Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Mystery Sleep Story - Poirot Investigates The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

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Starting point is 00:00:46 please go to sleepcove.com slash support. That's sleepcove.com slash support. If you can't support the show right now, please subscribe with a bell to get alerts on all new free content thank you have you ever gazed in wonder at the great pyramid have you marvelled at the golden face of Tudankhamun

Starting point is 00:01:16 or admired the delicate features of Queen Nefertiti if you have you'll probably like the History of Egypt podcast every week we explore tales of this ancient culture The history of Egypt is available wherever you get your podcasting fix. Come, let me introduce you to the world of ancient Egypt. Please listen to this recording in a place where you can safely go to sleep. In today's recording, I'll be reading Poirot investigates the million-dollar bond robbery. In the story, Poirot, the famous Belgian detective,

Starting point is 00:02:08 It's asked to investigate the million-dollar bond robbery on board the liner Olympia as it sailed from London to New York. I really think you'll enjoy it and let me know what you think. It's begin. Poirot investigates the million-dollar bond robbery. What a number of bond robberies there have been lately. I observed one morning. baying aside the newspaper.

Starting point is 00:02:42 Fouro, Let us forsake the science of detection and take to crime instead. Fouro looked up and said, You were on the, How do you say it? Get rich quick take, monomy. Well, look at the last coup.

Starting point is 00:03:00 The million dollars worth of liberty bonds which the London and Scottish Bank were sending to New York and which disappeared in such a remarkable manner on board the Olympia. I said, if it were not for the Maldemere and the difficulty of practicing the so excellent method of Lava Gaire for a longer time than the few hours of crossing the channel,

Starting point is 00:03:27 I should delight to voyage on one of these big liners, murmured Poirot dreamily. Yes, indeed, I said enthusiastically. some of them must be perfect palaces, the swimming bath, their lounges, the restaurant, the palm course, really it must be hard to believe that one is on the sea. Me, I always know when I am on the sea, said Poirot, sadly, all those baccattels that you enumerate, they say nothing to me, consider for a moment the geniuses that travel. as it were incognito on board these floating palaces, as you so justly call them. One would meet the elite,

Starting point is 00:04:22 the hot noblesse of the criminal world. So that's the way your enthusiasm runs. You would have liked to cross swords with a man who sneaked their liberty bonds. The nun lady interrupted us. A young lady, as wants to see you, Mr Poirot, here's her card. The card bore the inscription, Miss Esme Fouacro, and Poirot, after diving under the table, to retrieve a stray crumb, and putting it carefully in the waste paper basket, nodded to the lun lady to admit her. In another minute, one of the most charming girls I've ever seen,

Starting point is 00:05:10 was ushered into the room. She was perhaps about five and twenty, with big brown eyes and a perfect figure. She was well dressed and perfectly composed in manner. Sit down, I beg of you, mademoiselle, this is my friend Captain Hastings, who aids me in my little problems. I am afraid it is a big problem I have brought you today,

Starting point is 00:05:39 Monsieur Poirot, said the girl. giving me a pleasant bow as she seated herself. I dare say you have read about it in the papers. I am referring to the theft of Liberty Bonds on the Olympia. Some astonishment must have shown itself in Poirot's face, because she continued quickly. You are doubtlessly asking yourself what I have to do with a grave institution like the London and Scottish Bank.

Starting point is 00:06:12 In one sense nothing, in another sense, everything. You see, Monsieur Porrow, I am engaged to Mr. Philip Ridgeway, and Mr. Philip Ridgeway retorted, Tuaro. But he was cut off, was in charge of the bonds when they were stolen. Of course no actual blame can attach to him. It was not his fault in any. Anyway, nevertheless he is half distraught over the matter, and his uncle, I know, insists that he must carelessly have mentioned them in his possession. It is a terrible setback in his career.

Starting point is 00:06:57 And who is his uncle? Mr. Vavasua, joint general manager of the London and Scottish Bank. Suppose, Miss Fouacroix that you recount to me the whole story? Very well, as you know the bank wished to extend their credits in America and for this purpose decided to send over a million dollars in liberty bonds. Mr. Vavasua selected his nephew who had occupied a position of trust in the bank for many years and who was conversant with all the details of the bank's dealings in New York

Starting point is 00:07:43 to make the trip. The Olympia sailed from Liverpool on the 23rd and the bonds were handed over to Philip on the morning of that day by Mr. Vavasua and Mr. Shaw the two joint general managers of the London and Scottish Bank. They were counted, enclosed in a package and sealed in his presence And he then locked the package at once in his portmanteau A portmanteau with an ordinary lock Said Poirot

Starting point is 00:08:19 Mr Shaw insisted on a special lock Being fitted to it by hubs Philip as I say Place the package at the bottom of the trunk It was stolen just a few hours before reaching New York. A rigorous search of the ship was made, but without result. The bonds seemed literally to have vanished into thin air, made a grimace and said.

