𝑨 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒕

💍𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸𝙸𝙸: 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝙾𝚏 𝚁𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜📧

NARRATOR'S POINT OF VIEW:

In the poorly illuminated alleys of inner London, two obscure figures huddled together, their countenances marked with concern and urgency. One spoke with a subdued and irked tone, while the other's voice quavered with apprehension.

"Bally well keep mum, we must execute our plan today. If we bungle it, you know who'll be awfully displeased, and we'd rather not stir their ire. So, let us proceed. You'll make your way to the Bouc mansion, and I'll head to the others. Once you're there, slip the letter into the mailbox, understood?" The commanding figure instructed, as the other nodded in agreement. With that, they discreetly went their separate ways, vanishing into the inscrutable depths of bustling London.

When the other figure reached the Bouc mansion, all was eerily tranquil. Swiftly, the figure deposited the letter in the mailbox, leaving no trace of suspicion. Meanwhile, the other figure carried out a similar task, leaving two letters—one for the Otterbourne residence and the other for Miss Van Schuyle. The figures later reconvened in their covert rendezvous.

"Did you do as I asked? Were you seen by anyone?" inquired the figure, their tone forceful.

"No, no one laid eyes on me. I delivered the letter to the Bouc mansion as per your request. It's in the mailbox. You see, I know the routine of Madame Bouc, for a maid inside her abode is acquainted with me and shared the precise time she checks her post. Rest assured, everything is in order. Now, let us be on our way and apprise the concerned party." replied the figure, their demeanor more relaxed. With that, the two figures departed once more, traversing the dimly lit streets of London, with the moon casting a silvery glow upon their clandestine activities.

In the morning, all appeared to be ordinary. Madame Bouc commenced her preparations, while Charlotte still slumbered soundly in her chamber. When one of the maids retrieved the letters from the mailbox, Madame Bouc thanked her and dismissed her. As she perused the letters, one in particular caught her attention—a missive bearing a golden seal imprinted with the fleur-de-lis.

Initially, Madame Bouc found this letter rather peculiar, yet she proceeded to unseal it. Regrettably, the contents within were most distressing. What terrified her above all was that the letter bore the signatures of the two individuals who had met their demise on the River Nile: Simon Doyle and Jacqueline de Bellefort. And the contents of the letter were as follows:

"Madame Bouc, should this letter have reached you, I trust you had a pleasant journey home. As for the nature of this letter addressed to you, it serves as a warning. I surmise you are contemplating its purpose, for within these lines lie the consequences of your presence at the scene of the heinous murders of Linnet Ridgeway, Louise Bourget, Xavier Bouc, Simon Doyle, and Jacqueline de Bellefort. Indeed, ma'am, I am here to deliver the first admonition: I hope you find solace within the walls of your London mansion, for you shall pay, just as the others who were present aboard the Nile vessel that fateful day—where you, Madame, were the perpetrator of the deaths of Simon Doyle and Jacqueline de Bellefort.

You shall bear the weight of your malevolence, for it is my vow to subject you to the very torment you imposed upon them. One by one, until the last, and that last shall be Detective Hercule Poirot. Know that I shall inflict upon you the very anguish you bestowed upon your victims, forcing them into the direst of choices: suicide. I solemnly swear that I shall exact retribution upon you. May you have the remainder of your day, Madam, as it pleases you.

Simon Doyle and Jacqueline de Bellefort"

After perusing the distressing letter, Madame Bouc was horrified. Yet, when she turned her attention to the envelope that bore the sinister missive, she discovered a golden mermaid ring with a pearl atop it—identical to the one she kept in her jewelry box. How could it have found its way into the letter? Troubled and perplexed, she hastened to her jewelry box, only to find the ring missing. It became apparent that someone had pilfered the ring and penned the ominous letter. But who could have committed such a trespass? None of her maids were permitted to meddle in her belongings or enter her chamber without proper authorization. This newfound worry prompted her to reach for her candlestick telephone, deftly turning the wheel on its base to dial the numbers of Monsieur Poirot's residence. Meanwhile, the detective himself sat at his table, indulging in the symmetrical arrangement of his two eggs, accompanied by a steaming mug of hot chocolate.