HP38-Poirot'sEarlyCases[SS]

AgathaChristie

Contents

TheAffairattheVictoryBall

TheAdventureoftheClaphamCook

TheCornishMystery

TheAdventureofJohnnieWaverly

TheDoubleClue

TheKingofClubs

TheLemesurierInheritance

TheLostMine

ThePlymouthExpress

TheChocolateBox

TheSubmarinePlans

TheThird-FloorFlat

DoubleSin

TheMarketBasingMystery

Wasps'Nest

TheVeiledLady

ProblematSea

HowDoesYourGardenGrow?

THEAFFAIRATTHEVICTORYBALL

PurechanceledmyfriendHerculePoirot,formerlychiefoftheBelgianforce,tobeconnectedwiththe
Styles Case. His success brought him notoriety, and he decided to devote himself to the solving of
problemsincrime.HavingbeenwoundedontheSommeandinvalidedoutoftheArmy,Ifinallytook

up my quarters with him in London. Since I have a first-hand knowledge of most of his cases, it has
beensuggestedtomethatIselectsomeofthemostinterestingandplacethemonrecord.Indoingso,I
feel that I cannot do better than begin with that strange tangle which aroused such widespread public
interestatthetime.IrefertotheaffairattheVictoryBall.

Although perhaps it is not so fully demonstrative of Poirot's peculiar methods as some of the more
obscure cases, its sensational features, the well-known people involved, and the tremendous publicity
givenitbythepress,makeitstandoutasacausecélèbreandIhavelongfeltthatitisonlyfittingthat
Poirot'sconnectionwiththesolutionshouldbegiventotheworld.

Itwasafinemorninginspring,andweweresittinginPoirot'srooms.Mylittlefriend,neatanddapper
as ever, his egg-shaped head tilted slightly on one side, was delicately applying a new pomade to his
moustache.AcertainharmlessvanitywasacharacteristicofPoirot'sandfellintolinewithhisgeneral
loveoforderandmethod.TheDailyNewsmonger,whichIhadbeenreading,hadslippedtothefloor,
andIwasdeepinabrownstudywhenPoirot'svoicerecalledme.

'Ofwhatareyouthinkingsodeeply,monami?'

'Totellyouthetruth,'Ireplied,'IwaspuzzlingoverthisunaccountableaffairattheVictoryBall.The
papersarefullofit.'

ItappedthesheetwithmyfingerasIspoke.

'Yes?'

'The more one reads of it, the more shrouded in mystery the whole thing becomes!' I warmed to my
subject. 'Who killed Lord Cronshaw? Was Coco Courtenay's death on the same night a mere
coincidence?Wasitanaccident?Ordidshedeliberatelytakeanoverdoseofcocaine?'Istopped,and
thenaddeddramatically:'ThesearethequestionsIaskmyself.'

Poirot, somewhat to my annoyance, did not play up. He was peering into the glass, and merely
murmured:'Decidedly,thisnewpomade,itisamarvelforthemoustaches!'Catchingmyeye,however,
headdedhastily:'Quiteso-andhowdoyoureplytoyourquestions?'

ButbeforeIcouldanswer,thedooropened,andourlandladyannouncedInspectorJapp.

TheScotlandYardmanwasanoldfriendofoursandwegreetedhimwarmly.

'Ah,mygoodJapp,'criedPoirot,'andwhatbringsyoutoseeus?'

'Well,MonsieurPoirot,'saidJapp,seatinghimselfandnoddingtome,'I'monacasethatstrikesmeas
beingverymuchinyourline,andIcamealongtoknowwhetheryou'dcaretohaveafingerinthepie?'

PoirothadagoodopinionofJapp'sabilities,thoughdeploringhislamentablelackofmethod;butI,for
mypart,consideredthatthedetective'shighesttalentlayinthegentleartofseekingfavoursunderthe
guiseofconferringthem!

'It'sthisVictoryBall,'saidJapppersuasively.'Come,now,you'dliketohaveahandinthat.'

Poirotsmiledatme.

'My friend Hastings would, at all events. He was just holding forth on the subject, n'est-ce pas, mon
ami?'

'Well,sir,'saidJappcondescendingly,'youshallbeinittoo.Icantellyou,it'ssomethingofafeatherin
yourcaptohaveinsideknowledgeofacaselikethis.Well,here'stobusiness.Youknowthemainfacts
ofthecase,Isuppose,MonsieurPoirot?'

'From the papers only - and the imagination of the journalist is sometimes misleading. Recount the
wholestorytome.'

Jappcrossedhislegscomfortablyandbegan.

'Asalltheworldandhiswifeknows,onTuesdaylastagrandVictoryBallwasheld.Everytwopenny-
halfpennyhopcallsitselfthatnowadays,butthiswastherealthing,heldattheColossusHall,andall
Londonatit-includingyoungLordCronshawandhisparty.'

'Hisdossier?'interruptedPoirot.'Ishouldsayhisbioscope-no,howdoyoucallit-biograph?'

'ViscountCronshawwasthefifthviscount,twenty-fiveyearsofage,rich,unmarried,andveryfondof
the theatrical world. There were rumours of his being engaged to Miss Courtenay of the Albany
Theatre, who was known to her friends as "Coco" and who was, by all accounts, a very fascinating
younglady.'

'Good.Continuez!'

'LordCronshaw'spartyconsistedofsixpeople:hehimself,hisuncle,theHonourableEustaceBeltane,a
prettyAmericanwidow,MrsMallaby,ayoungactor,ChrisDavidson,hiswife,andlastbutnotleast,
MissCocoCourtenay.Itwasafancy-dressball,asyouknow,andtheCronshawpartyrepresentedthe
oldItalianComedy-whateverthatmaybe.'

'TheCommediadell'Arte,'murmuredPoirot.'Iknow.'

'Anyway, the costumes were copied from a set of china figures forming part of Eustace Beltane's
collection. Lord Cronshaw was Harlequin; Beltane was Punchinello; Mrs Mallaby matched him as
Pulcinella; the Davidsons were Pierrot and Pierrette; and Miss Courtenay, of course, was Columbine.
Now,quiteearlyintheeveningitwasapparentthattherewassomethingwrong.LordCronshawwas
moody and strange in his manner. When the party met together for supper in a small private room
engagedbythehost,everyonenoticedthatheandMissCourtenaywerenolongeronspeaking-terms.
Shehadobviouslybeencrying,andseemedonthevergeofhysterics.Themealwasanuncomfortable
one, and as they all left the supper-room, she turned to Chris Davidson and requested him audibly to
takeherhome,asshewas"sickoftheball".Theyoungactorhesitated,glancingatLordCronshaw,and
finallydrewthembothbacktothesupper-room.

'Butallhiseffortstosecureareconciliationwereunavailing,andheaccordinglygotataxiandescorted
the now weeping Miss Courtenay back to her flat. Although obviously very much upset, she did not
confideinhim,merelyreiteratingagainandagainthatshewould"makeoldCronchsorryforthis."That
istheonlyhintwehavethatherdeathmightnothavebeenaccidental,andit'spreciouslittletogoupon.
BythetimeDavidsonhadquietedherdownsomewhat,itwastoolatetoreturntotheColossusHall,
and Davidson accordingly went straight home to his flat in Chelsea, where his wife arrived shortly
afterwards,bearingthenewsoftheterribletragedythathadoccurredafterhisdeparture.

'LordCronshaw,itseems,becamemoreandmoremoodyastheballwenton.Hekeptawayfromhis
party,andtheyhardlysawhimduringtherestoftheevening.Itwasaboutone-thirtya.m.,justbefore
thegrandcotillionwheneveryonewastounmask,thatCaptainDigby,abrotherofficerwhoknewhis
disguise,noticedhimstandinginaboxgazingdownonthescene.

'"Hullo,Cronch!"hecalled."Comedownandbesociable!Whatareyoumopingaboutupthereforlike
aboiledowl?Comealong;there'sagoodoldragcomingonnow."

'"Right."respondedCronshaw."Waitforme,orI'llneverfindyouinthecrowd."

'Heturnedandlefttheboxashespoke.CaptainDigby,whohadMrsDavidsonwithhim,waited.The
minutespassed,butLordCronshawdidnotappear.FinallyDigbygrewimpatient.

'"Doesthefellowthinkwe'regoingtowaitallnightforhim?"heexclaimed.

'AtthatmomentMrsMallabyjoinedthem,andtheyexplainedthesituation.

'"Say,now,"criedtheprettywidowvivaciously,"he'slikeabearwithasoreheadtonight.Let'sgoright
awayandrouthimout."

'The search commenced, but met with no success until it occurred to Mrs Mallaby that he might
possiblybefoundintheroomwheretheyhadsuppedanhourearlier.Theymadetheirwaythere.What
asightmettheireyes!TherewasHarlequin,sureenough,butstretchedonthegroundwithatable-knife
inhisheart!'

Jappstopped,andPoirotnodded,andsaidwiththerelishofthespecialist:

'Unebelleaffaire!Andtherewasnoclueastotheperpetratorofthedeed?Buthowshouldtherebe!'

'Well,'continuedtheinspector,'youknowtherest.Thetragedywasadoubleone.Nextdaytherewere
headlinesinallthepapers,andabriefstatementtotheeffectthatMissCourtenay,thepopularactress,
hadbeendiscovereddeadinherbed,andthatherdeathwasduetoanoverdoseofcocaine.Now,wasit
accident or suicide? Her maid, who was called upon to give evidence, admitted that Miss Courtenay
wasaconfirmedtakerofthedrug,andaverdictofaccidentaldeathwasreturned.Neverthelesswecan't
leavethepossibilityofsuicideoutofaccount.Herdeathisparticularlyunfortunate,sinceitleavesusno
cluenowtothecauseofthequarreltheprecedingnight.Bytheway,asmallenamelboxwasfoundon
thedeadman.IthadCocowrittenacrossitindiamonds,andwashalffullofcocaine.Itwasidentified
by Miss Courtenay's maid as belonging to her mistress, who nearly always carried it about with her,
sinceitcontainedhersupplyofthedrugtowhichshewasfastbecomingaslave.'

'WasLordCronshawhimselfaddictedtothedrug?'

'Veryfarfromit.Heheldunusuallystrongviewsonthesubjectofdope.'

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.

'Butsincetheboxwasinhispossession,heknewthatMissCourtenaytookit.Suggestive,that,isitnot,

mygoodJapp?'

'Ah!'saidJapprathervaguely.

Ismiled.

'Well,'saidJapp,'that'sthecase.Whatdoyouthinkofit?'

'Youfoundnoclueofanykindthathasnotbeenreported?'

'Yes, there was this.' Japp took a small object from his pocket and handed it over to Poirot. It was a
smallpomponofemeraldgreensilk,withsomeraggedthreadshangingfromit,asthoughithadbeen
wrenchedviolentlyaway.

'Wefounditinthedeadman'shand,whichwastightlyclenchedoverit,'explainedtheinspector.

Poirothandeditbackwithoutanycommentandasked:'HadLordCronshawanyenemies?'

'Nonethatanyoneknowsof.Heseemedapopularyoungfellow.'

'Whobenefitsbyhisdeath?'

'His uncle, the Honourable Eustace Beltane, comes into the title and estates. There are one or two
suspiciousfactsagainsthim.Severalpeopledeclarethattheyheardaviolentaltercationgoingoninthe
little supper-room, and that Eustace Beltane was one of the disputants. You see, the table-knife being
snatchedupoffthetablewouldfitinwiththemurderbeingdoneintheheatofaquarrel.'

'WhatdoesMrBeltanesayaboutthematter?'

'Declaresoneofthewaiterswastheworseforliquor,andthathewasgivinghimadressingdown.Also
that it was nearer to one than half past. You see, Captain Digby's evidence fixes the time pretty
accurately. Only about ten minutes elapsed between his speaking to Cronshaw and the finding of the
body.'

'AndinanycaseIsupposeMrBeltane,asPunchinello,waswearingahumpandaruffle?'

'Idon'tknowtheexactdetailsofthecostumes,'saidJapp,lookingcuriouslyatPoirot.'Andanyway,I
don'tquiteseewhatthathasgottodowithit?'

'No?' There was a hint of mockery in Poirot's smile. He continued quietly, his eyes shining with the
greenlightIhadlearnedtorecognizesowell:'Therewasacurtaininthislittlesupperroom,wasthere
not?'

'Yes,but-'

'Withaspacebehinditsufficienttoconcealaman?'

'Yes-infact,there'sasmallrecess,buthowyouknewaboutit-youhaven'tbeentotheplace,have
you,MonsieurPoirot?'

'No,mygoodJapp,Isuppliedthecurtainfrommybrain.Withoutit,thedramaisnotreasonable.And
alwaysonemustbereasonable.Buttellme,didtheynotsendforadoctor?'

'Atonce,ofcourse.Buttherewasnothingtobedone.Deathmusthavebeeninstantaneous.'

Poirotnoddedratherimpatiently.

'Yes,yes,Iunderstand.Thisdoctor,now,hegaveevidenceattheinquest?'

'Yes.'

'Did he say nothing of any unusual symptom - was there nothing about the appearance of the body
whichstruckhimasbeingabnormal?'

Jappstaredhardatthelittleman.

'Yes,MonsieurPoirot.Idon'tknowwhatyou'regettingat,buthedidmentionthattherewasatension
andstiffnessaboutthelimbswhichhewasquiteatalosstoaccountfor.'

'Aha!'saidPoirot.'Aha!MonDieu!Japp,thatgivesonetothink,doesitnot?'

IsawthatithadcertainlynotgivenJapptothink.

'If you're thinking of poison, monsieur, who on earth would poison a man first and then stick a knife
intohim?'

'Intruththatwouldberidiculous,'agreedPoirotplacidly.

'Nowisthereanythingyouwanttosee,monsieur?Ifyou'dliketoexaminetheroomwherethebody
wasfound-'

Poirotwavedhishand.

'Not in the least. You have told me the only thing that interests me - Lord Cronshaw's views on the
subjectofdrug-taking.'

'Thenthere'snothingyouwanttosee?'

'Justonething.'

'Whatisthat?'

'Thesetofchinafiguresfromwhichthecostumeswerecopied.'

Jappstared.

'Well,you'reafunnyone!'

'Youcanmanagethatforme?'

'ComeroundtoBerkeleySquarenowifyoulike.MrBeltane-orHisLordship,asIshouldsaynow-
won'tobject.'

Wesetoffatonceinataxi.ThenewLordCronshawwasnotathome,butatJapp'srequestwewere
shownintothe'chinaroom',wherethegemsofthecollectionwerekept.Japplookedroundhimrather
helplessly.

'Idon'tseehowyou'lleverfindtheonesyouwant,Monsieur.'

But Poirot had already drawn a chair in front of the mantelpiece and was hopping up upon it like a
nimblerobin.Abovethemirror,onasmallshelftothemselves,stoodsixchinafigures.Poirotexamined
themminutely,makingafewcommentstousashedidso.

'Lesvoilà!TheoldItalianComedy.Threepairs!HarlequinandColumbine,PierrotandPierrette-very
dainty in white and green - and Punchinello and Pulcinella in mauve and yellow. Very elaborate, the
costumeofPunchinello-rufflesandfrills,ahump,ahighhat.Yes,asIthought,veryelaborate.'

Hereplacedthefigurescarefully,andjumpeddown.

Japplookedunsatisfied,butasPoirothadclearlynointentionofexplaininganything,thedetectiveput
thebestfacehecoulduponthematter.Aswewerepreparingtoleave,themasterofthehousecamein,
andJappperformedthenecessaryintroductions.

The sixth Viscount Cronshaw was a man of about fifty, suave in manner, with a handsome, dissolute
face.Evidentlyanelderlyroué,withthelanguidmannerofaposeur.Itookaninstantdisliketohim.
He greeted us graciously enough, declaring he had heard great accounts of Poirot's skill, and placing
himselfatourdisposalineveryway.

'Thepolicearedoingalltheycan,Iknow,'hesaid.'ButImuchfearthemysteryofmynephew'sdeath
willneverbeclearedup.Thewholethingseemsutterlymysterious.'

Poirotwaswatchinghimkeenly.'Yournephewhadnoenemiesthatyouknowof?'

'Nonewhatever.Iamsureofthat.'Hepausedandthenwenton:'Ifthereareanyquestionsyouwould
liketoask-'

'Only one.' Poirot's voice was serious. 'The costumes - they were reproduced exactly from your
figurines?'

'Tothesmallestdetail.'

'Thankyou,milord.ThatisallIwantedtobesureof.Iwishyougoodday.'

'Andwhatnext?'inquiredJappaswehurrieddownthestreet.'I'vegottoreportattheYard,youknow.'

'Bien!Iwillnotdetainyou.Ihaveoneotherlittlemattertoattendto,andthen-'

'Yes?'

'Thecasewillbecomplete.'

'What?Youdon'tmeanit!YouknowwhokilledLordCronshaw?'

'Parfaitement.'

'Whowasit?EustaceBeltane?'

'Ah, mon ami, you know my little weakness! Always I have a desire to keep the threads in my own
handsuptothelastminute.Buthavenofear.Iwillrevealallwhenthetimecomes.Iwantnocredit-
theaffairshallbeyours,ontheconditionthatyoupermitmetoplayoutthedénouementmyownway.'

'That's fair enough,' said Japp. 'That is, if the dé nouement ever comes! But I say, you are an oyster,
aren'tyou?'Poirotsmiled.'Well,solong.I'mofftotheYard.'

Hestrodeoffdownthestreet,andPoirothailedapassingtaxi.

'Wherearewegoingnow?'Iaskedinlivelycuriosity.

'ToChelseatoseetheDavidsons.'

Hegavetheaddresstothedriver.

'WhatdoyouthinkofthenewLordCronshaw?'Iasked.

'WhatsaysmygoodfriendHastings?'

'Idistrusthiminstinctively.'

'Youthinkheisthe"wickeduncle"ofthestory-books,eh?'

'Don'tyou?'

'Me,Ithinkhewasmostamiabletowardsus,'saidPoirotnoncommittally.

'Becausehehadhisreasons!'

Poirotlookedatme,shookhisheadsadly,andmurmuredsomethingthatsoundedlike:'Nomethod.'

TheDavidsonslivedonthethirdfloorofablockof'mansion'flats.MrDavidsonwasout,weweretold,
butMrsDavidsonwasathome.Wewereusheredintoalong,lowroomwithgarishOrientalhangings.
Theairfeltcloseandoppressive,andtherewasanoverpoweringfragranceofjoss-sticks.MrsDavidson
cametousalmostimmediately,asmall,faircreaturewhosefragilitywouldhaveseemedpatheticand
appealinghaditnotbeenfortherathershrewdandcalculatinggleaminherlightblueeyes.

Poirotexplainedourconnectionwiththecase,andsheshookherheadsadly.

'PoorCronch-andpoorCocotoo!Wewerebothsofondofher,andherdeathhasbeenaterriblegrief
tous.Whatisityouwanttoaskme?MustIreallygooverallthatdreadfuleveningagain?'

'Oh, madame, believe me, I would not harass your feelings unnecessarily. Indeed, Inspector Japp has
toldmeallthatisneedful.Ionlywishtoseethecostumeyouworeattheballthatnight.'

Theladylookedsomewhatsurprised,andPoirotcontinuedsmoothly:

'Youcomprehend,madame,thatIworkonthesystemofmycountry.Therewealways"reconstruct"the
crime.ItispossiblethatImayhaveanactualreprésentation,andifso,youunderstand,thecostumes
wouldbeimportant.'

MrsDavidsonstilllookedabitdoubtful.

'I'veheardofreconstructingacrime,ofcourse,'shesaid.'ButIdidn'tknowyouweresoparticularabout
details.ButI'llfetchthedressnow.'

Shelefttheroomandreturnedalmostimmediatelywithadaintywispofwhitesatinandgreen.Poirot
tookitfromherandexaminedit,handingitbackwithabow.

'Merci,madame!Iseeyouhavehadthemisfortunetoloseoneofyourgreenpompons,theoneonthe
shoulderhere.'

'Yes,itgottornoffattheball.IpickeditupandgaveittopoorLordCronshawtokeepforme.'

'Thatwasaftersupper?'

'Yes.'

'Notlongbeforethetragedy,perhaps?'

AfaintlookofalarmcameintoMrsDavidson'spaleeyes,andsherepliedquickly:'Ohno-longbefore
that.Quitesoonaftersupper,infact.'

'Isee.Well,thatisall.Iwillnotderangeyoufurther.Bonjour,madame.'

'Well,'Isaid,asweemergedfromthebuilding,'thatexplainsthemysteryofthegreenpompon.'

'Iwonder.'

'Why,whatdoyoumean?'

'Yousawmeexaminethedress,Hastings?'

'Yes?'

'Ehbien,thepomponthatwasmissinghadnotbeenwrenchedoff,astheladysaid.Onthecontrary,it
hadbeencutoff,myfriend,cutoffwithscissors.Thethreadswereallquiteeven.'

'Dearme!'Iexclaimed.'Thisbecomesmoreandmoreinvolved.'

'Onthecontrary,'repliedPoirotplacidly,'itbecomesmoreandmoresimple.'

'Poirot,' I cried, 'one day I shall murder you! Your habit of finding everything perfectly simple is
aggravatingtothelastdegree!'

'ButwhenIexplain,monami,isitnotalwaysperfectlysimple?'

'Yes;thatistheannoyingpartofit!IfeelthenthatIcouldhavedoneitmyself.'

'Andsoyoucould,Hastings,soyoucould.Ifyouwouldbuttakethetroubleofarrangingyourideas!
Withoutmethod-'

'Yes,yes,'Isaidhastily,forIknewPoirot'seloquencewhenstartedonhisfavouritethemeonlytoowell.
'Tellme,whatdowedonext?Areyoureallygoingtoreconstructthecrime?'

'Hardlythat.Shallwesaythatthedramaisover,butthatIproposetoadda-Harlequinade?'

The following Tuesday was fixed upon by Poirot as the day for this mysterious performance. The
preparationsgreatlyintriguedme.Awhitescreenwaserectedatonesideoftheroom,flankedbyheavy
curtainsateitherside.Amanwithsomelightingapparatusarrivednext,andfinallyagroupofmembers
of the theatrical profession, who disappeared into Poirot's bedroom, which had been rigged up as a
temporarydressing-room.

Shortlybeforeeight,Japparrived,innoverycheerfulmood.Igatheredthattheofficialdetectivehardly
approvedofPoirot'splan.

'Bitmelodramatic,likeallhisideas.Butthere,itcandonoharm,andashesays,itmightsaveusagood
bit of trouble. He's been very smart over the case. I was on the same scent myself, of course -' I felt
instinctivelythatJappwasstrainingthetruthhere-'butthere,Ipromisedtolethimplaythethingout

hisownway.Ah!Hereisthecrowd.'

HisLordshiparrivedfirst,escortingMrsMallaby,whomIhadnotasyetseen.Shewasapretty,dark-
hairedwoman,andappearedperceptiblynervous.TheDavidsonsfollowed.ChrisDavidsonalsoIsaw
forthefirsttime.Hewashandsomeenoughinaratherobviousstyle,tallanddark,withtheeasygrace
oftheactor.

Poirothadarrangedseatsforthepartyfacingthescreen.Thiswasilluminatedbyabrightlight.Poirot
switchedouttheotherlightssothattheroomwasindarknessexceptforthescreen.Poirot'svoicerose
outofthegloom.

'Messieurs,mesdames,awordofexplanation.Sixfiguresinturnwillpassacrossthescreen.Theyare
familiar to you. Pierrot and his Pierrette; Punchinello the buffoon, and elegant Pulcinella; beautiful
Columbine,lightlydancing,Harlequin,thesprite,invisibletoman!'

With these words of introduction, the show began. In turn each figure that Poirot had mentioned
boundedbeforethescreen,stayedthereamomentpoised,andthenvanished.Thelightswentup,anda
sighofreliefwentround.Everyonehadbeennervous,fearingtheyknewnotwhat.Itseemedtomethat
the proceedings had gone singularly flat. If the criminal was among us, and Poirot expected him to
breakdownatthemeresightofafamiliarfigure,thedevicehadfailedsignally-asitwasalmostbound
todo.Poirot,however,appearednotawhitdiscomposed.Hesteppedforward,beaming.

'Now,messieursandmesdames,willyoubesogoodastotellme,oneatatimewhatitisthatwehave
justseen?Willyoubegin,milord?'

Thegentlemanlookedratherpuzzled.'I'mafraidIdon'tquiteunderstand.'

'Justtellmewhatwehavebeenseeing.'

'I-er-well,Ishouldsaywehaveseensixfigurespassinginfrontofascreenanddressedtorepresent
thepersonagesintheoldItalianComedy,or-er-ourselvestheothernight.'

'Nevermindtheothernight,milor','brokeinPoirot.'ThefirstpartofyourspeechwaswhatIwanted.
MadameyouagreewithMilor'Cronshaw?'

HehadturnedashespoketoMrsMallaby.

'I-er-yes,ofcourse.'

'YouagreethatyouhaveseensixfiguresrepresentingtheItalianComedy?'

'Why,certainly.'

'MonsieurDavidson?Youtoo?'

'Yes.'

'Madame?'

'Yes.'

'Hastings?Japp?Yes?Youareallinaccord?'

Helookedarounduponus;hisfacegrewratherpale,andhiseyesweregreenasanycat's.

'Andyet-youareallwrong!Youreyeshaveliedtoyou-astheyliedtoyouonthenightoftheVictory
Ball.To"seethingswithyourowneyes",astheysay,isnotalwaystoseethetruth.Onemustseewith
eyesofthemind;onemustemploythelittlecellsofgrey!Know,then,thattonightandonthenightof
theVictoryBall,yousawnotsixfiguresbutfive!See!'

Thelightswentoutagain.Afigureboundedinfrontofthescreen-Pierrot!

'Whoisthat?'demandedPoirot.'IsitPierrot?'

'Yes,'weallcried.

'Lookagain!'

WithaswiftmovementthemandivestedhimselfofhisloosePierrotgarb.Thereinthelimelightstood
glitteringHarlequin!Atthesamemomenttherewasacryandanoverturnedchair.

'Curseyou,'snarledDavidson'svoice.'Curseyou!Howdidyouguess?'

ThencametheclinkofhandcuffsandJapp'scalmofficialvoice.'Iarrestyou,ChristopherDavidson-
chargeofmurderingViscountCronshaw-anythingyousayusedinevidenceagainstyou.'

Itwasaquarterofanhourlater.Arecherchélittlesupperhadappeared;andPoirot,beamingalloverhis
face,wasdispensinghospitalityandansweringoureagerquestions.

'Itwasallverysimple.Thecircumstancesinwhichthegreenpomponwasfoundsuggestedatoncethat
ithadbeentornfromthecostumeofthemurderer.IdismissedPierrettefrommymind(sinceittakes
considerablestrengthtodriveatable-knifehome)andfixeduponPierrotasthecriminal.ButPierrotleft
theballnearlytwohoursbeforethemurderwascommitted.Sohemusteitherhavereturnedtotheball
latertokillLordCronshaw,or-ehbien,hemusthavekilledhimbeforeheleft!Wasthatimpossible?
Who had seen Lord Cronshaw after supper that evening? Only Mrs Davidson, whose statement, I
suspected, was a deliberate fabrication uttered with the object of accounting for the missing pompon,
which,ofcourse,shecutfromherowndresstoreplacetheonemissingonherhusband'scostume.But
then, Harlequin, who was seen in the box at one-thirty, must have been an impersonation. For a
moment, earlier, I had considered the possibility of Mr Beltane being the guilty party. But with his
elaborate costume, it was clearly impossible that he could have doubled the roles of Punchinello and
Harlequin.Ontheotherhand,toDavidson,ayoungmanofaboutthesameheightasthemurderedman
andanactorbyprofession,thethingwassimplicityitself.

'Butonethingworriedme.Surelyadoctorcouldnotfailtoperceivethedifferencebetweenamanwho
hadbeendeadtwohoursandonewhohadbeendeadtenminutes!Ehbien,thedoctordidperceiveit!
Buthewasnottakentothebodyandasked"Howlonghasthismanbeendead?"Onthecontrary,he
was informed that the man had been seen alive ten minutes ago, and so he merely commented at the
inquestontheabnormalstiffeningofthelimbsforwhichhewasquiteunabletoaccount!

'Allwasnowmarchingfamouslyformytheory.DavidsonhadkilledLordCronshawimmediatelyafter
supper,when,asyouremember,hewasseentodrawhimbackintothesupper-room.Thenhedeparted
withMissCourtenay,leftheratthedoorofherflat(insteadofgoinginandtryingtopacifyherashe
affirmed) and returned post-haste to the Colossus - but as Harlequin, not Pierrot - a simple
transformationeffectedbyremovinghisoutercostume.'

Theuncleofthedeadmanleanedforward,hiseyesperplexed.

'Butifso,hemusthavecometotheballpreparedtokillhisvictim.Whatearthlymotivecouldhehave
had?Themotive,that'swhatIcan'tget.'

'Ah!Therewecometothesecondtragedy-thatofMissCourtenay.Therewasonesimplepointwhich
everyoneoverlooked.MissCourtenaydiedofcocainepoisoning-buthersupplyofthedrugwasinthe

enamel box which was found on Lord Cronshaw's body. Where, then, did she obtain the dose which
killedher?Onlyonepersoncouldhavesuppliedherwithit-Davidson.Andthatexplainseverything.It
accountsforherfriendshipwiththeDavidsonsandherdemandthatDavidsonshouldescortherhome.
LordCronshaw,whowasalmostfanaticallyopposedtodrug-taking,discoveredthatshewasaddictedto
cocaine, and suspected that Davidson supplied her with it. Davidson doubtless denied this, but Lord
CronshawdeterminedtogetthetruthfromMissCourtenayattheball.Hecouldforgivethewretched
girl, but he would certainly have no mercy on the man who made a living by trafficking in drugs.
ExposureandruinconfrontedDavidson.HewenttotheballdeterminedthatCronshaw'ssilencemust
beobtainedatanycost.'

'WasCoco'sdeathanaccident,then?'

