Chapter 2 2. First mention of elephants

As a result, her friend Hercule.Poirot was not at home.She had no choice but to call when she got home. will you be home tonightasked Mrs Olivier. She was sitting by the phone, tapping the table anxiously with her fingertips. you are Aridan.Olivia. Mrs. Olivier was surprised that she had to give her name, she always thought that all her friends would know it was her when they got a call. Yes, I'm home tonight, does that mean you're coming? You are good at talking.Mrs. Olivia said: I don't know if you welcome me to visit. I am always glad to see you, dear madam. I don't know, said Mrs. Olivier: I might have to, please.I want to ask something and want to hear your opinion.

I'm always happy to let you know.said Poirot. Something happened, Mrs Olivier said: "It's very annoying and I don't know what to do. So you want to come see me.I'm so honored, so honored. What time is convenient?asked Mrs Olivier. How about nine o'clock?Maybe we can have a cup of coffee too, unless you like pomegranate or black currant juice.But I remember you don't like it. George, said Poirot to his irreplaceable valet: Lady Olivier is coming tonight to prepare coffee, and I think perhaps some rum, I have not been able to remember what she likes. I've seen her drink cherry brandy, sir.

I think she also drinks mint liqueur, but prefers cherry brandy.Well, said Poirot: that's all. Mrs. Olivier arrived exactly on time.Poirot had been wondering all through dinner, what was the problem that had prompted Madame Olivier's visit?Why is she so hesitant?Was it to pose a problem or tell him a crime?As far as Poirot knew, as far as Mrs. Olivia was concerned, anything was possible.It may be a very common thing, or it may be the most bizarre thing; it can be said that it is just like her.He thought she was annoying, well, Hercule.He could handle Madame Olivier, thought Poirot, as he had always been able to handle her.Sometimes she annoys him, but at the same time she fascinates him, and they have been through many things together.Did he just read about her in the paper this morning or in the evening paper?But think about it before she arrives.And as soon as he remembered, she arrived.

She entered the room, and Poirot was right in his earlier deduction that she was anxious.Her carefully combed hair was disheveled with frantic scratching.He greeted her cheerfully, seated her in a chair, poured her a cup of coffee, and handed her a glass of cherry brandy. Oh, Mrs. Olivia sighed with relief: I think you must think me stupid, but I understand.I read in the newspaper that you were attending a literary dinner, and the place was full of well-known female writers and so on.I thought you never go to these kinds of parties. Usually I don't go, Mrs. Olivia said: I won't go in the future.

Ah, you get harassed a lot?said Poirot sympathetically. He knew in what circumstances Mrs. Olivier would be embarrassed, upset by excessive praise of her work, which she had mentioned had never been known how to respond to such compliments. Don't you like this party? It was quite happy at first, Mrs. Olivia said: but then some annoying things happened. Aha, that's why you came to me. right.I don't know why, I mean, it has nothing to do with you, and it's not something you're interested in.I'm not interested myself, but I want to know what you think, to know, well, what would you do if you were me.

It is difficult to answer this question, Poirot said: I know that I am Hercule.What Poirot would do, and though I know you well, I still don't know what you would do. You can definitely give some advice this time, Mrs. Olivia said: We have known each other for so long. About twenty years? Oh, I don't know, I can't remember what happened on which day and year, and you know I get confused easily.I remember 1939 because the war broke out that year, and other days because of odd oddities here and there. In short, you attended the literary dinner, but it was not very pleasant. Lunch was great, but then

Someone said something to you.Poirot said kindly, like a doctor asking a doctor. Well, they were just about to come over to talk, when suddenly a big and arrogant woman rushed over.She likes to dominate and make you uncomfortable.You know, she's like a butterfly catcher, except she doesn't have a butterfly net.She caught me, pushed me on the couch, and started talking about one of my goddaughters. Ah, is it your beloved goddaughter? I haven't seen her in years, Mrs Olivier said: I can't keep in touch with everyone.Then she asked a very disturbing question, she wanted me oh my god it's hard to say

No, said Poirot gently: it's easy, everyone will tell me sooner or later.You see, I'm just a foreigner, there will be no problem.It's not difficult because I'm a foreigner. Well, it would be more convenient to tell you, Mrs. Olivier said: She asked about the girl's parents, and asked whether her mother killed her father, or her father killed her mother. Please say it again!said Poirot. Oh, I know it sounds ridiculous, well, it is. Did your goddaughter's mother kill her father, or did her father kill her mother? right.said Mrs Olivier. But is this a real event?Did her father really kill her mother, or did her mother kill her father?

