Poirot: The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge

Snuggle up to Agatha Christie's "The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge." The episode unfolds with Poirot recovering from illness and thrust into a perplexing murder case brought to him by Captain Hastings. Set in the atmospheric Derbyshire countryside, the murder of the American Harrington Pace at Hunter's Lodge becomes the catalyst for an intricate web of secrets surrounding this intriguing case.

The music in this episode is The Choices We Make by Hanna Lindgren. 

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Transcript

Jordan: 0:20

Welcome to Dreamful Podcast bedtime stories for slumber. I would like to start off this episode by thanking our newest supporter, whitney Hanson. Thank you so much and I hope you have the sweetest of dreams. If you'd like to support the show, just like Whitney, and gain access to subscriber-only episodes while receiving a shout out, visit dreamfullstoriescom and, on the support page, find a link to become a Buzzsprout supporter or subscribe via Supercast. If you listen on Spotify and if you're thinking of Christmas present ideas, you can buy a subscription for a loved one and make sure that their name is in the shout out. The show is sponsored by BetterHelp.

Jordan: 1:06

I want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to someone truly special to Dreamful our editor Katie. Katie, your beautiful work behind the scenes makes it possible for me to bring these stories to listeners each week, and without you, I might not have the time to create this cozy, peaceful space we all cherish. Not have the time to create this cozy, peaceful space we all cherish. So thank you for everything you do. You know November is all about gratitude. Along with those we love and appreciate, there's one more person we often forget to thank Ourselves. We're each doing our best to make sense of life's twists and turns, and that's no small feat. So here's your reminder to send some thanks to the people in your life, and don't forget yourself in that list. Therapy can be a powerful way to nurture that self-gratitude. It's not only for moments of struggle. It can help us learn positive coping skills, set boundaries and feel empowered to become the best version of ourselves. If you've been considering therapy, betterhelp is a great place to start. It's all online, so it's designed to be convenient, flexible and fit right into your schedule. Just fill out a short questionnaire and you'll be matched with a licensed therapist who's a good fit. Plus, you can switch therapists anytime for no extra charge. Let the gratitude flow with BetterHelp. Visit betterhelpcom slash dreamful today to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp H-E-L-P dot com slash dreamful.

Jordan: 2:39

Right now, as I'm recording this, it's a dreary November day, with rain pelting against my window and a slight draft in my house, which, honestly, is my favorite kind of weather. It puts me in the mood for something like this a mystery solved by Agatha Christie's Poirot. This is the mystery of Hunter's Lodge. So snuggle up in your blankets and have sweet dreams. Thank you.

Jordan: 3:50

After all, murmured Poirot, it is possible that I shall not die this time. Coming from a convalescent influenza patient, I hailed the remark as showing a beneficial optimism. I myself had been the first sufferer from the disease. Poirot, in his turn, had gone down. He was now sitting up in bed propped up with pillows, his head muffled in a woolen shawl, and was slowly sipping a particularly noxious Ddain which I had prepared according to his directions. His eye rested with pleasure upon a neatly graduated row of medicine bottles which adorned the mantelpiece. Yes, yes, my little friend continued. Yes, my little friend continued.

Jordan: 4:47

Once more, I shall be myself again, the great Hercule Poirot, the terror of evildoers. Figure to yourself, mon ami, that I have a little paragraph to myself in society gossip. But yes, here it is, go it. Criminals all out. Hercule Poirot and believe me, girls, he's some Hercules our own pet society detective can't get a grip on you cause, why? Cause he's got a low grip on himself. I laughed good for you, poirot, why? Because he's got a low grip on himself. I laughed Good for you, poirot. You are becoming quite a public character and fortunately you haven't missed anything of particular interest during this time, that is true. The few cases I have had to decline did not fill me with any regret.

Jordan: 5:50

Our landlady stuck her head in at the door. There's a gentleman downstairs says he must see Monsieur Pierrot, or you, captain. Seeing as he was in a great to-do and was all that quite the gentleman, I brought up his card. She handed me the bit of pasteboard, mr Roger Havering. I read. Poirot motioned with his head toward the bookcase and I obediently pulled forth who's who. Poirot took it from me and scanned the pages rapidly.

