Strong Poison: Chapter 22 - Urquhart's Turkish Delight

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Chapter 22

Norman Urquhart (0:03)

I have come round, said Mr Urquhart, in answer to your letter. I am greatly interested to hear that you have some fresh information about my unfortunate cousin's death.

Of course, I shall be delighted to give you any assistance I can.

SPEAKER_1 (0:18)

Thank you, said Wimsey.

Lord Peter Wimsey (0:19)

Yes, do sit down. You have dined, of course, but you will have a cup of coffee. You prefer the Turkish variety, I fancy.

My man brews it rather well.

SPEAKER_1 (0:30)

Mr Urquhart accepted the offer and complimented Bunter on having achieved the right method of concocting that curiously syrupy brew so offensive to the average Occidental. Bunter thanked him gravely for his good opinion and proffered a box of that equally nauseating mess called Turkish Delight, which not only gluts the palate and glues the teeth, but also smothers the consumer in a flowery cloud of white sugar.

Mr Urquhart immediately plugged his mouth with a large lump of it, murmuring indistinctly that it was the genuine Eastern variety. Wimsey, with an austere smile, took a few sips of strong black coffee without sugar or milk and poured himself out a glass of old brandy. Bunter retired and Lord Peter, laying a notebook open upon his knee, glanced at the clock and began his narrative. He recapitulated the circumstances of Philip Boyes' life and death at some length. Mr. Urquhart, yawning surreptitiously, ate, drank and listened.

Wimsey, still with his eye on the clock, then embarked upon the story of Mrs. Wrayburn's will. Mr. Urquhart, considerably astonished, set his coffee cup aside, wiped his sticky fingers upon his handkerchief and stared.

Norman Urquhart (1:42)

Presently he said, May I ask how you have obtained this very remarkable information?

SPEAKER_1 (1:48)

Wimsey waved his hand.

Lord Peter Wimsey (1:50)

The police, he said, wonderful thing, police organisation. Surprising what they find out when they put their minds to it. You're not denying any of it, I presume?

SPEAKER_1 (2:00)

I am listening, said Mr. Urquhart grimly.

Norman Urquhart (2:03)

When you have finished this extraordinary statement, I may perhaps discover exactly what it is I have to deny.

SPEAKER_1 (2:11)

Oh, yes, said Wimsey.

Lord Peter Wimsey (2:12)

I'll try to make that clear. I'm not a lawyer, of course, but I'm trying to be as lucid as I can.

SPEAKER_1 (2:18)

He droned remorselessly on, and the hands of the clock went round. So far as I make it out, he said, when he had reviewed the whole question of motive.

Lord Peter Wimsey (2:26)

It was very much to your interest to get rid of Mr. Philip Boyes, and indeed the fellow was, in my opinion, a pimple and a wart, and in your place I should have felt much the same about him.

Norman Urquhart (2:39)

And is this the whole of your fantastic accusation?

SPEAKER_1 (2:42)

inquired the solicitor.

Lord Peter Wimsey (2:44)

By no means. I am now coming to the point.

Slow, but sure, is the motto of yours faithfully. I notice that I have taken up seventy minutes of your valuable time, but believe me, the hour has not been unprofitably spent.

Norman Urquhart (2:58)

Allowing that all this preposterous story were true, which I most emphatically deny, observed Mr. Urquhart, I should be greatly interested to know how you imagine that I administered the arsenic.

Have you worked out something ingenious for that, or am I supposed to have suborned my cook and parlor maid to be my accomplices? A little rash of me, don't you think? And affording remarkable opportunities for blackmail?

Lord Peter Wimsey (3:26)

So rash, said Wimsey, that it is quite out of the question for a man so full of forethought as yourself. The sealing up of that bottle of Burgundy, for example, argues a mind alive to possibilities. Unusually so.

In fact, the episode attracted my attention from the start.

Norman Urquhart (3:44)

Indeed?

Lord Peter Wimsey (3:45)

You ask me how and when you administered the poison. It was not before dinner, I think. The thoughtfulness shown in emptying the bedroom water bottle. Oh no!

That point was not missed. The care displayed in meeting your cousin before a witness and never being left alone with him. I think that rules out the period before dinner.

Norman Urquhart (4:06)

I should think it might.

SPEAKER_1 (4:08)

The sherry, pursued Wimsey thoughtfully.

Lord Peter Wimsey (4:10)

It was a new bottle, freshly decanted.

The disappearance of the remains might be commented on. I fancy we can absolve the sherry.

SPEAKER_1 (4:19)

Mr Urquhart bowed ironically.

Lord Peter Wimsey (4:22)

The soup. It was shared by the cook and parlourmaid and they survived. I am inclined to pass the soup. And the same thing applies to the fish.