'I suspect that it was an accident cleverly engineered by Davidson. She was furiously angry with
Cronshaw,firstforhisreproaches,andsecondlyfortakinghercocainefromher.Davidsonsuppliedher
withmore,andprobablysuggestedheraugmentingthedoseasadefianceto"oldCronch"!'

'Oneotherthing,'Isaid.'Therecessandthecurtain?Howdidyouknowaboutthem?'

'Why, mon ami, that was the most simple of all. Waiters had been in and out of that little room, so,
obviously, the body could not have been lying where it was found on the floor. There must be some
place in the room where it could be hidden. I deduced a curtain and a recess behind it. Davidson
draggedthebodythere,andlater,afterdrawingattentiontohimselfinthebox,hedraggeditoutagain
beforefinallyleavingtheHall.Itwasoneofhisbestmoves.Heisacleverfellow.'

ButinPoirot'sgreeneyesIreadunmistakablytheunspokenremark:

'ButnotquitesocleverasHerculePoirot!'

THEADVENTUREOFTHECLAPHAMCOOK

AtthetimethatIwassharingroomswithmyfriendHerculePoirot,itwasmycustomtoreadaloudto
himtheheadlinesinthemorningnewspaper,theDailyBlare.

TheDailyBlarewasapaperthatmadethemostofanyopportunityforsensationalism.Robberiesand
murders did not lurk obscurely in its back pages. Instead they hit you in the eye in large type on the
frontpage.

ABSCONDING BANK CLERK DISAPPEARS WITH FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS' WORTH OF
NEGOTIABLESECURITIES,Iread.

HUSBAND PUTS HIS HEAD IN GAS-OVEN. UNHAPPY HOME LIFE. MISSING TYPIST.
PRETTYGIRLOFTWENTY-ONE.WHEREISEDNAFIELD?

'There you are, Poirot, plenty to choose from. An absconding bank clerk, a mysterious suicide, a
missingtypist-whichwillyouhave?'

Myfriendwasinaplacidmood.Hequietlyshookhishead.

'Iamnotgreatlyattractedtoanyofthem,monami.TodayIfeelinclinedforthelifeofease.Itwould
havetobeaveryinterestingproblemtotemptmefrommychair.Seeyou,Ihaveaffairsofimportance
ofmyowntoattendto.'

'Suchas?'

'My wardrobe, Hastings. If I mistake not, there is on my new grey suit the spot of grease - only the
uniquespot,butitissufficienttotroubleme.Thenthereismywinterovercoat-Imustlayhimasidein
the powder of Keatings. And I think - yes, I think - the moment is ripe for the trimmings of my
moustaches-andafterwardsImustapplythepomade.'

'Well,' I said, strolling to the window, 'I doubt if you'll be able to carry out this delirious programme.
Thatwasaringatthebell.Youhaveaclient.'

'Unlesstheaffairisoneofnationalimportance,Itouchitnot,'declaredPoirotwithdignity.

Amomentlaterourprivacywasinvadedbyastoutred-facedladywhopantedaudiblyasaresultofher
rapidascentofthestairs.

'You'reM.Poirot?'shedemanded,asshesankintoachair.

'IamHerculePoirot,yes,madame.'

'You'renotabitlikewhatIthoughtyou'dbe,'saidthelady,eyeinghimwithsomedisfavour.'Didyou
payforthebitinthepapersayingwhatacleverdetectiveyouwere,ordidtheyputitinthemselves?'

'Madame!'saidPoirot,drawinghimselfup.

'I'm sorry, I'm sure, but you know what these papers are nowadays. You begin reading a nice article
"What a bride said to her plain unmarried friend", and it's all about a simple thing you buy at the
chemist'sandshampooyourhairwith.Nothingbutpuff.Butnooffencetaken,Ihope?I'lltellyouwhat
Iwantyoutodoforme.Iwantyoutofindmycook.'

Poirotstaredather;foroncehisreadytonguefailedhim.IturnedasidetohidethebroadeningsmileI
couldnotcontrol.

'It's all this wicked dole,' continued the lady. 'Putting ideas into servants' heads, wanting to be typists
andwhatnots.Stopthedole,that'swhatIsay.I'dliketoknowwhatmyservantshavetocomplainof-
afternoon and evening off a week, alternate Sundays, washing put out, same food as we have - and
neverabitofmargarineinthehouse,nothingbuttheverybestbutter.'

She paused for want of breath and Poirot seized his opportunity. He spoke in his haughtiest manner
risingtohisfeetashedidso.

'Ifearyouaremakingamistake,madame.Iamnotholdinganinquiryintotheconditionsofdomestic
service.Iamaprivatedetective.'

'Iknowthat,'saidourvisitor.'Didn'tItellyouIwantedyoutofindmycookforme?Walkedoutofthe
houseonWednesday,withoutsomuchasawordtome,andnevercameback.'

'Iamsorry,madame,butIdonottouchthisparticularkindofbusiness.Iwishyougoodmorning.'

Ourvisitorsnortedwithindignation.

'That's it, is it, my fine fellow? Too proud, eh? Only deal with Government secrets and countesses'
jewels?Letmetellyouaservant'severybitasimportantasatiaratoawomaninmyposition.Wecan't
allbefineladiesgoingoutinourmotorswithourdiamondsandourpearls.Agoodcook'sagoodcook
-andwhenyouloseher,it'sasmuchtoyouasherpearlsaretosomefinelady.'

For a moment or two it appeared to be a toss up between Poirot's dignity and his sense of humour.
Finallyhelaughedandsatdownagain.

'Madame,youareintheright,andIaminthewrong.Yourremarksarejustandintelligent.Thiscase
will be a novelty. Never yet have I hunted a missing domestic. Truly here is the problem of national
importancethatIwasdemandingoffatejustbeforeyourarrival.Enavant!Yousaythisjewelofacook
wentoutonWednesdayanddidnotreturn.Thatisthedaybeforeyesterday.'

'Yes,itwasherdayout.'

'Butprobably,madame,shehasmetwithsomeaccident.Haveyouinquiredatanyofthehospitals?'

'That'sexactlywhatIthoughtyesterday,butthismorning,ifyouplease,shesentforherbox.Andnot
somuchasalinetome!IfI'dbeenathome,I'dnothaveletitgo-treatingmelikethat!ButI'djust
steppedouttothebutcher.'

'Willyoudescribehertome?'

'Shewasmiddle-aged,stout,blackhairturninggrey-mostrespectable.She'dbeentenyearsinherlast
place.ElizaDunn,hernamewas.'

'Andyouhadhad-nodisagreementwithherontheWednesday?'

'Nonewhatever.That'swhatmakesitallsoqueer.'

'Howmanyservantsdoyoukeep,madame?'

'Two.Thehouse-parlourmaid,Annie,isaverynicegirl.Abitforgetfulandherheadfullofyoungmen,
butagoodservantifyoukeepheruptoherwork.'

'Didsheandthecookgetonwelltogether?'

'Theyhadtheirupsanddowns,ofcourse-butonthewhole,verywell.'

'Andthegirlcanthrownolightonthemystery?'

'Shesaysnot-butyouknowwhatservantsare-theyallhangtogether.'

'Well,well,wemustlookintothis.Wheredidyousayyouresided,madame?'

'AtClapham;88PrinceAlbertRoad.'

'Bien, madame, I will wish you good morning, and you may count upon seeing me at your residence
duringthecourseoftheday.'

MrsTodd,forsuchwasournewfriend'sname,thentookherdeparture.Poirotlookedatmesomewhat
ruefully.

'Well,well,Hastings,thisisanovelaffairthatwehavehere.TheDisappearanceoftheClaphamCook!
Never,never,mustourfriendInspectorJappgettohearofthis!'

Hethenproceededtoheatanironandcarefullyremovedthegreasespotfromhisgreysuitbymeansof
a piece of blotting-paper. His moustaches he regretfully postponed to another day, and we set out for
Clapham.

PrinceAlbertRoadprovedtobeastreetofsmallprimhouses,allexactlyalike,withneatlacecurtains
veilingthewindows,andwellpolishedbrassknockersonthedoors.

WerangthebellatNo.88,andthedoorwasopenedbyaneatmaidwithaprettyface.MrsToddcame
outinthehalltogreetus.

'Don'tgo,Annie,'shecried.'Thisgentleman'sadetectiveandhe'llwanttoaskyousomequestions.'

Annie'sfacedisplayedastrugglebetweenalarmandapleasurableexcitement.

'I thank you, madame,' said Poirot bowing. 'I would like to question your maid now - and to see her
alone,ifImay.'

Wewereshownintoasmalldrawing-room,andwhenMrsTodd,withobviousreluctance,hadleftthe
room,Poirotcommencedhiscross-examination.

'Voyons,MademoiselleAnnie,allthatyoushalltelluswillbeofthegreatestimportance.Youalonecan

shedanylightonthecase.WithoutyourassistanceIcandonothing.'

Thealarmvanishedfromthegirl'sfaceandthepleasurableexcitementbecamemorestronglymarked.

'I'msure,sir,'shesaid,'I'lltellyouanythingIcan.'

'Thatisgood.'Poirotbeamedapprovalonher.'Now,firstofallwhatisyourownidea?Youareagirlof
remarkable intelligence. That can be seen at once! What is your own explanation of Eliza's
disappearance?'

Thusencouraged,Anniefairlyflowedintoexcitedspeech.

'Whiteslavers,sir,I'vesaidsoallalong!Cookwasalwaywarningmeagainstthem."Don'tyousniffno
scent, or eat any sweets - no matter how gentlemanly the fellow!" Those were her words to me. And
nowthey'vegother!I'msureofit.Aslikelyanot,she'sbeenshippedtoTurkeyoroneofthemEastern
place,whereI'veheardtheylikethemfat.'

Poirotpreservedanadmirablegravity.

'Butinthatcase-anditisindeedanidea!-wouldshehavesentforhertrunk?'

'Well,Idon'tknow,sir.She'dwantherthings-eveninthoseforeignplaces.'

'Whocameforthetrunk-aman?'

'ItwasCarterPaterson,sir.'

'Didyoupackit?'

'No,sir,itwasalreadypackedandcorded.'

'Ah! That's interesting. That shows that when she left the house on Wednesday, she had already
determinednottoreturn.Youseethat,doyounot?'

'Yes,sir.'Annielookedslightlytakenaback.'Ihadn'tthoughtofthat.Butitmightstillhavebeenwhite
slavers,mightn'tit,sir?'sheaddedwistfully.

'Undoubtedly!'saidPoirotgravely.Hewenton:'Didyoubothoccupythesamebedroom?'

'No,sir,wehadseparaterooms.'

'AndhadElizaexpressedanydissatisfactionwithherpresentposttoyouatall?Wereyoubothhappy
here?'

'She'dnevermentionedleaving.Theplaceisallright-'Thegirlhesitated.

'Speakfreely,'saidPoirotkindly.'Ishallnottellyourmistress.'

'Well, of course, sir, she's a caution, Missus is. But the food's good. Plenty of it, and no stinting.
Somethinghotforsupper,goodoutings,andasmuchfrying-fatasyoulike.Andanyway,ifElizadid
wanttomakeachange,she'dneverhavegoneoffthisway,I'msure.She'dhavestayedhermonth.Why,
Missuscouldhaveamonth'swagesoutofherfordoingthis.'

'Andthework,itisnottoohard?'

'Well,she'sparticular-alwayspokingroundincornersandlookingfordust.Andthenthere'sthelodger,
orpayingguestashe'salwayscalled.Butthat'sonlybreakfastanddinner,sameasMaster.They'reout
alldayintheCity.'

'Youlikeyourmaster?'

'He'sallright-veryquietandabitonthestingyside.'

'Youcan'tremember,Isuppose,thelastthingElizasaidbeforeshewentout?'

'Yes,Ican."Ifthere'sanystewedpeachesoverfromthedining-room,"shesays,"we'llhavethemfor
supper, and a bit of bacon and some fried potatoes." Mad over stewed peaches, she was. I shouldn't
wonderiftheydidn'tgetherthatway.'

'WasWednesdayherregulardayout?'

'Yes,shehadWednesdaysandIhadThursdays.'

Poirot asked a few more questions, then declared himself satisfied. Annie departed, and Mrs Todd
hurriedin,herfacealightwithcuriosity.Shehad,Ifeltcertain,bitterlyresentedherexclusionfromthe
roomduringourconversationwithAnnie.Poirot,however,wascarefultosootheherfeelingstactfully.

'Itisdifficult,'heexplained,'forawomanofexceptionalintelligencesuchasyourself,madame,tobear
patientlytheroundaboutmethodswepoordetectivesareforcedtouse.Tohavepatiencewithstupidity
isdifficultforthequick-witted.'

HavingthuscharmedawayanylittleresentmentonMrsTodd'spart,hebroughttheconversationround
to her husband and elicited the information that he worked with a firm in the City and would not be
homeuntilaftersix.

'Doubtlessheisverydisturbedandworriedbythisunaccountablebusiness,eh?Isitnotso?'

'He'sneverworried,'declaredMrsTodd.'"Well,well,getanother,mydear."That'sallhesaid!He'sso
calm that it drives me to distraction sometimes. "An ungrateful woman," he said. "We are well rid of
her."'

'Whatabouttheotherinmatesofthehouse,madame?'

'YoumeanMrSimpson,ourpayingguest?Well,aslongashegetshisbreakfastandhiseveningmeal
allright,hedoesn'tworry.'

'Whatishisprofession,madame?'

'He works in a bank.' She mentioned its name, and I started slightly, remembering my perusal of the
DailyBlare.

'Ayoungman?'

'Twenty-eight,Ibelieve.Nicequietyoungfellow.'

'Ishouldliketohaveafewwordswithhim,andalsowithyourhusband,ifImay.Iwillreturnforthat
purpose this evening. I venture to suggest that you should repose yourself a little, madame, you look
fatigued.'

'IshouldjustthinkIam!FirsttheworryaboutEliza,andthenIwasatthesalespracticallyallyesterday,
andyouknowwhatthatis,M.Poirot,andwhatwithonethingandanotherandalottodointhehouse,
becauseofcourseAnniecan'tdoitall-andverylikelyshe'llgivenoticeanyway,beingunsettledinthis
waywell,whatwithitall,I'mtiredout!'

Poirotmurmuredsympathetically,andwetookourleave.

'It's a curious coincidence,' I said, 'but that absconding clerk, Davis, was from the same bank as
Simpson.Cantherebeanyconnection,doyouthink?'

Poirotsmiled.

'Attheoneend,adefaultingclerk,attheotheravanishingcook.Itishardtoseeanyrelationbetween
the two, unless possibly Davis visited Simpson, fell in love with the cook, and persuaded her to
accompanyhimonhisflight!'

Ilaughed.ButPoirotremainedgrave.

'He might have done worse,' he said reprovingly. 'Remember, Hastings, if you are going into exile, a
goodcookmaybeofmorecomfortthanaprettyface!'Hepausedforamomentandthenwenton.'Itis
acuriouscase,fullofcontradictoryfeatures.Iaminterested-yes,Iamdistinctlyinterested.'

That evening we returned to 88 Prince Albert Road and interviewed both Todd and Simpson. The
formerwasamelancholylantern-jawedmanofforty-odd.

'Oh. Yes, yes,' he said vaguely. 'Eliza. Yes. A good cook, I believe. And economical. I make a strong
pointofeconomy.'

'Canyouimagineanyreasonforherleavingyousosuddenly?'

'Oh, well,' said Mr Todd vaguely. 'Servants, you know. My wife worries too much. Worn out from
alwaysworrying.Thewholeproblem'squitesimplereally."Getanother,mydear,"Isay."Getanother."
That'sallthereistoit.Nogoodcryingoverspiltmilk.'

MrSimpsonwasequallyunhelpful.Hewasaquietinconspicuousyoungmanwithspectacles.

'Imusthaveseenher,Isuppose,'hesaid.'Elderlywoman,wasn'tshe?Ofcourse,it'stheotheroneIsee
always,Annie.Nicegirl.Veryobliging.'

'Werethosetwoongoodtermswitheachother?'

MrSimpsonsaidhecouldn'tsay,hewassure.Hesupposedso.

'Well, we get nothing of interest there, mon ami,' said Poirot as we left the house. Our departure had
beendelayedbyaburstofvociferousrepetitionfromMrsTodd,whorepeatedeverythingshehadsaid
thatmorningatrathergreaterlength.

'Areyoudisappointed?'Iasked.'Didyouexpecttohearsomething?'

Poirotshookhishead.

'Therewasapossibility,ofcourse,'hesaid.'ButIhardlythoughtitlikely.'

ThenextdevelopmentwasaletterwhichPoirotreceivedonthefollowingmorning.Hereadit,turned
purplewithindignation,andhandedittome.

MrsToddregretsthatafterallshewillnotavailherselfofMrPoirot'sservices.Aftertalkingthematter
overwithherhusbandsheseesthatitisfoolishtocallinadetectiveaboutapurelydomesticaffair.Mrs
Toddenclosesaguineaforconsultationfee.

'Aha!'criedPoirotangrily.'AndtheythinktogetridofHerculePoirotlikethat!Asafavour-agreat
favour-Iconsenttoinvestigatetheirmiserablelittletwopenny-halfpennyaffair-andtheydismissme
commeça!Here,Imistakenot,isthehandofMrTodd.ButIsayno!-thirty-sixtimesno!Iwillspend
myownguineas,thirty-sixhundredofthemifneedbe,butIwillgettothebottomofthismatter.'

'Yes,'Isaid.'Buthow?'

Poirotcalmeddownalittle.

'D'accord,' he said, 'we will advertise in the papers. Let me see - yes - something like this: "If Eliza
Dunnwillcommunicatewiththisaddress,shewillhearofsomethingtoheradvantage."Putitinallthe
papersyoucanthinkof,Hastings.ThenIwillmakesomelittleinquiriesofmyown.Go,go-allmust
bedoneasquicklyaspossible!'

Ididnotseehimagainuntiltheevening,whenhecondescendedtotellmewhathehadbeendoing.

'IhavemadeinquiriesatthefirmofMrTodd.HewasnotabsentonWednesdayandhebearsagood
character-somuchforhim.ThenSimpson,onThursdayhewasillanddidnotcometothebank,but
hewasthereonWednesday.HewasmoderatelyfriendlywithDavis.Nothingoutofthecommon.There
doesnotseemtobeanythingthere.No.Wemustplaceourrelianceontheadvertisement.'

The advertisement duly appeared in all the principal daily papers. By Poirot's orders it was to be
continuedeverydayforaweek.Hiseagernessoverthisuninterestingmatterofadefaultingcookwas
extraordinary, but I realized that he considered it a point of honour to persevere until he finally
succeeded. Several extremely interesting cases were brought to him about this time, but he declined
themall.Everymorninghewouldrushathisletters,scrutinizethemearnestlyandthenlaythemdown
withasigh.Butourpatiencewasrewardedatlast.OntheWednesdayfollowingMrsTodd'svisit,our
landladyinformedusthatapersonofthenameofElizaDunnhadcalled.

'Enfin!'criedPoirot.'Butmakehermountthen!Atonce.Immediately.'

Thusadmonished,ourlandladyhurriedoutandreturnedamomentortwolater,usheringinMissDunn.
Ourquarrywasmuchasdescribed:tall,stout,andeminentlyrespectable.

'Icameinanswertotheadvertisement,'sheexplained.'Ithoughttheremustbesomemuddleorother,
andthatperhapsyoudidn'tknowI'dalreadygotmylegacy.'

Poirotwasstudyingherattentively.Hedrewforwardachairwithaflourish.

'Thetruthofthematteris,'heexplained,'thatyourlatemistress,MrsTodd,wasmuchconcernedabout
you.Shefearedsomeaccidentmighthavebefallenyou.'

ElizaDunnseemedverymuchsurprised.

'Didn'tshegetmyletterthen?'

'Shegotnowordofanykind.'Hepaused,andthensaidpersuasively:

'Recounttomethewholestory,willyounot?'

ElizaDunnneedednoencouragement.Sheplungedatonceintoalengthynarrative.

'I was just coming home on Wednesday night and had nearly got to the house, when a gentleman
stoppedme.Atallgentlemanhewas,withabeardandabighat."MissElizaDunn?"hesaid."Yes,"I
said. "I've been inquiring for you at No. 88," he said. "They told me I might meet you coming along
here.MissDunn,IhavecomefromAustraliaspeciallytofindyou.Doyouhappentoknowthemaiden
name of your maternal grandmother?" "Jane Emmott," I said. "Exactly," he said. "Now, Miss Dunn,
althoughyoumayneverhaveheardofthefact,yourgrandmotherhadagreatfriend,ElizaLeech.This
friendwenttoAustraliawhereshemarriedaverywealthysettler.Hertwochildrendiedininfancy,and
sheinheritedallherhusband'sproperty.Shediedafewmonthsago,andbyherwillyouinheritahouse
inthiscountryandaconsiderablesumofmoney."

'You could have knocked me down with a feather,' continued Miss Dunn. 'For a minute, I was
suspicious,andhemusthaveseenit,forhesmiled."Quiterighttobeonyourguard,MissDunn,"he
said. "Here are my credentials." He handed me a letter from some lawyers in Melbourne, Hurst and
Crotchet,andacard.HewasMrCrotchet."Thereareoneortwoconditions,"hesaid."Ourclientwasa
little eccentric, you know. The bequest is conditional on your taking possession of the house (it is in
Cumberland)beforetwelveo'clocktomorrow.Theotherconditionisofnoimportance-itismerelya
stipulationthatyoushouldnotbeindomesticservice."Myfacefell."Oh,MrCrotchet,"Isaid."I'ma
cook.Didn'ttheytellyouatthehouse?""Dear,dear,"hesaid."Ihadnoideaofsuchathing.Ithought
you might possibly be a companion or governess there. This is very unfortunate - very unfortunate
indeed."

'"ShallIhavetoloseallthemoney?"Isaid,anxiouslike.Hethoughtforaminuteortwo."Thereare
alwayswaysofgettingroundthelaw,MissDunn,"hesaidatlast."Welawyersknowthat.Thewayout
hereisforyoutohaveleftyouremploymentthisafternoon.""Butmymonth?"Isaid."MydearMiss
Dunn," he said with a smile. "You can leave an employer any minute by forfeiting a month's wages.
Yourmistresswillunderstandinviewofthecircumstances.Thedifficultyistime!Itisimperativethat
youshouldcatchthe11:05fromKing'sCrosstotheNorth.Icanadvanceyoutenpoundsorsoforthe
fare,andyoucanwriteanoteatthestationtoyouremployer.Iwilltakeittohermyselfandexplainthe
wholecircumstances."Iagreed,ofcourse,andanhourlaterIwasinthetrain,soflusteredthatIdidn't
knowwhetherIwasonmyheadormyheels.IndeedbythetimeIgottoCarlisle,Iwashalfinclinedto
thinkthewholethingwasoneofthoseconfidencetricksyoureadabout.ButIwenttotheaddresshe

had given me - solicitors they were, and it was all right. A nice little house, and an income of three
hundred a year. These lawyers knew very little, they'd just got a letter from a gentleman in London
instructingthemtohandoverthehousetomeand150forthefirstsixmonths.MrCrotchetsentupmy
thingstome,buttherewasnowordfromMissus.Isupposedshewasangryandgrudgedmemybitof
luck.Shekeptbackmyboxtoo,andsentmyclothesinpaperparcels.Butthere,ofcourseifshenever
hadmyletter,shemightthinkitabitcoolofme.'

Poirot had listened attentively to this long history. Now he nodded his head as though completely
satisfied.

'Thankyou,mademoiselle.Therehadbeen,asyousay,alittlemuddle.Permitmetorecompenseyou
foryourtrouble.'Hehandedheranenvelope.'YoureturntoCumberlandimmediately?Alittlewordin
your ear. Do not forget how to cook. It is always useful to have something to fall back upon in case
thingsgowrong.'

'Credulous,' he murmured, as our visitor departed, 'but perhaps not more than most of her class.' His
facegrewgrave.'Come,Hastings,thereisnotimetobelost.GetataxiwhileIwriteanotetoJapp.'

PoirotwaswaitingonthedoorstepwhenIreturnedwiththetaxi.

'Wherearewegoing?'Iaskedanxiously.

'First,todespatchthisnotebyspecialmessenger.'

Thiswasdone,andre-enteringthetaxiPoirotgavetheaddresstothedriver.

'Eighty-eightPrinceAlbertRoad,Clapham.'

'Sowearegoingthere?'

'Mais,oui.ThoughfranklyIfearweshallbetoolate.Ourbirdwillhaveflown,Hastings.'

'Whoisourbird?'

Poirotsmiled.

'TheinconspicuousMrSimpson.'

'What?'Iexclaimed.

'Oh,comenow,Hastings,donottellmethatallisnotcleartoyounow?

'Thecookwasgotoutoftheway,Irealizethat,'Isaid,slightlypiqued.'Butwhy?WhyshouldSimpson
wishtogetheroutofthehouse?Didsheknowsomethingabouthim?'

'Nothingwhatever.'

'Well,then.'

'Buthewantedsomethingthatshehad.'

'Money?TheAustralianlegacy?'

'No,myfriend-somethingquitedifferent.'Hepausedamomentandthensaidgravely:'Abatteredtin
trunk...'

Ilookedsidewaysathim.HisstatementseemedsofantasticthatIsuspectedhimofpullingmyleg,but
hewasperfectlygraveandserious.

'Surelyhecouldbuyatrunkifhewantedone,'Icried.

'Hedidnotwantanewtrunk.Hewantedatrunkofpedigree.Atrunkofassuredrespectability.'

'Lookhere,Poirot,'Icried,'thisreallyisabitthick.You'repullingmyleg.'

Helookedatme.

'YoulackthebrainsandtheimaginationofMrSimpson,Hastings.Seehere:OnWednesdayevening,

Simpsondecoysawaythecook.Aprintedcardandaprintedsheetofnotepaperaresimplemattersto
obtain,andheiswillingtopay150andayear'shouserenttoassurethesuccessofhisplan.MissDunn
does not recognize him - the beard and the hat and the slight colonial accent completely deceive her.
That is the end of Wednesday - except for the trifling fact that Simpson has helped himself to fifty
thousandpounds'worthofnegotiablesecurities.'

'Simpson-butitwasDavis-'

'Ifyouwillkindlypermitmetocontinue,Hastings!Simpsonknowsthatthetheftwillbediscoveredon
Thursday afternoon. He does not go to the bank on Thursday, but he lies in wait for Davis when he
comes out to lunch. Perhaps he admits the theft and tells Davis he will return the securities to him -
anyhowhesucceedsingettingDavistocometoClaphamwithhim.Itisthemaid'sdayout,andMrs
Toddwasatthesales,sothereisnooneinthehouse.WhenthetheftisdiscoveredandDavisismissing,
the implication will be overwhelming. Davis is the thief! Mr Simpson will be perfectly safe, and can
returntoworkonthemorrowlikethehonestclerktheythinkhim.'

'AndDavis?'

Poirotmadeanexpressivegesture,andslowlyshookhishead.

'Itseemstoocold-bloodedtobebelieved,andyetwhatotherexplanationcantherebe,monami.The
onedifficultyforamurdereristhedisposalofthebody-andSimpsonhadplannedthatoutbeforehand.
IwasstruckatoncebythefactthatalthoughElizaDunnobviouslymeanttoreturnthatnightwhenshe
wentout(witnessherremarkaboutthestewedpeaches)yethertrunkwasallreadypackedwhenthey
cameforit.ItwasSimpsonwhosentwordtoCarterPatersontocallonFridayanditwasSimpsonwho
corded up the box on Thursday afternoon. What suspicion could possibly arise? A maid leaves and
sends for her box, it is labeled and addressed ready in her name, probably to a railway station within
easyreachofLondon.OnSaturdayafternoon,Simpson,inhisAustraliandisguise,claimsit,heaffixes
anewlabelandaddressandredespatchesitsomewhereelse,again"tobelefttillcalledfor".Whenthe
authorities get suspicious, for excellent reasons, and open it, all that can be elicited will be that a
bearded colonial despatched it from some junction near London. There will be nothing to connect it
with88PrinceAlbertRoad.Ah!Hereweare.'

Poirot's prognostications had been correct. Simpson had left two days previously. But he was not to
escape the consequences of his crime. By the aid of wireless, he was discovered on the Olympia, en
routetoAmerica.

Atintrunk,addressedtoMrHenryWintergreen,attractedtheattentionofrailwayofficialsatGlasgow.
ItwasopenedandfoundtocontainthebodyoftheunfortunateDavis.

MrsTodd'schequeforaguineawasnevercashed.InsteadPoirothaditframedandhungonthewallof
oursitting-room.

'It is to me a little reminder, Hastings. Never to despise the trivial - the undignified. A disappearing
domestic at one end - a cold-blooded murder at the other. To me, one of the most interesting of my
cases.'

THECORNISHMYSTERY

'MrsPengelley,'announcedourlandlady,andwithdrewdiscreetly.

Many unlikely people came to consult Poirot, but to my mind, the woman who stood nervously just
inside the door, fingering her feather neck-piece, was the most unlikely of all. She was so
extraordinarilycommonplace-athin,fadedwomanofaboutfifty,dressedinabraidedcoatandskirt,
somegoldjewelleryatherneck,andwithhergreyhairsurmountedbyasingularlyunbecominghat.In
acountrytown,youpassahundredMrsPengelleysinthestreeteveryday.

Poirotcameforwardandgreetedherpleasantly,perceivingherobviousembarrassment.

'Madame!Takeachair,Ibegofyou.Mycolleague,CaptainHastings.'

Theladysatdown,murmuringuncertainly:'YouareM.Poirot,thedetective?'

'Atyourservice,madame.'

Butourguestwasstilltongue-tied.Shesighed,twistedherfingers,andgrewsteadilyredderandredder.

'ThereissomethingIcandoforyou,eh,madame?'

'Well,Ithought-thatis-yousee-'

'Proceed,madame,Ibegofyou-proceed.'

MrsPengelley,thusencouraged,tookagriponherself.

'It'sthisway,M.Poirot-Idon'twanttohaveanythingtodowiththepolice.No,Iwouldn'tgotothe
police for anything! But all the same, I'm sorely troubled about something. And yet I don't know if I
ought-'

Shestoppedabruptly.