Starting point is 00:08:49 But they did not vanish absolutely, since I gather they were sold in small parcels within half an hour of the docking of the Olympia. Well, undoubtedly, the next thing is for me to see me to see me. Mr. Ridgeway. I was about to suggest that you should lunch with me and that Chesh a cheese. Philip will be there. He is meeting me, and he does not know that I have been consulting you on his behalf. We agree to this suggestion readily enough and drove there in a taxi. Mr. Philip Richway was there before us, and looked somewhat surprised to see his fiancé, arriving with two complete strangers.

Starting point is 00:09:37 He looked like a nice-looking fellow, tall and spruce, with a touch of greying hair at the temples. Though he could not have been much over thirty, Miss Foucagua went up to him and laid her hand on his arm.

Starting point is 00:09:54 You must forgive my acting, without consulting you, Philip, she said, let me introduce you to Monsieur Hercule Poirot of your whom you must often have heard, and his friend, Captain Hastings. Ridgeway looked very astonished.

Starting point is 00:10:15 Of course I have heard of you, Monsieur Poirot, he said as he shook hands, but I had no idea that Esme was thinking of consulting you about my our trouble. I was afraid you would not let me do it, Philip, said Miss Farquois meekly, So you took care to be on the safe side, he observed with a smile. I hope Monsieur Pouro will be able to throw some light on this extraordinary puzzle, for I confess frankly that I am nearly out of my mind with worry and anxiety about it. Indeed, his face looked drawn and haggard, and showed only too clearly the strain under which,

Starting point is 00:11:05 he was laboring. Well, well, said Poirot, let us lunch, and over lunch we shall put our head together and see what can be done. They want to hear Mr. Ridgeway's story from his own lips. Whilst we discussed the excellent steak and kidney pudding of the establishment,

Starting point is 00:11:28 Philip Richway narrated the circumstances leading to the disappearance of the bonds. His story agreed. with that of Miss Huaqua in every particular. When he had finished, Poirot took up the thread with a question. What exactly led you to discover that the ponds had been stolen, Mr. Ridgeway? He laughed bitterly. The thing stared me in the face, Monsieur Poirot.

Starting point is 00:11:58 I couldn't have missed it. My cabin trunk was half out from under the bunk, and all scratched and cut about. when they tried to force the lock. But I understood that it had been opened with a key. That's so, they tried to force it, but couldn't, and in the end they must have got it a lock somehow or other. Curious, said Poirot, his eyes beginning to flicker

Starting point is 00:12:28 with a green light I knew so well. Very curious. They waste much, much time trying to prize it open. and then surprise. That's just why they couldn't have had the key. It never left me day or night. Are you sure of that? And besides, if they had had the key or a duplicate,

Starting point is 00:13:03 why should they waste time trying to force an obviously unforceable lock? That is exactly the question we are asking ourselves. I venture to prophecy, that's the solution, if we ever find it, we'll hinge on that curious fact. I beg of you not to assault me if I ask you one more question. Are you perfectly certain you did not leave the trunk unlocked? Philip Richway merely looked at him, and Poirot gesticulated apologetically. But these things can happen, I assure you.

Starting point is 00:13:50 Very well, the bonds were stolen from the trunk. What did the thief do with them? How did he manage to get ashore with them? Ah, cried Ridgeway, that's just it. How did they? Word was passed to the custom authorities, and every soul that left the ship was gone over with a tooth comb. Zykeather made a bulky package. Certainly they did.

Starting point is 00:14:20 They could hardly. have been hidden on board, and anyway, we know they weren't because they were offered for sale within half an hour of the Olympia's arrival. Long before I got the cables going and the number sent out, one broker's swears he bought some of them even before the Olympia got in, but you can't send the bonds by wireless, but did any tug come alongside? Only the official. Only the and that was after the alarm was given when every one of them was on the lookout. I was watching out myself for there being passed over to someone that way. It will drive me mad. People are beginning to say I stole them from myself.

