard a woman scream.

Mrs. Vanderlyn's maid was on the stairs.  She had seen a ghost.[3]

It happened 1 to 2 mins ago and Carlile was away for 2 to 3.

Mayfield brings up the shadow he saw.

Chapter III:

George suggests Hercule Poirot.

Charles admits Mrs. Vanderlyn got the best of them.

Mrs. Vanderlyn got the maid to scream and the man in the dark was her accomplice.

Chapter IV:

Poirot has arrived at 2:30 A.M.

He is told of the events and find the facts very convenient.

Poirot asks Mayfield if he was certain he saw a man.  No.  A shadow and even that he is not positive of.  George mentions not seeing anyone.

Poirot asks what paper was on top then.  Memorandum of air defense positions.

Poirot brings up Carlile.  Mayfield defends him.  Adding he could easily have copied the plans and not steal them.

Vanderlyn is brought up.  The foreign office can back them up on her character.

Poirot asks if the papers stolen represent cash.  Yes to 2 European countries named.

He asks if that fact is known to everyone.  Yes.

Poirot examines the terrace and asks if they perused the shadow.

Mayfield explained the easy access to the road.  With a car he could have gotten away quickly.

George mentions the need for secrecy therefore the police cannot be called.

Mayfield leaves to get Carlile for questioning.

Poirot ask George why he did not see the shadow.  

Swearing he saw nothing, then with the robbery George had his doubts yet...  He believes his own eyes.

Poirot says he saw no footprints.

Mayfield and Carlile enter.

Carlile had been in the study 5 to 10 minutes before the scream.

Mayfield recalls the events in the drawing room, who left first, the possibility of Vanderlyn hearing of the study, her forgotten book.

The events of the scream are reenacted include Poirot giving a little scream.

Carlile is unsure, but probably left the study door open as he went into the hall.

Poirot plays the role of the maid, standing halfway up the stairs, hands on head.

Poirot asks if Carlile noticed if the maid was pretty.  He did not.

George chuckles saying Poirot is calling him gay.

Poirot asks if Carlile believes the maid saw something.  She did seem scared, but does not believe she saw a ghost.

Carlile then said he saw Vanderlyn come from her room and call for her maid.

Carlile says no one could have entered the study via the open door without being seen by him.

Carlile mentions being glad Mayfield saw the person leave by the terrace or he'd be in a lot of trouble.

Mayfield reassures him.[4]

Mrs. Vanderlyn's room is directly above the study.

Poirot investigates the drawing room.

He believe the plans have not left the house.

Poirot does not believe in the shadow man.  It was Mayfield's imagination, solidified by the events.

Carlile again says he is under suspicion.  Mayfield guarantees he is not.[5]

Poirot believes it is possible someone came from the drawing room window to the study via the terrace.

Poirot comments George and Mayfield were in promenade.  George does not have eyes in the back of his head.

They had walked the terrace 5 to 6 times.

George suggest to search everyone.

Mayfield disagrees.  Poirot says it will be anticipated / ensured the plans will not be found in their personal belongings.

Poirot will interview everyone in the AM, but Sir George and Mayfield.

George is interviewed.

Poirot asks of Mrs. Vanderlyn.  Why is she there?  Does Mayfield have something for her?  Is she a friend to someone else?

George denies a connection to her.

He explains the early convo between he and Mayfield.

George has no doubt it is Vanderlyn's doing.

Poirot brings up the plans being worth money.  Who is hard up?

Isn't everyone?

George has expenses, a son, whose education needs to be paid.  Otherwise he is not a bad kid.  He's spoiled by his mother, who has a gambling habit.

George leaves for the night.

Poirot writes in his notebook.  The guest Vanderlyn, Julia, Reggie, Carlile.  Then pairings Vanderlyn and Reggie, Vanderlyn and Julia, Vanderlyn and Carlile.

Poirot continues to write of the shadow.  Mayfield being positive in seeing it.  Carrington positive he had not seen anything after the flowerbed was examined.

Mayfield is short sighted, uses a monocle.  George is long sighted and therefore more dependable.

Mayfield is too confident in Carlile's innocence.  Why?  Suspicious of someone else?  Other than Vanderlyn?

Chapter V:

Lord Mayfield is questioned.

Poirot reveals Carrington told him the reason for Vanderlyn's presence.

Mayfield says Poirot thought he had a weakness for Vanderlyn.

Mayfield is annoyed at having lost to her.

Poirot believe it is not lost yet.

Mayfield did not have exact plans and told no one but Carrington.

Mayfield has known Carrington for more than 20 yrs.

