8
‘Well now.’
Having finished his lunch consisting of emergency rations and a cup of coffee, Ellery began:
‘Our stomachs are full, so let’s finish this problem of ours. Okay?’
‘Of course. Stop making a show of it,’ replied Poe. Van nodded without saying a word.
Ellery’s behaviour had been a source of confusion to the other two ever since he started talking about the footprints. They kept an eye on Ellery during their meal, but he remained calm throughout and they could even catch a glimpse of that smile he always wore on his face.
‘Okay.’
Ellery pushed his cup and plate away and opened the notebook again. The other two came round to his side of the table, each keeping his distance from the other.
‘First, a review of the main points.’
Ellery glanced at the figure of the footprints and began his analysis.
‘We concluded that the only footsteps left by the murderer were the two lines between the body and the staircase. That means the murderer came and left by sea. Supposing that the murderer is one of us, let’s try to trace the route he took.
‘He would have left the Decagon House, gone down to the inlet, into the sea, swum to the rocky area and climbed the staircase there to arrive at the Blue Mansion. He would have taken the same route back after the murder. Poe just talked about the necessity of having to go by sea, but is there really such a thing? No matter how much I think about it, it appears to be nothing but nonsense to me. There’s no need to do that, there’s not the slightest glimmer of reality about the whole idea.’
‘But that would mean that the murderer is someone besides us. Someone from the sea—someone from outside the island.’
‘And why shouldn’t that be the case, Poe?’
Ellery closed the notebook.
‘The most logical conclusion we can take, given the circumstances, is that the murderer is someone besides us. We might not be able to leave the island, but there are plenty of ways for someone from outside to come to the island. That way, there’s also no need to come up with silly conclusions like someone swimming in the sea. The murderer used a boat.’
‘A boat.’
‘Why were both Orczy and Leroux killed in the early morning? Because the best time to get on the island unnoticed is in the middle of the night or in the early morning. What do you think?’
Ellery took out his pack of Salem cigarettes as he watched the expressions of the other two. Realising the pack was empty, he threw it on the table.
‘You want one?’ said Poe and he slid his cigarette case towards Ellery.
‘Poe seems to agree with me.’
Ellery put a cigarette in his mouth and lit a match.
‘And Van?’
‘I think you’re right. Ellery. Poe, could I have one too?’
‘Sure.’
Ellery passed Poe’s cigarette case to Van.
‘But Ellery, if you’re right, why did the murderer make those plates?’ asked Poe.
‘There were not only plates for “The Victims,” but also for “The Detective” and “The Murderer.” That was the real point behind them.’
Ellery, eyes half-closed, blew a cloud of smoke.
‘First of all, it had the effect of making us believe “The Murderer” was someone among us seven. That way, we would be put off guard about the outside world.’
‘And secondly?’
‘I’d say psychological pressure. The last remaining survivors would become suspicious of each other, and might kill each other. The murderer was probably hoping for that. More bodies without having to dirty his own hands. Anyway, the murderer’s final goal is very likely to kill all seven of us.’
‘That’s evil,’ muttered Van as he lit his cigarette.
‘One more thing I think is curious,’ said Poe, pressing a thick thumb to his temple. ‘Why did the murderer go straight back towards the sea after killing Leroux?’
‘What do you mean, why?’ Van asked, as he returned Poe’s cigarette case.
‘The murderer was trying to make it appear like the murders were committed by one of us. So wouldn’t it have made more sense if the murderer had left more footprints, for example between the entrance and the staircase? It would have been simple to do.’
‘He might not have noticed he’d left any footprints.’
‘And he returned just like that to the mainland? When did he stick that plate with “The Third Victim” on the door then?’
‘That’s.…’
Seeing Van couldn’t come up with an answer, Poe turned to Ellery.
‘What’s your view on that, Ellery?’
“I think it was like this,’ said Ellery and he placed his cigarette in the ashtray:
‘It could be, as Van said, that the murderer hadn’t noticed the problem of the footprints. But supposing he had noticed it, he probably would have wanted to leave an extra set of footprints between the entrance and the staircase. The fact he didn’t, means the situation didn’t allow him to do so. I think I can explain it by factoring in the particular circumstances of Leroux’s murder.
‘Leroux was beaten to death. Judging by the wild footsteps that started at the staircase, I think we can deduce that he was being chased by the murderer. My guess is that Leroux saw the murderer and the boat down in the rocky area, probably just as the murderer was preparing to leave the island.
‘Leroux figured out what was going on and ran away. The murderer saw Leroux and ran after him in a hurry. Leroux most likely yelled for help. After catching up with Leroux and beating him to death, the murderer panicked. Someone might have been woken up by Leroux’s cries and could arrive there at any moment. He could hide in the vicinity, but he couldn’t afford to have his boat discovered.