'Me,Ihavenothingtodowiththepolice.Myinvestigationsarestrictlyprivate.'

MrsPengelleycaughtattheword.

'Private-that'swhatIwant.Idon'twantanytalkorfuss,orthingsinthepapers.Wickeditis,theway
they write things, until the family could never hold up their heads again. And it isn't as though I was
evensure-it'sjustadreadfulideathat'scometome,andputitoutofmyheadIcan't.'Shepausedfor
breath.'AndallthetimeImaybewickedlywrongingpoorEdward.It'saterriblethoughtforanywife
tohave.Butyoudoreadofsuchdreadfulthingsnowadays.'

'Permitme-itisofyourhusbandyouspeak?'

'Yes.'

'Andyoususpecthimof-what?'

'I don't like even to say it, M. Poirot. But you do read of such things happening - and the poor souls
suspectingnothing.'

Iwasbeginningtodespairofthelady'severcomingtothepoint,butPoirot'spatiencewasequaltothe
demandmadeuponit.

'Speak without fear, madame. Think what joy will be yours if we are able to prove your suspicions
unfounded.'

'That's true - anything's better than this wearing uncertainty. Oh, M. Poirot, I'm dreadfully afraid I'm
beingpoisoned.'

'Whatmakesyouthinkso?'

Mrs Pengelley, her reticence leaving her, plunged into a full recital more suited to the ears of her
medicalattendant.

'Painandsicknessafterfood,eh?'saidPoirotthoughtfully.'Youhaveadoctorattendingyou,madame?
Whatdoeshesay?'

'He says it's acute gastritis, M. Poirot. But I can see that he's puzzled and uneasy, and he's always
alteringthemedicine,butnothingdoesanygood.'

'Youhavespokenofyour-fears,tohim?'

'No,indeed,M.Poirot.Itmightgetaboutinthetown.Andperhapsit'sgastritis.Allthesame,it'svery
oddthatwheneverEdwardisawayfortheweek-end,I'mquiteallrightagain.EvenFredanoticedthat-
myniece,M.Poirot.Andthenthere'sthatbottleofweed-killer,neverused,thegardenersays,andyet
it'shalf-empty.'

ShelookedappealinglyatPoirot.Hesmiledreassuringlyather,andreachedforapencilandnotebook.

'Letusbebusinesslike,madame.Now,then,youandyourhusbandreside-where?'

'Polgarwith,asmallmarkettowninCornwall.'

'Youhavelivedtherelong?'

'Fourteenyears.'

'Andyourhouseholdconsistsofyouandyourhusband.Anychildren?'

'No.'

'Butaniece,Ithinkyousaid?'

'Yes,FredaStanton,thechildofmyhusband'sonlysister.Shehaslivedwithusforthelasteightyears-

thatis,untilaweekago.'

'Oho,andwhathappenedaweekago?'

'Thingshadn'tbeenverypleasantforsometime;Idon'tknowwhathadcomeoverFreda.Shewasso
rudeandimpertinent,andhertempersomethingshocking,andintheendsheflareduponeday,andout
shewalkedandtookroomsofherowninthetown.I'venotseenhersince.Betterleavehertocometo
hersenses,soMrRadnorsays.'

'WhoisMrRadnor?'

SomeofMrsPengelley'sinitialembarrassmentreturned.

'Oh,he's-he'sjustafriend.Verypleasantyoungfellow.'

'Anythingbetweenhimandyourniece?'

'Nothingwhatever,'saidMrsPengelleyemphatically.

Poirotshiftedhisground.

'Youandyourhusbandare,Ipresume,incomfortablecircumstances?'

'Yes,we'reverynicelyoff.'

'Themoney,isityoursoryourhusband's?'

'Oh,it'sallEdward's.I'venothingofmyown.'

'Yousee,madame,tobebusinesslike,wemustbebrutal.Wemustseekforamotive.Yourhusband,he
wouldnotpoisonyoujustpourpasserletemps.Doyouknowofanyreasonwhyheshouldwishyou
outoftheway?'

'There'stheyellow-hairedhussywhoworksforhim,'saidMrsPengelley,withaflashoftemper.'My

husband's a dentist, M. Poirot, and nothing would do but he must have a smart girl, as he said, with
bobbedhairandawhiteoverall,tomakehisappointmentsandmixhisfillingsforhim.It'scometomy
earsthattherehavebeenfinegoings-on,thoughofcourseheswearsit'sallright.'

'Thisbottleofweed-killer,madame,whoorderedit?'

'Myhusband-aboutayearago.'

'Yourniece,now,hassheanymoneyofherown?'

'Aboutfiftypoundsayear,Ishouldsay.She'dbegladenoughtocomebackandkeephouseforEdward
ifIlefthim.'

'Youhavecontemplatedleavinghim,then?'

'Idon'tintendtolethimhaveitallhisownway.Womenaren'tthedowntroddenslavestheywereinold
days,M.Poirot.'

'Icongratulateyouonyourindependentspirit,madame;butletusbepractical.YoureturntoPolgarwith
today?'

'Yes,Icameupbyanexcursion.Sixthismorningthetrainstarted,andthetraingoesbackatfivethis
afternoon.'

'Bien! I have nothing of great moment on hand. I can devote myself to your little affair. Tomorrow I
shallbeinPolgarwith.ShallwesaythatHastings,here,isadistantrelativeofyours,thesonofyour
second cousin? Me, I am his eccentric foreign friend. In the meantime, eat only what is prepared by
yourownhands,orunderyoureye.Youhaveamaidwhomyoutrust?'

'Jessieisaverygoodgirl,Iamsure.'

'Tilltomorrowthen,madame,andbeofgoodcourage.'

Poirot bowed the lady out, and returned thoughtfully to his chair. His absorption was not so great,
however, that he failed to see two minute strands of feather scarf wrenched off by the lady's agitated
fingers.Hecollectedthemcarefullyandconsignedthemtothewastepaperbasket.

'Whatdoyoumakeofthecase,Hastings?'

'Anastybusiness,Ishouldsay.'

'Yes,ifwhattheladysuspectsbetrue.Butisit?Woebetideanyhusbandwhoordersabottleofweed-
killernowadays.Ifhiswifesuffersfromgastritis,andisinclinedtobeofahystericaltemperament,the
fatisinthefire.'

'Youthinkthatisallthereistoit?'

'Ah-voilá-Idonotknow,Hastings.Butthecaseinterestsme-itinterestsmeenormously.For,see
you,ithaspositivelynonewfeatures.Hencethehystericaltheory,andyetMrsPengelleydidnotstrike
measbeingahystericalwoman.Yes,ifImistakenot,wehavehereaverypoignanthumandrama.Tell
me,Hastings,whatdoyouconsiderMrsPengelley'sfeelingstowardsherhusbandtobe?'

'Loyaltystrugglingwithfear,'Isuggested.

'Yet,ordinarily,awomanwillaccuseanyoneintheworld-butnotherhusband.Shewillsticktoher
beliefinhimthroughthickandthin.'

'The"otherwoman"complicatesthematter.'

'Yes,affectionmayturntohate,underthestimulusofjealousy.Buthatewouldtakehertothepolice-
nottome.Shewouldwantanoutcry-ascandal.No,no,letusexerciseourlittlegreycells.Whydid
shecometome?Tohavehersuspicionsprovedwrong?Or-tohavethemprovedright?Ah,wehave
here something I do not understand - an unknown factor. Is she a superb actress, our Mrs Pengelley?
No,shewasgenuine,Iwouldswearthatshewasgenuine,andthereforeIaminterested.Lookupthe
traintoPolgarwith,Iprayyou.'

Thebesttrainofthedaywastheone-fiftyfromPaddingtonwhichreachedPolgarwithjustafterseven
o'clock.Thejourneywasuneventful,andIhadtorousemyselffromapleasantnaptoalightuponthe
platformofthebleaklittlestation.WetookourbagstotheDuchyHotel,andafteralightmeal,Poirot
suggestedoursteppingroundtopayanafter-dinnercallonmyso-calledcousin.

The Pengelleys' house stood a little way back from the road with an old-fashioned cottage garden in
front. The smell of stocks and mignonette came sweetly wafted on the evening breeze. It seemed
impossibletoassociatethoughtsofviolencewiththisOldWorldcharm.Poirotrangandknocked.As

thesummonswasnotanswered,herangagain.Thistime,afteralittlepause,thedoorwasopenedbya
dishevelled-lookingservant.Hereyeswerered,andshewassniffingviolently.

'WewishtoseeMrsPengelley,'explainedPoirot.'Mayweenter?'

Themaidstared.Then,withunusualdirectness,sheanswered:

'Haven'tyouheard,then?She'sdead.Diedthisevening-abouthalfanhourago.'

Westoodstaringather,stunned.

'Whatdidshedieof?'Iaskedatlast.

'There'ssomeascouldtell.'Shegaveaquickglanceoverhershoulder.'Ifitwasn'tthatsomebodyought
tobeinthehousewiththemissus,I'dpackmyboxandgotonight.ButI'llnotleaveherdeadwithno
onetowatchbyher.It'snotmyplacetosayanything,andI'mnotgoingtosayanything-buteverybody
knows.It'salloverthetown.AndifMrRadnordon'twritetothe'OmeSecretary,someoneelsewill.
Thedoctormaysaywhathelikes.Didn'tIseethemasterwithmyowneyesa-liftingdownoftheweed-
killerfromtheshelfthisveryevening?Anddidn'thejumpwhenheturnedroundandsawmewatching
ofhim?Andthemissus'gruelthereonthetable,allreadytotaketoher?Notanotherbitoffoodpasses
mylipswhileIaminthishouse!NotifIdiesforit.'

'Wheredoesthedoctorlivewhoattendedyourmistress?'

'DrAdams.RoundthecornerthereinHighStreet.Thesecondhouse.'

Poirotturnedawayabruptly.Hewasverypale.

'Foragirlwhowasnotgoingtosayanything,thatgirlsaidalot,'Iremarkeddryly.

Poirotstruckhisclenchedhandintohispalm.

'Animbecile,acriminalimbecile,thatiswhatIhavebeen,Hastings.Ihaveboastedofmylittlegrey
cells, and now I have lost a human life, a life that came to me to be saved. Never did I dream that
anything would happen so soon. May the good God forgive me, but I never believed anything would
happenatall.Herstoryseemedtomeartificial.Hereweareatthedoctor's.Letusseewhathecantell

us.'

Dr Adams was the typical genial red-faced country doctor of fiction. He received us politely enough,
butatahintofourerrand,hisredfacebecamepurple.

'Damnednonsense!Damnednonsense,everywordofit!Wasn'tIinattendanceonthecase?Gastritis-
gastritispure and simple.This town's ahotbed of gossip -a lot ofscandal-mongering old women get
togetherandinventGodknowswhat.Theyreadthesescurrilousragsofnewspapers,andnothingwill
suitthembutthatsomeoneintheirtownshallgetpoisonedtoo.Theyseeabottleofweed-killerona
shelf - and hey presto! - away goes their imagination with the bit between its teeth. I know Edward
Pengelley - he wouldn't poison his grandmother's dog. And why should he poison his wife? Tell me
that?'

'Thereisonething,M.leDocteur,thatperhapsyoudonotknow.'

And, very briefly, Poirot outlined the main facts of Mrs Pengelley's visit to him. No one could have
beenmoreastonishedthanDrAdams.Hiseyesalmoststartedoutofhishead.

'Godblessmysoul!'heejaculated.'Thepoorwomanmusthavebeenmad.Whydidn'tshespeaktome?
Thatwastheproperthingtodo.'

'Andhaveherfearsridiculed?'

'Notatall,notatall.IhopeI'vegotanopenmind.'

Poirotlookedathimandsmiled.Thephysicianwasevidentlymoreperturbedthanhecaredtoadmit.
Asweleftthehouse,Poirotbrokeintoalaugh.

'Heisasobstinateasapig,thatone.Hehassaiditisgastritis;thereforeitisgastritis!Allthesame,he
hastheminduneasy.'

'What'sournextstep?'

'A return to the inn, and a night of horror upon one of your English provincial beds, mon ami. It is a
thingtomakepity,thecheapEnglishbed!'

'Andtomorrow?'

'Rienàfaire.Wemustreturntotownandawaitdevelopments.'

'That'sverytame,'Isaid,disappointed.'Supposetherearenone?'

'Therewillbe!Icanpromiseyouthat.Ourolddoctormaygiveasmanycertificatesashepleases.He
cannotstopseveralhundredtonguesfromwagging.Andtheywillwagtosomepurpose,Icantellyou
that.'

Our train for town left at eleven the following morning. Before we started for the station, Poirot
expressedawishtoseeMissFredaStanton,theniecementionedtousbythedeadwoman.Wefound
the house where she was lodging easily enough. With her was a tall, dark young man whom she
introducedinsomeconfusionasMrJacobRadnor.

Miss Freda Stanton was an extremely pretty girl of the Cornish type - dark hair and eyes and rosy
cheeks.Therewasaflashinthosesamedarkeyeswhichtoldofatemperthatitwouldnotbewiseto
provoke.

'PoorAuntie,'shesaid,whenPoirothadintroducedhimself,andexplainedhisbusiness.'It'sterriblysad.
I'vebeenwishingallthemorningthatI'dbeenkinderandmorepatient.'

'Youstoodagreatdeal,Freda,'interruptedRadnor.

'Yes,Jacob,butI'vegotasharptemper,Iknow.Afterall,itwasonlysillinessonAuntie'spart.Iought
tohavejustlaughedandnotminded.Ofcourse,it'sallnonsenseherthinkingthatUnclewaspoisoning
her. She was worse after any food he gave her - but I'm sure it was only from thinking about it. She
madeuphermindshewouldbe,andthenshewas.'

'Whatwastheactualcauseofyourdisagreement,mademoiselle?'

MissStantonhesitated,lookingatRadnor.Thatyounggentlemanwasquicktotakethehint.

'Imustbegettingalong,Freda.Seeyouthisevening.Goodbye,gentlemen;you'reonyourwaytothe
station,Isuppose?'

Poirotrepliedthatwewere,andRadnordeparted.

'Youareaffianced,isitnotso?'demandedPoirot,withaslysmile.

FredaStantonblushedandadmittedthatsuchwasthecase.

'AndthatwasreallythewholetroublewithAuntie,'sheadded.

'Shedidnotapproveofthematchforyou?'

'Oh,itwasn'tthatsomuch.Butyousee,she-'Thegirlcametoastop.

'Yes?'encouragedPoirotgently.

'Itseemsratherahorridthingtosayabouther-nowshe'sdead.Butyou'llneverunderstandunlessItell
you.AuntiewasabsolutelyinfatuatedwithJacob.'

'Indeed?'

'Yes,wasn'titabsurd?Shewasoverfifty,andhe'snotquitethirty!Butthereitwas.Shewassillyabout
him!Ihadtotellheratlastthatitwasmehewasafter-andshecarriedondreadfully.Shewouldn't
believeawordofit,andwassorudeandinsultingthatit'snowonderIlostmytemper.Italkeditover
withJacob,andweagreedthatthebestthingtodowasformetoclearoutforabittillshecametoher
senses.PoorAuntie-Isupposeshewasinaqueerstatealtogether.'

'Itwouldcertainlyseemso.Thankyou,mademoiselle,formakingthingssocleartome.'

Alittletomysurprise,Radnorwaswaitingforusinthestreetbelow.

'IcanguessprettywellwhatFredahasbeentellingyou,'heremarked.'Itwasamostunfortunatething
to happen, and very awkward for me, as you can imagine. I need hardly say that it was none of my
doing.Iwaspleasedatfirst,becauseIimaginedtheoldwomanwashelpingonthingswithFreda.The
wholethingwasabsurd-butextremelyunpleasant.'

'WhenareyouandMissStantongoingtobemarried?'

'Soon,Ihope.Now,M.Poirot,I'mgoingtobecandidwithyou.IknowabitmorethanFredadoes.She
believesheruncletobeinnocent.I'mnotsosure.ButIcantellyouonething:I'mgoingtokeepmy
mouthshutaboutwhatIdoknow.Letsleepingdogslie.Idon'twantmywife'suncletriedandhanged
formurder.'

'Whydoyoutellmeallthis?'

'BecauseI'veheardofyou,andIknowyou'reacleverman.It'squitepossiblethatyoumightferretouta
caseagainsthim.ButIputittoyou-whatgoodisthat?Thepoorwomanispasthelp,andshe'dhave
beenthelastpersontowantascandal-why,she'dturninhergraveatthemerethoughtofit.'

'Youareprobablyrightthere.Youwantmeto-hushitup,then?'

'That'smyidea.I'lladmitfranklythatI'mselfishaboutit.I'vegotmywaytomake-andI'mbuildingup
agoodlittlebusinessasatailorandoutfitter.'

'Mostofusareselfish,MrRadnor.Notallofusadmititsofreely.Iwilldowhatyouask-butItellyou
franklyyouwillnotsucceedinhushingitup.'

'Whynot?'

Poirot held up a finger. It was market day, and we were passing the market - a busy hum came from
within.

'Thevoiceofthepeople-thatiswhy,MrRadnor.Ah,wemustrun,orweshallmissourtrain.'

'Veryinteresting,isitnot,Hastings?'saidPoirot,asthetrainsteamedoutofthestation.

Hehadtakenoutasmallcombfromhispocket,alsoamicroscopicmirror,andwascarefullyarranging
hismoustache,thesymmetryofwhichhadbecomeslightlyimpairedduringourbriskrun.

'You seem to find it so,' I replied. 'To me, it is all rather sordid and unpleasant. There's hardly any
mysteryaboutit.'

'Iagreewithyou;thereisnomysterywhatever.'

'Isupposewecanacceptthegirl'sratherextraordinarystoryofheraunt'sinfatuation?Thatseemedthe
onlyfishyparttome.Shewassuchanice,respectablewoman.'

'Thereisnothingextraordinaryaboutthat-itiscompletelyordinary.Ifyoureadthepaperscarefully,
youwillfindthatoftenanicerespectablewomanofthatageleavesahusbandshehaslivedwithfor
twentyyears,andsometimesawholefamilyofchildrenaswell,inordertolinkherlifewiththatofa
youngmanconsiderablyherjunior.Youadmirelesfemmes,Hastings;youprostrateyourselfbeforeall
of them who are good-looking and have the good taste to smile upon you; but psychologically you
know nothing whatever about them. In the autumn of a woman's life, there comes always one mad
momentwhenshelongsforromance,foradventure-beforeitistoolate.Itcomesnonethelesssurely
toawomanbecausesheisthewifeofarespectabledentistinacountrytown?.'

'Andyouthink-'

'Thataclevermanmighttakeadvantageofsuchamoment.'

'Ishouldn'tcallPengelleysoclever,'Imused.'He'sgotthewholetownbytheears.AndyetIsuppose
you're right. The only two men who know anything, Radnor and the doctor, both want to hush it up.
He'smanagedthatsomehow.Iwishwe'dseenthefellow.'

'Youcanindulgeyourwish.Returnbythenexttrainandinventanachingmolar.'

Ilookedathimkeenly.

'IwishIknewwhatyouconsideredsointerestingaboutthecase.'

'Myinterestisveryaptlysummedupbyaremarkofyours,Hastings.Afterinterviewingthemaid,you
observedthatforsomeonewhowasnotgoingtosayaword,shehadsaidagoodtosay.'

'Ah!'Isaiddoubtfully;thenIharpedbacktomyoriginalcriticism:'Iwonderwhyyoumadenoattempt
toseePengelley?'

'Monami,Igivehimjustthreemonths.ThenIshallseehimforaslongasIplease-inthedock.'

For once I thought Poirot's prognostications were going to be proved wrong. The time went by, and

nothing transpired as to our Cornish case. Other matters occupied us, and I had nearly forgotten the
Pengelleytragedywhenitwassuddenlyrecalledtomebyashortparagraphinthepaperwhichstated
thatanordertoexhumethebodyofMrsPengelleyhadbeenobtainedfromtheHomeSecretary.

A few days later, and 'The Cornish Mystery' was the topic of every paper. It seemed that gossip had
neverentirelydieddown,andwhentheengagementofthewidowertoMissMarks,hissecretary,was
announced, the tongues burst out again louder than ever. Finally a petition was sent to the Home
Secretary;thebodywasexhumed;largequantitiesofarsenicwerediscovered;andMrPengelleywas
arrestedandchargedwiththemurderofhiswife.

Poirot and I attended the preliminary proceedings. The evidence was much as might have been
expected. Dr Adams admitted that the symptoms of arsenical poisoning might easily be mistaken for
those of gastritis. The Home Office expert gave his evidence; the maid Jessie poured out a flood of
volubleinformation,mostofwhichwasrejected,butwhichcertainlystrengthenedthecaseagainstthe
prisoner.FredaStantongaveevidenceastoheraunt'sbeingworsewheneversheatefoodpreparedby
her husband. Jacob Radnor told how he had dropped in unexpectedly on the day of Mrs Pengelley's
death,andfoundPengelleyreplacingthebottleofweed-killeronthepantryshelf,MrsPengelley'sgruel
beingonthetablecloseby.ThenMissMarks,thefair-hairedsecretary,wascalled,andweptandwent
intohystericsandadmittedthattherehadbeen'passages'betweenherandheremployer,andthathehad
promisedtomarryherintheeventofanythinghappeningtohiswife.Pengelleyreservedhisdefence
andwassentfortrial.

JacobRadnorwalkedbackwithustoourlodgings.

'Yousee,M.Radnor,'saidPoirot,'Iwasright.Thevoiceofthepeoplespoke-andwithnouncertain
voice.Therewastobenohushingupofthiscase.'

'Youwerequiteright,'sighedRadnor.'Doyouseeanychanceofhisgettingoff?'

'Well,hehasreservedhisdefence.Hemayhavesomethingupthesleeve,asyouEnglishsay.Comein
withus,willyounot?'

Radnoracceptedtheinvitation.Iorderedtwowhiskiesandsodasandacupofchocolate.Thelastorder
causedconsternation,andImuchdoubtedwhetheritwouldeverputinanappearance.

'Ofcourse,'continuedPoirot,'Ihaveagooddealofexperienceinmattersofthiskind.AndIseeonly
oneloopholeofescapeforourfriend.'

'Whatisthat?'

'Thatyoushouldsignthispaper.'

Withthesuddennessofaconjuror,heproducedasheetofpapercoveredwithwriting.

'Whatisit?'

'AconfessionthatyoumurderedMrsPengelley.'

Therewasamoment'spause;thenRadnorlaughed.

'Youmustbemad!'

'No,no,myfriend,Iamnotmad.Youcamehere;youstartedalittlebusiness;youwereshortofmoney.
MrPengelleywasamanverywell-to-do.Youmethisniece;shewasinclinedtosmileuponyou.But
the small allowance that Pengelley might have given her upon her marriage was not enough for you.
Youmustgetridofboththeuncleandtheaunt;thenthemoneywouldcometoher,sinceshewasthe
onlyrelative.Howcleverlyyousetaboutit!Youmadelovetothatplainmiddle-agedwomanuntilshe
wasyourslave.Youimplantedinherdoubtsofherhusband.Shediscoveredfirstthathewasdeceiving
her-then,underyourguidance,thathewastryingtopoisonher.Youwereoftenatthehouse;youhad
opportunities to introduce the arsenic into her food. But you were careful never to do so when her
husbandwasaway.Beingawoman,shedidnotkeephersuspicionstoherself.Shetalkedtoherniece;
doubtlessshetalkedtootherwomenfriends.Youronlydifficultywaskeepingupseparaterelationswith
thetwowomen,andeventhatwasnotsodifficultasitlooked.Youexplainedtotheauntthat,toallay
the suspicions of her husband, you had to pretend to pay court to the niece. And the younger lady
neededlittleconvincing-shewouldneverseriouslyconsiderherauntasarival.

'ButthenMrsPengelleymadeuphermind,withoutsayinganythingtoyou,toconsultme.Ifshecould
bereallyassured,beyondanypossibledoubt,thatherhusbandwastryingtopoisonher,shewouldfeel
justifiedinleavinghim,andlinkingherlifewithyours-whichiswhatsheimaginedyouwantedherto
do. But that did not suit your book at all. You did not want a detective prying around. A favourable
minute occurs. You are in the house when Mr Pengelley is getting some gruel for his wife, and you
introducethefataldose.Therestiseasy.Apparentlyanxioustohushmattersup,yousecretlyfoment
them.ButyoureckonedwithoutHerculePoirot,myintelligentyoungfriend.'

Radnorwasdeadlypale,buthestillendeavouredtocarryoffmatterswithahighhand.

'Veryinterestingandingenious,butwhytellmeallthis?'

'Because,monsieur,Irepresent-notthelaw,butMrsPengelley.Forhersake,Igiveyouachanceof
escape.Signthispaper,andyoushallhavetwenty-fourhours'start-twenty-fourhoursbeforeIplaceit
inthehandsofthepolice.'

Radnorhesitated.

'Youcan'tproveanything.'

'Can'tI?IamHerculePoirot.Lookoutofthewindow,monsieur.Therearetwomeninthestreet.They
haveordersnottolosesightofyou.'

Radnorstrodeacrosstothewindowandpulledasidetheblind,thenshrankbackwithanoath.

'Yousee,monsieur?Sign-itisyourbestchance.'

'WhatguaranteehaveI-'

'ThatIshallkeepfaith?ThewordofHerculePoirot.Youwillsign?Good.Hastings,besokindasto
pullthatleft-handblindhalf-wayup.ThatisthesignalthatMrRadnormayleaveunmolested.'

White,mutteringoaths.Radnorhurriedfromtheroom.Poirotnoddedgently.

'Acoward!Ialwaysknewit.'

'It seems to me, Poirot, that you've acted in a criminal manner,' I cried angrily. 'You always preach
againstsentiment.Andhereyouarelettingadangerouscriminalescapeoutofsheersentimentality.'

'Thatwasnotsentiment-thatwasbusiness,'repliedPoirot.'Doyounotsee,myfriend,thatwehaveno
shadowofproofagainsthim?ShallIgetupandsaytotwelvestolidCornishmenthatI,HerculePoirot,
know? They would laugh at me. The only chance was to frighten him and get a confession that way.
Those two loafers that I noticed outside came in very useful. Pull down the blind again, will you,
Hastings?Notthattherewasanyreasonforraisingit.Itwaspartofthemiseenscéne.

'Well, well, we must keep our word. Twenty-four hours, did I say? So much longer for poor Mr
Pengelley-anditisnotmorethanhedeserves;formarkyou,hedeceivedhiswife.Iamverystrongon
thefamilylife,asyouknow.Ah,well,twenty-fourhours-andthen?IhavegreatfaithinScotlandYard.
Theywillgethim,monami;theywillgethim.'

THEADVENTUREOFJOHNNIEWAVERLY

'Youcanunderstandthefeelingsofamother,'saidMrsWaverlyforperhapsthesixthtime.

She looked appealingly at Poirot. My little friend, always sympathetic to motherhood in distress,
gesticulatedreassuringly.

'Butyes,butyes,Icomprehendperfectly.HavefaithinPapaPoirot.'

'Thepolice-'beganMrWaverly.

Hiswifewavedtheinterruptionaside.'Iwon'thaveanythingmoretodowiththepolice.Wetrustedto
themandlookwhathappened!ButI'dheardsomuchofM.Poirotandthewonderfulthingshe'ddone,
thatIfelthemightpossiblybeabletohelpus.Amother'sfeelings-'

Poirothastilystemmedthereiterationwithaneloquentgesture.MrsWaverly'semotionwasobviously
genuine,butitassortedstrangelywithhershrewd,ratherhardtypeofcountenance.WhenIheardlater
thatshewasthedaughterofaprominentsteelmanufacturerofBirminghamwhohadworkedhiswayup
intheworldfromanofficeboytohispresenteminence,Irealizedthatshehadinheritedmanyofthe
paternalqualities.

Mr Waverly was a big, florid, jovial-looking man. He stood with his legs straddled wide apart and
lookedthetypeofthecountrysquire.

'Isupposeyouknowallaboutthisbusiness,M.Poirot?'

The question was almost superfluous. For some days past the paper had been full of the sensational
kidnapping of little Johnnie Waverly, the three-year-old son and heir of Marcus Waverly, Esq., of
WaverlyCourt,Surrey,oneoftheoldestfamiliesinEngland.

'ThemainfactsIknow,ofcourse,butrecounttomethewholestory,monsieur,Ibegofyou.Andin
detailifyouplease.'

'Well, I suppose the beginning of the whole thing was about ten days ago when I got an anonymous
letter-beastlythings,anyway-thatIcouldn'tmakeheadortailof.Thewriterhadtheimpudenceto

demandthatIshouldpayhimtwenty-fivethousandpounds-twenty-fivethousandpounds,M.Poirot!
Failingmyagreement,hethreatenedtokidnapJohnnie.OfcourseIthrewthethingintothewastepaper
basketwithoutmoreado.Thoughtitwassomesillyjoke.FivedayslaterIgotanotherletter."Unless
you pay, your son will be kidnapped on the twenty-ninth." That was on the twenty-seventh. Ada was
worried,butIcouldn'tbringmyselftotreatthematterseriously.Damnitall,we'reinEngland.Nobody
goesaboutkidnappingchildrenandholdingthemuptoransom.'

'Itisnotacommonpractice,certainly,'saidPoirot.'Proceed,monsieur.'

'Well,Adagavemenopeace,so-feelingabitofafool-IlaidthematterbeforeScotlandYard.They
didn't seem to take the thing very seriously - inclined to my view that it was some silly joke. On the
twenty-eighthIgotathirdletter."Youhavenotpaid.Yoursonwillbetakenfromyouattwelveo'clock
noontomorrow,thetwenty-ninth.Itwillcostyoufiftythousandpoundstorecoverhim."UpIdroveto
Scotland Yard again. This time they were more impressed. They inclined to the view that the letters
werewrittenbyalunatic,andthatinallprobabilityanattemptofsomekindwouldbemadeatthehour
stated. They assured me that they would take all due precautions. Inspector McNeil and a sufficient
forcewouldcomedowntoWaverlyonthemorrowandtakecharge.

