Question Cust | Chapter four - London Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

Make an observation of Cust (three clues). Notice his lowered eyes, shaking hands and crumpled jacket. In Poirot's notebook will appear an information about new suspect Alexander Bonaparte Cust.

Start questioning - present yourself (3 ego points) or ask who he is (1 ego point), then ask about the letters (both options without points). Acknowledge his innocence (3 ego points) or get him to admit that he has forgotten about the letters (1 ego point). Then accuse him of being a killer (1 ego point) or admit that you do not believe he is a murderer (3 ego points), talk about the war or army (both options without point, but the second options proves more information). Accuse him of the three murders (1 ego point) or get him to believe he is innocent (3 ego points). Then ask him if he acknowledges going to the three towns (3 ego points) or say that witnesses saw him in the three towns (3 ego points). Suggest that it would appear that Cust typed letters before sending them to yourself (3 ego points) or it proves that he wrote them (a trophy Gothic confessional; 1 ego point).

If during the questioning Cust starts to cough and will be unable to speak, give him a medicine for cough. If he will say something about having a headache give him a sedative. In both cases you will get a trophy Red cross.

For ending the questioning you will get a trophy Kaiser moustache and additional 10 ego points.

LITTLE GREY CELLS

What do we know about Cust's health?

• He suffers from hemoptysis: he brings up blood when he coughs.
• He has a problem with his throat.
• He suffers from absences.

Are there any clues that do not support Cust's guilt in the Churston murder?

• Sir Carmichael was attacked from behind and the blood spurted out in the direction of the sea.
• Mrs Marbury saw Cust's shirt with stains on the buttonholes.

Are there any clues that do not support Cust's guilt?

• He did not appear to recognize Poirot.
• You would expect a murderer to keep newspaper articles about all his crimes. But Cust's collection starts in Churston, as if he heard about the case late on.

Can we say without a shadow of a doubt that Cust is guilty?

• He says that he did not write the letters.
• He had no reason to kill them (5 ego points).

LITTLE GREY CELLS - PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ALEXANDER BONAPARTE CUST

Is Cust clever?

• The army was the only place I didn't feel inferior. No questions... just orders to follow.

Is Cust sure of himself?

• He was very hesitant and shy. Usually door to door salesmen are very confident, but he wasn't.

Is Cust a seducer?

• Medium size... glasses... dark suit and a felt hat. Not the sort of man you'd notice. Completely harmless: that's why I forgot all about him!

Does Cust like trains?

• Oh, it wasn't for pleasure: he was always unwell on trains! But he head to sell his stockings around England: 'I have to respect my engagements', he used to say.

Is Cust impulsive?

• I've suspected him for some time, but he appeared so harmless... Oh, yes sometimes he got angry and waved his arms about, but even then he wasn't frightening, and he was gentle as a lamb again immediately afterwards... It was only this morning that I understood...

Is Cust generous?

• Cust is parsimonious: he keeps his pencils and sharpens them until there is nothing left! It's clear that he did not grow up in luxury (10 ego points)

Cust's status will change to witness.