Jordan: 6:29

Second son of the Fifth Baron, windsor, married 1913. Zoe. Fourth daughter of William Crabb. Hmm, I said I rather fancy that's the girl who used to act at the frivolity. I rather fancy that's the girl who used to act at the frivolity. Only she called herself Zoe Carisbrook. I remember she married some young man about town just before the war.

Jordan: 6:59

Would it interest you, hastings, to go down and hear what our visitor's particular little trouble is? Make him all my excuses. Roger Havering was a man of about forty, well set up and of smart appearance. His face, however, was haggard and he was evidently laboring under great agitation. Captain Hastings, you are Monsieur Perrault's partner. I understand it is imperative that you should come with me to Derbyshire today. I'm afraid that's impossible. I replied while Roe was still in bed influenza. His face fell Dear me. That is a great blow to me. The matter on which you want to consult him is serious. My God, yes, my uncle, the best friend I have in the world, was foully murdered last night here in London no, in Derbyshire.

Jordan: 8:10

I was in town and received a telegram from my wife this morning. Immediately upon its receipt, I determined to come round and beg Monsieur Perrault to undertake the case to Poirot. To undertake the case, if you will excuse me a minute, I said, struck by a sudden idea, I rushed upstairs and in a few brief words, acquainted Poirot with the situation. He took any further words out of my mouth. I see, I see you want to go yourself, is it not so Well, why not? You should know my methods by now. All I ask is that you should report to me fully every day and follow implicitly any instructions. I may wire you To this. I willingly agreed To this. I willingly agreed.

Jordan: 9:22

An hour later, I was sitting opposite Mr Hovering in a first going, and where the tragedy took place is only a small shooting box in the heart of the Derbyshire Moors. Our real home is near Newmarket and we usually rent a flat in town for the season. Hunter's Lodge is looked after by a housekeeper who is quite capable of doing all we need. When we run down for an occasional weekend, of course during the shooting season we take down some of our servants from New Market.

Jordan: 9:58

My uncle, mr Harrington Pace as you may know, my mother was a Miss Pace of New York has for the last three years made his home with us. He never got on well with my father or my elder brother and I suspect that my being somewhat of a prodigal son myself rather increased than diminished his affection towards me. Of course I am a poor man and my uncle was a rich one. In other words he paid the piper but though exacting in many ways, he was not really hard to get on with and we all three limped very harmoniously together.

Jordan: 10:41

Two days ago my uncle, rather wearied with some recent ingaieties of ours in town, suggested that we should run down to Derbyshire for a day or two. My wife telegraphed to Mrs Middleton, the housekeeper, and we went down that same afternoon. Yesterday evening I was forced to return to town but my wife and my uncle remained on. This morning I received this telegram. He handed it over to me. Come at once Uncle Harrington murdered last night. Bring good detective if you can, but do come Zoe Then. As yet you know no details. No, I suppose it will be in the evening papers. Without doubt the police are in charge.

Jordan: 11:39

It was about three o'clock when we arrived at the little station of Elmersdale. From there, a five-mile drive brought us to a small greystone building in the midst of the rugged moors, a lonely place, I observed with a shiver. Havering nodded. I shall try and get rid of it. I can never live here again. I shall try and get rid of it. I can never live here again. We unlatched the gate and were walking up the narrow path to the oak door when a familiar figure emerged and came to meet us. Jump, I ejaculated. The Scotland Yard inspector grinned at me in a friendly fashion before addressing my companion, mr Havring.

Jordan: 12:30

I think I've been sent down from London to take charge of this. I'd like a word with you, if I may, sir, my wife. I've seen your good lady sir and the housekeeper. I won't keep you a moment, but I'm anxious to get back to the village. Now that I've seen your good lady sir and the housekeeper, I won't keep you a moment, but I'm anxious to get back to the village now that I've seen all there is to see here. I know nothing as yet as to what Exactly said Japs soothingly, but there are just one or two little points I'd like your opinion about all the same.