'Iwenthomemuchrelievedinmymind.Yetwealreadyhadthefeelingofbeinginastateofsiege.I
gaveordersthatnostrangerwastobeadmitted,andthatnoonewastoleavethehouse.Theevening
passedoffwithoutanyuntowardincident,butonthefollowingmorningmywifewasseriouslyunwell.
Alarmed by her condition, I sent for Doctor Dakers. Her symptoms appeared to puzzle him. While
hesitatingtosuggestthatshehadbeenpoisoned,Icouldseethatthatwaswhatwasinhismind.There
wasnodanger,heassuredme,butitwouldbeadayortwobeforeshewouldbeabletogetaboutagain.
Returningtomyownroom,Iwasstartledandamazedtofindanotepinnedtomypillow.Itwasinthe
samehandwritingastheothersandcontainedjustthreewords:"Attwelveo'clock".

'Iadmit,M.Poirot,thatthenIsawred!Someoneinthehousewasinthis-oneoftheservants.Ihad
themallup,blackguardedthemrightandleft.Theyneversplitoneachother;itwasMissCollins,my
wife's companion, who informed me that she had seen Johnnie's nurse slip down the drive early that
morning. I taxed her with it, and she broke down. She had left the child with the nursery maid and
stolenouttomeetafriendofhers-aman!Prettygoingson!Shedeniedhavingpinnedthenotetomy
pillow-shemayhavebeenspeakingthetruth,Idon'tknow.IfeltIcouldn'ttaketheriskofthechild's
ownnursebeingintheplot.Oneoftheservantswasimplicated-ofthatIwassure.FinallyIlostmy
temperandsackedthewholebunch,nurseandall.Igavethemanhourtopacktheirboxesandgetout
ofthehouse.'

MrWaverly'sredfacewasquitetwoshadesredderasherememberedhisjustwrath.

'Wasnotthatalittleinjudicious,monsieur?'suggestedPoirot.'Forallyouknow,youmighthavebeen
playingintotheenemy'shands.'

Mr Waverly stared at him. 'I don't see that. Send the whole lot packing, that was my idea. I wired to
London for a fresh lot to be sent down that evening. In the meantime, there'd be only people I could
trust in the house: my wife's secretary, Miss Collins, and Tredwell, the butler, who has been with me
sinceIwasaboy.'

'AndthisMissCollins,howlonghasshebeenwithyou?'

'Justayear,'saidMrsWaverly.'Shehasbeeninvaluabletomeasasecretary-companion,andisalsoa
veryefficienthousekeeper.'

'Thenurse?'

'She has been with me six months. She came to me with excellent references. All the same, I never
reallylikedher,althoughJohnniewasquitedevotedtoher.'

'Still,Igathershehadalreadyleftwhenthecatastropheoccurred.Perhaps,MonsieurWaverly,youwill
besokindastocontinue.'

MrWaverlyresumedhisnarrative.

'InspectorMcNeilarrivedaboutten-thirty.Theservantshadallleftbythen.Hedeclaredhimselfquite
satisfiedwiththeinternalarrangements.Hehadvariousmenpostedintheparkoutside,guardingallthe
approaches to the house, and he assured me that if the whole thing were not a hoax, we should
undoubtedlycatchmymysteriouscorrespondent.

'I had Johnnie with me, and he and I and the inspector went together into a room we call the council
chamber.Theinspectorlockedthedoor.Thereisabiggrandfatherclockthere,andasthehandsdrew
neartotwelveIdon'tmindconfessingthatIwasasnervousasacat.Therewasawhirringsound,and
theclockbegantostrike.IclutchedJohnnie.Ihadafeelingamanmightdropfromtheskies.Thelast
stroke sounded, and as it did so, there was a great commotion outside - shouting and running. The
inspectorflungupthewindow,andaconstablecamerunningup.

'"We'vegothim,sir,"hepanted."Hewassneakingupthroughthebushes.He'sgotawholedopeoutfit
onhim."

'Wehurriedoutontheterracewheretwoconstableswereholdingaruffianly-lookingfellowinshabby

clothes,whowastwistingandturninginavainendeavourtoescape.Oneofthepolicemenheldoutan
unrolledparcelwhichtheyhadwrestedfromtheircaptive.Itcontainedapadofcottonwoolandabottle
ofchloroform.Itmademybloodboiltoseeit.Therewasanote,too,addressedtome.Itoreitopen.It
bore the following words: "You should have paid up. To ransom your son will now cost you fifty
thousand.Inspiteofallyourprecautionshehasbeenabductedattwelveo'clockonthetwenty-ninthas
Isaid."

'Igaveagreatlaugh,thelaughofrelief,butasIdidsoIheardthehumofamotorandashout.Iturned
myhead.Racingdownthedrivetowardsthesouthlodgeatafuriousspeedwasalow,longgreycar.It
wasthemanwhodroveitwhohadshouted,butthatwasnotwhatgavemeashockofhorror.Itwasthe
sightofJohnnie'sflaxencurls.Thechildwasinthecarbesidehim.

'Theinspectorrippedoutanoath."Thechildwasherenotaminuteago,"hecried.Hiseyessweptover
us.Wewereallthere:myself,Tredwell,MissCollins."Whendidyouseehimlast,MrWaverly?"

'I cast my mind back, trying to remember. When the constable had called us, I had run out with the
inspector,forgettingallaboutJohnnie.

'Andthentherecameasoundthatstartledus,thechimingofachurchclockfromthevillage.Withan
exclamationtheinspectorpulledouthiswatch.Itwasexactlytwelveo'clock.Withonecommonaccord
werantothecouncilchamber;theclocktheremarkedthehourastenminutespast.Someonemusthave
deliberatelytamperedwithit,forIhaveneverknownitgainorlosebefore.Itisaperfecttime-keeper.'

MrWaverlypaused.Poirotsmiledtohimselfandstraightenedalittlematwhichtheanxiousfatherhad
pushedaskew.

'A pleasing little problem, obscure and charming,' murmured Poirot. 'I will investigate it for you with
pleasure.Trulyitwasplannedàmerveille.'

MrsWaverlylookedathimreproachfully.'Butmyboy,'shewailed.

Poirothastilycomposedhisfaceandlookedthepictureofearnestsympathyagain.'Heissafe,madame,
heisunharmed.Restassured,thesemiscreantswilltakethegreatestcareofhim.Ishenottothemthe
turkey-no,thegoose-thatlaysthegoldenegg?'

'M.Poirot,I'msurethere'sonlyonethingtobedone-payup.Iwasallagainstitatfirst-butnow!A
mother'sfeelings-'

'Butwehaveinterruptedmonsieurinhishistory,'criedPoirothastily.

'Iexpectyouknowtherestprettywellfromthepapers,'saidMrWaverly.'Ofcourse,InspectorMcNeil
gotontothetelephoneimmediately.Adescriptionofthecarandthemanwascirculatedallround,and
itlookedatfirstasthougheverythingwasgoingtoturnoutallright.Acar,answeringtothedescription,
withamanandasmallboy,hadpassedthroughvariousvillages,apparentlymakingforLondon.Atone
place they had stopped, and it was noticed that the child was crying and obviously afraid of his
companion. When Inspector McNeil announced that the car had been stopped and the man and boy
detained,Iwasalmostillwithrelief.Youknowthesequel.TheboywasnotJohnnie,andthemanwas
an ardent motorist, fond of children, who had picked up a small child playing in the streets of
Edenswell, a village about fifteen miles from us, and was kindly giving him a ride. Thanks to the
cocksure blundering of the police, all traces have disappeared. Had they not persistently followed the
wrongcar,theymightbynowhavefoundtheboy.'

'Calmyourself,monsieur.Thepoliceareabraveandintelligentforceofmen.Theirmistakewasavery
natural one. And altogether it was a clever scheme. As to the man they caught in the grounds, I
understandthathisdefencehasconsistedallalongofapersistentdenial.Hedeclaresthatthenoteand
parcelweregiventohimtodeliveratWaverlyCourt.Themanwhogavethemtohimhandedhimaten-
shillingnoteandpromisedhimanotherifitweredeliveredatexactlytenminutestotwelve.Hewasto
approachthehousethroughthegroundsandknockatthesidedoor.'

'Idon'tbelieveawordofit,'declaredMrsWaverlyhotly.'It'sallaparceloflies.'

'Enverité,itisathinstory,'saidPoirotreflectively.'Butsofartheyhavenotshakenit.Iunderstand,
also,thathemadeacertainaccusation?'

HisglanceinterrogatedMrWaverly.Thelattergotratherredagain.

'ThefellowhadtheimpertinencetopretendthatherecognizedinTredwellthemanwhogavehimthe
parcel."Onlytheblokehasshavedoffhismoustache."Tredwell,whowasbornontheestate!'

Poirotsmiledalittleatthecountrygentleman'sindignation.

'Yetyouyourselfsuspectaninmateofthehousetohavebeenaccessorytotheabduction.'

'Yes,butnotTredwell.'

'Andyou,madame?'askedPoirot,suddenlyturningtoher.

'ItcouldnothavebeenTredwellwhogavethistramptheletterandparcel-ifanybodyeverdid,whichI
don'tbelieve.Itwasgivenhimatteno'clock,hesays.Atteno'clockTredwellwaswithmyhusbandin
thesmoking-room.'

'Wereyouabletoseethefaceofthemaninthecar,monsieur?DiditresemblethatofTredwellinany
way?'

'Itwastoofarawayformetoseehisface.'

'HasTredwellabrother,doyouknow?'

'Hehadseveral,buttheyarealldead.Thelastonewaskilledinthewar.'

'IamnotyetclearastothegroundsofWaverlyCourt.Thecarwasheadingforthesouthlodge.Isthere
anotherentrance?'

'Yes,whatwecalltheeastlodge.Itcanbeseenfromtheothersideofthehouse.'

'Itseemstomestrangethatnobodysawthecarenteringthegrounds.'

'Thereisarightofwaythrough,andaccesstoasmallchapel.Agoodmanycarspassthrough.Theman
musthavestoppedthecarinaconvenientplaceandrunuptothehousejustasthealarmwasgivenand
attentionattractedelsewhere.'

'Unlesshewasalreadyinsidethehouse,'musedPoirot.'Isthereanyplacewherehecouldhavehidden?'

'Well, we certainly didn't make a thorough search of the house beforehand. There seemed no need. I
supposehemighthavehiddenhimselfsomewhere,butwhowouldhavelethimin?'

'Weshallcometothatlater.Onethingatatime-letusbemethodical.Thereisnospecialhiding-place
inthehouse?WaverlyCourtisanoldplace,andtherearesometimes"priests'holes",astheycallthem.'

'Bygad,there'sapriest'shole.Itopensfromoneofthepanelsinthehall.'

'Nearthecouncilchamber?'

'Justoutsidethedoor.'

'Voilà!'

'Butnobodyknowsofitsexistenceexceptmywifeandmyself.'

'Tredwell?'

'Well-hemighthaveheardofit.'

'MissCollins?'

'Ihavenevermentionedittoher.'

Poirotreflectedforaminute.

'Well,monsieur,thenextthingisformetocomedowntoWaverlyCourt.IfIarrivethisafternoon,will
itsuityou?'

'Oh,assoonaspossible,please,MonsieurPoirot!'criedMrsWaverly.'Readthisoncemore.'

ShethrustintohishandsthelastmissivefromtheenemywhichhadreachedtheWaverlysthatmorning
andwhichhadsentherpost-hastetoPoirot.Itgavecleverandexplicitdirectionsforthepayingoverof
themoney,andendedwithathreatthattheboy'slifewouldpayforanytreachery.Itwasclearthata
love of money warred with the essential mother love of Mrs Waverly, and that the latter was at last
gainingtheday.

PoirotdetainedMrsWaverlyforaminutebehindherhusband.

'Madame,thetruth,ifyouplease.Doyoushareyourhusband'sfaithinthebutler,Tredwell?'

'Ihavenothingagainsthim,MonsieurPoirot,Icannotseehowhecanhavebeenconcernedinthis,but-
well,Ihaveneverlikedhim-never.'

'Oneotherthing,madame,canyougivemetheaddressofthechild'snurse?'

'149NetherallRoad,Hammersmith.Youdon'timagine-'

'NeverdoIimagine.Only-Iemploythelittlegreycells.Andsometimes,justsometimes,Ihavealittle
idea.'

Poirotcamebacktomeasthedoorclosed.

'Somadamehasneverlikedthebutler.Itisinteresting,that,eh,Hastings?'

I refused to be drawn. Poirot has deceived me so often that I now go warily. There is always a catch
somewhere.

Aftercompletinganelaborateoutdoortoilet,wesetoffforNetherallRoad.Wewerefortunateenough
to find Miss Jessie Withers at home. She was a pleasant-faced woman of thirty-five, capable and
superior.Icouldnotbelievethatshecouldbemixedupintheaffair.Shewasbitterlyresentfulofthe
way she had been dismissed, but admitted that she had been in the wrong. She was engaged to be
married to a painter and decorator who happened to be in the neighbourhood, and she had run out to
meet him. The thing seemed natural enough. I could not quite understand Poirot. All his questions
seemedtomequiteirrelevant.TheywereconcernedmainlywiththedailyroutineofherlifeatWaverly
Court.IwasfranklyboredandgladwhenPoirottookhisdeparture.

'Kidnappingisaneasyjob,monami,'heobserved,ashehailedataxiintheHammersmithRoadand
orderedittodrivetoWaterloo.

'Thatchildcouldhavebeenabductedwiththegreatesteaseanydayforthelastthreeyears.'

'Idon'tseethatthatadvancesusmuch,'Iremarkedcoldly.

'Aucontraire,itadvancesusenormously,butenormously!Ifyoumustwearatiepin,Hastings,atleast
letitbeintheexactcentreofyourtie.Atpresentitisatleastasixteenthofaninchtoomuchtothe
right.'

Waverly Court was a fine old place and had recently been restored with taste and care. Mr Waverly
showedusthecouncilchamber,theterrace,andallthevariousspotsconnectedwiththecase.Finally,at
Poirot'srequest,hepressedaspringinthewall,apanelslidaside,andashortpassageledusintothe
priest'shole.

'Yousee,'saidWaverly.'Thereisnothinghere.'

Thetinyroomwasbareenough,therewasnoteventhemarkofafootsteponthefloor.IjoinedPoirot
wherehewasbendingattentivelyoveramarkinthecorner.

'Whatdoyoumakeofthis,myfriend?'

Therewerefourimprintsclosetogether.

'Adog,'Icried.

'Averysmalldog,Hastings.'

'APom.'

'SmallerthanaPom.'

'Agriffon?'Isuggesteddoubtfully.

'Smallereventhanagriffon.AspeciesunknowntotheKennelClub.'

Ilookedathim.Hisfacewasalightwithexcitementandsatisfaction.

'Iwasright,'hemurmured.'IknewIwasright.Come,Hastings.'

Aswesteppedoutintothehallandthepanelclosedbehindus,ayoungladycameoutofadoorfarther
downthepassage.MrWaverlypresentedhertous.

'MissCollins.'

MissCollinswasaboutthirtyyearsofage,briskandalertinmanner.Shehadfair,ratherdullhair,and
worepince-nez.

At Poirot's request, we passed into a small morning-room, and he questioned her closely as to the
servantsandparticularlyastoTredwell.Sheadmittedthatshedidnotlikethebutler.

'Hegiveshimselfairs,'sheexplained.

They then went into the question of the food eaten by Mrs Waverly on the night of the 28th. Miss
Collinsdeclaredthatshehadpartakenofthesamedishesupstairsinhersitting-roomandhadfeltnoill
effects.AsshewasdepartingInudgedPoirot.

'Thedog,'Iwhispered.

'Ah,yes,thedog!'Hesmiledbroadly.'Isthereadogkeptherebyanychance,mademoiselle?'

'Therearetworetrieversinthekennelsoutside.'

'No,Imeanasmalldog,atoydog.'

'No-nothingofthekind.'

Poirotpermittedhertodepart.Then,pressingthebell,heremarkedtome,

'Shelies,thatMademoiselleCollins.PossiblyIshould,also,inherplace.Nowforthebutler.'

Tredwell was a dignified individual. He told his story with perfect aplomb, and it was essentially the
sameasthatofMrWaverly.Headmittedthatheknewthesecretofthepriest'shole.Whenhefinally

withdrew,pontificaltothelast,ImetPoirot'squizzicaleyes.

'Whatdoyoumakeofitall,Hastings?'

'Whatdoyou?'Iparried.

'Howcautiousyoubecome.Never,neverwillthegreycellsfunctionunlessyoustimulatethem.Ah,but
I will not tease you! Let us make our deductions together. What points strike us specially as being
difficult?'

'There is one thing that strikes me,' I said. 'Why did the man who kidnapped the child go out by the
southlodgeinsteadofbytheeastlodgewherenoonewouldseehim?'

'That is a very good point, Hastings, an excellent one. I will match it with another. Why warn the
Waverlysbeforehand?Whynotsimplykidnapthechildandholdhimtoransom?'

'Becausetheyhopedtogetthemoneywithoutbeingforcedtoaction.'

'Surelyitwasveryunlikelythatthemoneywouldbepaidonamerethreat?'

'Alsotheywantedtofocusattentionontwelveo'clock,sothatwhenthetrampmanwasseized,theother
couldemergefromhishiding-placeandgetawaywiththechildunnoticed.'

'Thatdoesnotalterthefactthattheyweremakingathingdifficultthatwasperfectlyeasy.Iftheydonot
specify a time or date, nothing would be easier than to wait their chance, and carry off the child in a
motoronedaywhenheisoutwithhisnurse.'

'Ye-es,'Iadmitteddoubtfully.

'Infact,thereisadeliberateplayingofthefarce!Nowletusapproachthequestionfromanotherside.
Everything goes to show that there was an accomplice inside the house. Point number one, the
mysteriouspoisoningofMrsWaverly.Pointnumbertwo,theletterpinnedtothepillow.Pointnumber
three,theputtingonoftheclocktenminutes-allinsidejobs.Andanadditionalfactthatyoumaynot
havenoticed.Therewasnodustinthepriest'shole.Ithadbeensweptoutwithabroom.

'Nowthen,wehavefourpeopleinthehouse.Wecanexcludethenurse,sinceshecouldnothaveswept
outthepriest'shole,thoughshecouldhaveattendedtotheotherthreepoints.Fourpeople,MrandMrs
Waverly,Tredwell,thebutler,andMissCollins.WewilltakeMissCollinsfirst.Wehavenothingmuch
againsther,exceptthatweknowverylittleabouther,thatsheisobviouslyanintelligentyoungwoman,
andthatshehasonlybeenhereayear.'

'Sheliedaboutthedog,yousaid,'Iremindedhim.

'Ah, yes, the dog.' Poirot gave a peculiar smile. 'Now let us pass to Tredwell. There are several
suspiciousfactsagainsthim.Foronething,thetrampdeclaresthatitwasTredwellwhogavehimthe
parcelinthevillage.'

'ButTredwellcanproveanalibionthatpoint.'

'Eventhen,hecouldhavepoisonedMrsWaverly,pinnedthenotetothepillow,putontheclock,and
sweptoutthepriest'shole.Ontheotherhand,hehasbeenbornandbredintheserviceoftheWaverlys.
Itseemsunlikelyinthelastdegreethatheshouldconniveattheabductionofthesonofthehouse.Itis
notinthepicture!'

'Well,then?'

'Wemustproceedlogically-howeverabsurditmayseem.WewillbrieflyconsiderMrsWaverly.But
sheisrich,themoneyishers.Itishermoneywhichhasrestoredthisimpoverishedestate.Therewould
be no reason for her to kidnap her son and pay over her money to herself. Her husband, now, is in a
differentposition.Hehasarichwife.Itisnotthesamethingasbeingrichhimself-infactIhavealittle
idea that the lady is not very fond of parting with her money, except on a very good pretext. But Mr
Waverly,youcanseeatonce,heisbonviveur.'

'Impossible,'Ispluttered.

'Notatall.Whosendsawaytheservants?MrWaverly.Hecanwritethenotes,drughiswife,putonthe
handsoftheclock,andestablishanexcellentalibiforhisfaithfulretainerTredwell.Tredwellhasnever
likedMrsWaverly.Heisdevotedtohismasterandiswillingtoobeyhisordersimplicitly.Therewere
threeoftheminit.Waverly,Tredwell,andsomefriendofWaverly.Thatisthemistakethepolicemade,
theymadenofurtherinquiriesaboutthemanwhodrovethegreycarwiththewrongchildinit.Hewas
thethirdman.Hepicksupachildinavillagenearby,aboywithflaxencurls.Hedrivesinthroughthe
east lodge and passes out through the south lodge just at the right moment, waving his hand and
shouting. They cannot see his face or the number of the car, so obviously they cannot see the child's
face, either. Then he lays a false trail to London. In the meantime, Tredwell has done his part in

arrangingfortheparcelandnotetobedeliveredbyarough-lookinggentleman.Hismastercanprovide
analibiintheunlikelycaseofthemanrecognizinghim,inspiteofthefalsemoustachehewore.Asfor
MrWaverly,assoonasthehullabaloooccursoutside,andtheinspectorrushesout,hequicklyhidesthe
child in the priest's hole, and follows him out. Later in the day, when the inspector is gone and Miss
Collinsisoutoftheway,itwillbeeasyenoughtodrivehimofftosomesafeplaceinhisowncar.'

'Butwhataboutthedog?'Iasked.'AndMissCollinslying?'

'That was my little joke. I asked her if there were any toy dog in the house, and she said no - but
doubtlesstherearesome-inthenursery!Yousee,MrWaverlyplacedsometoysinthepriest'sholeto
keepJohnnieamusedandquiet.'

'M.Poirot-'MrWaverlyenteredtheroom-'haveyoudiscoveredanything?Haveyouanycluetowhere
theboyhasbeentaken?'

Poirothandedhimapieceofpaper.'Hereistheaddress.'

'Butthisisablanksheet.'

'BecauseIamwaitingforyoutowriteitdownforme.'

'Whatthe-'MrWaverly'sfaceturnedpurple.

'I know everything, monsieur. I give you twenty-four hours to return the boy. Your ingenuity will be
equaltothetaskofexplaininghisreappearance.Otherwise,MrsWaverlywillbeinformedoftheexact
sequenceofevents.'

MrWaverlysankdowninachairandburiedhisfaceinhishands.'Heiswithmyoldnurse,tenmiles
away.Heishappyandwellcaredfor.'

'Ihavenodoubtofthat.IfIdidnotbelieveyoutobeagoodfatheratheart,Ishouldnotbewillingto
giveyouanotherchance.'

'Thescandal-'

'Exactly.Yournameisanoldandhonouredone.Donotjeopardizeitagain.Goodevening,MrWaverly.

Ah,bytheway,onewordofadvice.Alwayssweepinthecorners!'

THEDOUBLECLUE

'Butaboveeverything-nopublicity,'saidMrMarcusHardmanforperhapsthefourteenthtime.

Thewordpublicityoccurredthroughouthisconversationwiththeregularityofaleitmotif.MrHardman
wasasmallman,delicatelyplump,withexquisitelymanicuredhandsandaplaintivetenorvoice.Inhis
way,hewassomewhatofacelebrityandthefashionablelifewashisprofession.Hewasrich,butnot
remarkably so, and he spent his money zealously in the pursuit of social pleasure. His hobby was
collecting.Hehadthecollector'ssoul.Oldlace,oldfans,antiquejewellery-nothingcrudeormodern
forMarcusHardman.

Poirot and I, obeying an urgent summons, had arrived to find the little man writhing in an agony of
indecision.Underthecircumstances,tocallinthepolicewasabhorrenttohim.Ontheotherhand,not
tocalltheminwastoacquiesceinthelossofsomeofthegemsofhiscollection.HehituponPoirotasa
compromise.

'Myrubies,MonsieurPoirot,andtheemeraldnecklace-saidtohavebelongedtoCatherinedeMedici.
Oh,theemeraldnecklace.'

'Ifyouwillrecounttomethecircumstancesoftheirdisappearance?'suggestedPoirotgently.

'Iamendeavouringtodoso.YesterdayafternoonIhadalittleteaparty-quiteaninformalaffair,some
half a dozen people or so. I have given one or two of them during the season, and though perhaps I
shouldnotsayso,theyhavebeenquiteasuccess.Somegoodmusic-Nacora,thepianist,andKatherine
Bird,theAustraliancontralto-inthebigstudio.Well,earlyintheafternoon,Iwasshowingmyguests
my collection of medieval jewels. I keep them in the small wall safe over there. It is arranged like a
cabinetinside,withcolouredvelvetbackground,todisplaythestone.Afterwardsweinspectedthefans
-inthatcaseonthewall.Thenweallwenttothestudioformusic.Itwasnotuntilaftereveryonehad
gonethatIdiscoveredthesaferifled!Imusthavefailedtoshutitproperly,andsomeonehadseizedthe
opportunity to denude it of its contents. The rubies, Monsieur Poirot, the emerald necklace - the
collection of a lifetime! What would I not give to recover them! But there must be no publicity! You
fullyunderstandthat,doyounot,MonsieurPoirot?Myownguests,mypersonalfriends!Itwouldbea
horriblescandal!'

'Whowasthelastpersontoleavethisroomwhenyouwenttothestudio?'

'MrJohnston.Youmayknowhim?TheSouthAfricanmillionaire.HehasjustrentedtheAbbotburys'
houseinParkLane.Helingeredbehindafewmoments,Iremember.Butsurely,oh,surelyitcouldnot
behe!'

'Didanyofyourguestsreturntothisroomduringtheafternoononanypretext?'

'Iwaspreparedforthatquestion,MonsieurPoirot.Threeofthemdidso.CountessVeraRossakoff,Mr
BernardParker,andLadyRuncorn.'

'Letushearaboutthem.'

'TheCountessRossakoffisaverycharmingRussianlady,amemberoftheoldrégime.Shehasrecently
cometothiscountry.Shehadbademegoodbye,andIwasthereforesomewhatsurprisedtofindherin
this room apparently gazing in rapture at my cabinet of fans. You know, Monsieur Poirot, the more I
thinkofit,themoresuspiciousitseemstome.Don'tyouagree?'

'Extremelysuspicious;butletushearabouttheothers.'

'Well, Parker simply came here to fetch a case of miniatures that I was anxious to show to Lady
Runcorn.'

'AndLadyRuncornherself?'

'AsIdaresayyouknow,LadyRuncornisamiddle-agedwomanofconsiderableforceofcharacterwho
devotesmostofhertimetovariouscharitablecommittees.Shesimplyreturnedtofetchahandbagshe
hadlaiddownsomewhere.'

'Bien,monsieur.Sowehavefourpossiblesuspects.TheRussiancountess,theEnglishgrandedame,the
SouthAfricanmillionaire,andMrBernardParker.WhoisMrParker,bytheway?'

ThequestionappearedtoembarrassMrHardmanconsiderably.

'Heis-er-heisayoungfellow.Well,infact,ayoungfellowIknow.'

'Ihadalreadydeducedasmuch,'repliedPoirotgravely.'Whatdoeshedo,thisMrParker?'

'Heisayoungmanabouttown-not,perhaps,quiteintheswim,ifImaysoexpressmyself.'

'Howdidhecometobeafriendofyours,mayIask?'

'Well-er-ononeortwooccasionshehas-performedcertainlittlecommissionsforme.'

'Continue,monsieur,'saidPoirot.

Hardman looked piteously at him. Evidently the last thing he wanted to do was to continue. But as
Poirotmaintainedaninexorablesilence,hecapitulated.

'Yousee,MonsieurPoirot-itiswellknownthatIaminterestedinantiquejewels.Sometimesthereisa
familyheirloomtobedisposedof-which,mindyou,wouldneverbesoldintheopenmarketortoa
dealer.Butaprivatesaletomeisaverydifferentmatter.Parkerarrangesthedetailsofsuchthings,heis
intouchwithbothsides,andthusanylittleembarrassmentisavoided.Hebringsanythingofthatkind
to my notice. For instance, the Countess Rossakoff has brought some family jewels with her from
Russia.Sheisanxioustosellthem.BernardParkerwastohavearrangedthetransaction.'

'Isee,'saidPoirotthoughtfully.'Andyoutrusthimimplicitly?'

'Ihavehadnoreasontodootherwise.'

'MrHardman,ofthesefourpeople,whichdoyouyourselfsuspect?'

'Oh,MonsieurPoirot,whataquestion!Theyaremyfriends,asItoldyou.Isuspectnoneofthem-orall
ofthem,whicheverwayyouliketoputit.'

'I do not agree. You suspect one of those four. It is not Countess Rossakoff. It is not Mr Parker. Is it
LadyRuncornorMrJohnston?'

'You drive me into a corner, Monsieur Poirot, you do indeed. I am most anxious to have no scandal.
LadyRuncornbelongstooneoftheoldestfamiliesinEngland;butitistrue,itismostunfortunately
true, that her aunt, Lady Caroline, suffered from a most melancholy affliction. It was understood, of
course, by all her friends, and her maid returned the teaspoons, or whatever it was, as promptly as
possible.Youseemypredicament!'

'SoLadyRuncornhadanauntwhowasakleptomaniac?Veryinteresting.YoupermitthatIexaminethe
safe?'

MrHardmanassenting,Poirotpushedbackthedoorofthesafeandexaminedtheinterior.Theempty
velvet-linedshelvesgapedatus.

'Evennowthedoordoesnotshutproperly,'murmuredPoirot,asheswungittoandfro.'Iwonderwhy?
Ah,whathavewehere?Aglove,caughtinthehinge.Aman'sglove.'

HehelditouttoMrHardman.

'That'snotoneofmygloves,'thelatterdeclared.

'Aha!Somethingmore!'Poirotbentdeftlyandpickedupasmallobjectfromthefloorofthesafe.Itwas
aflatcigarettecasemadeofblackmoiré.

'Mycigarettecase!'criedMrHardman.

'Yours?Surelynot,monsieur.Thosearenotyourinitials.'

Hepointedtoanentwinedmonogramoftwolettersexecutedinplatinum.

Hardmantookitinhishand.

'You are right,' he declared. 'It is very like mine, but the initials are different. A 'B' and a 'P'. Good
heavens-Parker!'