Poirot asks if he knows the wife.  Yes.  But not on the same level of intimacy?

Mayfield wonders what this has to do with the case.

Poirot brings up Mayfield agreeing with his theory of someone hiding in the drawing room.

Poirot asks who Mayfield thinks was there.  Vanderlyn of course.

Poirot says it could not be she.  Carlile heard her call the maid from upstairs.

Vanderlyn is not totally disregarded.  An ally may have been in the drawing room or another person all together.

They think of other motives.  Money of course.  Damaging someone?

Poirot believes Carlile would be the obvious suspect in damaging Mayfield.

Mayfield's friendship with a European power was mentioned.  It was unpopular with England.

It has been forgotten.  Mayfield is thought to be the next potential Prime Minister.  Therefore someone is trying to discredit him.

The stolen plans, a friendship with Vanderlyn would create distrust.

Poirot asks of possible jealousy.

Lady Carrington is brought up again. Mayfield has never taken to her.  She doesn't care for him.  She despises him for being self made.

Mayfield mentions working his way up from the bottom.

It suddenly became clear to Poirot.

Poirot must think more before he voices his ideas.

He believes he knows where the plans are.

They retire for the night.

Chapter VI:

Breakfast.

Reggie wonders why the police have not been called.  Why call in a foreigner?

He asks what was taken.  George says he is not sure.  Reggie realizes it's hush hush.

He goes up to his mother's who is having breakfast in bed.

Reggie tells of the robbery, about the private inquiry agent.

The breakfast tray almost falls.  Reggie rescues it.

Reggie asks to borrow money.  Lady Carrington herself is in debt.

George enters.  Poirot wants to interviews Reggie.

Macatta was interviewed.

She went up before 11.  Heard / saw nothing.

Poirot asks her of Lord Mayfield.  Brains, carved a career out himself.  Lacks vision / imagination.

She had heard no rumor of Mayfield and Vanderlyn being close friend and was surprised to see her.

Macatta expresses her opinion of Vanderlyn.  Useless, a parasite.

Commenting how Reggie flushes whenever Vanderlyn would take notice of him.

Macatta says Reggie isn't very good at bridge, his mother too good.

Playing for high stakes to repay debts.  Lady Carrington's been on a bad streak.

Macatta mentions Lady Carrington looked as if something was on her mind.

Macatta believed the country should be cleansed of the evils of gambling and drink.

Reggie is questioned.

Mentions playing bridge, going up before 11, then going to bed.  He did not hear or see anything.

Poirot asks if Reggie heard a scream.  No.  Are you slightly deaf?  No!

Poirot says no further Qs.

Standing up Reggie mentions hearing something.

He had been reading a detective novel and didn't take the noise in.

Reggie asks what was taken.  Poirot says something of great importance, that is all.

Chapter VII:

Vanderlyn enters the room.

Poirot spots a look.  One of triumph?  Mockery?  It quickly disappears.

Vanderlyn asks why have the police not been called, in a mocking tone.

Poirot takes note and tells her she has no fear of them being called.

Vanderlyn says she respects Mayfield too much to cause him any harm.

Poirot asks if it was she who went back down to get a book.  She was the first.  First?

Vanderlyn explains after getting her book she called for her maid.  She rang twice, before going out and calling her.

Her maid seemed shaken and tangled her hair a few times.

When the maid left she saw Lady Julia coming up.  She too had retrieved a book.

Poirot sensed Vanderlyn did not like Lady Julia.

He asks if Vanderlyn heard the maid scream.  Yes.  She saw a figure in white.

What was Lady Julia wearing?  White...  It must have been her.  In the dark...

Vanderlyn has only been with her maid for 5 months.  Poirot would like to question her.

Poirot says he admires Vanderlyn.  She is armored, sure of herself.  Poirot says to take it as a warning.

Vanderlyn leaves wishing Poirot success, which annoys him.

Leonie enters.

Poirot tells her she is very good looking.  He mentions Carlile not noticing her or any woman.

Poirot is sure there are other men who are appreciative.  Then explains...

If a woman sees a ghost she puts her hands to her heart or her mouth.  But the head...

Poirot explains her hair had been ruffled and she was putting it back into place.

Leonie says she did see a figure.

Poirot does not believe her.  She had been kissed.  Probably by Reggie.

Leonie says Reggie came from behind and grabbed her by the waist, so she let out a scream.

Then the study opened.  Reggie ran away and she was left on the stairs looking like a fool.

Poirot asks if she know of her Mistress's affairs.  She has her ideas, but she is not confided in.

Leonie says Vanderlyn has been in a good mood since being here.