Well, they were both shot, Madame Olivier said: lying on a cliff somewhere, in Cornwall or in Corsica, I don't remember. So is it true?What did she say later? Oh, that's partly true, it happened years ago, but I mean why come to me? Because you are a detective novelist, said Poirot: she must think you know all about crime.This thing really happened? Oh yes.This is not the kind of thing that if your mother kills your father or you are the father who kills your mother, what will A do and what is the best arrangement?The problem.This is a real case.I think it's best to start from the beginning. Of course, I don't remember all the details, but it was a high-profile event at the time.That was about um, I think at least twelve years ago.Also, I remember their names because I know them.That wife is my classmate, I know her very well, we are friends.The case was a sensation and was reported in all newspapers and magazines.Alistair.Sir and Lady Ravenk were very affectionate, he was a colonel or general, and she followed him all over the world.They ended up buying the house when they settled somewhere I think it was abroad but can't remember exactly.Then, the newspapers suddenly reported the case, and either someone killed them, or they were assassinated, or they shot each other.I think the murder weapon was a revolver, it's been in the house for years, well, I better tell you all I can think of.

Mrs. Olivier pulled herself together and told Poirot what she had heard in detail, and Poirot occasionally interrupted to ask for details. But, at the end he said: Why does this woman want to know about this? Well, that's what I'm trying to find out, said Mrs Olivier: I think I can go and find Celia, she's still living in London or Cambridge or Oxford.She should already have a degree, either lecturing or teaching there.I think she must be like young people nowadays, mixing with some people with long hair and fancy clothes.She shouldn't be taking drugs, it's normal, but I rarely hear from her.I mean, she only sends me a card on holidays like Christmas.Alas, I can't think of my godchildren all the time, she is already twenty-five or six years old.