'It would seem so,' said Poirot. 'A somewhat careless young man - especially if the glove is his also.
Thatwouldbeadoubleclue,woulditnot?'

'BernardParker!'murmuredHardman.'Whatarelief!Well,MonsieurPoirot,Ileaveittoyoutorecover
thejewels.Placethematterinthehandsofthepoliceifyouthinkfit-thatis,ifyouarequitesurethatit
ishewhoisguilty.'

'Seeyou,myfriend,'saidPoirottome,asweleftthehousetogether,'hehasonelawforthetitled,and
anotherlawfortheplain,thisMrHardman.Me,Ihavenotyetbeenennobled,soIamonthesideofthe
plain.Ihavesympathyforthisyoungman.Thewholethingwasalittlecurious,wasitnot?Therewas
HardmansuspectingLadyRuncorn;therewasI,suspectingtheCountessandJohnston;andallthetime,
theobscureMrParkerwasourman.'

'Whydidyoususpecttheothertwo?'

'Parbleu!ItissuchasimplethingtobeaRussianrefugeeoraSouthAfricanmillionaire.Anywoman
can call herself a Russian countess; anyone can buy a house in Park Lane and call himself a South
Africanmillionaire.Whoisgoingtocontradictthem?ButIobservethatwearepassingthroughBury
Street.Ourcarelessyoungfriendliveshere.Letus,asyousay,strikewhiletheironisinthefire.'

Mr Bernard Parker was at home. We found him reclining on some cushions, clad in an amazing
dressing-gownofpurpleandorange.IhaveseldomtakenagreaterdisliketoanyonethanIdidtothis
particularyoungmanwithhiswhite,effeminatefaceandaffectedlispingspeech.

'Good morning, monsieur,' said Poirot briskly. 'I come from Mr Hardman. Yesterday, at the party,
somebodyhasstolenallhisjewels.Permitmetoaskyou,monsieur-isthisyourglove?'

MrParker'smentalprocessesdidnotseemveryrapid.Hestaredattheglove,asthoughgatheringhis
witstogether.

'Wheredidyoufindit?'heaskedatlast.

'Isityourglove,monsieur?'

MrParkerappearedtomakeuphismind.

'No,itisn't,'hedeclared.

'Andthiscigarettecase,isthatyours?'

'Certainlynot.Ialwayscarryasilverone.'

'Verywell,monsieur.Igotoputmattersinthehandsofthepolice.'

'Oh,Isay,Iwouldn'tdothatifIwereyou,'criedMrParkerinsomeconcern.'Beastlyunsympathetic
people,thepolice.Waitabit.I'llgoroundandseeoldHardman.Lookhere-oh,stopaminute.'

ButPoirotbeatadeterminedretreat.

'Wehavegivenhimsomethingtothinkabout,havewenot?'hechuckled.'Tomorrowwewillobserve
whathasoccurred.'

ButweweredestinedtohaveareminderoftheHardmancasethatafternoon.Withouttheleastwarning
thedoorflewopen,andawhirlwindinhumanforminvadedourprivacy,bringingwithheraswirlof
sables(itwasascoldasonlyanEnglishJunedaycanbe)andahatrampantwithslaughteredospreys.
CountessVeraRossakoffwasasomewhatdisturbingpersonality.

'YouareMonsieurPoirot?Whatisthisthatyouhavedone?Youaccusethatpoorboy!Itisinfamous.It
isscandalous.Iknowhim.Heisachicken,alamb-neverwouldhesteal.Hehasdoneeverythingfor
me.WillIstandbyandseehimmartyredandbutchered?'

'Tellme,madame,isthishiscigarettecase?'Poirotheldouttheblackmoirécase.

TheCountesspausedforamomentwhilesheinspectedit.

'Yes,itishis.Iknowitwell.Whatofit?Didyoufinditintheroom?Wewereallthere;hedroppedit
then,Isuppose.Ah,youpolicemen,youareworsethantheRedGuards-'

'Andisthishisglove?'

'How should I know? One glove is like another. Do not try to stop me - he must be set free. His
charactermustbecleared.Youshalldoit.Iwillsellmyjewelsandgiveyoumuchmoney.'

'Madame-'

'Itisagreed,then?No,no,donotargue.Thepoorboy!Hecametome,thetearsinhiseyes."Iwillsave
you,"Isaid."Iwillgotothisman-thisogre,thismonster!LeaveittoVera."Nowitissettled,Igo.'

Withaslittleceremonyasshehadcome,shesweptfromtheroom,leavinganoverpoweringperfumeof
anexoticnaturebehindher.

'Whatawoman,'Iexclaimed.'Andwhatfurs!'

'Ah, yes, they were genuine enough! Could a spurious countess have real furs? My little joke,
Hastings...No,sheistrulyRussian,Ifancy.Well,well,soMasterBernardwentbleatingtoher.'

'Thecigarettecaseishis.Iwonderifthegloveisalso-'

WithasmilePoirotdrewfromhispocketasecondgloveandplaceditbythefirst.Therewasnodoubt
oftheirbeingapair.

'Wheredidyougetthesecondone,Poirot?'

'It was thrown down with a stick on the table in the hall in Bury Street. Truly, a very careless young
man,MonsieurParker.Well,well,monami-wemustbethorough.Justfortheformofthething,Iwill
makealittlevisittoParkLane.'

Needless to say, I accompanied my friend. Johnston was out, but we saw his private secretary. It
transpired that Johnston had only recently arrived from South Africa. He had never been in England
before.

'Heisinterestedinpreciousstones,ishenot?'hazardedPoirot.

'Goldminingisnearerthemark,'laughedthesecretary.

Poirot came away from the interview thoughtful. Late that evening, to my utter surprise, I found him
earnestlystudyingaRussiangrammar.

'Goodheavens,Poirot!'Icried.'AreyoulearningRussianinordertoconversewiththeCountessinher
ownlanguage?'

'ShecertainlywouldnotlistentomyEnglish,myfriend!'

'Butsurely,Poirot,well-bornRussiansinvariablyspeakFrench!'

'You are a mine of information, Hastings! I will cease puzzling over the intricacies of the Russian
alphabet.'

Hethrewthebookfromhimwithadramaticgesture.Iwasnotentirelysatisfied.Therewasatwinklein
hiseyewhichIknewofold.ItwasaninvariablesignthatHerculePoirotwaspleasedwithhimself.

'Perhaps,'Isaidsapiently,'youdoubtherbeingreallyaRussian.Youaregoingtotesther?'

'Ah,no,no,sheisRussianallright.'

'Well,then-'

'Ifyoureallywanttodistinguishyourselfoverthiscase,Hastings,IrecommendFirstStepsinRussian
asaninvaluableaid.'

Then he laughed and would say no more. I picked up the book from the floor and dipped into it
curiously,butcouldmakeneitherheadnortailofPoirot'sremarks.

Thefollowingmorningbroughtusnonewsofanykind,butthatdidnotseemtoworrymylittlefriend.
At breakfast, he announced his intention of calling upon Mr Hardman early in the day. We found the
elderlysocietybutterflyathome,andseeminglyalittlecalmerthanonthepreviousday.

'Well,MonsieurPoirot,anynews?'hedemandedeagerly.Poirothandedhimaslipofpaper.

'That is the person who took the jewels, monsieur. Shall I put matters in the hands of the police? Or
wouldyouprefermetorecoverthejewelswithoutbringingthepoliceintothematter?'

MrHardmanwasstaringatthepaper.Atlasthefoundhisvoice.

'Mostastonishing.Ishouldinfinitelyprefertohavenoscandalinthematter.Igiveyoucarteblanche,
MonsieurPoirot.Iamsureyouwillbediscreet.'

Ournextprocedurewastohailataxi,whichPoirotorderedtodrivetotheCarlton.Thereheinquired
forCountessRossakoff.Inafewminuteswewereusheredupintothelady'ssuite.Shecametomeetus
withoutstretchedhands,arrayedinamarvelousnegligéeofbarbaricdesign.

'MonsieurPoirot,'shecried.'Youhavesucceeded?Youhaveclearedthatpoorinfant?'

'MadamelaComtesse,yourfriendMrParkerisperfectlysafefromarrest.'

'Ah,butyouarethecleverlittleman!Superb!Andsoquicklytoo.'

'Ontheotherhand,IhavepromisedMrHardmanthatthejewelsshallbereturnedtohimtoday.'

'So?'

'Therefore,madame,Ishouldbeextremelyobligedifyouwouldplacetheminmyhandswithoutdelay.
I am sorry to hurry you, but I am keeping a taxi - in case it should be necessary for me to go on to
ScotlandYard;andweBelgians,madame,wepractisethethrift.'

TheCountesshadlightedacigarette.Forsomesecondsshesatperfectlystill,blowingsmokerings,and
gazingsteadilyatPoirot.Thensheburstintoalaugh,androse.Shewentacrosstothebureau,openeda
drawer,andtookoutablacksilkhandbag.ShetosseditlightlytoPoirot.Hertone,whenshespoke,was
perfectlylightandunmoved.

'We Russians, on the contrary, practise prodigality,' she said. 'And to do that, unfortunately, one must
havemoney.Youneednotlookinside.Theyareallthere.'

Poirotarose.

'Icongratulateyou,madame,onyourquickintelligenceandyourpromptitude.'

'Ah!Butsinceyouwerekeepingyourtaxiwaiting,whatelsecouldIdo?'

'Youaretooamiable,madame.YouareremaininglonginLondon?'

'Iamafraidnot-owingtoyou.'

'Acceptmyapologies.'

'Weshallmeetagainelsewhere,perhaps.'

'Ihopeso.'

'AndI-donot,'exclaimedtheCountesswithalaugh.'ItisagreatcomplimentthatIpayyouthere-
thereareveryfewmenintheworldwhomIfear.Goodbye,MonsieurPoirot.'

'Goodbye,MadamelaComtesse.Ah-pardonme,Iforgot!Allowmetoreturnyouyourcigarettecase.'

Andwithabowhehandedtoherthelittleblackmoirécasewehadfoundinthesafe.Sheacceptedit
withoutanychangeofexpression-justaliftedeyebrowandamurmured:'Isee!'

'Whatawoman!'criedPoirotenthusiasticallyaswedescendedthestairs.'MonDieu,quellefemme!Not
a word of argument - of protestation, of bluff! One quick glance, and she had sized up the position
correctly.Itellyou,Hastings,awomanwhocanacceptdefeatlikethat-withacarelesssmile-willgo
far!Sheisdangerous,shehasthenervesofsteel;she-'Hetrippedheavily.

'If you can manage to moderate your transports and look where you're going, it might be as well,' I
suggested.'WhendidyoufirstsuspecttheCountess?'

'Mon ami, it was the glove and the cigarette case - the double clue, shall we say? - that worried me.
BernardParkermighteasilyhavedroppedoneortheother-buthardlyboth.Ah,no,thatwouldhave
beentoo careless! Inthe same way,if someone else hadplaced them thereto incriminate Parker, one
wouldhavebeensufficient-thecigarettecaseortheglove-againnotboth.

IwasforcedtotheconclusionthatoneofthetwothingsdidnotbelongtoParker.Iimaginedatfirstthat
thecasewashis,andthattheglovewasnot.ButwhenIdiscoveredthefellowtotheglove,Isawthatit
was the other way about. Whose, then, was the cigarette case? Clearly, it could not belong to Lady
Runcorn.Theinitialswerewrong.MrJohnston?Onlyifhewerehereunderafalsename.Iinterviewed
his secretary, and it was apparent at once that everything was clear and aboveboard. There was no
reticenceaboutMrJohnston'spast.TheCountess,then?Shewassupposedtohavebroughtjewelswith
her from Russia; she had only to take the stones from their settings, and it was extremely doubtful if
theycouldeverbeidentified.WhatcouldbeeasierforherthantopickuponeofParker'sglovesfrom
thehallthatdayandthrustitintothesafe?But,biensûr,shedidnotintendtodropherowncigarette
case.'

'Butifthecasewashers,whydidithave"B.P."onit?TheCountess'sinitialsareV.R.'

Poirotsmiledgentlyuponme.

'Exactly,monami;butintheRussianalphabet,BisVandPisR.'

'Well,youcouldn'texpectmetoguessthat.Idon'tknowRussian.'

'NeitherdoI,Hastings.ThatiswhyIboughtmylittlebookandurgeditonyourattention.'

Hesighed.

'A remarkable woman. I have a feeling, my friend - a very decided feeling - I shall meet her again.
Where,Iwonder?'

THEKINGOFCLUBS

'Truth,'Iobserved,layingasidetheDailyNewsmonger,'isstrangerthanfiction.'

Theremarkwasnot,perhaps,anoriginalone.Itappearedtoincensemyfriend.Tiltinghisegg-shaped
headononeside,thelittlemancarefullyflickedanimaginaryfleckofdustfromhiscarefullycreased
trousers,andobserved:

'Howprofound!WhatathinkerismyfriendHastings!'

Withoutdisplayinganyannoyanceatthisquiteuncalled-forgibe,ItappedthesheetIhadlaidaside.

'You'vereadthismorning'spaper?'

'Ihave.Andafterreadingit,Ifoldeditanewsymmetrically.Ididnotcastitonthefloorasyouhave
done,withyoursolamentableabsenceoforderandmethod.'

(ThatistheworstofPoirot.OrderandMethodarehisgods.Hegoessofarastoattributeallhissuccess
tothem.)

'Then you saw the account of the murder of Henry Reedburn, the impresario? It was that which

prompted my remark. Not only is truth stranger than fiction - it is more dramatic. Think of that solid
middle-classEnglishfamily,theOglanders.Fatherandmother,sonanddaughter,typicalofthousands
offamiliesalloverthiscountry.Themenofthefamilygotothecityeveryday;thewomenlookafter
the house. Their lives are perfectly peaceful, and utterly monotonous. Last night they were sitting in
their neat suburban drawing-room at Daisymead, Streatham, playing bridge. Suddenly, without any
warning,thefrenchwindowburstsopen,andawomanstaggersintotheroom.Hergreysatinfrockis
markedwithacrimsonstain.Sheuttersoneword,"Murder!"beforeshesinkstothegroundinsensible.
ItispossiblethattheyrecognizeherfromherpicturesasValerieSaintclair,thefamousdancerwhohas
latelytakenLondonbystorm!'

'Isthisyoureloquence,orthatoftheDailyNewsmonger?'inquiredPoirot.

'The Daily Newsmonger was in a hurry to go to press, and contented itself with bare facts. But the
dramaticpossibilitiesofthestorystruckmeatonce.'

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.'Whereverthereishumannature,thereisdrama.But-itisnotalwaysjust
whereyouthinkitis.Rememberthat.Still,Itooaminterestedinthecase,sinceitislikelythatIshall
beconnectedwithit.'

'Indeed?'

'Yes.Agentlemanrangmeupthismorning,andmadeanappointmentwithmeonbehalfofPrincePaul
ofMaurania.'

'Butwhathasthattodowithit?'

'YoudonotreadyourprettylittleEnglishscandal-papers.Theoneswiththefunnystories,and"alittle
mousehasheard-"or"alittlebirdwouldliketoknow-"Seehere.'

I followed his short stubby finger along the paragraph: '- whether the foreign prince and the famous
dancerarereallyaffinities!Andiftheladylikeshernewdiamondring!'

'Andnowtoresumeyoursodramaticnarrative,'saidPoirot.'MademoiselleSaintclairhadjustfainted
onthedrawing-roomcarpetatDaisymead,youremember.'

Ishrugged.'AsaresultofMademoiselle'sfirstmurmuredwordswhenshecameround,thetwomale
Oglanderssteppedout,onetofetchadoctortoattendtothelady,whowasevidentlysufferingterribly

fromshock,andtheothertothepolice-stationwhenceaftertellinghisstory,heaccompaniedthepolice
toMonDésir,MrReedburn'smagnificentvilla,whichissituatedatnogreatdistancefromDaisymead.
Theretheyfoundthegreatman,whobythewaysuffersfromasomewhatunsavouryreputation,lying
inthelibrarywiththebackofhisheadcrackedopenlikeaneggshell.'

'Ihavecrampedyourstyle,'saidPoirotkindly.'Forgiveme,Ipray...Ah,hereisM.lePrince.'

Our distinguished visitor was announced under the title of Count Feodor. He was a strange-looking
youth,tall,eager,withaweakchin,thefamousMauranbergmouth,andthedarkfieryeyesofafanatic.

'M.Poirot?'

Myfriendbowed.

'Monsieur,Iaminterribletrouble,greaterthanIcanwellexpress-'

Poirotwavedhishand.'Icomprehendyouranxiety.MademoiselleSaintclairisaverydearfriend,isit
notso?'

ThePrincerepliedsimply:'Ihopetomakehermywife.'

Poirotsatupinhischair,andhiseyesopened.

ThePrincecontinued:'Ishouldnotbethefirstofmyfamilytomakeamorganaticmarriage.Mybrother
AlexanderhasalsodefiedtheEmperor.Wearelivingnowinmoreenlighteneddays,freefromtheold
caste-prejudice. Besides, Mademoiselle Saintclair, in actual fact, is quite my equal in rank. You have
heardhintsastoherhistory?'

'Thereare many romanticstories of herorigin - not anuncommon thing withfamous dancers. I have
heardthatsheisthedaughterofanIrishcharwoman,alsothestorywhichmakeshermotheraRussian
grandduchess.'

'The first story is, of course, nonsense,' said the young man. 'But the second is true. Valerie, though
boundtosecrecy,hasletmeguessasmuch.Besides,sheprovesitunconsciouslyinathousandways.I
believeinheredity,M.Poirot.'

'Itoobelieveinheredity,'saidPoirotthoughtfully.'Ihaveseensomestrangethingsinconnectionwithit
-moiquivousparle...Buttobusiness,M.lePrince.Whatdoyouwantofme?Whatdoyoufear?Imay
speakfreely,mayInot?IsthereanythingtoconnectMademoiselleSaintclairwiththecrime?Sheknew
Reedburnofcourse?'

'Yes.Heprofessedtobeinlovewithher.'

'Andshe?'

'Shewouldhavenothingtosaytohim.'

Poirotlookedathimkeenly.'Hadsheanyreasontofearhim?'

Theyoungmanhesitated.'Therewasanincident.YouknowZara,theclairvoyant?'

'No.'

'Sheiswonderful.Youshouldconsulthersometime.ValerieandIwenttoseeherlastweek.Sheread
thecardsforus.ShespoketoValerieoftrouble-ofgatheringclouds;thensheturnedupthelastcard-
the covering card, they call it. It was the king of clubs. She said to Valerie: "Beware. There is a man
who holds you in his power. You fear him - you are in great danger through him. You know whom I
mean?"Valeriewaswhitetothelips.Shenoddedandsaid:"Yes,yes,Iknow."Shortlyafterwardswe
left. Zara's last words to Valerie were: "Beware of the king of clubs. Danger threatens you!" I
questionedValerie.Shewouldtellmenothing-assuredmethatallwaswell.Butnow,afterlastnight,I
am more sure than ever that in the king of clubs Valerie saw Reedburn, and that he was the man she
feared.'

ThePrincepausedabruptly.'NowyouunderstandmyagitationwhenIopenedthepaperthismorning.
SupposingValerie,inafitofmadness-oh,itisimpossible.'

Poirotrosefromhisseat,andpattedtheyoungmankindlyontheshoulder.'Donotdistressyourself,I
begofyou.Leaveitinmyhands.'

'YouwillgotoStreatham?Igathersheisstillthere,atDaisymead-prostratedbytheshock.'

'Iwillgoatonce.'

'Ihavearrangedmatters-throughtheembassy.Youwillbeallowedaccesseverywhere.'

'Thenwewilldepart-Hastings,youwillaccompanyme?Aurevoir,M.lePrince.'

MonDésirwasanexceptionallyfinevilla,thoroughlymodernandcomfortable.Ashortcarriage-drive
leduptoitfromtheroad,andbeautifulgardensextendedbehindthehouseforsomeacres.

OnmentioningPrincePaul'sname,thebutlerwhoansweredthedooratoncetookustothesceneofthe
tragedy.Thelibrarywasamagnificentroom,runningfrombacktofrontofthewholebuilding,witha
windowateitherend,onegivingonthefrontcarriage-drive,andtheotheronthegarden.Itwasinthe
recess of the latter that the body had lain. It had been removed not long before, the police having
concludedtheirexamination.

'Thatisannoying,'ImurmuredtoPoirot.'Whoknowswhatcluestheymayhavedestroyed?'

Mylittlefriendsmiled.

'Eh-eh!HowoftenmustItellyouthatduescomefromwithin?Inthelittlegreycellsofthebrainlies
thesolutionofeverymystery.'

Heturnedtothebutler.'Isuppose,exceptfortheremovalofthebody,theroomhasnotbeentouched?'

'No,sir.It'sjustasitwaswhenthepolicecameuplastnight.'

'These curtains, now. I see they pull right across the window-recess. They are the same in the other
window.Weretheydrawnlastnight?'

'Yes,sir.Idrawthemeverynight.'

'ThenReedburnmusthavedrawnthembackhimself?'

'Isupposeso,sir.'

'Didyouknowyourmasterexpectedavisitorlastnight?'

'Hedidnotsayso,sir.Buthegaveordershewasnottobedisturbedafterdinner.Yousee,sir,thereisa
doorleadingoutofthelibraryontotheterraceatthesideofthehouse.Hecouldhaveadmittedanyone
thatway.'

'Washeinthehabitofdoingthat?'

Thebutlercougheddiscreetly.'Ibelieveso,sir.'

Poirot strode to the door in question. It was unlocked. He stepped through it on to the terrace which
joinedthedriveontheright;ontheleftitleduptoaredbrickwall.

'The fruit garden, sir. There is a door leading into it farther along, but it was always locked at six
o'clock.'

Poirot nodded, and re-entered the library, the butler following. 'Did you hear nothing of last night's
events?'

'Well,sir,weheardvoicesinthelibrary,alittlebeforenine.Butthatwasn'tunusual,especiallybeinga
lady's voice. But of course, once we were all in the servants' hall, right the other side, we didn't hear
anythingatall.Andthen,abouteleveno'clock,thepolicecame.'

'Howmanyvoicesdidyouhear?'

'Icouldn'tsay,sir.Ionlynoticedthelady's.'

'Ah!'

'Ibegpardon,sir,butDrRyanisstillinthehouse,ifyouwouldcaretoseehim.'

Wejumped at thesuggestion, and ina few minutes thedoctor, a cheery,middle-aged man, joined us,
andgavePoirotalltheinformationherequired.Reedburnhadbeenlyingnearthewindow,hisheadby
themarblewindow-seat.Thereweretwowounds,onebetweentheeyes,andtheother,thefatalone,on
thebackofthehead.

'Hewaslyingonhisback?'

'Yes.Thereisthemark.'Hepointedtoasmalldarkstainonthefloor.

'Couldnottheblowonthebackoftheheadhavebeencausedbyhisstrikingthefloor?'

'Impossible.Whatevertheweaponwas,itpenetratedsomedistanceintotheskull.'

Poirotlookedthoughtfullyinfrontofhim.Intheembrasureofeachwindowwasacarvedmarbleseat,
thearmsbeingfashionedintheformofalion'shead.AlightcameintoPoirot'seyes.'Supposinghehad
fallen backward on this projecting lion's head, and slipped from there to the ground. Would not that
causeawoundsuchasyoudescribe?'

'Yes, it would. But the angle at which he was lying makes that theory impossible. And besides, there
couldnotfailtobetracesofbloodonthemarbleoftheseat.'

'Unlesstheywerewashedaway?'

Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders.'Thatishardlylikely.Itwouldbetonoone'sadvantagetogivean
accidenttheappearanceofmurder.'

'Quiteso,'acquiescedPoirot.'Couldeitheroftheblowshavebeenstruckbyawoman,doyouthink?'

'Oh,quiteoutofthequestion,Ishouldsay.YouarethinkingofMademoiselleSaintclair,Isuppose?'

'IthinkofnooneinparticularuntilIamsure,'saidPoirotgently.

Heturnedhisattentiontotheopenfrenchwindow,andthedoctorcontinued:

'It is through here that Mademoiselle Saintclair fled. You can just catch a glimpse of Daisymead
betweenthetrees.Ofcourse,therearemanyhousesnearertothefrontofthehouseontheroad,butasit
happens,Daisymead,thoughsomedistanceaway,istheonlyhousevisiblethisside.'

'Thank you for your amiability, Doctor,' said Poirot. 'Come, Hastings, we will follow the footsteps of
Mademoiselle.'

Poirotledthewaydownthroughthegarden,outthroughanirongate,acrossashortstretchofgreenand
inthroughthegardengateofDaisymead,whichwasanunpretentiouslittlehouseinabouthalfanacre
of ground. There was a small flight of steps leading up to a french window. Poirot nodded in their
direction.

'That is the way Mademoiselle Saintclair went. For us, who have not her urgency to plead, it will be
bettertogoroundtothefrontdoor.'

Amaidadmittedusandtookusintothedrawing-room,thenwentinsearchofMrsOglander.Theroom
hadevidentlynotbeentouchedsincethenightbefore.Theasheswerestillinthegrate,andthebridge-
tablewasstillinthecentreoftheroom,withadummyexposed,andthehandsthrowndown.Theplace
was somewhat overloaded with gimcrack ornaments, and a good many family portraits of surpassing
uglinessadornedthewalls.PoirotgazedatthemmorelenientlythanIdid,andstraightenedoneortwo
thatwerehangingashadeaskew.

'Lafamille,itisastrongtie,isitnot?Sentiment,ittakestheplaceofbeauty.'

Iagreed,myeyesbeingfixedonafamilygroupcomprisingagentlemanwithwhiskers,aladywitha
high 'front' of hair, a stolid, thick-set boy, and two little girls tied up with a good many unnecessary
bowsofribbon.ItookthistobetheOglanderfamilyinearlierdays,andstudieditwithinterest.

Thedooropened,andayoungwomancamein.Herdarkhairwasneatlyarranged,andsheworeadrab-
colouredsportscoatandatweedskirt.

She looked at us inquiringly. Poirot stepped forward. 'Miss Oglander? I regret to derange you -
especiallyafterallyouhavebeenthrough.Thewholeaffairmusthavebeenmostdisturbing.'

'Ithasbeenratherupsetting,'admittedtheyoungladycautiously.Ibegantothinkthattheelementsof
dramawerewastedonMissOglander,thatherlackofimaginationrosesuperiortoanytragedy.Iwas
confirmedinthisbeliefasshecontinued:

'Imustapologizeforthestatethisroomisin.Servantsgetsofoolishlyexcited.'

'Itwasherethatyouweresittinglastnight,n'est-ce-pas?'

'Yes,wewereplayingbridgeaftersupper,when-'

'Excuseme-howlonghadyoubeenplaying?'

'Well-'MissOglanderconsidered.'Ireallycan'tsay.Isupposeitmusthavebeenaboutteno'clock.We
hadhadseveralrubbers,Iknow.'

'Andyouyourselfweresitting-where?'

'Facingthewindow.Iwasplayingwithmymotherandhadgoneonenotrump.Suddenly,withoutany
warning,thewindowburstopen,andMissSaintclairstaggeredintotheroom.'

'Yourecognizedher?'

'Ihadavagueideaherfacewasfamiliar.'

'Sheisstillhere,isshenot?'

'Yes,butsherefusestoseeanyone.Sheisstillquiteprostrated.'

'I think she will see me. Will you tell her that I am here at the express request of Prince Paul of
Maurania?'

IfanciedthatthementionofaroyalprincerathershookMissOglander'simperturbablecalm.Butshe
left the room on her errand without any further remark, and returned almost immediately to say that
MademoiselleSaintclairwouldseeusinherroom.

Wefollowedherupstairs,andintoafair-sizedlightbedroom.Onacouchbythewindowawomanwas
lyingwhoturnedherheadasweentered.Thecontrastbetweenthetwowomenstruckmeatonce,the
moresoasinactualfeaturesandcolouringtheywerenotunalike-butoh,thedifference!Notalook,
not a gesture of Valerie Saintclair's but expressed drama. She seemed to exhale an atmosphere of
romance.Ascarletflanneldressing-gowncoveredherfeet-ahomelygarmentinallconscience;butthe
charmofherpersonalityinvesteditwithanexoticflavour,anditseemedanEasternrobeofglowing
colour.

HerlargedarkeyesfastenedthemselvesonPoirot.

'YoucomefromPaul?'Hervoicematchedherappearance-itwasfullandlanguid.

'Yes,mademoiselle.Iamheretoservehim-andyou.'

'Whatdoyouwanttoknow?'

'Everythingthathappenedlastnight.Buteverything!'

Shesmiledratherwearily.

'DoyouthinkIshouldlie?Iamnotstupid.Iseewellenoughthattherecanbenoconcealment.Heheld
a secret of mine, that man who is dead. He threatened me with it. For Paul's sake, I endeavoured to
maketermswithhim.IcouldnotrisklosingPaul...Nowthatheisdead,Iamsafe.Butforallthat,Idid
notkillhim.'

Poirotshookhisheadwithasmile.'Itisnotnecessarytotellmethat,mademoiselle.Nowrecounttome
whathappenedlastnight.'

'I offered him money. He appeared to be willing to treat with me. He appointed last night at nine
o'clock.IwastogotoMonDésir.Iknewtheplace;Ihadbeentherebefore.Iwastogoroundtothe
sidedoorintothelibrary,sothattheservantsshouldnotseeme.'

'Excuseme,mademoiselle,butwereyounotafraidtotrustyourselfalonethereatnight?'

Wasitmyfancy,orwasthereamomentarypausebeforesheanswered?

