"Nemesis" by Agatha Christie, summary Automatic translate

Miss Jane Marple, an elderly lady living in the village of St Mary Mead, spends her days in peace, knitting and reading newspapers. Her morning ritual involves looking through the Daily Stuff (as she calls the Daily News after its format change), while her afternoons are devoted to a more thoughtful reading of The Times. Despite the changes in both papers, which she finds somewhat irritating due to the shift in emphasis from news to fashion, society and other topics, Miss Marple maintains her habits.

One such day, while looking through the obituaries in The Times, the section which she admits to being most interesting to her at her age, she comes across the name ’Rafiel’. The name Jason Rafiel and the address Belford Park, Maidstone, stir a vague memory. After some mental effort, she remembers Mr Rafiel, a very rich, powerful but physically infirm man whom she had met about a year before while on holiday on the Caribbean island of St. Honoré, where her nephew Raymond had sent her.

Memories bring the picture to life: the blue Caribbean Sea, the sun, the beach and Mr Rafiel himself, surrounded by his staff – secretary Esther Walters and assistant masseur Jackson. Miss Marple remembers how she and Mr Rafiel became unlikely allies in solving a murder that took place in a hotel. He knew he was going to die, but he held on bravely. Miss Marple reflects on his character – difficult, sometimes rude, but with an underlying kindness and strength. She remembers the moment when she ran to him at night, wearing a pink woollen shawl (a “binder”), to insist on immediate action, and how he, at first laughing at her appearance and the word “Nemesis” she called herself, then took her request seriously and helped prevent another crime.

Miss Marple regrets his death, feeling that the world has lost a significant figure despite his physical infirmity. She wonders about his family, whom he never mentioned, and ponders their strange bond – that of allies, of ships passing in the night. Suddenly it occurs to her: was it not a common trait – ruthlessness, a capacity for cruelty in the name of justice – that united them? A conversation with her assistant Cherry confirms that those around her see her not only as a “gentle lamb” but also as a “lion” when it comes to upholding justice.

Later, while walking in the garden and complaining about the wrong color of the snapdragons she planted, Miss Marple meets a stranger, Miss Bartlett, who introduces herself as the companion and gardener of a Mrs. Hastings, who lives nearby in a new house. Miss Bartlett offers her services to look after Miss Marple’s garden, criticizing the current gardener. Miss Marple thinks about this offer, although the name of Mrs. Hastings is unfamiliar to her. In the evening, her thoughts again return to Mr. Rafiel, their fleeting but bright union and the mystery of his identity.

Receiving the Task

About a week after reading the obituary, Miss Marple receives a formal letter from the London solicitors’ office of Messrs. Brodribb & Schuster. The letter politely invites her to visit their office to discuss a matter that may be of benefit to her, mentioning that they are the solicitors of the late Mr. Rafiel. Miss Marple is surprised. She postpones the proposed meeting because of a meeting of the Women’s Institute and sets off for London on the appointed day.

At the office she is met by Mr Brodribb, the senior partner, a thin and rather melancholy gentleman, and his younger, plump partner, Mr Schuster. After an exchange of pleasantries, Mr Brodribb gets down to business. He confirms that Miss Marple knows Mr Rafiel from their meeting in the West Indies. The lawyer informs her that Mr Rafiel, being a very rich man, has left her a considerable inheritance of twenty thousand pounds sterling, tax-free. However, the receipt of this sum is conditional on Miss Marple accepting an offer contained in a sealed letter which Mr Brodribb hands her.

Miss Marple reads a letter written on behalf of Mr. Rafiel. In it, he addresses her, reminding her of their meeting and the code word "Nemesis". He writes that he values ​​her "natural sense of justice" and "natural talent for criminology". He offers her to investigate a certain crime, without specifying its nature. If she accepts the offer and her investigation sheds light on the case within a year, she will receive the promised sum. He also promises to cover all expenses associated with the investigation, offering it as an alternative to her current quiet life of knitting. The letter ends with a quote from the Bible about justice.

Miss Marple is taken aback by both the amount and the vagueness of the offer. She asks Mr Brodribb if he has any explanation, but he replies that Mr Rafiel has been deliberately vague, wishing to keep the matter "between him and her". Mr Brodribb confirms that he has tried to persuade his client to be more specific, but to no avail. He asks if Miss Marple has any experience in crime-solving. She explains that her experience is unprofessional, but mentions a case she and Mr Rafiel had worked together in the Caribbean, where they had acted as allies to prevent a second murder. She confirms that the word "Nemesis" has a special meaning for them both - she has called herself that, much to Mr Rafiel’s amusement.

Miss Marple takes the letter home to consider the offer. She is still puzzled by Mr Rafiel’s motives and doubts her ability to carry out the task, given her age and lack of information. However, she admits that the prospect of such a sum is attractive - it would allow her to help her loved ones and indulge herself in some pleasures. She also inquires about Esther Walters and is pleased to learn from Mr Brodribb that she has inherited fifty thousand pounds and remarried, becoming Mrs Anderson. That evening, rereading the letter, Miss Marple feels determined to take on the challenge.