not married yet? Not yet, it looks like she's getting married, or just planning to marry what's that woman's name?Oh yes, Mrs. Bredeau is wrong, Mrs. Bordenka's son. Mrs Bordenka doesn't want her son to marry this girl because her parents killed each other, do they? Well, I guess so, said Mrs. Olivier: that's the only possible reason.But what does it matter?Even if your father or mother killed each other, how would that affect your mother-in-law?Is it going too far? Ordinary people would be more or less scrupulous about such things, Poirot said: This is really, um, really interesting.I don't mean Alistair.Mr. Ravenk or Mrs. Ravenk is very interesting, but I vaguely remember that there was a case similar to this one, but it should not be the same one.However, Mrs. Bodenka's behavior is very puzzling, and she may be planning something.Does she love her son? It was possible, said Mrs. Olivier, that she might not have wanted him to marry the girl at all. Because she might have inherited a spouse-murdering instinct from her parents? how could I know?Mrs Olivier said: "She seemed to think I knew the answer and she didn't tell me much.Why do you see?What's the inside story?what does that mean? It was fun to solve the riddle.Nero said. Well, that's why I came to you, Mrs. Olivier said: You like to investigate the truth, to pursue things that seem to have no apparent reason and no one understands. Do you think Mrs. Burdenka has a preset answer?said Poirot. Do you mean that the husband killed the wife, or the wife killed the husband?I don't think so. Well, said Poirot: I understand your difficulty, which is indeed very curious.You've just come back from a party and you've been asked to do an impossible, almost impossible task, so you're wondering how to handle it properly. Well, what do you think is better?said Mrs Olivier. It is difficult to answer, Poirot said: I am not a woman.This is a woman you don't know, just met at a party, and somehow throws you a question for you to answer. Yes, said Lady Olivier: What shall I do now, Aridan?In other words, if you read this question in the paper, what should the person do? Well, I think, said Poirot: the man has three paths.One could write a note to Mrs. Bordenka saying: I'm very sorry, this is really getting in the way or something.Second, find your goddaughter and pass on the questions her future mother-in-law is asking you.Can you figure out if she really wants to marry this young man?If it's serious, what's on her mind?Did the guy ever mention what his mother was thinking?This opens up other interesting questions, such as what the girl thinks of this future mother-in-law.The third way, which I strongly recommend you do, is to I know, said Mrs. Olivier: a word. do nothing.said Poirot. yes.Mrs Olivier said: "I know it's the easiest and most appropriate way to do nothing.It's embarrassing to tell your goddaughter that her future mother-in-law is snooping around, but I know, Poirot said: people are curious. I wonder why that nasty woman is saying this to me.Mrs. Olivia said: Only when I find out the truth can I be relieved and forget all this, but once I know Yes, said Poirot: you won't be able to sleep.From what I understand, you'll have sleepless nights, and you'll have a bunch of outlandish, exaggerated ideas, and you'll be able to write very compelling crime stories, detective novels, horror novels, you name it. Well, if I think in that direction, I can write it.Mrs. Olivier's eyes flickered. Leave it alone, said Poirot: it is not easy to deal with, and there is no reason for you to go into this muddy water. But I want to be sure that I really have no reason to doubt. Curiosity is an interesting thing, said Poirot with a sigh: think how much history has been made by it.curiosity!I don't know who invented it. It is said that it has something to do with cats. Curiosity killed cats.But I think the Greeks invented it, and they wanted to know.As far as I know, no one before them wanted to know much, and the average person just wanted to know what the laws of the country were, and how not to be beheaded, impaled on a stake, or suffer misfortune.They have only two ways of obeying and disobeying, and it never occurs to them to know why.Since people began to ask why, many objects have been developed, ships, trains, airplanes, atomic bombs, penicillin and medicines for various diseases.The little boy sees the steam off the lid of his mother's kettle, and the next thing we know there's a train, and then there's a rail strike and all that stuff. Tell me the truth, Mrs Olivier said: Do you think I'm a nosy person? No, I don't think so.Poirot said: Actually, I don't think you are a person who is too curious, but I also understand that you are very uncomfortable in that kind of literary gathering. You have to avoid too many compliments and too many good intentions, but instead You are caught in a dilemma, so you hate those people who don't understand. Yes, she was a very nasty woman, very unpleasant. As far as you know, the parties involved in this murder case are loving couples, and there is no obvious record of quarreling. No one can find a special reason, right? They were shot to death.That's right, they were shot, probably committed suicide together, I think the police deduced that at first.Of course, after so long, no one can find the answer. No, it is possible, said Poirot: I think I can find out something. You mean, by your life-stimulating friends? Well, I wouldn't call them life-thrilling friends.Of course, I have some friends with good channels, who can call up specific files and inquire about the records of that criminal case, and I have a way to obtain the necessary information. You can find out the truth, said Mrs Olivier hopefully, and tell me. Yes, Poirot said: I think at least I can let you know the whole picture of that case, but it will take a while. I understand the way you do things.That's part of the reason I'm asking for your help.As for myself, I should also do something.I have to find this girl, find out if she knows the content, ask her if she wants me to tease her future mother-in-law, or if there is anything I can do for you.I also want to meet the boy she is going to marry. , Very well, said Poirot: very well. I think, said Mrs. Olivier, there might be some. She paused, frowning. I don't think they'll be very cooperative, Hercule.Poirot said: This is a case from a long time ago, although it may have been noisy at the time.But even so, what can you remember?Unless it had a surprising ending, which this case didn't, no one remembered. Indeed, said Mrs. Olivier: indeed.At that time, it was widely reported in the newspapers, and it was lively for a while, but in the end it ended without a problem.Well, that's how it is now, like there used to be a girl, you know, one day she suddenly disappeared and her family couldn't find her anywhere, that was about five or six years ago.Suddenly one day, a little boy playing on the beach or in a sandpit came across her body, but it was five or six years later. Yes, said Poirot: but from the time of the body's death, from the clues of what happened that day, and from looking back