Jordan: 13:05

Captain Hastings here, he knows me and he'll go on up to the house and tell them you're coming. What have you done with the little man? By the way, captain Hastings, he's ill in bed with influenza, is he now? I'm sorry to hear that. Rather the case of the cart without the horse. You're being here without him, isn't it? And on his rather ill-timed jest, I went on into the house.

Jordan: 13:38

I rang the bell, as Jap had closed the door behind him. After some moments it was opened to me by a middle-aged woman in black. Mr Havering will be here in a moment. I explained. He has been detained by the inspector. I've come down with him from London to look into the case.

Jordan: 14:00

Perhaps you could tell me briefly what occurred last night. Come inside, sir. She closed the door behind me and we stood in the dimly lighted hall. It was after dinner last night, sir, that the man came. He asked to see Mr Pace, sir, and seeing that he spoke the same way. I thought it was an American gentleman, friend of Mr Pace, sir, and seeing that he spoke the same way, I thought it was an American gentleman, friend of Mr Pace's, and I showed him into the gun room and then went to tell Mr Pace he wouldn't give any name, which of course was a bit odd. Now I come to think of it, I told Mr Pace and he seemed puzzled like. But he said to the mistress excuse me, zoe, while I see what this fellow wants, he went off to the gun room and I went back to the kitchen, but after a while I heard loud voices as if they were quarreling, and I came out into the hall At the same time the mistress, she comes out too. And just then there was a shot and then a dreadful silence. We both ran to the gunroom door but it was locked and we had to go round to the window. It was open and there inside was Mr Pace all shot and bleeding.

Jordan: 15:31

What became of the man? He must have got away through the window, sir, before we got to it. And then Mrs Havering sent me to fetch the police. Five miles to walk, it was. They came back with me and the constable. He stayed all night and this morning the police gentleman from London arrived.

Jordan: 15:56

What was this man like, who called to see Mr Pace? The housekeeper reflected he had a black beard, sir, and was about middle-aged and hung on a light overcoat. Beyond the fact that he spoke like an American, I didn't notice much about him. I see Now I wonder if I can see Mrs Havering. She's upstairs, sir. Shall I tell her, if you please tell her, that Mr Havering is outside with Inspector Japp and that the gentleman he has brought back with him from London is anxious to speak to her as soon as possible. Very good sir.

Jordan: 16:46

I was in a fever of impatience to get all the facts. Drab had two or three hours start of me and his excited begun made me keen to be close at his heels. Mrs Havering did not keep me waiting long. In a few minutes I heard a light step descending the stairs and looked up to see a very handsome young woman coming towards me. In a few minutes I heard a light step descending the stairs and looked up to see a very handsome young woman coming towards me. She wore a flame-colored jumper that set off the slender boyishness of her figure. On her dark head was a little hat of flame-colored leather. Even the present tragedy could not dim the vitality of her personality. I introduced myself and she nodded in quick comprehension. Of course I have often heard of you and your colleague, monsieur Poirot. You have done some wonderful things together, haven't you? It was very clever of my husband to get to you so promptly. Now will you ask me questions. That is the easiest way, isn't it, of getting to know all you want about this dreadful affair. Thank you, mrs Havering.

Jordan: 17:58

Now, what time was it that this man arrived? It must have been just before nine o'clock. We had finished dinner and we were sitting over a coffee and cigarettes. Your husband had already left for London. Yes, he went out by the 6.15. Did he go by car to the station or did he walk? Our car isn't down here.

Jordan: 18:24

One came out from the garage in Elmersdale to fetch him in time for the train. Was Mr Pace? Quite his usual self, absolutely Most normal in every way. Now, can you describe this visitor at all? I'm afraid not. I didn't see him. Mrs Middleton showed him straight into the gunroom and then came to tell my uncle. What did your uncle say? He seemed rather annoyed but went off at once.