Starting point is 00:15:17 But you also were searched on landing, weren't you? As Poirot gently, dared in a puzzled manner. You did not catch my meaning, I see, said Poirot smiling enigmatically. Now I should like to make a few inquiries at the bank. Richway produced a card and scribbled a few words on it. Send this in and my uncle will see you at once. Poirot thanked him, bade farewell to Miss Foucair, and together we started out for thread and leaf. needle street and the head office of their London and Scottish Bank.

Starting point is 00:16:02 On production of Ridgeways card, we were led through the labyrinth of counters and desks, skirted paying in clerks and paying out clerks, and up to a small office on the first floor where the joint general managers received us. They were two grave gentlemen who had grown grey in the service of the bank. Mr. Vavasua had a short white beard. Mr. Shaw was clean-shaven. I understand you are strictly a private inquiry agent, said Mr. Vavasua. Quite so, quite so, we have, of course, placed ourselves in the hands of Scotland Yard.

Starting point is 00:16:51 Inspector McNeill has charged the case, a very able officer, I believe. I am sure of it, said Poirot politely. You will permit a few questions on your nephew's behalf about this lock who ordered it from hopes? I ordered it myself, said Mr. Shaw. I would not trust to any clerk in the matter. As to the keys, Mr. Ridgeway had one, and the other two are held by my colleague and myself.

Starting point is 00:17:25 No clerk has access to them. said Poirot. Mr. Shaw turned inquirely to Mr. Vavasuer in saying that they have remained in the safe where we place them on the 23rd, said Mr. Vavasuwer. My colleague was unfortunately taking ill a fortnight ago, in the fact on the very day that Philip left us, he has only just recovered. Severe bronchitis. It's no joke to a man of that age. said Mr. Shaw ruefully. But I'm afraid Mr. Vavasuer had suffered from the hard work entailed by my absence, especially when this unexpected worry, coming on Topworrow, asked a few more questions. I judged that he was endeavouring to gauge the exact amount of intimacy between uncle and nephew.

Starting point is 00:18:30 Mr. Vavasuwa's answers were brief and punctilion. His nephew was a trusted official of the bank and had no debts or money difficulties that he knew of. He had been entrusted with similar missions in the past, said Warrow as we emerge into the street. You hope to discover more. They were such dodgy old men, I said, their stodginess which disappoints me, mon ami.

Starting point is 00:19:11 I did not expect to find in a bank manager a keen a financier with an eagle glance, as your favourite works of fiction put it, no, I am disappointed in the case it is too easy. Easy, I said. Yes, you do not find it almost childishly simple. You know who stole the bonds? I do. But then we must.

Starting point is 00:19:42 Why? I said a confusedly. Do not confuse and fluster yourself Hastings. We are not going to do anything at present. But why? What are you waiting for? Father Olympia, she is due on her return trip from New York on Tuesday.

Starting point is 00:20:04 But if you know who stole the bonds, why wait? He may escape to a South Sea island where there is no extradition, no man ome, he would find life there very uncongenial. As to why I wait, Airbeyan, to the intelligence of Hercule Poirot, the case is perfectly clear, but for the benefit of others, not so greatly gifted by the good God. And Inspector McNeil, for instance, it would be as well to make a few inquiries. to establish the facts.

Starting point is 00:20:44 One must have consideration for those less gifted than Good Lord Poirot, do you know, I'd give a considerable sum of money to see you make a thorough ass of yourself. Just for once, you're so confoundedly conceited.

Starting point is 00:21:05 Do not enrage yourself, Hastings. In verity, I observe that there are times when you almost detest me. Alas, I suffer the penalties of greatness. The little man puffed out his chest and sighed so comically that I was forced to laugh. Tuesday saw a speeding to Liverpool in a first-class carriage of the L. Andehen W.R.

Starting point is 00:21:35 Poirot had obstinately refused to enlighten me as to his suspicions or certainties, he contended himself with expressing surprise that I too was not equally o'fay with the situation. I disdained to agree and entrenched my curiosity behind a rampart of pretended indifference. Once arrived at the key, alongside which lay the big transatlantic liner, Poirot became brisk and alert. Our proceedings consisted in interviewing four successive stewards and inquiring after a friend of Porrows who had crossed to New York on the 23rd elderly gentlemen wearing glasses.