'PerhapsIwas.Butyousee,therewasnooneIcouldasktogowithme.AndIwasdesperate.Reedburn
admittedmetothelibrary.Oh,thatman!Iamgladheisdead!Heplayedwithme,asacatdoeswitha
mouse.Hetauntedme.Ibeggedandimploredhimonmyknees.IofferedhimeveryjewelIhave.Allin
vain!Thenhenamedhisownterms.Perhapsyoucanguesswhattheywere.Irefused.ItoldhimwhatI
thoughtofhim.Iravedathim.Heremainedcalmlysmiling.Andthen,asIfelltosilenceatlast,there
wasasound-frombehindthecurtaininthewindow...Heheardittoo.Hestrodetothecurtainsand
flung them wide apart. There was a man there, hiding - a dreadful-looking man, a sort of tramp. He
struck at Mr Reedburn - then he struck again, and he went down. The tramp clutched at me with his
bloodstainedhand.Itoremyselffree,slippedthroughthewindow,andranformylife.ThenIperceived
thelightsinthishouse,andmadeforthem.Theblindswereup,andIsawsomepeopleplayingbridge.I
almostfellintotheroom.Ijustmanagedtogaspout"Murder!"andtheneverythingwentblack-'

'Thankyou,mademoiselle.Itmusthavebeenagreatshocktoyournervoussystem.Astothistramp,
couldyoudescribehim?Doyourememberwhathewaswearing?'

'No-itwasallsoquick.ButIshouldknowthemananywhere.Hisfaceisburntinonmybrain.'

'Justonemorequestion,mademoiselle.Thecurtainsoftheotherwindow,theonegivingonthedrive,
weretheydrawn?'

For the first time a puzzled expression crept over the dancer's face. She seemed to be trying to
remember.

'Ehbien,mademoiselle?'

'Ithink-Iamalmostsure-yes,quitesure!Theywerenotdrawn.'

'Thatiscurious,sincetheotheroneswere.Nomatter.Itis,Idaresay,ofnogreatimportance.Youare
remainingherelong,mademoiselle?'

'ThedoctorthinksIshallbefittoreturntotowntomorrow.'Shelookedroundtheroom.MissOglander
hadgoneout.'Thesepeople,theyareverykind-buttheyarenotofmyworld.Ishockthem!Andtome
-well,Iamnotfondofthebourgeoisie!'

Afaintnoteofbitternessunderlayherwords.

Poirotnodded.'Iunderstand.IhopeIhavenotfatiguedyouundulywithmyquestions?'

'Notatall,monsieur.IamonlytooanxiousPaulshouldknowallassoonaspossible.'

'ThenIwillwishyougoodday,mademoiselle.'

As Poirot was leaving the room, he paused, and pounced on a pair of patent-leather slippers. 'Yours,
mademoiselle?'

'Yes,monsieur.Theyhavejustbeencleanedandbroughtup.'

'Ah!' said Poirot, as we descended the stairs. 'It seems that the domestics are not too excited to clean
shoes, though they forget a grate. Well, mon ami, at first there appeared to be one or two points of
interest, but I fear, I very much fear, that we must regard the case as finished. It all seems
straightforwardenough.'

'Andthemurderer?'

'HerculePoirotdoesnothuntdowntramps,'repliedmyfriedgrandiloquently.

MissOglandermetusinthehall.'Ifyouwillwaitinthedrawing-roomaminute,Mammawouldliketo
speaktoyou.'

The room was still untouched, and Poirot idly gathered up the cards, shuffling them with his tiny,
fastidiouslygroomedhand.

'DoyouknowwhatIthink,myfriend?'

'No?'Isaideagerly.

'IthinkthatMissOglandermadeamistakeingoingonenotrump.Sheshouldhavegonethreespades.'

'Poirot!Youarethelimit.'

'MonDieu,Icannotalwaysbetalkingbloodandthunder!'

Suddenlyhestiffened:'Hastings-Hastings.See!Thekingofclubsismissingfromthepack!'

'Zara!'Icried.

'Eh?'Hedidnotseemtounderstandmyallusion.Mechanicallyhestackedthecardsandputthemaway
intheircases.Hisfacewasverygrave.

'Hastings,' he said at last, 'I, Hercule Poirot, have come near to making a big mistake - a very big
mistake.'

Igazedathim,impressed,bututterlyuncomprehending.

'Wemustbeginagain,Hastings.Yes,wemustbeginagain.Butthistimeweshallnoterr.'

Hewasinterruptedbytheentranceofahandsomemiddle-agedlady.Shecarriedsomehouseholdbooks
inherhand.Poirotbowedtoher.

'DoIunderstand,sir,thatyouareafriendof-er-Saintclair's?'

'Icomefromafriendofhers,madame.'

'Oh,Isee.Ithoughtperhaps-'

Poirotsuddenlywavedbrusquelyatthewindow.

'Yourblindswerenotpulleddownlastnight?'

'No-IsupposethatiswhyMissSaintclairsawthelightplainly.'

'Therewasmoonlightlastnight.IwonderthatyoudidnotseeMademoiselleSaintclairfromyourseat
herefacingthewindows?'

'Isupposewewereengrossedwithourgame.Nothinglikethishaseverhappenedbeforetous.'

'Icanquitebelievethat,madame.AndIwillputyourmindatrest.MademoiselleSaintclairisleaving
tomorrow.'

'Oh!'Thegoodlady'sfacecleared.

'AndIwillwishyougoodmorning,madame.'

Aservantwascleaningthestepsaswewentoutofthefrontdoor.Poirotaddressedher.

'Wasityouwhocleanedtheshoesoftheyoungladyupstairs?'

Themaidshookherhead.'No,sir.Idon'tthinkthey'vebeencleaned.'

'Whocleanedthem,then?'IinquiredofPoirot,aswewalkeddowntheroad.

'Nobody.Theydidnotneedcleaning.'

'I grant that walking on the road or path on a fine night would not soil them. But surely after going
throughthelonggrassofthegarden,theywouldhavebeensoiledandstained.'

'Yes,'saidPoirotwithacurioussmile.'Inthatcase,Iagree,theywouldhavebeenstained.'

'But-'

'Havepatiencealittlehalf-hour,myfriend.WearegoingbacktoMonDésir.'

Thebutlerlookedsurprisedatourreappearance,butofferednoobjectiontoourreturningtothelibrary.

'Hi,that'sthewrongwindow,Poirot,'Icriedashemadefortheoneoverlookingthecarriage-drive.

'I think not, my friend. See here.' He pointed to the marble lion's head. On it was a faint discoloured
smear.Heshiftedhisfingerandpointedtoasimilarstainonthepolishedfloor.

'Some one struck Reedburn a blow with his clenched fist between the eyes. He fell backward on this
projecting bit of marble, then slipped to the floor. Afterwards, he was dragged across the floor to the
otherwindow,andlaidthereinstead,butnotquiteatthesameangle,astheDoctor'sevidencetoldus.'

'Butwhy?Itseemsutterlyunnecessary.'

'Onthecontrary,itwasessential.Also,itisthekeytothemurderer'sidentity-though,bytheway,he
hadnointentionofkillingReedburn,andsoitishardlypermissibletocallhimamurderer.Hemustbe
averystrongman!'

'Becauseofhavingdraggedthebodyacrossthefloor?'

'Notaltogether.Ithasbeenaninterestingcase.Inearlymadeanimbecileofmyself,though.'

'Doyoumeantosayitisover,thatyouknoweverything?'

'Yes.'

Aremembrancesmoteme.

'No,'Icried.'Thereisonethingyoudonotknow!'

'Andthat?'

'Youdonotknowwherethemissingkingofclubsis!'

'Eh?Oh,thatisdroll!Thatisverydroll,myfriend.'

'Why?'

'Becauseitisinmypocket!'Hedrewitforthwithaflourish.

'Oh!'Isaid,rathercrestfallen.'Wheredidyoufindit?Here?'

'Therewasnothingsensationalaboutit.Ithadsimplynotbeentakenoutwiththeothercards.Itwasin
thebox.'

'H'm.Allthesame,itgaveyouanidea,didn'tit?'

'Yes,myfriend.IpresentmyrespectstoHisMajesty.'

'AndtoMadameZara!'

'Ah,yes-totheladyalso.'

'Well,whatarewegoingtodonow?'

'Wearegoingtoreturntotown.ButImusthaveafewwordswithacertainladyatDaisymeadfirst.'

Thesamelittlemaidopenedthedoortous.

'They'reallatlunchnow,sir-unlessit'sMissSaintclairyouwanttosee,andshe'sresting.'

'ItwilldoifIcanseeMrsOglanderforafewminutes.Willyoutellher?'

We were led into the drawing-room to wait. I had a glimpse of the family in the dining-room as we
passed, now reinforced by the presence of two heavy, solid-looking men, one with a moustache, the
otherwithabeardalso.

InafewminutesMrsOglandercameintotheroom,lookinginquiringlyatPoirot,whobowed.

'Madame, we, in our country, have a great tenderness, a great respect for the mother. The mère de
famille,sheiseverything!'

MrsOglanderlookedratherastonishedatthisopening.

'ItisforthatreasonthatIhavecome-toallayamother'sanxiety.ThemurdererofMrReedburnwill
notbediscovered.Havenofear.I,HerculePoirot,tellyouso.Iamright,amInot?OrisitawifethatI
mustreassure?'

There was a moment's pause. Mrs Oglander seemed searching Poirot with her eyes. At last she said
quietly:'Idon'tknowhowyouknow-butyes,youareright.'

Poirotnoddedgravely.'Thatisall,madame.Butdonotbeuneasy.YourEnglishpolicemenhavenotthe
eyesofHerculePoirot.'Hetappedthefamilyportraitonthewallwithhisfinger-nail.

'Youhadanotherdaughteronce.Sheisdead,madame?'

Againtherewasapause,asshesearchedhimwithhereyes.Thensheanswered:

'Yes,sheisdead.'

'Ah!'saidPoirotbriskly.'Well,wemustreturntotown.YoupermitthatIreturnthekingofclubstothe
pack?Itwasyouronlyslip.Youunderstand,tohaveplayedbridgeforanhourorso,withonlyfifty-one
cards-well,noonewhoknowsanythingofthegamewouldcredititforaminute!Bonjour!'

'Andnow,myfriend,'saidPoirotaswesteppedtowardsthestation,'youseeitall?

'Iseenothing!WhokilledReedburn?'

'JohnOglander,Junior.Iwasnotquitesureifitwasthefatherortheson,butIfixedonthesonasbeing
thestrongerandyoungerofthetwo.Ithadtobeoneofthem,becauseofthewindow.'

'Why?'

'There were four exits from the library - two doors, two windows; but evidently only one would do.
Three exits gave on the front, directly or indirectly. The tragedy had to occur in the back window in
order to make it appear that Valerie Saintclair came to Daisymead by chance. Really, of course, she
fainted,andJohnOglandercarriedheracrossoverhisshoulders.ThatiswhyIsaidhemustbeastrong
man.'

'Didtheygotheretogether,then?'

'Yes. You remember Valerie's hesitation when I asked her if she was not afraid to go alone? John
Oglanderwentwithherwhichdidn'timproveReedburn'stemper,Ifancy.Theyquarrelled,anditwas
probablysomeinsultlevelledatValeriethatmadeOglanderhithim.Therest,youknow.'

'Butwhythebridge?'

'Bridgepresupposesfourplayers.Asimplethinglikethatcarriesalotofconviction.Whowouldhave
supposedthattherehadbeenonlythreepeopleinthatroomalltheevening?'

Iwasstillpuzzled.

'There'sonethingIdon'tunderstand.WhathavetheOglanderstodowiththedancerValerieSaintclair?'

'Ah,thatIwonderyoudidnotsee.Andyetyoulookedlongenoughatthatpictureonthewall-longer
thanIdid.MrsOglander'sotherdaughtermaybedeadtoherfamily,buttheworldknowsherasValerie
Saintclair!'

'What?'

'Didyounotseetheresemblancethemomentyousawthetwosisterstogether?'

'No,'Iconfessed.'Ionlythoughthowextraordinarilydissimilartheywere.'

'Thatisbecauseyourmindissoopentoexternalromanticimpressions,mydearHastings.Thefeatures
arealmostidentical.Soisthecolouring.TheinterestingthingisthatValerieisashamedofherfamily,
andherfamilyisashamedofher.Nevertheless,inamomentofperil,sheturnedtoherbrotherforhelp,
and when things went wrong, they all hung together in a remarkable way. Family strength is a
marvelousthing.Theycanallact,thatfamily.ThatiswhereValeriegetsherhistrionictalentfrom.I,
likePrincePaul,believeinheredity!Theydeceivedme!Butforaluckyaccident,andtestquestionto
Mrs Oglander by which I got her to contradict her daughter's account of how they were sitting, the
OglanderfamilywouldhaveputadefeatonHerculePoirot.'

'WhatshallyoutellthePrince?'

'ThatValeriecouldnotpossiblyhavecommittedthecrime,andthatIdoubtifthattrampwilleverbe
found. Also, to convey my compliments to Zara. A curious coincidence, that! I think I shall call this
littleaffairtheAdventureoftheKingofClubs.Whatdoyouthink,myfriend?'

THELEMESURIERINHERITANCE

IncompanywithPoirot,Ihaveinvestigatedmanystrangeeases,butnone,Ithink,tocomparewiththat
extraordinary series of events which held our interest over a period of many years, and which
culminated in the ultimate problem brought to Poirot to solve. Our attention was first drawn to the
family history of the Lemesuriers one evening during the war. Poirot and I had but recently come
togetheragain,renewingtheolddaysofouracquaintanceshipinBelgium.Hehadbeenhandlingsome
littlematterfortheWarOffice-disposingofittotheirentiresatisfaction;andwehadbeendiningatthe

CarltonwithaBrassHatwhopaidPoirotheavycomplimentsintheintervalsofthemeal.TheBrassHat
had to rush away to keep an appointment with someone, and we finished our coffee in a leisurely
fashionbeforefollowinghisexample.

Aswewereleavingtheroom,Iwashailedbyavoicewhichstruckafamiliarnote,andturnedtosee
CaptainVincentLemesurier,ayoungfellowwhomIhadknowninFrance.Hewaswithanolderman
whoselikenesstohimproclaimedhimtobeofthesamefamily.Suchprovedtobethecase,andhewas
introducedtousasMrHugoLemesurier,uncleofmyyoungfriend.

I did not really know Captain Lemesurier at all intimately, but he was a pleasant young fellow,
somewhatdreamyinmanner,andIrememberedhearingthathebelongedtoanoldandexclusivefamily
withapropertyinNorthumberlandwhichdatedfrombeforetheReformation.PoirotandIwerenotina
hurry,andattheyoungerman'sinvitation,wesatdownatthetablewithourtwonew-foundfriends,and
chatteredpleasantlyenoughonvariousmatters.TheelderLemesurierwasamanofaboutforty,witha
touch of the scholar in his stooping shoulders; he was engaged at the moment upon some chemical
researchworkfortheGovernment,itappeared.

Our conversation was interrupted by a tall dark young man who strode up to the table, evidently
labouringundersomeagitationofmind.

'ThankgoodnessI'vefoundyouboth!'heexclaimed.

'What'sthematter,Roger?'

'Yourguv'nor,Vincent.Badfall.Younghorse.'Theresttrailedoff,ashedrewtheotheraside.

Inafewminutesourtwofriendshadhurriedlytakenleaveofus.VincentLemesurier'sfatherhadhada
serious accident while trying a young horse, and was not expected to live until morning. Vincent had
gonedeadlywhite,andappearedalmoststunnedbythenews.Inaway,Iwassurprised-forfromthe
fewwordshehadletfallonthesubjectwhileinFrance,Ihadgatheredthatheandhisfatherwerenot
onparticularlyfriendlyterms,andsohisdisplayoffilialfeelingnowratherastonishedme.

The dark young man, who had been introduced to us as a cousin, Mr Roger Lemesurier, remained
behind,andwethreestrolledouttogether.

'Rather a curious business, this,' observed the young man. 'It would interest M. Poirot, perhaps. I've
heardofyou,youknow,M.Poirot-fromHigginson.'(HigginsonwasourBrassHatfriend.)'Hesays
you'reawhaleonpsychology.'

'Istudythepsychology,yes,'admittedmyfriendcautiously.

'Didyouseemycousin'sface?Hewasabsolutelybowledover,wasn'the?Doyouknowwhy?Agood
old-fashionedfamilycurse!Wouldyoucaretohearaboutit?'

'Itwouldbemostkindofyoutorecountittome.'

RogerLemesurierlookedathiswatch.

'Lotsoftime.I'mmeetingthematKing'sCross.Well,M.Poirot,theLemesuriersareanoldfamily.Way
back in medieval times, a Lemesurier became suspicious of his wife. He found the lady in a
compromisingsituation.Shesworethatshewasinnocent,butoldBaronHugodidn'tlisten.Shehadone
child,ason-andhesworethattheboywasnochildofhisandshouldneverinherit.Iforgetwhathedid
-somepleasingmedievalfancylikewallingupthemotherandsonalive;anyway,hekilledthemboth,
andshediedprotestingherinnocenceandsolemnlycursingtheLemesuriersforever.Nofirst-bornson
ofaLemesuriershouldeverinherit-sothecurseran.Well,timepassed,andthelady'sinnocencewas
establishedbeyonddoubt.IbelievethatHugoworeahairshirtandendeduphisdaysonhiskneesina
monk'scell.Butthecuriousthingisthatfromthatdaytothis,nofirst-bornsoneverhassucceededto
theestate.It'sgonetobrothers,tonephews,tosecondsons-nevertotheeldestborn.Vincent'sfather
wasthesecondoffivesons,theeldestofwhomdiedininfancy.Ofcourse,allthroughthewar,Vincent
has been convinced that whoever else was doomed, he certainly was. But strangely enough, his two
youngerbrothershavebeenkilled,andhehimselfhasremainedunscathed.'

'An interesting family history,' said Poirot thoughtfully. 'But now his father is dying, and he, as the
eldestson,succeeds?'

'Exactly.Acursehasgonerusty-unabletostandthestrainofmodernlife.'

Poirot shook his head, as though deprecating the other's jesting tone. Roger Lemesurier looked at his
watchagain,anddeclaredthathemustbeoff.

The sequel to the story came on the morrow, when we learned of the tragic death of Captain Vincent
Lemesurier. He had been travelling north by the Scotch mail-train, and during the night must have
opened the door of the compartment and jumped out on the line. The shock of his father's accident
coming on top of shell-shock was deemed to have caused temporary mental aberration. The curious
superstition prevalent in the Lemesurier family was mentioned, in connection with the new heir, his
father'sbrother,RonaldLemesurier,whoseonlysonhaddiedontheSomme.

I suppose our accidental meeting with young Vincent on the last evening of his life quickened our
interestinanythingthatpertainedtotheLemesurierfamily,forwenotedwithsomeinteresttwoyears
laterthedeathofRonaldLemesurier,whohadbeenaconfirmedinvalidatthetimeofhissuccessionto
thefamilyestates.HisbrotherJohnsucceededhim,ahale,heartymanwithaboyatEton.

CertainlyanevildestinyovershadowedtheLemesuriers.Onhisverynextholidaytheboymanagedto
toshoothimselffatally.Hisfather'sdeath,whichoccurredquitesuddenlyafterbeingstungbyawasp,
gavetheestateovertotheyoungestbrotherofthefive-Hugo,whomwerememberedmeetingonthe
fatalnightattheCarlton.

Beyond commenting on the extraordinary series of misfortunes which befell the Lemesuriers, we had
taken no personal interest in the matter, but the time was now close at hand when we were to take a
moreactivepart.

One morning 'Mrs Lemesurier' was announced. She was a tall, active woman, possibly about thirty
yearsofage,whoconveyedbyherdemeanouragreatdealofdeterminationandstrongcommonsense.
Shespokewithafainttransatlanticaccent.

'M.Poirot?Iampleasedtomeetyou.Myhusband,HugoLemesurier,metyouoncemanyyearsage,
ago,butyouwillhardlyrememberthefact.'

'Irecollectitperfectly,madame.ItwasattheCarlton.'

'That'squitewonderfulofyou.M.Poirot,I'mveryworried.'

'Whatabout,madame?'

'Myelderboy-I'vetwoboys,youknow,Ronald'seight,andGerald'ssix.'

'Proceed,madame:whyshouldyoubeworriedaboutlittleRonald?'

'M.Poirot,withinthelastsixmonthshehashadthreenarrowescapesfromdeath:oncefromdrowning-
whenwewerealldownatCornwallthissummer;oncewhenhefellfromthenurserywindow;andonce
fromptomainepoisoning.'

PerhapsPoirot'sfaceexpressedrathertooeloquentlywhathethought,forMrsLemesurierhurriedon
with hardly a moment's pause: 'Of course I know you think I'm just a silly fool of a woman, making

mountainsoutofmolehills.'

'No,indeed,madame.Anymothermightbeexcusedforbeingupsetatsuchoccurrences,butIhardly
seewhereIcanbeofanyassistancetoyou.IamnotlebonDieutocontrolthewaves;forthenursery
windowIshouldsuggestsomeironbars;andforthefood-whatcanequalamother'scare?'

'ButwhyshouldthesethingshappentoRonaldandnottoGerald?'

'Thechance,madame-lehasard!'

'Youthinkso?'

'Whatdoyouthink,madame-youandyourhusband?'

AshadowcrossedMrsLemesurier'sface.

'It'snogoodgoingtoHugo-hewon'tlisten.Asperhapsyoumayhaveheard,there'ssupposedtobea
curse on the family no eldest son can succeed. Hugo believes in it. He's wrapped up in the family
history,andhe'ssuperstitioustothelastdegree.WhenIgotohimwithmyfears,hejustsaysit'sthe
curse,andwecan'tescapeit.ButI'mfromtheStates,M.Poirot,andovertherewedon'tbelievemuch
incurses.Welikethemasbelongingtoarealhigh-tonedoldfamily-itgivesasortofcachet,don'tyou
know.IwasjustamusicalcomedyactressinasmallpartwhenHugometme-andIthoughthisfamily
cursewasjusttoolovelyforwords.Thatkindofthing'sallrightfortellingroundthefireonawinter's
evening,butwhenitcomestoone'sownchildren-Ijustadoremychildren,M.Poirot.I'ddoanything
forthem.'

'Soyoudeclinetobelieveinthefamilylegend,madame?'

'Canalegendsawthroughanivystem?'

'Whatisthatyouaresaying,madame?'criedPoirot,anexpressionofgreatastonishmentonhisface.

'I said, can a legend - or a ghost, if you like to call it that - saw through an ivy stem? I'm not saying
anythingaboutCornwall.Anyboymightgoouttoofarandgetintodifficulties-thoughRonaldcould
swim when he was four years old. But the ivy's different. Both the boys were very naughty. They'd
discoveredtheycouldclimbupanddownbytheivy.Theywerealwaysdoingit.Oneday-Geraldwas

awayatthetime-Ronalddiditoncetoooften,andtheivygavewayandhefell.Fortunatelyhedidn't
damage himself seriously. But I went out and examined the ivy: it was cut through, M. Poirot -
deliberatelycutthrough.'

'It is very serious what you are telling me there, madame. You say your younger boy was away from
homeatthemoment?'

'Yes.'

'Andatthetimeoftheptomainepoisoning,washestillaway?'

'No,theywereboththere.'

'Curious,'murmuredPoirot.'Now,madame,whoaretheinmatesofyourestablishment?'

'MissSaunders,thechildren'sgoverness,andJohnGardiner,myhusband'ssecretary-'

MrsLemesurierpaused,asthoughslightlyembarrassed.

'Andwhoelse,madame?'

'MajorRogerLemesurier,whomyoualsometonthatnight,Ibelieve,stayswithusagooddeal.'

'Ah,yes-heisacousin,ishenot?'

'A distant cousin. He does not belong to our branch of the family. Still, I suppose now he is my
husband'snearestrelative.Heisadearfellow,andweareallveryfondofhim.Theboysaredevotedto
him.'

'Itwasnothewhotaughtthemtoclimbuptheivy?'

'Itmighthavebeen.Heincitesthemtomischiefoftenenough.'

'Madame, I apologize for what I said to you earlier. The danger is real, and I believe that I can be of
assistance.Iproposethatyoushouldinviteusbothtostaywithyou.Yourhusbandwillnotobject?'

'Ohno.Buthewillbelieveittobeallofnouse.Itmakesmefuriousthewayhejustsitsaroundand
expectstheboytodie.'

'Calmyourself,madame.Letusmakeourarrangementsmethodically.'

Ourarrangementsweredulymade,andthefollowingdaysawusflyingnorthward.Poirotwassunkina
reverie.Hecameoutofit,toremarkabruptly:

'ItwasfromatrainsuchasthisthatVincentLemesurierfell?'

Heputaslightaccentonthe'fell'.

'Youdon'tsuspectfoulplaythere,surely?'Iasked.

'Has it struck you, Hastings, that some of the Lemesurier deaths were, shall we say, capable of being
arranged? Take that of Vincent, for instance. Then the Eton boy - an accident with a gun is always
ambiguous.Supposingthischildhadfallenfromthenurserywindowandbeendashedtodeath-what
morenaturalandunsuspicious?Butwhyonlytheonechild,Hastings?Whoprofitsbythedeathofthe
elderchild?Hisyoungerbrother,achildofseven!Absurd!'

'Theymeantodoawaywiththeotherlater,'Isuggested,thoughwiththevaguestideasastowho'they'
were.

Poirotshookhisheadasthoughdissatisfied.

'Ptomainepoisoning,'hemused.'Atropinewillproducemuchthesamesymptoms.Yes,thereisneedfor
ourpresence.'

MrsLemesurierwelcomedusenthusiastically.Thenshetookustoherhusband'sstudyandleftuswith
him.HehadchangedagooddealsinceIsawhimlast.Hisshouldersstoopedmorethanever,andhis
facehadacuriouspalegreytinge.HelistenedwhilePoirotexplainedourpresenceinthehouse.

'HowexactlylikeSadie'spracticalcommonsense!'hesaidatlast.'Remainbyallmeans,M.Poirot,and

I thank you for coming; but - what is written, is written. The way of the transgressor is hard. We
Lemesuriersknow-noneofuscanescapethedoom.'

Poirotmentionedthesawn-throughivy,butHugoseemedverylittleimpressed.

'Doubtless some careless gardener - yes, yes, there may be an instrument, but the purpose behind is
plain;andIwilltellyouthis,M.Poirot,itcannotbelongdelayed.'

Poirotlookedathimattentively.

'Whydoyousaythat?'

'BecauseImyselfamdoomed.Iwenttoadoctorlastyear.Iamsufferingfromanincurabledisease-the
endcannotbemuchlongerdelayed;butbeforeIdie,Ronaldwillbetaken.Geraldwillinherit.'

'Andifanythingweretohappentoyoursecondsonalso?'

'Nothingwillhappentohim;heisnotthreatened.'

'Butifitdid?'persistedPoirot.

'MycousinRogeristhenextheir.'

Wewereinterrupted.Atallmanwithagoodfigureandcrisplycurlingauburnhairenteredwithasheaf
ofpaper.

'Never mind about those now, Gardiner,' said Hugo Lemesurier; then he added: 'My secretary, Mr
Gardiner.'

Thesecretarybowed,utteredafewpleasantwordsandthenwentout.Inspiteofhisgoodlooks,there
was something repellent about the man. I said so to Poirot shortly afterwards when we were walking
roundthebeautifuloldgroundstogether,andrathertomysurprise,heagreed.

'Yes,yes,Hastings,youareright.Idonotlikehim.Heistoogood-looking.Hewouldbeoneforthe

softjobalways.Ah,herearethechildren.'

MrsLemesurierwasadvancingtowardsus,hertwochildrenbesideher.Theywerefine-lookingboys,
the younger dark like his mother, the elder with auburn curls. They shook hands prettily enough, and
were soon absolutely devoted to Poirot. We were next introduced to Miss Saunders, a nondescript
female,whocompletedtheparty.

For some days we had a pleasant, easy existence - ever vigilant, but without result. The boys led a
happy normal life and nothing seemed to be amiss. On the fourth day after our arrival Major Roger
Lemesurier came down to stay. He was little changed, still care-free and debonair as of old, with the
samehabitoftreatingallthingslightly.Hewasevidentlyagreatfavouritewiththeboys,whogreeted
hisarrivalwithshrieksofdelightandimmediatelydraggedhimofftoplaywildIndiansinthegarden.I
noticedthatPoirotfollowedthemunobtrusively.

On the following day we were all invited to tea, boys included, with Lady Claygate, whose place
adjoined that of the Lemesuriers. Mrs Lemesurier suggested that we also should come, but seemed
ratherrelievedwhenPoirotrefusedanddeclaredhewouldmuchprefertoremainathome.

Onceeveryonehadstarted,Poirotgottowork.Heremindedmeofanintelligentterrier.Ibelievethat
therewasnocornerofthehousethatheleftunsearched;yetitwasalldonesoquietlyandmethodically
thatnoattentionwasdirectedtohismovements.Clearly,attheend,heremainedunsatisfied.Wehadtea
ontheterracewithMissSanders,whohadnotbeenincludedintheparty.

'Theboyswillenjoyit,'shemurmuredinherfadedway,'thoughIhopetheywillbehavenicely,andnot
damagetheflower-beds,orgonearthebees-'

Poirotpausedintheveryactofdrinking.Helookedlikeamanwhohasseenaghost.

'Bees?'hedemandedinavoiceofthunder.

'Yes,M.Poirot,bees.Threehives.LadyClaygateisveryproudofherbees-'

'Bees?'criedPoirotagain.Thenhesprangfromthetableandwalkedupanddowntheterracewithhis
handstohishead.Icouldnotimaginewhythelittlemanshouldbesoagitatedatthemerementionof
bees.

Atthatmomentweheardthecarreturning.Poirotwasonthedoorstepathepartyalighted.

'Ronald'sbeenstung,'criedGeraldexcitedly.

'It'snothing,'saidMrsLemesurier.'Ithasn'tevenswollen.Weputammoniaonit.'

'Letmesee,mylittleman,'saidPoirot.'Wherewasit?'

'Here, on the side of my neck,' said Ronald importantly. 'But it doesn't hurt. Father said: "Keep still -
there'sabeeonyou."AndIkeptstill,andhetookitoff,butitstungmefirst,thoughitdidn'treallyhurt,
onlylikeapin,andIdidn'tcry,becauseI'msobigandgoingtoschoolnextyear.'

Poirotexaminedthechild'sneck,thendrewawayagain.Hetookmebythearmandmurmured:

'Tonight,monami,tonightwehavealittleaffairon!Saynothing-toanyone.'