Jordan: 19:00

It was about five minutes later that I heard the sound of raised voices. It was about five minutes later that I heard the sound of raised voices. I ran out into the hall and almost collided with Mrs Middleton. Then we heard the shot. The gunroom door was locked on the inside and we had to go right around the house to the window. Of course that took some time and the murderer had been able to get well away. My poor uncle. Her voice faltered. Heaven shot through the head. I saw it once that he was dead.

Jordan: 19:32

I sent Mrs Middleton for the police. I was careful to touch nothing in the room but to leave it exactly as I had found it. I nodded approval. Now as to the weapon, well, I can make a guess at it, captain Hastings. A pair of revolvers of my husband's were mounted upon the wall. One of them is missing. I pointed this out to the police and they took the other one away with them. When they have extracted the bullet, I suppose they will know for certain. May I go to the gun room. Certainly the police have finished with it, but the body has been removed. She accompanied me to the scene of the crime.

Jordan: 20:22

At that moment, havering entered the hall and, with a quick apology, his wife ran to him. I was left to undertake my investigations alone. I may as well confess at once that they were rather disappointing. In detective novels, clues abound, but here I could find nothing that struck me as out of the ordinary, except a large bloodstain on the carpet where I judged the dead man had fallen. I examined everything with painstaking care and took a couple of pictures of the room with my little camera, which I'd brought with me. I also examined the ground outside the window, but it appeared to have been so heavily trampled underfoot that I judged it was useless to waste time over it. No, I had seen all that Hunter's Lodge had to show me. I must go back to Elmersdale and get into touch with Jap. Accordingly, I took leave of the hoverings and was driven off in the car that had brought us up from the station.

Jordan: 21:40

I found Jap at the Matlock Arms and he took me forthwith to see the body. Harrington Pace was a small, spare, clean-shaven man, typically American in appearance. He had been shot through the back of the head and the revolver had been discharged at close quarters. Discharged at close quarters, turned away for a moment, remarked Jap, and the other fellow snatched up a revolver and shot him. The one Mrs Havering handed over to us was fully loaded and I suppose the other one was also Curious. What darn fool things people do. Fancy keeping two loaded revolvers hanging up on your wall.

Jordan: 22:28

What do you think of the case, I asked as we left the gruesome chamber behind us. Well, I'd got my eye on Havering to begin with. Oh, yes, noting my exclamation of astonishment. Havering has one or two shady incidents in his past. When he was a boy at Oxford there was some funny business about the signature on one of his father's checks All hushed up, of course. Then he's pretty heavily in debt now and they're the kind of debts he wouldn't like to go to his uncle about, whereas you may be sure the uncle's will would be in his favor. Yes, I'd got my eye on him and that's why I wanted to speak to him before he saw his wife.

Jordan: 23:17

But their statements dovetail all right, and I've been to the station and there's no doubt whatever that he left by the 6.15. I guess, up to London about 10.30. He went straight to his club. He says, and if that's confirmed, all right, why he couldn't have been shooting his uncle here at 9 o'clock in a black beard. Ah, yes, I was going to ask you what you thought about the beard. Jack blinked I think it grew pretty fast. Grew in the five miles from Elmersdale to Hunter's Lodge. Americans I have met are mostly clean-shaven. Yes, it's amongst Mr Pace's American associates that will have to look for the murderer.

Jordan: 24:04

I questioned the housekeeper first and then her mistress, and their stories agree all right, but I'm sorry Mrs Havering didn't get a look at the fellow. She's a smart woman and she might have noticed something that would set us on the track. That would set us on the track. I sat down and wrote a minute and linked the account to Poirot. I was able to add various further items of information before I posted the letter. The bullet had been extracted and was proved to have been fired from a revolver identical with the one held by the police. Furthermore, mr Havering's movements on the night in question had been checked and verified and it was proved beyond doubt that he had actually arrived in London by the train in question. And thirdly, a sensational development had occurred A city gentleman living at Ealing, on Crossing Haven Green to get to the district railway station that morning, had observed a brown paper parcel stuck between the railings. Opening it, he found that it contained a revolver. He handed the parcel over to a local police station and before night it was proved to be the one we were in search of, the fellow to that given by Mrs Havering. One bullet had been fired from it. All this I added to my report.