Search for the Starting Point

Having made her decision, Miss Marple writes to Mr Brodribb, informing him that she has agreed to take on the case, despite the complete lack of instructions and the uncertainty of success. She asks the solicitor to let her know if he knows of any recent criminal situations that have troubled Mr Rafiel, or of any problems among his acquaintances, but knows that she is unlikely to receive a reply. Mr Brodribb and Mr Schuster discuss her decision; Schuster believes it to be a practical joke, but Brodribb is confident that Rafiel is serious, although he does not understand his plan. He mentions the presence of sealed instructions that can only be opened under certain circumstances.

Miss Marple, left without further instructions, feels at a loss. She wonders how Mr Rafiel expected her to act. She decides that he could not have left her without any clues, and concludes that instructions must follow. Unwilling to sit idly by, she decides to act on her own. Her first step, she believes, is to find Esther Walters (now Anderson), Rafiel’s former secretary, who might know something about his recent affairs or concerns.

She writes to Miss Prescott, the Canon’s sister, whom she also met in the Caribbean, under the pretext of obtaining agronomic information for Esther, and asks for her address. Miss Prescott promptly replies, giving Mrs Anderson’s address: Winslow Lodge, Elton, Hants County - not that far from St Mary Mead.

Miss Marple decides to pay Esther an unannounced visit, to make it look casual. She comes up with a little plan: her assistant Cherry calls Mrs Anderson, posing as Mr Brodribb’s secretary, to arrange a meeting, thus ensuring that Esther will be home during the day and avoiding recognition of Miss Marple’s voice. Learning that Esther will be back for lunch, Miss Marple hires a taxi and sets off for Elton.

Conversation with Esther Anderson

Miss Marple arranges a "chance" meeting with Esther Anderson outside a supermarket in Elton. Esther, surprised but friendly, invites her to come back after three o’clock. At the appointed time, Miss Marple arrives at Winslow Lodge, a comfortable and well-furnished house, indicating wealth, probably due to an inheritance from Rafiel.

During their conversation, Miss Marple congratulates Esther on her marriage (her husband, Edmund Anderson, is an engineer, slightly younger than she is) and expresses her joy at the inheritance Esther has received. She cautiously tries to find out more about Mr Rafiel - about his family, about his state of mind before his death. Esther tells us that Rafiel’s wife died many years ago of cancer; he had two daughters (one lives in America, the other died young) and a son. Rafiel never spoke about his son, apparently because of some scandal; Esther suggests that the son was a "loser" and died abroad several years ago.

Esther points out that Rafiel was a very private man, never sharing his personal experiences and completely absorbed in his business. She did not notice any particular anxiety in him before his death, although she admits that she left her job a few months before his death, after meeting her future husband. She also mentions that Jackson, Rafiel’s assistant, quit shortly after returning from the West Indies and went to work on one of the Channel Islands; Rafiel did not leave him anything in his will, but may have made large gifts during his lifetime.

Miss Marple tries to broach the subject of Rafiel’s possible interest in criminology or unsolved crimes, referring to the events in the Caribbean, but Esther reacts coldly and asks not to bring up that "horrible story". She claims that Rafiel was only interested in the financial side of things, perhaps just some kind of clever scam.

Realising that further questioning is futile and might arouse suspicion, Miss Marple ends the conversation and takes her leave, feeling disappointed. The visit to Esther has yielded no clues. She reflects on her mission: what qualities did Rafiel value in her? Curiosity, the ability to ask questions under the guise of an ordinary old lady, an understanding of human nature based on life experience and analogies with the inhabitants of St Mary Mead. She comes to the conclusion that her “ordinariness” is her camouflage. Feeling that she has done all she can at this stage, she mentally hands over the initiative to the late Mr Rafiel, hoping for further instructions.

New Instructions and the Beginning of the Journey

A few days later, Miss Marple receives a second letter, sent on Mr Rafiel’s orders after his death. In the letter, written in his characteristic ironic style, he confirms that he knows she might accept the offer. He tells her that she will receive an invitation from a travel agency in two days, and advises her to keep an open mind and take care of herself, hinting at possible danger and mentioning her "guardian angel".

Soon a letter arrives from the Famous Houses and Gardens of Britain agency. She is invited to join Tour No. 37, paid for in full by Mr. Rafiel before his death. The tour includes visits to historic buildings and gardens in a part of England where Rafiel believes she has not yet been. Miss Marple arranges to meet at the agency’s London office.

At the office, she is met by Mrs. Sandburn, who will be accompanying the tour. She confirms that all expenses have been paid and relays Rafiel’s words that he wanted to give his "old friend" the opportunity to travel. Miss Marple prepares for the trip, informing Cherry of her intention to go on a tour of England, despite the assistant’s concerns about her health.

