Hercule Poirot at Albert Bridge

In the Agatha Christie's Poirot episode "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook," Hercule Poirot agrees to investigate the disappearance of Mrs. Todd's cook. He and Captain Hastings accompany her to her house in Clapham, a district of London south of the River Thames, via Albert Bridge.

After questioning Annie, Mrs. Todd's maid, Poirot must wait for Mr. and Mrs. Todd's lodger to come home. He and Hastings "take a turn" on Clapham Common, a nearby public park, while they wait for Mr. Simpson to finish his shift at the bank. This is a large park, taking up over two hundred acres in densely populated London. This gives the men plenty of area in which to stretch their legs, and chat about what they've learned. 

After their turn on the common, they walk back to Mrs. Todd's house, where Poirot questions the bank clerk for clues to the missing cook's whereabouts. Then they leave the Todd's house to return to Poirot's flat.

You'd think, after his walk to, around, and back from Clapham Common, Poirot would call a cab and return to his comfortable flat. But either the cabs aren't running this late, or the men opt for even more exercise. At least, they walk as far as Albert Bridge, roughly 1.7 miles from Clapham Common. This gives Poirot time to ponder what he has learned, and review the essential points of the case with his friend Hastings.

There's a long tradition in stories of characters thinking through the issues that perplex them while walking. Albert Bridge is certainly a beautiful place to walk to. It's a pink and white suspension bridge, with lots of great architectural features. 

You'll pass over it in an instant traveling by car. But when you walk across it, like Poirot and Hastings do, you'll see so much more of the artistry that went into its design.

It also affords great views of the River Thames, as well as the adjacent Battersea Park.

Given their training and experiences during World War I, Poirot and Captain Hastings would remember not to walk in step with each other. Despite their apparent need to exercise, they wouldn't want to break the beautiful Albert Bridge, and find themselves swimming in the River Thames. At least, not at night, and in their best clothes.

Then again, given Poirot's love of walking, maybe I'm wrong.

Dragon Dave