Herefusedtobemorecommunicative,andIwentthroughtheeveningdevouredbycuriosity.Heretired
early and I followed his example. As we went upstairs, he caught me by the arm and delivered his
instructions:

'Donotundress.Waitasufficienttime,extinguishyourlightandjoinmehere.'

Iobeyed,andfoundhimwaitingformewhenthetimecame.Heenjoinedsilenceonmewithagesture,
andwecreptquietlyalongthenurserywing.Ronaldoccupiedasmallroomofhisown.Weenteredit
andtookupourpositioninthedarkestcorner.Thechild'sbreathingsoundedheavyandundisturbed.

'Surelyheissleepingveryheavily?'Iwhispered.

Poirotnodded.

'Drugged,'hemurmured.

'Why?'

'Sothatheshouldnotcryoutat-'

'Atwhat?'Iasked,asPoirotpaused.

'At the prick of the hypodermic needle, mon ami! Hush, let us speak no more - not that I expect
anythingtohappenforsometime.'

But in this Poirot was wrong. Hardly ten minutes had elapsed before the door opened softly, and
someoneenteredtheroom.Iheardasoundofquickhurriedbreathing.Footstepsmovedtothebed,and
thentherewasasuddenclick.Thelightofalittleelectriclanternfellonthesleepingchild-theholder
ofitwasstillinvisibleintheshadow.Thefigurelaiddownthelantern.Withtherighthanditbrought
forthasyringe;withtheleftittouchedtheboy'sneck-

Poirot and I sprang at the same minute. The lantern rolled to the floor, and we struggled with the
intruderinthedark.Hisstrengthwasextraordinary.Atlastweovercamehim.

'Thelight,Hastings,Imustseehisface-thoughIfearIknowonlytoowellwhosefaceitwillbe.'

SodidI,IthoughtasIgropedforthelantern.ForamomentIhadsuspectedthesecretary,eggedonby
mysecretdislikeoftheman,butIfeltassuredbynowthatthemanwhostoodtogainbythedeathof
histwochildishcousinswasthemonsterweweretracking.

Myfootstruckagainstthelantern.Ipickeditupandswitchedonthelight.Itshonefullonthefaceof-
HugoLemesurier,theboy'sfather!

Thelanternalmostdroppedfrommyhand.

'Impossible,'Imurmuredhoarsely.'Impossible!'

Lemesurierwasunconscious.PoirotandIbetweenuscarriedhimtohisroomandlaidhimonthebed.
Poirot bent and gently extricated something from his right hand. He showed it to me. It was a
hypodermicsyringe.Ishuddered.

'Whatisinit?Poison?'

'Formicacid,Ifancy.'

'Formicacid?'

'Yes. Probably obtained by distilling ants. He was a chemist, you remember. Death would have been
attributedtothebeesting.'

'MyGod,'Imuttered.'Hisownson!Andyouexpectedthis?'

Poirotnoddedgravely.

'Yes.Heisinsane,ofcourse.Iimaginethatthefamilyhistoryhasbecomeamaniawithhim.Hisintense
longingtosucceedtheestateledhimtocommitthelongseriesofcrimes.Possiblytheideaoccurredto
himfirstwhentravellingnorththatnightwithVincent.Hecouldn'tbearthepredictiontobefalsified.
Ronald's son was already dead, and Ronald himself was a dying man - they are a weakly lot. He
arranged the accident to the gun and - which I did not suspect until now - contrived the death of his
brother John by this same method of injecting formic acid into the jugular vein. His ambition was
realizedthen,andhebecamethemasterofthefamilyacres.Buthistriumphwasshortlived-hefound
thathewassufferingfromanincurabledisease.Andhehadthemadman'sfixedidea-theeldestsonof
aLemesuriercouldnotinherit.Isuspectthatthebathingaccidentwasduetohim-heencouragedthe
childtogoouttoofar.Thatfailing-hesawedthroughtheivy,andafterwardspoisonedthechild'sfood.'

'Diabolical!'Imurmuredwithshiver.'Andsocleverlyplanned!'

'Yes,monami,thereisnothingmoreamazingthantheextraordinarysanityoftheinsane!Unlessitis
theextraordinary eccentricity ofthe sane! Iimagine that it isonly lately thathe had completely gone
overtheborderline,therewasmethodinhismadnesstobeginwith.'

'AndtothinkthatIsuspectedRoger-thatsplendidfellow.'

'Itwasthenaturalassumption,monami.WeknewthathealsotravellednorthwithVincentthatnight.
Weknew,too,thathewasthenextheirafterHugoandHugo'schildren.Butourassumptionwasnot
borneoutbythefacts.TheivywassawnthroughwhenonlylittleRonaldwasathome-butitwouldbe
toRoger'sinterestthatbothchildrenshouldperish.Inthesameway,itwasonlyRonald'sfoodthatwas
poisoned.AndtodaywhentheycamehomeandIfoundthattherewasonlyhisfather'swordforitthat
Ronaldhadbeenstung,Irememberedtheotherdeathfromawaspsting-andIknew!'

HugoLemesurierdiedafewmonthslaterintheprivateasylumtowhichhewasremoved.Hiswidow
wasremarriedayearlatertoMrJohnGardiner,theauburn-hairedsecretary.Ronaldinheritedthebroad
acresofhisfather,andcontinuestoflourish.

'Well, well,' I remarked to Poirot. 'Another illusion gone. You have disposed very successfully of the
curseoftheLemesuriers.'

'Iwonder,'saidPoirotverythoughtfully.'Iwonderverymuchindeed.'

'Whatdoyoumean?'

'Monami,Iwillansweryouwithonesignificantword-red!'

'Blood?'Iqueried,droppingmyvoicetoanawe-strickenwhisper.

'Always you have the imagination melodramatic, Hastings! I refer to something much more prosaic -
thecolouroflittleRonaldLemesurier'shair.'

THELOSTMINE

Ilaiddownmybankbookwithasigh.

'Itisacuriousthing,'Iobserved,'butmyoverdraftneverseemstogrowanyless.'

'And it perturbs you not? Me, if I had an overdraft, never should I close my eyes all night,' declared
Poirot.

'Youdealincomfortablebalances,Isuppose!'Iretorted.

'Fourhundredandforty-fourpounds,fourandfourpence,'saidPoirotwithsomecomplacency.'Aneat
figure,isitnot?'

'It must be tact on the part of your bank manager. He is evidently acquainted with your passion for
symmetrical details. What about investing, say three hundred of it, in the Porcupine oil-fields? Their
prospectus, which is advertised in the papers today, says that they will pay one hundred per cent in
dividendsnextyear.'

'Not for me,' said Poirot, shaking his head. 'I like not the sensational. For me the safe, the prudent
investment-lesrentes,theconsols,the-howdoyoucallit?-theconversion.'

'Haveyounevermadeaspeculativeinvestment?'

'No,monami,'repliedPoirotseverely.'Ihavenot.AndtheonlysharesIownwhichhavenotwhatyou
callthegildededgearefourteenthousandsharesintheBurmaMines,Ltd.'

Poirotpausedwithanairofwaitingtobeencouragedtogoon.

'Yes?'Iprompted.

'And for them I paid no cash - no, they were the reward of the exercise of my little grey cells. You
wouldliketohearthestory?Yes?'

'OfcourseIwould.'

'Theseminesaresituatedintheinterior,ofBurmaabouttwohundredmilesinlandfromRangoon.They
were discovered by the Chinese in the fifteenth century and worked down to the time of the
MohammedanRebellion,beingfinallyabandonedintheyear1868.TheChineseextractedtherichlead-
silver ore from the upper part of the ore body, smelting it for the silver alone, and leaving large
quantitiesofrichlead-bearingslag.This,ofcourse,wassoondiscoveredwhenprospectingworkwas
carriedoutinBurma,butowingtothefactthattheoldworkingshadbecomefullofloosefillingand
water, all attempts to find the source of the ore proved fruitless. Many parties were sent out by
syndicates,andtheydugoveralargearea,butthisrichprizestilleludedthem.Butarepresentativeof
oneofthesyndicatesgotonthetrackofaChinesefamilywhoweresupposedtohavestillkeptarecord
ofthesituationofthemine.ThepresentheadofthefamilywasoneWuLing.'

'Whatafascinatingpageofcommercialromance,'Iexclaimed.

'Isitnot?Ah,monami,onecanhaveromancewithoutgolden-hairedgirlsofmatchlessbeauty-no,I
amwrong;itisauburnhairthatsoexcitesyoualways.Youremember-'

'Goonwiththestory,'Isaidhastily.

'Ehbien,myfriend,thisWuLingwasapproached.Hewasanestimablemerchant,muchrespectedin
the province where he lived. He admitted at once that he owned the documents in question, and was
perfectly prepared to negotiate for this sale, but he objected to dealing with anyone other than
principals. Finally it was arranged that he should journey to England and meet the directors of an
importantcompany.

'WuLingmadethejourneytoEnglandintheS.S.Assunta,andtheAssuntadockedatSouthamptonon
acold,foggymorninginNovember.Oneofthedirectors,MrPearson,wentdowntoSouthamptonto
meettheboat,butowingtothefog,thetraindownwasverymuchdelayed,andbythetimehearrived,
WuLinghaddisembarkedandleftbyspecialtrainforLondon.MrPearsonreturnedtotownsomewhat
annoyed,ashehadnoideawheretheChinamanproposedtostay.Laterintheday,however,theoffices
ofthecompanywererunguponthetelephone.WuLingwasstayingattheRussellSquareHotel.He
wasfeelingsomewhatunwellafterthevoyage,butdeclaredhimselfperfectlyabletoattendtheboard
meetingonthefollowingday.

'Themeetingoftheboardtookplaceateleveno'clock.Whenhalfpastelevencame,andWuLinghad
notputinanappearance,thesecretaryranguptheRussellHotel.Inanswertohisinquiries,hewastold
thattheChinamanhadgoneoutwithafriendabouthalfpastten.Itseemedclearthathehadstartedout
withtheintentionofcomingtothemeeting,butthemorningworeaway,andhedidnotappear.Itwas,
of course, possible that he had lost his way, being unacquainted with London, but at a late hour that
nighthehadnotreturnedtothehotel.Thoroughlyalarmednow,MrPearsonputmattersinthehandsof
thepolice.Onthefollowingday,therewasstillnotraceofthemissingman,buttowardseveningofthe
dayafterthatagain,abodywasfoundintheThameswhichprovedtobethatoftheill-fatedChinaman.
Neither on the body, nor in the luggage at the hotel, was there any trace of the papers relating to the
mine.

'Atthisjuncture,monami,Iwasbroughtintotheaffair.MrPearsoncalleduponme.Whileprofoundly
shockedbythedeathofWuLing,hischiefanxietywastorecoverthepaperswhichweretheobjectof
theChinaman'svisittoEngland.Themainanxietyofthepolice,ofcourse,wouldbetotrackdownthe
murderer - the recovery of the papers would be a secondary consideration. What he wanted me to do
wastoco-operatewiththepolicewhileactingintheinterestsofthecompany.

'I consented readily enough. It was clear that there were two fields of search open to me. On the one
hand,ImightlookamongtheemployeesofthecompanywhoknewoftheChinaman'scoming;onthe
other, among the passengers on the boat who might have been acquainted with his mission. I started
withthesecond,asbeinganarrowerfieldofsearch.InthisIcoincidedwithInspectorMiller,whowas
inchargeofthecase-amanaltogetherdifferentfromourfriendJapp,conceited,ill-manneredandquite
insufferable. Together we interviewed the officers of the ship. They had little to tell us. Wu Ling had
keptmuchtohimselfonthevoyage.Hehadbeenintimatewithbuttwooftheotherpassengers-onea
broken-downEuropeannamedDyerwhoappearedtobearasomewhatunsavouryreputation,theother
ayoungbankclerknamedCharlesLester,whowasreturningfromHongKong.Wewereluckyenough
toobtainsnapshotsofboththesemen.Atthemomentthereseemedlittledoubtthatifeitherofthetwo
wasimplicated,Dyerwastheman.HewasknowntobemixedupwithagangofChinesecrooks,and
wasaltogetheramostlikelysuspect.

'OurnextstepwastovisittheRussellSquareHotel.ShownasnapshotofWuLing,theyrecognizedhim
atonce.WethenshowedthemthesnapshotofDyer,buttoourdisappointment,thehallporterdeclared
positively that that was not the man who had come to the hotel on the fatal morning. Almost as an
afterthought,Iproducedthephotograph,ofLester,andtomysurprisethemanatoncerecognizedit.

'"Yes,sir,"heasserted,"that'sthegentlemanwhocameinathalfpasttenandaskedforMrWuLing,
andafterwardswentoutwithhim."

'The affair was progressing. Our next move was to interview Mr Charles Lester. He met us with the
utmost frankness, was desolated to hear of the Chinaman's untimely death, and put himself at our
disposalineveryway.Hisstorywasasfollows:ByarrangementwithWuLing,hecalledforhimatthe
hotel at ten-thirty. Wu Ling, however, did not appear. Instead, his servant came, explained that his
master had had to go out, and offered to conduct the young man to where his master now was.
Suspectingnothing,Lesteragreed,andtheChinamanprocuredataxi.Theydroveforsometimeinthe
directionofthedocks.Suddenlybecomingmistrustful,Lesterstoppedthetaxiandgotout,disregarding
theservant'sprotests.That,heassuredus,wasallheknew.

'Apparentlysatisfied,wethankedhimandtookourleave.Hisstorywassoonprovedtobeasomewhat
inaccurateone.Tobeginwith,WuLinghadhadnoservantwithhim,eitherontheboatoratthehotel.
In the second place, the taxi-driver who had driven the two men on that morning came forward. Far
from Lester's having left the taxi en route, he and the Chinese gentleman had driven to a certain
unsavoury dwelling-place in Limehouse, right in the heart of Chinatown. The place in question was
moreorlesswellknownasanopium-denofthelowestdescription.Thetwogentlemenhadgonein-
aboutanhourlatertheEnglishgentleman,whomheidentifiedfromthephotograph,cameoutalone.He
lookedverypaleandill,anddirectedthetaxi-mantotakehimtothenearestundergroundstation.

'InquiriesweremadeaboutCharlesLester'sstanding,anditwasfoundthat,thoughbearinganexcellent
character,hewasheavilyindebt,andhadasecretpassionforgambling.Dyer,ofcourse,wasnotlost
sightof.Itseemedjustfaintlypossiblethathemighthaveimpersonatedtheotherman,butthatideawas
provedutterlygroundless.Hisalibiforthewholeofthedayinquestionwasabsolutelyunimpeachable.
Ofcourse,theproprietoroftheopium-dendeniedeverythingwithOrientalstolidity.Hehadneverseen
WuLing;hehadneverseenCharlesLester.Notwogentlemenhadbeentotheplacethatmorning.In
anycase,thepolicewerewrong:noopiumwaseversmokedthere.

'Hisdenials,howeverwellmeant,didlittletohelpCharlesLester.HewasarrestedforthemurderofWu
Ling. A search of his effects was made, but no papers relating to the mine were discovered. The
proprietor of the opium-den was also taken into custody, but a cursory raid of his premises yielded
nothing.Notevenastickofopiumrewardedthezealofthepolice.

'In the meantime my friend Mr Pearson was in a great state of agitation. He strode up and down my
room,utteringgreatlamentations.

'"Butyoumusthavesomeideas,M.Poirot!"hekepturging."Surelyyoumusthavesomeideas?"

'"CertainlyIhaveideas,"Irepliedcautiously."Thatisthetrouble-onehastoomany;thereforetheyall
leadindifferentdirections."

'"Forinstance?"hesuggested.

'"Forinstance-thetaxi-driver.Wehaveonlyhiswordforitthathedrovethetwomentothathouse.
That is one idea. Then was it really that house they went to? Supposing that they left the taxi there,
passedthroughthehouseandoutbyanotherentranceandwentelsewhere?"

'MrPearsonseemedstruckbythat.

'"Butyoudonothingbutsitandthink?Can'twedosomething?"

'Hewasofanimpatienttemperament,youcomprehend.

'"Monsieur,"Isaidwithdignity,"itisnotforHerculePoirottorunupanddowntheevil-smellingstreets
ofLimehouselikealittledogofnobreeding.Becalm.Myagentsareatwork."

'On the following day I had news for him. The two men had indeed passed through the house in
question,buttheirrealobjectivewasasmalleating-houseclosetotheriver.Theywereseentopassin
there,andLestercameoutalone.

'And then, figure to yourself, Hastings, an idea of the most unreasonable seized this Mr Pearson!
Nothingwouldsuithimbutthatweshouldgoourselvestothiseating-houseandmakeinvestigations.I
arguedandprayed,buthewouldnotlisten.Hetalkedofdisguisinghimself-heevensuggestedthatI-I
should-Ihesitatetosayit-shouldshaveoffmymoustache!Yes,rienqueça!Ipointedouttohimthat
thatwasanidearidiculousandabsurd.Onedestroysnotathingofbeautywantonly.Besides,shallnota
Belgian gentleman with a moustache desire to see life and smoke the opium just as readily as one
withoutamoustache?

'Ehbien,hegaveinonthat,buthestillinsistedonhisproject.Heturnedupthatevening-MonDieu,
whatafigure!Heworewhathecalledthe"pea-jacket",hischin,itwasdirtyandunshaved;hehada
scarf of the vilest that offended the nose. And figure to yourself, he was enjoying himself! Truly, the
Englisharemad!Hemadesomechangesinmyownappearance.Ipermittedit.Canonearguewitha
maniac?Westartedout-afterall,couldIlethimgoalone,achilddresseduptoactthecharades?'

'Ofcourseyoucouldn't,'Ireplied.

'To continue - we arrived. Mr Pearson talked English of the strangest. He represented himself to be a
man of the sea. He talked of "lubbers" and "focselles" and I know not what. It was a low little room
withmanyChineseinit.Weateofpeculiardishes.Ah,Dieu,monestomac!'Poirotclaspedthatportion
of his anatomy tenderly before continuing. 'Then there came to us the proprietor, a Chinaman with a
faceofevilsmiles.

'"Yougentlemennolikeefoodhere,"hesaid."Youcomeforwhatyoulikeebetter.Pieceepipe,eh?"

'MrPearson,hegavemethegreatkickunderthetable.(Hehadonthebootsofthesea,too!)Andhe
said:"Idon'tmindifIdo,John.Leadahead."

'TheChinamansmiled,andhetookusthroughadoorandtoacellarandthroughatrapdoor,anddown
some steps and up again into a room all full of divans and cushions of the most comfortable. We lay
downandaChineseboytookoffourboots.Itwasthebestmomentoftheevening.Thentheybrought
us the opium-pipes and cooked the opium-pills, and we pretended to smoke and then to sleep and
dream.Butwhenwewerealone,MrPearsoncalledsoftlytome,andimmediatelyhebegancrawling
alongthefloor.Wewentintoanotherroomwhereotherpeoplewereasleep,andsoon,untilweheard
twomentalking.Westayedbehindacurtainandlistened.TheywerespeakingofWuLing.

'"Whataboutthepapers?"saidone.

'"MrLester,hetakeethose,"answeredtheother,whowasaChinaman."Hesay,putteethemallinsafee
place-wherepleecemannolookee."

'"Ah,buthe'snabbed,"saidthefirstone.

'"Hegetteefree.Pleecemannotsurehedoneit."

'Therewasmoreofthesamekindofthing,thenapparentlythetwomenwerecomingourway,andwe
scuttledbacktoourbeds.

'"We'dbettergetoutofhere,"saidPearson,afterafewminuteshadelapsed."Thisplaceisn'thealthy."

'"Youareright,monsieur,"Iagreed."Wehaveplayedthefarcelongenough."

'Wesucceededingettingaway,allright,payinghandsomelyforoursmoke.OnceclearofLimehouse,
Pearsondrewalongbreath.

'"I'mgladtogetoutofthat,"hesaid."Butit'ssomethingtobesure."

'"Itisindeed,"Iagreed."AndIfancythatweshallnothavemuchdifficultyinfindingwhatwewant-
afterthisevening'smasquerade."

'Andtherewasnodifficultywhatsoever,'finishedPoirotsuddenly.

ThisabruptendingseemedsoextraordinarythatIstaredathim.

'But-butwherewerethey?'Iasked.

'Inhispocket-toutsimplement.'

'Butinwhosepocket?'

'MrPearson's,parbleu!'

Then,observingmylookofbewilderment,hecontinuedgently:

'Youdonotyetseeit?MrPearson,likeCharlesLester,wasindebt.MrPearson,likeCharlesLester,
was fond of gambling. And he conceived the idea of stealing the papers from the Chinaman. He met
himallrightatSouthampton,cameuptoLondonwithhim,andtookhimstraighttoLimehouse.Itwas
foggy that day; the Chinaman would not notice where he was going. I fancy Mr Pearson smoked the
opiumfairlyoftendownthereandhadsomepeculiarfriendsinconsequence.Idonotthinkhemeant
murder.HisideawasthatoneoftheChinamenshouldimpersonateWuLingandreceivethemoneyfor
thesaleofthedocument.Sofar,sogood!But,totheOrientalmind,itwasinfinitelysimplertokillWu
Lingandthrowhisbodyintotheriver,andPearson'sChineseaccomplicesfollowedtheirownmethods
without consulting him. Imagine, then, what you would call the "funk bleu" of M. Pearson. Someone
mayhaveseenhiminthetrainwithWuLing-murderisaverydifferentthingfromsimpleabduction.

'His salvation lies with the Chinaman who is impersonating Wu Ling at the Russell Square Hotel. If
onlythebodyisnotdiscoveredtoosoon!ProbablyWuLinghadtoldhimofthearrangementbetween
him and Charles Lester whereby the latter was to call for him at the hotel. Pearson sees there an

excellentwayofdivertingsuspicionfromhimself.CharlesLestershallbethelastpersontobeseenin
companywithWuLing.TheimpersonatorhasorderstorepresenthimselftoLesterastheservantofWu
Ling,andtobringhimasspeedilyaspossibletoLimehouse.There,verylikely,hewasofferedadrink.
The drink would be suitably drugged, and when Lester emerged an hour later, he would have a very
hazyimpressionofwhathadhappened.Somuchwasthisthecase,thatassoonasLesterlearnedofWu
Ling'sdeath,heloseshisnerve,anddeniesthatheeverreachedLimehouse.

'By that, of course, he plays right into Pearson's hands. But is Pearson content? No - my manner
disquiets him, and he determines to complete the case against Lester. So he arranges an elaborate
masquerade.Me,Iamtobegulledcompletely.DidInotsayjustnowthathewasasachildactingthe
charades?Ehbien,Iplaymypart.Hegoeshomerejoicing.Butinthemorning,InspectorMillerarrives
onhisdoorstep.Thepapersarefoundonhim;thegameisup.Bitterlyheregretspermittinghimselfto
playthefarcewithHerculePoirot!Therewasonlyonerealdifficultyintheaffair.'

'Whatwasthat?'Idemandedcuriously.

'Convincing Inspector Miller! What an animal, that! Both obstinate and imbecile. And in the end he
tookallthecredit.'

'Toobad,'Icried.

'Ah, well, I had my compensations. The other director of the Burma Mines Ltd awarded me fourteen
thousand shares as a small recompense for my services. Not so bad, eh? But when investing money,
keep,Ibegofyou,Hastings,strictlytotheconservative.Thethingsyoureadinthepaper,theymaynot
betrue.ThedirectorsofthePorcupine-theymaybesomanyMrPearsons!'

THEPLYMOUTHEXPRESS

AlecSimpson,R.N.,steppedfromtheplatformatNewtonAbbotintoafirst-classcompartmentofthe
Plymouth Express. A porter followed him with a heavy suitcase. He was about to swing it up to the
rack,buttheyoungsailorstoppedhim.

'No-leaveitontheseat.I'llputituplater.Hereyouare.'

'Thankyou,sir.'Theporter,generouslytipped,withdrew.

Doors banged; a stentorian voice shouted: 'Plymouth only. Change for Torquay. Plymouth next stop.'
Thenawhistleblew,andthetraindrewslowlyoutofthestation.

Lieutenant Simpson had the carriage to himself. The December air was chilly, and he pulled up the
window.Thenhesniffedvaguely,andfrowned.Whatasmelltherewas!Remindedhimofthattimein
hospital,andtheoperationonhisleg.Yes,chloroform;thatwasit!

Heletthewindowdownagain,changinghisseattoonewithitsbacktotheengine.Hepulledapipeout
ofhispocketandlitit.Foralittletimehesatinactive,lookingoutintothenightandsmoking.

Atlastherousedhimself,andopeningthesuitcase,tookoutsomepapersandmagazines,thenclosed
thesuitcaseagainandendeavouredtoshoveitundertheoppositeseat-withoutsuccess.Somehidden
obstacle resisted it. He shoved harder with rising impatience, but it still stuck out half-way into the
carriage.

'Whythedevilwon'titgoin?'hemuttered,andhaulingitoutcompletely,hestoopeddownandpeered
undertheseat...

Amomentlateracryrangoutintothenight,andthegreattraincametoanunwillinghaltinobedience
totheimperativejerkingofthecommunication-cord.

'Mon ami,' said Poirot, 'you have, I know, been deeply interested in this mystery of the Plymouth
Express.Readthis.'

Ipickedupthenoteheflickedacrossthetabletome.Itwasbriefandtothepoint.

DearSir,

Ishallbeobligedifyouwillcalluponmeatyourearliestconvenience.

Yoursfaithfully,

EbenezerHalliday

Theconnectionwasnotcleartomymind,andIlookedinquiringlyatPoirot.

Foranswerhetookupthenewspaperandreadaloud:

'"Asensationaldiscoverywasmadelastnight.AyoungnavalofficerreturningtoPlymouthfoundunder
theseatofhiscompartmentthebodyofawoman,stabbedthroughtheheart.Theofficeratoncepulled

the communication cord, and the train was brought to a standstill. The woman, who was about thirty
yearsofage,andrichlydressed,hasnotyetbeenidentified."

'And later we have this: "The woman found dead in the Plymouth Express has been identified as the
HonourableMrsRupertCarrington."Youseenow,myfriend?Orifyoudonot,Iwilladdthis-Mrs
Rupert Carrington was, before her marriage, Flossie Halliday, daughter of old man Halliday, the steel
kingofAmerica.'

'Andhehassentforyou?Splendid!'

'Ididhimalittleserviceinthepast-anaffairofbearerbonds.Andonce,whenIwasinParisforaroyal
visit,IhadMademoiselleFlossiepointedouttome.Lajoliepetitepensionnaire!Shehadthejoliedot
too!Itcausedtrouble.Shenearlymadeabadaffair.'

'Howwasthat?'

'AcertainCountdelaRochefour.Unbienmauvaissujet!Abadhat,asyouwouldsay.Anadventurer
pureandsimple,whoknewhowtoappealtoaromanticyounggirl.Luckilyherfathergotwindofitin
time.HetookherbacktoAmericainhaste.Iheardofhermarriagesomeyearslater,butIknownothing
ofherhusband.'

'H'm,' I said. 'The Honourable Rupert Carrington is no beauty, by all accounts. He'd pretty well run
throughhisownmoneyontheturf,andIshouldimagineoldmanHalliday'sdollarscamealonginthe
nick of time. I should say that for a good-looking, well-mannered, utterly unscrupulous young
scoundrel,itwouldbehardtofindhismatch!'

'Ah,thepoorlittlelady!Ellen'estpasbientombée!'

'Ifancyhemadeitprettyobviousatoncethatitwashermoney,andnotshe,thathadattractedhim.I
believetheydriftedapartalmostatonce.Ihaveheardturnoutslatelythattherewastobeadefinitelegal
separation.'

'OldmanHallidayisnofool.Hewouldtieuphermoneyprettytight.'

'Idaresay.Anyway,IknowasafactthattheHonourableRupertissaidtobeextremelyhard-up.'

'Aha!Iwonder-'

'Youwonderwhat?'

'My good friend, do not jump down my throat like that. You are interested, I see. Supposing you
accompanymetoseeMrHalliday.Thereisataxi-standatthecorner.'

AfewminutessufficedtowhirlustothesuperbhouseinParkLanerentedbytheAmericanmagnate.
We were shown into the library, and almost immediately we were joined by a large, stout man, with
piercingeyesandanaggressivechin.

'M. Poirot?' said Mr Halliday. 'I guess I don't need to tell you what I want you for. You've read the
papers,andI'mneveronetoletthegrassgrowundermyfeet.IhappenedtohearyouwereinLondon,
andIrememberedthegoodworkyoudidoverthosebonds.Neverforgetaname.I'vegotthepickof
ScotlandYard,butI'llhavemyownmanaswell.Moneynoobject.Allthedollarsweremadeformy
littlegirl-andnowshe'sgone,I'llspendmylastcenttocatchthedamnedscoundrelthatdidit!See?So
it'suptoyoutodeliverthegoods.'

Poirotbowed.

'I accept, monsieur, all the more willingly that I saw your daughter in Paris several times. And now I
willaskyoutotellmethecircumstancesofherjourneytoPlymouthandanyotherdetailsthatseemto
youtobearuponthecase.'

'Well,tobeginwith,'respondedHalliday,'shewasn'tgoingtoPlymouth.Shewasgoingtojoinahouse-
partyatAvonmeadCourt,theDuchessofSwansea'splace.SheleftLondonbythetwelve-fourteenfrom
Paddington, arriving at Bristol (where she had to change) at two-fifty. The principal Plymouth
expresses, of course, run via Westbury, and do not go near Bristol at all. The twelve-fourteen does a
non-stop run to Bristol, afterwards stopping at Weston, Taunton, Exeter and Newton Abbot. My
daughtertravelledaloneinhercarriage,whichwasreservedasfarasBristol,hermaidbeinginathird-
classcarriageinthenextcoach.'

Poirotnodded,andMrHallidaywenton:'ThepartyatAvonmeadCourtwastobeaverygayone,with
severalballs,andinconsequencemydaughterhadwithhernearlyallherjewelsamountinginvalue,
perhaps,toaboutahundredthousanddollars.'

'Unmoment,'interruptedPoirot.'Whohadchargeofthejewels?Yourdaughter,orthemaid?'

'Mydaughteralwaystookchargeofthemherself,carryingtheminasmallbluemoroccocase.'

