Chapters 22 and 23 Summary

Superintendent Battle is in Devonshire, at Combacre specifically, looking into the four-year-old death of Anne's former employer, Mrs. Benson. The old woman was a difficult employer and Anne could easily have simply left for another position elsewhere. Perhaps the mix-up of the Syrup of Fig bottles was really an accident. Superintendent Battle can find no motive for murder.

Poirot, too, is focused on Anne Meredith. He has suspicions of the girl and wishes to speak to her in person at his apartment. When Anne and Rhoda arrive, Poirot puts forth one of the questions he has asked the other three suspects. He wants to know what Anne remembers of the room in which she played bridge on that fateful night. Anne recalls the cabinet of Egyptian jewelry and a vase of flowers that needed their water changed. Poirot affects disappointment then...