The ABC Murders

A fatigued Crome, still in his office, agrees to meet a witness, who turns out to be Tom Hartigan, Lily Marbury’s boyfriend. Tom describes Cust and his recent odd behavior, including lying about his trip to Doncaster. The published account of the man at the hotel led Tom to ask Lily’s mother for Cust’s initials, and if he had been away during the Andover murder along with the others. Crome takes down the Marbury address and asks about Cust’s behavior—apparently he has become more eccentric and reads the newspapers obsessively. Crome checks witness statements and finds the report from Churston of a man likely Cust, acting strangely after a film.

Tom returns to Lily, recounting that Crome is unremarkable, but that he hopes he will achieve some fame as a witness. Lily asks if Poirot was there, and then asks Tom to tell her more. Back at Lily’s house, Cust takes a telephone call from a woman. He tells Mrs. Marbury his sister has had a baby and that he must leave. Mrs. Marbury begins to feel guilt for suspecting Cust, placated by the idea of her lodger as an uncle. Cust, trying to make his escape, recalls the telephone call. He thinks the woman who called was Lily, warning him of the danger from the police, wanting no harm to come to him. He leaves, uncertain of his destination.

At a strategy meeting, Crome and the assistant commissioner go over the case against Cust with Poirot and Hastings. They confirm he visited Ascher’s neighbor and the Barnards on all the relevant dates and that he is missing from his lodgings. When told of the phone call that prompted Cust’s departure, Poirot pronounces it odd but does not explain further. A search of Cust’s room reveals stationary matching the letters, and a collection of railway guides. Crome reports his search for the knife and that he finally found it in the hall hidden in some furniture. Poirot is less triumphant than the others, seeming distant when they announce the criminal will soon be apprehended. Poirot admits, “There is something that worries me very much. It is the why? The motive” (215). Crome declares that Cust must resent Poirot. Poirot does not answer as the police continue to debate the nature of mental health conditions. The commissioner, as others have, closes by wondering where Cust is.

Cust, returned to Andover, finds Mrs. Ascher’s shop empty. He is hungry and destitute. He finds a wanted poster mentioning the case, wondering if Poirot has unmasked him. He wanders, reflecting on his absurd situation, as it befits his entire life. He goes forward, finally seeing a sign for a police station. He faints.