Ten
Poirot looked up at The Elms and approved of it.
He was admitted and taken promptly¹ by what he judged to be a secretary to the headmistress’sstudy. Miss Emlyn rose from her desk to greet him.
“I am delighted to meet you, Mr. Poirot. I’ve heard about you.”
“You are too kind,” said Poirot.
“From a very old friend of mine, Miss Bulstrode. Former headmistress of Meadowbank. Youremember Miss Bulstrode, perhaps?”
“One would not be likely to forget her. A great personality.”
“Yes,” said Miss Emlyn. “She made Meadowbank the school it is.” She sighed slightly andsaid, “It has changed a little nowadays. Different aims, different methods, but it still holds its ownas a school of distinction, of progress, and also of tradition. Ah well, we must not live too much inthe past. You have come to see me, no doubt, about the death of Joyce Reynolds. I don’t know ifyou have any particular interest in her case. It’s out of your usual run of things, I imagine. Youknew her personally, or her family perhaps?”
“No,” said Poirot. “I came at the request of an old friend, Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, who was stayingdown here and was present at the party.”
“She writes delightful² books,” said Miss Emlyn. “I have met her once or twice. Well, thatmakes the whole thing easier, I think, to discuss. So long as no personal feelings are involved, onecan go straight ahead. It was a horrifying³ thing to happen. If I may say so, it was an unlikely thingto happen. The children involved seem neither old enough nor young enough for it to fall into anyspecial class. A psychological crime is indicated. Do you agree?”
“No,” said Poirot. “I think it was a murder, like most murders, committed for a motive⁴, possiblya sordid⁵ one.”
“Indeed. And the reason?”
“The reason was a remark made by Joyce; not actually at the party, I understand, but earlier inthe day when preparations were being made by some of the older children and other helpers. Sheannounced that she had once seen a murder committed.”
“Was she believed?”

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