Leonie gets up to leave saying should Monsieur be on the stairs be assured she would not scream.[6]

Lady Julia is questioned.

Poirot asks about last night.

She was advised it was too late for another game of bridge.

She went up and went to bed.

Lady Julia asks when the burglary occurred.  What was taken?  Important papers, worth money.

Poirot asks about the book.  Yes she went back down to the drawing room.

Did she hear a scream?  She had to have heard it from the drawing room.  Lady Julia denies it.

Lady Julia asks what is being done.  Where are the police?

Poirot assures her no stone is left unturned.

Lady Julia leaves.  Mayfield enters through the window.

Mayfield asks how things were going.  Poirot is not pleased, but content.

Mayfield is confused by him.  He wanted to despise Poirot, but felt he was not so futile as he appeared.

Poirot advises Mayfield to have the guests leave.

Chapter VIII:

Mrs. Vanderlyn and Macatta leave for the train.

Leonie runs back in.  Vanderlyn's dressing case was left.

It was found in the shadow of an oak chest.

Vanderlyn calls to Mayfield with a letter to be mailed.

Sir George becomes anxious about Vanderlyn and Macatta being late for their train.

Reggie drives up with the Carrington's car.  It is packed.

Poirot watches till a hand taps him.  Lady Julia must speak to him.

She asks if the papers were returned, they'd be returned with no questions asked?

Lady Julia guarantees they will be returned within 12 hours.

She asks again for a guarantee of no publicity.  Agreed.

The guest are gone.

Poirot tells Macatta the case is over and tells of the convo with Lady Julia.

Poirot does not believe Lady Julia took them, but she knows who did.  Either her husband or son.

Poirot recounts the events.

Lady Julia had gone to Reggie's room, which was empty.  She went down to look for him.

In the AM Lady Julia heard of the burglary, that Reggie has never left his room, which she knows is a lie.

She also knows he is weak, in debt, and liked Vanderlyn.  She persuaded him to steal the plans.

Lady Julia will now tackle Reggie and get the plans back.

Poirot knows it was not Reggie because Reggie was not stealing the plans, but making out with the French maid![7]

Poirot says the plans are in Mayfield's pocket.[8]

Mayfield is short sighted, yet positive he saw a figure in the distance.

Poirot recounts everyone's whereabouts, including Macatta in her bedroom, next to the housekeeper, who knows she remained cause Macatta snores![9]

Leaving only Carlile and Mayfield.

Mayfield pointed out Carlile could have easily copied the plans.

Motive.  Poirot believed the theft of the plans would hurt Mayfield's reputation.[10]

Poirot mentions Mayfield's crisis several years ago.  That he actually did what he denied.[11]

Poirot suspects if there was not an actual friendship, there was record of one, in the form of a letter, which one country wanted to exchange for the plans.

Vanderlyn was the agent for the exchange.

Poirot knew this when Mayfield said he had no real plan in which to catch her.

The plans were put into Vanderlyn's dressing case, the letter handed to him to be "posted".

Poirot mentions Mayfield's an engineer.  Alterations would be made to the plans so skillfully the foreign power would wonder why the bomber is a failure.

Random Comments:
Chapter II

1.  Lol.  I keep wanting to call her van der Woodson.  And I keep seeing Serena's mother...

2.  I mean, it's obvious who took them...  But is it?  I feel like I'm gonna be thinking of how everyone else did it, besides Vanderlyn cause...  It's supposed to be her.  Maybe the mystery of the whole this is not who did it, but how it was done.

3.  Now with her maid!?!  It seems to obvious!
Chapter IV

4.  Hm...  Is it the 2 of them in it together?

5.  Maybe Carlile is the patsy and Mayfield and Vanderlyn are in it together?
Chapter VII

6.  Aw...  I like this one.  The little moments.  Poirot joking Carlile is gay, then that.  :)
Chapter VIII

7.  ARG!!!  Just get to the real ending!  What is this Clue?

8.  How is that possible if George was with him...  Oh yeah...  Reading glasses.[8a]

8a.  Yeah...  They totally didn't clear up that point...

9.  HAHAHAHA!!!

10.  Munchausen Syndrome?

11.  What did he do?  What?  He denied friendship with a European power?

Ending comments:  I was a tad bit confused by the outcome.  The whole political scandal in the past and all...  But I liked this story.  The little comments from Poirot and the other characters.  It was cute.  But yeah...  There's no point in me looking for clues, cause I'll never get it.

Will update as I continue to read.
Last updated:  Saturday, April 26, 2008, 1:07 A.M.