Jordan: 25:49

A wire from Poirot arrived whilst I was at breakfast the following morning. Of course Blackbearded man was not Havering. Only you or Jap would have such an idea. Why are me description of housekeeper and what clothes she wore this morning Same of Mrs Haffering? Do not waste time taking photographs of interiors. They are underexposed and not in the least artistic. It seemed to me that Poirot's style was unnecessarily facetious. I also fancied he was a shade jealous of my position on the spot with full facilities for handling the case. His request for a description of clothes worn by the two women appeared to me to be simply ridiculous. But I complied as well as I, a mere man, was able to.

Jordan: 26:41

At eleven, a reply wire came from Poirot. At eleven, a reply wire came from Poirot Advise Jap, arrest housekeeper before it is too late. Dumbfounded, I took the wire to Jap. He swore softly under his breath he's the good, monsieur Poirot. If he says so, there's something in it and I hardly notice the woman. I don't know that I can go so far as arresting her, but I'll have her watched. We'll go up right away and take another look at her, but it was too late.

Jordan: 27:28

Mrs Middleton, a quiet, middle-aged woman who had only appeared so normal and respectable, had vanished into thin air. Her box had been left behind. It contained only ordinary wearing apparel. There was no clue in it to identity or as to her whereabouts. From Mrs Havering we elicited all the facts we could. I engaged her about three weeks ago when Mrs Emery, our former housekeeper, left. She came to me from Mrs Selborne's agency in Mount Street, a very well-known place. I get all my servants from there. They sent several women to see me, but this Mrs Middleton seemed much the nicest and had splendid references. I engaged her on the spot and notified the agency of the fact. I can't believe that there was anything wrong with her. I engaged her on the spot and notified the agency of the fact. I can't believe that there was anything wrong with her. She was such a nice, quiet woman. The thing was certainly a mystery, whilst it was clear that the woman herself could not have committed the crime since at the moment the shot was fired Mrs Havering was with her in the hall. Nevertheless, she must have some connection with the murderer, or why should she suddenly take to her heels and bolt? I wired the latest development to Poirot and suggested returning to London and making inquiries at Selborne's agency. Poirot's reply was prompt Useless to inquire at agency. They will never have heard of her and find out what vehicle took her up to Hunter's Lodge. When she first arrived there, though mystified, I was obedient. The means of transport to Nelmersdale were limited. The local garage had two battered Ford cars and there were two station flies. None of these had been requisitioned on the date in question. Questioned, mrs Hovering explained that she had given the woman the money for her fare down to Derbyshire and sufficient to hire a car or fly to take her up to Hunter's Lodge. There was usually one of the Fords at the station on the chance of it being required. Taking into consideration the further fact that nobody at the station had noticed the arrival of a stranger, black-bearded or otherwise, on the fatal evening, everything seemed to point to the conclusion that the murderer had come to the spot in a car which had been waiting near at hand to aid his escape and that the same car had brought the mysterious housekeeper to her new post and that the same car had brought the mysterious housekeeper to her new post. I may mention that inquiries at the agency in London bore out Poirot's prognostication no such woman as Mrs Middleton had ever been on their books. They had received the haunt of Mrs Havering's application for her housekeeper and had sent her various applicants for the post. When she sent them the engagement fee, she omitted to mention which woman she had selected. Somewhat crestfallen I returned to London. Somewhat crestfallen I returned to London. I found Poirot established in an armchair by the fire in a garish silk dressing gown. He greeted me with much affection, mon ami Hastings. But how glad I am to see you. Veritably, I have for you a great affection and you have enjoyed yourself. You have run to and fro with a good job. You have interrogated and investigated to your heart's content, poirot, I cried. The thing's a dark mystery. It will never be solved. It is true that we are not likely to cover ourselves with glory over it. No, indeed, it's a hard nut to crack. Oh, as far as that goes, I am very good at cracking the nuts, a veritable squirrel. It is not that which embarrasses me. I