Starting point is 00:22:27 A great invalid hardly moved out of his cabin. Their description appeared to tally with one Mr. Vental who had occupied the cabin C-24, which was next to that last to that, of Philip Ridgeway. Although unable to see how Porrow had used Mr. Ventor's existence and personal experience, I was keenly excited. Tell me, I cried. Was this gentleman one of the first to land when you got to New York? The steward shook his head. No, indeed, sir, he was one of the last of the boat. Arritide, Grasfallen, and observed Poirot grunning at me.

Starting point is 00:23:15 He thanked the steward, a note changed hands, and we took our departure. It's all very well, I remarked heatedly, but that last answer must have dampened your precious theory, grin as you please. As usual, you see nothing hastings. The last answer is, on the contrary, the coping stone of my theory. I flung up my hands in despair. I give it up. Speeding towards London,

Starting point is 00:23:53 Quiro wrote busily for a few minutes, seening up the result in an envelope. This is for the good inspector, McNeil, Scotland Yard in passing, and then to the rendezvous restaurant, where I have asked Miss Esme for a choir to do us the honour of dining with us. What about Ridgeway?

Starting point is 00:24:17 What about him? Asked Paro with a twinkle. Why, you surely don't think you can't? The habit of incoherence is growing upon you Hastings. As a matter of fact, I did think, if Richway had been the thief, which was perfectly possible, the case would have been charming,

Starting point is 00:24:39 a piece of neat methodical work. But not so charming for Miss Farquhar, I said, possibly you are right. Now Hastings let us review the case. I can see that you are dying to do so. The sealed package is removed from the trunk and vanishes. puts it into thin air. We will dismiss the thin air theory,

Starting point is 00:25:13 which is not practical at the present stage of science, and consider what is likely to have become of it. everyone asserts the incredibility of its being smuggled ashore. Yes, but we know. You may know Hastings. I do not. I take the view that since it seemed incredible, it was incredible. Two possibilities remain.

Starting point is 00:25:42 It was hidden on board, also rather difficult, or it was thrown overboard. With a cork on it, do you mean? Without a cork. I stared. But if the bonds were thrown overboard, they couldn't have been sold in New York. I admire your logical mind hastings. The bonds were sold in New York,

Starting point is 00:26:07 therefore they were not thrown overboard. You see where this leads us. Where we were when we started, I said. Chamey de Léville. If the package was thrown overboard and the bonds were sold in New York, the package could not have contained the bonds. Is there any, the package did contain the bonds? Remember, Mr. Ridgeway never opened it from the time it was placed in his hands in London. Yes, but then, Warrow waved an impatient hand, permit me to continue. The last moment the third, the third, the third. The last moment the third was, the third of the third. The bonds were seen as bonds, were in the office of the London and Scottish bunk on the morning of the 23rd. They reappear in New York half an hour after the Olympia gets in, and according to one man, whom nobody listens to, actually before she gets in,

Starting point is 00:27:11 supposedly then that they had never been on the Olympia at all, the way they could get to New York. Yes, they just. gigantic leave Southampton on the same day as the Olympia, and she holds the record for the Atlantic. Mailed by the gigantic, the bonds would be in New York the day before the Olympia arrived. All is clear, the case begins to explain itself. The sealed packet is only a dubby, and the moment of its substitution must be in the office in the bank. It would be an easy matter for any of the three men present do have prepared a duplicate package which could be substituted for the genuine one. Trapia, the bonds are mailed to a confederate to New York

Starting point is 00:28:07 with instructions to sell as soon as the Olympia is in, but someone must travel on the Olympia to engineer the supposed moment of the robbery. But why? Because if Ridgeway merely opens the packet and finds it a tummy. Suspicion flies at once to London. No, the man on board in the cabin next door does the work pretends to force their lock in an obvious manner as to draw immediate attention to the theft. He really unlocks a trunk with a duplicate key,

Starting point is 00:28:46 throws the package overboard, and waits until their last is to leave the boat. Naturally, he wears glasses to conceal his eyes, and is an invalid, since he does not want to run the risk of meeting Ridgeway. He steps the shore in New York, and returns by the first boat available. But who? Which was he? The man who had a duplicate key. The man who ordered the lock. The man who was not been severely ill, with bronchitis at his home in his home.

Starting point is 00:29:21 the country, the stodgy old man. Mr. Shaw, eye places my friend. Ah, here we are, mademoiselle, I have succeeded, you permit, and beaming, Poirot kissed the astonished girl, lightly on either cheek.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Mystery Sleep Story - Poirot Investigates The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

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