On the appointed day, Miss Marple joins a group of tourists on a comfortable bus. She receives a brochure with a schedule and a list of passengers. There are fifteen people in the group, in addition to herself and Mrs. Sandburn. Miss Marple realizes that the key to Rafiel’s mystery most likely lies in one of these people. She begins to carefully observe her companions, making notes in her notebook:

• Mrs Risley-Porter: A powerful, wealthy lady of about sixty.
• Joanna Crawford: Her niece, about 18-19 years old, businesslike and attractive.
• Colonel Walker and his wife: A typical middle-aged English couple, retired military personnel.
• Mr. and Mrs. G. T. Butler: Friendly middle-aged Americans, tourists.
• Miss Elizabeth Temple: An attractive, intelligent woman in her early sixties, former headmistress of a well-known school. Gives the impression of a strong personality.
• Professor Wanstead: A tall man with thick grey hair and bushy eyebrows, a scholar who is engaged in animated conversation with Mr Caspar.
• Mr Richard Jameson: A tall, thin young architect with a penchant for long lectures.
• Miss Lumley and Miss Bentham: Two elderly ladies (about 70) travelling together, typical ’old ladies’ discussing illnesses and travel.
• Mr. Caspar: A dark-haired foreigner, nervous, speaking English with an accent, gesturing actively.
• Miss Cook and Miss Barrow: Two middle-aged women travelling together. Miss Cook (a blonde, solidly built woman) seems familiar to Miss Marple, and both ladies seem to avoid her.
• Mr Emlyn Price: A young man of about 19 or 20, with a full head of hair, dressed in the style of his generation, possibly a student with radical views.

On the first day, the group visits Blenheim. Miss Marple observes the passengers interacting. Emlyn Price and Joanna Crawford find common ground. Miss Marple tries to casually mention Rafiel’s name, but no one reacts. In the evening, she analyses her observations, trying to understand which of the passengers might be connected with Rafiel’s mission. She speculates on each person’s motives and capabilities, writing down her thoughts. She finds Miss Temple particularly interesting, perhaps being the person Rafiel had in mind. She also notes the strange behaviour of Miss Cook and Miss Barrow. She comes to the conclusion that she must look for a connection to the crime, probably murder, among these people.

The Riddle of Love

The next day, the group visits a small Queen Anne house with a beautiful garden. During the tour, the caretaker tells the story of the tragic death of the mistress’s young lover, stabbed to death by her husband, who unexpectedly returned from overseas. This story evokes romantic sighs from Mrs. Butler.

Later, in the garden, Miss Marple rests on a bench with Miss Elizabeth Temple. They develop a mutual understanding and affection. They discuss gardens, the tediousness of excursions, and reflect on life and death. Miss Temple quotes T. S. Eliot on the equality of "the twinkle of the rose and the twinkle of the yew." Miss Marple remarks that life can be incomplete if it is cut short unnaturally.

Miss Marple explains that the trip is a gift from the late Mr. Rafiel, and asks if Miss Temple knew him. Miss Temple replies that she knew him as a philanthropist who had donated to her project, but she did not know him personally. However, she adds that she knew a girl who went to her school (Fallowfield) and was once engaged to Mr. Rafiel’s son. Miss Marple asks if the wedding took place. Miss Temple replies in the negative, saying that Rafiel’s son was the kind of young man "not worth marrying." She adds that the girl was charming, but died. When Miss Marple asks about the cause of death, Miss Temple, after a pause, utters two words full of bitterness and tragedy: "From love."

An Unexpected Invitation

In the afternoon, Miss Marple decides to skip the tour of the old church and relax in a tea room on the high street. When the group gathers for tea, she deliberately sits at the table with Miss Cook and Miss Barrow. She tells Miss Cook outright that she is sure of their previous meeting, and after some effort "remembers" their conversation outside her house in St Mary Mead. Miss Cook confirms the meeting, albeit with some hesitation, mentioning that she was visiting Mrs Hastings. Miss Barrow emphatically confirms the name "Hastings". Mr Caspar, sitting with them, becomes animated at the mention of the town of Hastings. After tea, Miss Marple ponders this "coincidence". Was the meeting with Miss Cook in St Mary Mead a coincidence? Why did Miss Cook change her appearance (dye her hair)? Why do she and Miss Barrow seem wary? She recalls Rafiel’s warnings of danger.

The next day, a long walk along the coastal path is planned. Miss Marple is about to take up the alternative offer of staying at the Golden Boar Hotel. However, her plans are changed. As she goes down to lunch, she is approached by a strange middle-aged woman in a tweed suit. She introduces herself as Mrs Lavinia Glynne and says that she lives nearby with two sisters. She explains that an old friend of theirs, Mr Rafiel, wrote to them about three weeks ago asking them to meet a friend (or relative) of his who was arriving on a Famous Houses and Gardens tour that very day. Mrs Glynne confirms that they are aware of Mr Rafiel’s recent death. It seems that Miss Marple has received the following instructions from her late employer.