know well enough who killed Mr Harrington Pace. You know how did you find out. Your illuminating answers to my wires supplied me with the truth. See here, hastings. Let us examine the facts methodically and in order. Mr Harrington Pace is a man with a considerable fortune which, at his death, will doubtless pass to his nephew. Point number one his nephew is known to be desperately hard up. Point number two his nephew is also known to be, shall we say, a man of rather loose moral fiber. Point number three but Roger Havering has proved to have journeyed straight up to London, precisely. And therefore, as Mr Havering left Elmersdale at 6.15, and since Mr Pace cannot have been killed before he left or the doctor would have spotted the time of the crime as being given wrongly when he examined the body, we conclude quite rightly that Mr Havering did not shoot his uncle. But there is a Mrs Havering Hastings Impossible. The housekeeper was with her when the shot fired. Ah yes, the housekeeper, but she has disappeared. She will be found? I think not. There is something peculiarly elusive about that housekeeper, don't you think so, hastings? It struck me at once. She played her part, I suppose. And then got out in the nick of time. And what was her part? Well, presumably to admit her confederate, the black-bearded man. Oh no, that was not her part. Her part was what you have just mentioned to provide an alibi for Mrs Havering at the moment. The shot was fired and no one will ever find her, mon ami, because she does not exist. There is no such person as your so great Shakespeare says. It was Dickens, I murmured, unable to suppress a smile. But what do you mean, poirot? I mean that Zoe Havering was an actress before her marriage. That you and Jap only saw the housekeeper in a dark hall, a dim, middle-aged figure in black with a faint, subdued voice middle-aged figure in black with a faint, subdued voice. And, finally, that neither you nor Jap nor the local police whom the housekeeper fetched ever saw Mrs Middleton and her mistress at one and the same time. It was child's play for that clever and daring woman. On the pretext of summoning her mistress, she runs upstairs, slips on a bright jumper and a hat with black curls attached, but she jams down over the grey transformation. A few deaf touches and the makeup is removed. A slight dusting of rouge and the brilliant Zoe Hovering comes down with a clear, ringing voice. Nobody looks particularly at the housekeeper. Why should they? There is nothing to connect her with the crime. She too has an alibi. But the revolver that was found dealing Mrs Havring could not have placed it there. No, that was Roger Havring's job. But it was a mistake on their part. It put me on the right track. A man who has committed a murder with a revolver which he found on the spot would fling it away at once. He would not carry it up to London with him. No, the motive was clear. The criminals wished to focus the interest of the police on a spot far removed from Derbyshire. They were anxious to get the police away as soon as possible from the vicinity of Hunter's Lodge. Of course, the revolver found at Ealing was not the one with which Mr Pace was shot. Roger Havering discharged one shot from it, brought it up to London, went straight to his club to establish his alibi and then went quickly out to Ealing by the district, a matter of about twenty minutes only placed the parcel where it was found. And so back to town. That charming creature, his wife. Back to town, that charming creature, his wife quietly shoots Mr Pace after dinner. You remember he was shot from behind. Another significant point that Reloads the revolver and puts it back in its place and then starts off with her desperate little comedy. It's incredible, I murmured, fascinated, and yet, and yet it is true. And so, my friend, it is true. But to bring that precious pair to justice, that is another matter. Well, jack must do what he can. I have written him fully. But I very much fear, hastings, that we shall be obliged to leave them to fate or the Bondu, whichever you prefer, the wicked flourish like a green bay tree, I reminded him, but at a price, hastings. Always at a price. He stings, always at a price. Poirot's forebodings were confirmed. Jatt, though convinced of the truth of his theory, was unable to get together the necessary evidence to ensure a conviction. Mr Pace's huge fortune to get together the necessary evidence to ensure a conviction, mr Pace's huge fortune passed into the hands of his murderers. Nevertheless, nemesis did overtake them, and when I read in the paper that the Honorable Roger and Mrs Havering were amongst those killed in the crashing of the airmail to Paris no-transcript.