at the various written records of the time, we may finally find the murderer.But your question is more difficult, because it seems that there are only two possible answers: Either the husband doesn't like his wife and wants to get rid of her, or the wife hates her husband, or she has a lover herself.So it could be a love affair or something else entirely, and in short, as inconclusive as it was then.Since the police were unable to solve the case at the time, it must be because the motive for the crime was very obscure and hard to find, and it became a sensational event that was never resolved. I think I can go and see the girl, maybe that's why the woman came to me, she thinks the girl knows something Well, maybe she does.Mrs. Olivier said: Children are like this, they know all kinds of weird things. How old was your goddaughter? Well, I can figure it out, but I can't figure it out right away.Probably nine or ten, maybe older, I'm not sure.I remember when she was at school, but maybe that's just my impression from reading the reports. Do you think Mrs. Burdenka's purpose is to ask you to dig information from this girl?Maybe the girl really knew something, maybe she had told Mrs. Bordenka's son something, and the son told his mother.I guess Mrs. Bordencar asked the girl herself but failed, so the well-known Mrs. Olivier, being her godmother and familiar with crimes, should be able to get her out of it.However, I still can't figure out what this matter has to do with her?Poirot said: Nor can those whom you generally call people be of any help to me, and he added: Who would remember? Well, I think some people do.said Mrs Olivier. No way!Bai Luo looked at her in confusion and said, "Is there really someone who remembers?" Well, said Mrs Olivier: I was thinking of elephants, actually. elephant? As in the past, Poirot only felt that Mrs. Olivia was really incredible, why did she suddenly mention elephants? I was thinking about elephants at lunch yesterday.said Mrs Olivier. Why do you think of elephants?asked Poirot curiously. Well, I think of their teeth.You also know that you can't eat well with dentures, you have to remember what you can eat and what you can't. aha!Poirot sighed deeply: yes, yes.Dentists can do many things, but they are not everything. right.Then I thought that human teeth are just bone, which is not good. Dog teeth are good, and dog teeth are ivory.Then I thought about other animals with ivory teeth, like walruses and oh, what the hell.I also thought of elephants, and of course you think of elephants when you talk about ivory, don't you?Huge ivory. True.Poirot still could not understand what Madame Olivier was trying to say. So I think, what we're looking for now are people who are like elephants.Elephants are said to have a good memory and never forget things. Yes, I've heard that statement.said Poirot. Elephants don't forget things.Mrs. Olivier said: Do you know a story that is told to children?An Indian tailor pokes a needle into an elephant's tusk, no, not the tusk, but its trunk, the elephant's trunk.Several years later, when the elephant passed by again one day, it took a big mouthful of water and sprayed the tailor all over his body.An elephant doesn't forget the past, it remembers it very clearly.That's the point, the elephants will remember, all I have to do is find some elephants. I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Hercule.Poirot said: Who are you to classify as elephants?It sounds like you're headed to the zoo for clues. Well, no.Mrs. Olivier said: Not real elephants, but people who resemble elephants in some way.Some people have very good memories. In fact, people sometimes remember strange things, like many things that I can still vividly remember.I remember my five year old birthday party with a pink cake, a lovely pink cake with a sugar bird on it.I still remember the day my canary flew away and I cried.I also remember going out in the field one day, and seeing a bull, and being told it was going to hit me, and I was so frightened that I wanted to run away, I remember that pretty well.There was another Tuesday I don't know why I remember it was Tuesday, but it was Tuesday I remember that blackberry picking was fun on that outing, I remember being stabbed, but I picked more blackberries than others, it was really fun!I must have been nine years old then.Not necessarily that long ago though, I've been to hundreds of weddings in my life, but in retrospect, only two stand out as particularly memorable.One time I was a bridesmaid, and the wedding was in the New Forest, but I forgot who got married, it was like a cousin, I didn't know her well, but she wanted a lot of bridesmaids, so I just dropped by.There was also a wedding. The groom was a navy man. He was rescued after almost drowning in a submarine. The woman's family objected to the marriage, but they got married anyway, and I was a bridesmaid.Anyway, I mean, there's always something you stick with. I see, said Poirot: very interesting.So would you go to a la recherche des elephants (French: In search of those elephants)? Yes, I have to find out the exact date first. Well, said Poirot: I hope I can be of help. Then I'm going to think about the people I knew then, people who also knew some of my friends, who probably knew that general or something.They may have met abroad, and these people I also know, but have not seen for many years.I can go to those friends whom I haven’t seen for a long time, people are happy to see old acquaintances, even if I don’t remember you very much, then I will naturally talk about the past in my memory. Very interesting, Poirot said: It seems that you are already ready.No matter the depth of the relationship, there was always someone who knew Ravenk; someone who lived near the crime scene, and probably still lives there now.It's kind of hard to find, but I think there's always something to be gained, and it's a challenge anyway.Start by talking about what happened, asking them what they think happened and what others have said happened.Talk about whether the husband or wife had an affair, whether anyone inherited an inheritance, and I think that can dig up a lot. oh my god!Mrs. Olivier said: I'm really afraid of being seen as a nosy person. You have been given a task, says Poirot: not from someone you like, someone you are happy to obey, but from someone you don't like at all.That's okay, you're in a quest, a quest for knowledge.You have your own way, the way of the elephant.Ask the elephant to go, Bon voyage (French: have a nice trip). What did you say?said Mrs Olivier. I am sending you on a journey of discovery, Poirot said: to find elephants. I think I'm crazy.Mrs. Olivier said sadly that she started scratching her hair again, which looked very similar to Stuwi Peter's illustration (in the German writer Hoffman's children's book "Egyptian Stuwi Peter", Stuwi Peter I don't like cutting hair and nails, and it's usually unkempt in the illustrations).I'm thinking up a book called The Golden Retriever, and I'm having trouble, not knowing where to start, if you know what I mean. So forget about the golden retriever and focus on the elephant.