'Continue,monsieur.'

'AtBristolthemaid,JaneMason,collectedhermistress'sdressing-bagandwraps,whichwerewithher,
andcametothedoorofFlossie'scompartment.Toherintensesurprise,mydaughtertoldherthatshe
wasnotgettingoutatBristol,butwasgoingonfarther.ShedirectedMasontogetouttheluggageand
putitinthecloakroom.Shecouldhaveteaintherefreshment-room,butshewastowaitatthestation
forhermistress,whowouldreturntoBristolbyanup-traininthecourseoftheafternoon.Themaid,
althoughverymuchastonished,didasshewastold.Sheputtheluggageinthecloakroomandhadsome
tea.Butup-trainafterup-traincamein,andhermistressdidnotappear.Afterthearrivalofthelasttrain,
shelefttheluggagewhereitwas,andwenttoahotelnearthestationforthenight.Thismorningshe
readofthetragedy,andreturnedtotownbythefirstavailabletrain.'

'Istherenothingtoaccountforyourdaughter'ssuddenchangeofplan?'

'Well, there is this: According to Jane Mason, at Bristol, Flossie was no longer alone in her carriage.
Therewasamaninitwhostoodlookingoutofthefartherwindowsothatshecouldnotseehisface.'

'Thetrainwasacorridorone,ofcourse?'

'Yes.'

'Whichsidewasthecorridor?'

'Ontheplatformside.MydaughterwasstandinginthecorridorasshetalkedtoMason.'

'And there is no doubt in your mind - excuse me!' He got up, and carefully straightened the inkstand
which was a little askew. 'Je vous demande pardon,' he continued, re-seating himself. 'It affects my
nervestoseeanythingcrooked.Strange,isitnot?Iwassaying,monsieur,thatthereisnodoubtinyour
mindastothisprobablyunexpectedmeetingbeingthecauseofyourdaughter'ssuddenchangeofplan?'

'Itseemstheonlyreasonablesupposition.'

'Youhavenoideaastowhothegentlemaninquestionmightbe?'

Themillionairehesitatedforamoment,andthenreplied:

'No-Idonotknowatall.'

'Now-astothediscoveryofthebody?'

'Itwasdiscoveredbyayoungnavalofficerwhoatoncegavethealarm.Therewasadoctoronthetrain.
Heexaminedthebody.Shehadbeenfirstchloroformed,andthenstabbed.Hegaveitashisopinionthat
shehadbeendeadaboutfourhours,soitmusthavebeendonenotlongafterleavingBristol-probably
betweenthereandWeston,possiblybetweenWestonandTaunton.'

'Andthejewel-case?'

'Thejewel-case,M.Poirot,wasmissing.'

'Onethingmore,monsieur.Yourdaughter'sfortune-towhomdoesitpassatherdeath?'

'Flossie made a will soon after her marriage, leaving everything to her husband.' He hesitated for a
minute,andthenwenton:'Imayaswelltellyou,MonsieurPoirot,thatIregardmyson-in-lawasan
unprincipledscoundrel,andthat,bymyadvice,mydaughterwasontheeveoffreeingherselffromhim
bylegalmeans-nodifficultmatter.Isettledhermoneyuponherinsuchawaythathecouldnottouch
it during her lifetime, but although they have lived entirely apart for some years, she had frequently
accededtohisdemandsformoney,ratherthanfaceanopenscandal.However,Iwasdeterminedtoput
anendtothis.AtlastFlossieagreed,andmylawyerswereinstructedtotakeproceedings.'

'AndwhereisMonsieurCarrington?'

'Intown.Ibelievehewasawayinthecountryyesterday,buthereturnedlastnight.'

Poirotconsideredalittlewhile.Thenhesaid:'Ithinkthatisall,monsieur.'

'Youwouldliketoseethemaid,JaneMason?'

'Ifyouplease.'

Hallidayrangthebell,andgaveashortordertothefootman.

AfewminuteslaterJaneMasonenteredtheroom,arespectable,hard-featuredwoman,asemotionless
inthefaceoftragedyasonlyagoodservantcanbe.

'You will permit me to put a few questions? Your mistress, she was quite as usual before starting
yesterdaymorning?Notexcitedorflurried?'

'Ohno,sir!'

'ButatBristolshewasquitedifferent?'

'Yes,sir,regularupset-sonervousshedidn'tseemtoknowwhatshewassaying.'

'Whatdidshesayexactly?'

'Well, sir, as near as I can remember, she said: "Mason, I've got to alter my plans. Something has
happened-Imean,I'mnotgettingouthereafterall.Imustgoon.Getouttheluggageandputitinthe
cloakroom;thenhavesometea,andwaitformeinthestation."

'"Waitforyouhere,ma'am?"Iasked.

'"Yes,yes.Don'tleavethestation.Ishallreturnbyalatertrain.Idon'tknowwhen.Itmayn'tbeuntil
quitelate."

'"Verywell,ma'am,"Isays.Itwasn'tmyplacetoaskquestions,butIthoughtitverystrange.'

'Itwasunlikeyourmistress,eh?'

'Veryunlikeher,sir.'

'Whatdidyouthink?'

'Well, sir, I thought it was to do with the gentleman in the carriage. She didn't speak to him, but she
turnedroundonceortwiceasthoughtoaskhimifshewasdoingright.'

'Butyoudidn'tseethegentleman'sface?'

'No,sir;hestoodwithhisbacktomeallthetime.'

'Canyoudescribehimatall?'

'Hehadonalightfawnovercoat,andatravelling-cap.Hewastallandslender,like,andthebackofhis
headwasdark.'

'Youdidn'tknowhim?'

'Ohno,Idon'tthinkso,sir.'

'Itwasnotyourmaster,MrCarrington,byanychance?'

Masonlookedratherstartled.

'Oh,Idon'tthinkso,sir!'

'Butyouarenotsure?'

'It was about the master's build, sir - but I never thought of it being him. We so seldom saw him... I
couldn'tsayitwasn'thim!'

Poirot picked up a pin from the carpet, and frowned at it severely; then he continued: 'Would it be
possibleforthemantohaveenteredthetrainatBristolbeforeyoureachedthecarriage?'

Masonconsidered.

'Yes,sir,Ithinkitwould.Mycompartmentwasverycrowded,anditwassomeminutesbeforeIcould

getout-andthentherewasaverylargecrowdontheplatform,andthatdelayedmetoo.Buthe'donly
havehadaminuteortwotospeaktothemistress,thatway.Itookitforgrantedthathe'dcomealong
thecorridor.'

'Thatismoreprobable,certainly.'

Hepaused,stillfrowning.

'Youknowhowthemistresswasdressed,sir?'

'Thepapersgiveafewdetails,butIwouldlikeyoutoconfirmthem.'

'Shewaswearingawhitefoxfurtoque,sir,withawhitespottedveil,andabluefriezecoatandskirt-
theshadeofbluetheycallelectric.'

'H'm,ratherstriking.'

'Yes,'remarkedMrHalliday.'InspectorJappisinhopesthatthatmayhelpustofixthespotwherethe
crimetookplace.Anyonewhosawherwouldrememberher.'

'Précisément!-Thankyou,mademoiselle.'

Themaidlefttheroom.

'Well!'Poirotgotupbriskly.'ThatisallIcandohere-except,monsieur,thatIwouldaskyoutotellme
everything-buteverything!'

'Ihavedoneso.'

'Youaresure?'

'Absolutely.'

'Thenthereisnothingmoretobesaid.Imustdeclinethecase.'

'Why?'

'Becauseyouhavenotbeenfrankwithme.'

'Iassureyou-'

'No,youarekeepingsomethingback.'

There was a moment's pause, and then Halliday drew a paper from his pocket and handed it to my
friend.

'Iguessthat'awhatyou'reafter,MonsieurPoirot-thoughhowyouknowaboutitfairlygetsmygoat!'

Poirotsmiled,andunfoldedthepaper.Itwasaletterwritteninthinslopinghandwriting.Poirotreadit
aloud.

'ChèreMadame,

ItiswithinfinitepleasurethatIlookforwardtothefelicityofmeetingyouagain.Afteryoursoamiable
replytomyletter,Icanhardlyrestrainmyimpatience.IhaveneverforgottenthosedaysinParis.Itis
most cruel that you should be leaving London tomorrow. However, before very long, and perhaps
sooner than you think, I shall have the joy of beholding once more the lady whose image has ever
reignedsupremeinmyheart.

Believe,chèremadame,alltheassuranceofmymostdevotedandunalteredsentiments-

ArmanddelaRochefour.'

PoirothandedtheletterbacktoHallidaywithabow.

'Ifancy,monsieur,thatyoudidnotknowthatyourdaughterintendedrenewingheracquaintancewith
theCountdelaRochefour?'

'It came as a thunderbolt to me! I found this letter in my daughter's handbag. As you probably know,

MonsieurPoirot,thisso-calledcountisanadventureroftheworsttype.'

Poirotnodded.

'ButIwanttoknowhowyouknewoftheexistenceofthisletter?'

My friend smiled. 'Monsieur, I did not. But to track footmarks and recognize cigarette-ash is not
sufficientforadetective.Hemustalsobeagoodpsychologist!Iknewthatyoudislikedandmistrusted
your son-in-law. He benefits by your daughter's death; the maid's description of the mysterious man
bears a sufficient resemblance to him. Yet you are not keen on his track! Why? Surely because your
suspicionslieinanotherdirection.Thereforeyouwerekeepingsomethingback.'

'You're right, Monsieur Poirot. I was sure of Rupert's guilt until I found this letter. It unsettled me
horribly.'

'Yes.TheCountsays:"Beforeverylong,andperhapssoonerthanyouthink."Obviouslyhewouldnot
wanttowaituntilyoushouldgetwindofhisreappearance.WasithewhotravelleddownfromLondon
bythetwelve-fourteen,andcamealongthecorridortoyourdaughter'scompartment?TheCountdela
Rochefourisalso,ifIrememberrightly,tallanddark!'

Themillionairenodded.

'Well,monsieur,Iwillwishyougoodday.ScotlandYardhas,Ipresume,alistofthejewels?'

'Yes.IbelieveInspectorJappisherenowifyouwouldliketoseehim.'

Jappwasanoldfriendofours,andgreetedPoirotwithasortofaffectionatecontempt.

'And how are you, monsieur? No bad feeling between us, though we have got our different ways of
lookingatthings.Howarethe"littlegreycells",eh?Goingstrong?'

Poirotbeameduponhim.'Theyfunction,mygoodJapp;assuredlytheydo!'

'Thenthat'sallright.ThinkitwastheHonourableRupert,oracrook?We'rekeepinganeyeonallthe
regularplaces,ofcourse.Weshallknowiftheshinersaredisposedof,andofcoursewhoeverdiditisn't
goingtokeepthemtoadmiretheirsparkle.Notlikely!I'mtryingtofindoutwhereRupertCarrington

wasyesterday.Seemsabitofamysteryaboutit.I'vegotamanwatchinghim.'

'Agreatprecaution,butperhapsadaylate,'suggestedPoirotgently.

'You always will have your joke, Monsieur Poirot. Well, I'm off to Paddington. Bristol, Weston,
Taunton,that'smybeat.Solong.'

'Youwillcomeroundandseemethisevening,andtellmetheresult?'

'Surething,ifI'mback.'

'Thatgoodinspectorbelievesinmatterinmotion,'murmuredPoirotasourfrienddeparted.'Hetravels;
hemeasuresfootprints;hecollectsmudandcigarette-ash!Heisextremelybusy!Heiszealousbeyond
words!AndifImentionedpsychologytohim,doyouknowwhathewoulddo,myfriend?Hewould
smile! He would say to himself: "Poor old Poirot! He ages! He grows senile!" Japp is the "younger
generationknockingonthedoor".Andmafoi!Theyaresobusyknockingthattheydonotnoticethat
thedoorisopen!'

'Andwhatareyougoingtodo?'

'As we have carte blanche, I shall expend threepence in ringing up the Ritz - where you may have
noticedourCountisstaying.Afterthat,asmyfeetarealittledamp,andIhavesneezedtwice,Ishall
returntomyroomsandmakemyselfatisaneoverthespiritlamp!'

IdidnotseePoirotagainuntilthefollowingmorning.Ifoundhimplacidlyfinishinghisbreakfast.

'Well?'Iinquiredeagerly.'Whathashappened?'

'Nothing.'

'ButJapp?'

'Ihavenotseenhim.'

'TheCount?'

'HelefttheRitzthedaybeforeyesterday.'

'Thedayofthemurder?'

'Yes.'

'Thenthatsettlesit!RupertCarringtoniscleared.'

'BecausetheCountdelaRochefourhaslefttheRitz?Yougotoofast,myfriend.'

'Anyway,hemustbefollowed,arrested!Butwhatcouldbehismotive?'

'Onehundredthousanddollars'worthofjewelleryisaverygoodmotiveforanyone.No,thequestionto
mymindis:whykillher?Whynotsimplystealthejewels?Shewouldnotprosecute.'

'Whynot?'

'Because she is a woman, mon ami. She once loved this man. Therefore she would suffer her loss in
silence.AndtheCount,whoisanextremelygoodpsychologistwherewomenareconcerned-hencehis
successes-wouldknowthatperfectlywell!Ontheotherhand,ifRupertCarringtonkilledher,whytake
thejewels,whichwouldincriminatehimfatally?'

'Asablind.'

'Perhapsyouareright,myfriend.Ah,hereisJapp!Irecognizehisknock.'

Theinspectorwasbeaminggood-humouredly.

'Morning,Poirot.Onlyjustgotback.I'vedonesomegoodwork!Andyou?'

'Me,Ihavearrangedmyideas,'repliedPoirotplacidly.

Japplaughedheartily.

'Oldchap'sgettingoninyears,'heobservedbeneathhisbreathtome.'Thatwon'tdoforusyoungfolk,'
hesaidaloud.

'Queldommage?'Poirotinquired.

'Well,doyouwanttohearwhatI'vedone?'

'Youpermitmetomakeaguess?Youhavefoundtheknifewithwhichthecrimewascommitted,bythe
sideofthelinebetweenWestonandTaunton,andyouhaveinterviewedthepaperboywhospoketoMrs
CarringtonatWeston!'

Japp'sjawfell.'Howonearthdidyouknow?Don'ttellmeitwasthosealmighty"littlegreycells"of
yours!'

'Iamgladyouadmitforoncethattheyareallmighty!Tellme,didshegivethepaper-boyashillingfor
himself?'

'No, it was half a crown!' Japp had recovered his temper, and grinned. 'Pretty extravagant, these rich
Americans!'

'Andinconsequencetheboydidnotforgether?'

'Nothe.Half-crownsdon'tcomehiswayeveryday.Shehailedhimandboughttwomagazines.Onehad
apictureofagirlinblueonthecover."That'llmatchme,"shesaid.Oh,herememberedherperfectly.
Well, that was enough for me. By the doctor's evidence, the crime must have been committed before
Taunton.Iguessedthey'dthrowtheknifeawayatonce,andIwalkeddownthelinelookingforit;and
sureenough,thereitwas.ImadeinquiriesatTauntonaboutourman,butofcourseit'sabigstation,and
itwasn'tlikelythey'dnoticehim.HeprobablygotbacktoLondonbyalatertrain.'

Poirotnodded.'Verylikely.'

'But I found another bit of news when I got back. They're passing the jewels, all right! That large
emeraldwaspawnedlastnight-byoneoftheregularlot.Whodoyouthinkitwas?'

'Idon'tknow-exceptthathewasashortman.'

Jappstared.'Well,you'rerightthere.He'sshortenough.ItwasRedNarky.'

'WhoisRedNarky?'Iasked.

'A particularly sharp jewel-thief, sir. And not one to stick at murder. Usually works with a woman -
GracieKidd;butshedoesn'tseemtobeinitthistime-unlessshe'sgotofftoHollandwiththerestof
theswag.'

'You'vearrestedNarky?'

'Surething.Butmindyou,it'stheothermanwewant-themanwhowentdownwithMrsCarringtonin
thetrain.Hewastheonewhoplannedthejob,rightenough.ButNarkywon'tsquealonapal.'

InoticedthatPoirot'seyeshadbecomeverygreen.

'Ithink,'hesaidgently,'thatIcanfindNarky'spalforyou,allright.'

'Oneofyourlittleideas,eh?'JappeyedPoirotsharply.'Wonderfulhowyoumanagetodeliverthegoods
sometimes,atyourageandall.Devil'sownluck,ofcourse.'

'Perhaps,perhaps,'murmuredmyfriend.'Hastings,myhat.Andthebrush.So!Mygaloshes,ifitstill
rains!Wemustnotundothegoodworkofthattisane.Aurevoir,Japp!'

'Goodlucktoyou,Poirot.'

Poirothailedthefirsttaxiwemet,anddirectedthedrivertoParkLane.

WhenwedrewupbeforeHalliday'shouse,heskippedoutnimbly,paidthedriverandrangthebell.To
the footman who opened the door he made a request in a low voice, and we were immediately taken
upstairs.Wewentuptothetopofthehouse,andwereshownintoasmallneatbedroom.

Poirot'seyesrovedroundtheroomandfastenedthemselvesonasmallblacktrunk.Hekneltinfrontof
it,scrutinizedthelabelsonit,andtookasmalltwistofwirefromhispocket.

'AskMrHallidayifhewillbesokindastomounttomehere,'hesaidoverhisshouldertothefootman.

The man departed, and Poirot gently coaxed the lock of the trunk with a practised hand. In a few
minutes the lock gave, and he raised the lid of the trunk. Swiftly he began rummaging among the
clothesitcontained,flingingthemoutonthefloor.

Therewasaheavysteponthestairs,andHallidayenteredtheroom.

'Whatinhellareyoudoinghere?'hedemanded,staring.

'Iwaslooking,monsieur,forthis.'Poirotwithdrewfromthetrunkacoatandskirtofbrightbluefrieze,
andasmalltoqueofwhitefoxfur.

'Whatareyoudoingwithmytrunk?'Iturnedtoseethatthemaid,JaneMason,hadenteredtheroom.

'Ifyouwilljustshutthedoor,Hastings.Thankyou.Yes,andstandwithyourbackagainstit.Now,Mr
Halliday, let me introduce you to Gracie Kidd, otherwise Jane Mason, who will shortly rejoin her
accomplice,RedNarky,underthekindescortofInspectorJapp.'

Poirotwavedadeprecatinghand.'Itwasofthemostsimple!'Hehelpedhimselftomorecaviar.

'Itwasthemaid'sinsistenceontheclothesthathermistresswaswearingthatfirststruckme.Whywas
she so anxious that our attention should be directed to them? I reflected that we had only the maid's
wordforthemysteriousmaninthecarriageatBristol.

Asfarasthedoctor'sevidencewent,MrsCarringtonmighteasilyhavebeenmurderedbeforereaching
Bristol.Butifso,thenthemaidmustbeanaccomplice.Andifshewereanaccomplice,shewouldnot
wishthispointtorestonherevidencealone.TheclothesMrsCarringtonwaswearingwereofastriking
nature. A maid usually has a good deal of choice as to what her mistress shall wear. Now if, after
Bristol, anyone saw a lady in a bright blue coat and skirt, and a fur toque, he will be quite ready to
swearhehadseenMrsCarrington.

'Ibegantoreconstruct.Themaidwouldprovideherselfwithduplicateclothes.Sheandheraccomplice,
chloroform and stab Mrs Carrington between London and Bristol, probably taking advantage of a

tunnel. Her body is rolled under the seat; and the maid takes her place. At Weston she must make
herself noticed. How? In all probability, a nevspaper-boy will be selected. She will insure his
rememberingherbygivinghimalargetip.Shealsodrewhisattentiontothecolourofherdressbya
remarkabout one ofthe magazines. Afterleaving Weston, she throwsthe knife outof the window to
mark the place where the crime presumably occurred, and changes her clothes, or buttons a long
mackintoshoverthem.AtTauntonsheleavesthetrainandreturnstoBristolassoonaspossible,where
heraccomplicehasdulylefttheluggageinthecloakroom.Hehandsovertheticketandhimselfreturns
toLondon.Shewaitsontheplatform,carryingoutherrôle,goestoahotelforthenightandreturnsto
towninthemorning,exactlyasshesaid.

'WhenJappreturnedfromthisexpedition,heconfirmedallmydeductions.Healsotoldmethatawell-
known crook was passing the jewels. I knew that whoever it was would be the exact opposite of the
manJaneMasondescribed.WhenIheardthatitwasRedNarky,whoalwaysworkedwithGracieKidd
-well,Iknewjustwheretofindher.'

'AndtheCount?'

'ThemoreIthoughtofit,themoreIwasconvincedthathehadnothingtodowithit.Thatgentlemanis
muchtoocarefulofhisownskintoriskmurder.Itwouldbeoutofkeepingwithhischaracter.'

'Well,MonsieurPoirot,'saidHalliday,'Ioweyouabigdebt.AndthecheckIwriteafterlunchwon'tgo
neartosettlingit.'

Poirotsmiledmodestly,andmurmuredtome:'ThegoodJapp,heshallgettheofficialcredit,allright,
butthoughhehasgothisGracieKidd,IthinkthatI,astheAmericanssay,havegothisgoat!'

THECHOCOLATEBOX

It was a wild night. Outside, the wind howled malevolently, and the rain beat against the windows in
greatgusts.

PoirotandIsatfacingthehearth,ourlegsstretchedouttothecheerfulblaze.Betweenuswasasmall
table. On my side of it stood some carefully brewed hot toddy; on Poirot's was a cup of thick, rich
chocolatewhichIwouldnothavedrunkforahundredpounds!Poirotsippedthethickbrownmessin
thepinkchinacup,andsighedwithcontentment.

'Quellebellevie!'hemurmured.

'Yes, it's a good old world,' I agreed. 'Here am I with a job, and a good job too! And here are you,
famous-'

'Oh,monami!'protestedPoirot.

'Butyouare.Andrightlyso!WhenIthinkbackonyourlonglineofsuccesses,Iampositivelyamazed.
Idon'tbelieveyouknowwhatfailureis!'

'Hewouldbeadrollkindoforiginalwhocouldsaythat!'

'No,butseriously,haveyoueverfailed?'

'Innumerabletimes,myfriend.Whatwouldyou?Labonnechance,itcannotalwaysbeonyourside.I
havebeencalledintoolate.Veryoftenanother,workingtowardsthesamegoal,hasarrivedtherefirst.
TwicehaveIbeenstrickendownwithillnessjustasIwasonthepointofsuccess.Onemusttakethe
downswiththeups,myfriend.'

'I didn't quite mean that,' I said. 'I meant, had you ever been completely down and out over a case
throughyourownfault?'

'Ah,Icomprehend!YouaskifIhaveevermadethecompleteprizeassofmyself,asyousayoverhere?
Once,myfriend-'Aslow,reflectivesmilehoveredoverhisface.'Yes,onceImadeafoolofmyself.'

Hesatupsuddenlyinhischair.

'See here, my friend, you have, I know, kept a record of my little successes. You shall add one more
storytothecollection,thestoryofafailure!'

Heleanedforwardandplacedalogonthefire.Then,aftercarefullywipinghishandsonalittleduster
thathungonanailbythefireplace,heleanedbackandcommencedhisstory.

ThatofwhichItellyou(saidM.Poirot)tookplaceinBelgiummanyyearsago.Itwasatthetimeofthe
terriblestruggleinFrancebetweenchurchandstate.M.PaulDéroulardwasaFrenchdeputyofnote.It
wasanopensecretthattheportfolioofaMinisterawaitedhim.Hewasamongthebitterestoftheanti-
Catholicparty,anditwascertainthatonhisaccessiontopower,hewouldhavetofaceviolentenmity.
Hewasinmanywaysapeculiarman.Thoughheneitherdranknorsmoked,hewasneverthelessnotso

scrupulousinotherways.Youcomprehend,Hastings,c'étaitdesfemmes-toujoursdesfemmes!

HehadmarriedsomeyearsearlierayoungladyfromBrusselswhohadbroughthimasubstantialdot.
Undoubtedlythemoneywasusefultohiminhiscareer,ashisfamilywasnotrich,thoughontheother
handhewasentitledtocallhimselfM.leBaronifhechose.Therewerenochildrenofthemarriage,
and his wife died after two years - the result of a fall downstairs. Among the property which she
bequeathedtohimwasahouseontheAvenueLouiseinBrussels.

It was in this house that his sudden death took place, the event coinciding with the resignation of the
Ministerwhoseportfoliohewastoinherit.Allthepapersprintedlongnoticesofhiscareer.Hisdeath,
whichhadtakenplacequitesuddenlyintheeveningafterdinner,wasattributedtoheart-failure.

Atthattime,monami,Iwas,asyouknow,amemberoftheBelgiandetectiveforce.ThedeathofM.
PaulDéroulardwasnotparticularlyinterestingtome.Iam,asyoualsoknow,boncatholique,andhis
demiseseemedtomefortunate.

Itwassomethreedaysafterwards,whenmyvacationhadjustbegun,thatIreceivedavisitoratmyown
apartments - a lady, heavily veiled, but evidently quite young; and I perceived at once that she was a
jeunefilletoutàfaitcommeilfaut.

'YouareMonsieurHerculePoirot?'sheaskedinalowsweetvoice.

Ibowed.

'Ofthedetectiveservice?'

AgainIbowed.'Beseated,Iprayofyou,mademoiselle,'Isaid.

She accepted a chair and drew aside her veil. Her face was charming, though marred with tears, and
hauntedasthoughwithsomepoignantanxiety.

'Monsieur,'shesaid,'Iunderstandthatyouarenowtakingavacation.Thereforeyouwillbefreetotake
upaprivatecase.YouunderstandthatIdonotwishtocallinthepolice.'

Ishookmyhead.'Ifearwhatyouaskisimpossible,mademoiselle.Eventhoughonvacation,Iamstill
ofthepolice.'

She leaned forward. 'Ecoutez, monsieur. All that I ask of you is to investigate. The result of your
investigationsyouareatperfectlibertytoreporttothepolice.IfwhatIbelievetobetrueistrue,we
shallneedallthemachineryofthelaw.'

Thatplacedasomewhatdifferentcomplexiononthematter,andIplacedmyselfatherservicewithout
moreado.

Aslightcolourroseinhercheeks.'Ithankyou,monsieur.ItisthedeathofM.PaulDéroulardthatIask
youtoinvestigate.'

'Comment?'Iexclaimed,surprised.

'Monsieur, I have nothing to go upon - nothing but my woman's instinct, but I am convinced -
convinced,Itellyou-thatM.Déroularddidnotdieanaturaldeath!'

'Butsurelythedoctors-'

'Doctorsmaybemistaken.Hewassorobust,sostrong.Ah,MonsieurPoirot,Ibeseechofyoutohelp
me-'

Thepoorchildwasalmostbesideherself.Shewouldhaveknelttome.IsoothedherasbestIcould.

'Iwillhelpyou,mademoiselle.Ifeelalmostsurethatyourfearsareunfounded,butwewillsee.First,I
willaskyoutodescribetometheinmatesofthehouse.'

'There are the domestics, of course, Jeanette, Fé licie, and Denise the cook. She has been there many
years;theothersaresimplecountrygirls.AlsothereisFrançois,buthetooisanoldservant.Thenthere
isMonsieurDéroulard'smotherwholivedwithhim,andmyself.MynameisVirginieMesnard.Iama
poorcousinofthelateMadameDéroulard,M.Paul'swife,andIhavebeenamemberoftheirménage
foroverthreeyears.Ihavenowdescribedtoyouthehousehold.Therewerealsotwoguestsstayingin
thehouse.'

'Andtheywere?'

'M.deSaintAlard,aneighbourofM.Déroulard'sinFrance.AlsoanEnglishfriend,MrJohnWilson.'

'Aretheystillwithyou?'

'MrWilson,yes,butM.deSaintAlarddepartedyesterday.'

'Andwhatisyourplan,MademoiselleMesnard?'

'If you will present yourself at the house in half an hour's time, I will have arranged some story to
accountfor your presence.I had betterrepresent you to beconnected with journalismin some way. I
shallsayyouhavecomefromParis,andthatyouhavebroughtacardofintroductionfromM.deSaint
Alard.MadameDéroulardisveryfeebleinhealth,andwillpaylittleattentiontodetails.'

Onmademoiselle'singeniouspretextIwasadmittedtothehouse,andafterabriefinterviewwiththe
dead deputy's mother, who was a wonderfully imposing and aristocratic figure though obviously in
failinghealth,Iwasmadefreeofthepremises.

Iwonder,myfriend(continuedPoirot),whetheryoucanpossiblyfiguretoyourselfthedifficultiesof
my task? Here was a man whose death had taken place three days previously. If there had been foul
play, only one possibility was admittable - poison! And I had had no chance of seeing the body, and
therewasnopossibilityofexamining,oranalysing,anymediuminwhichthepoisoncouldhavebeen
administered.Therewerenoclues,falseorotherwise,toconsider.Hadthemanbeenpoisoned?Hadhe
diedanaturaldeath?I,HerculePoirot,withnothingtohelpme,hadtodecide.

First,Iinterviewedthedomestics,andwiththeiraid,Irecapitulatedtheevening.Ipaidespecialnotice
tothefoodatdinner,andthemethodofservingit.ThesouphadbeenservedbyM.Déroulardhimself
fromatureen.Nextadishofcutlets,thenachicken.Finallyacompoteoffruits.Andallplacedonthe
table,andservedbyMonsieurhimself.Thecoffeewasbroughtinabigpottothedinner-table.Nothing
there,monami-impossibletopoisononewithoutpoisoningall!

After dinner Madame Dé roulard had retired to her own apartments and Mademoiselle Virginie had
accompanied her. The three men had adjourned to M. Dé roulard's study. Here they had chatted
amicably for some time, when suddenly, without any warning, the deputy had fallen heavily to the
ground. M. de Saint Alard had rushed out and told François to fetch a doctor immediately. He said it
waswithoutdoubtanapoplexy,explainedtheman.Butwhenthedoctorarrived,thepatientwaspast
help.

Mr John Wilson, to whom I was presented by Mademoiselle Virginie, was what was known in those
daysasaregularJohnBullEnglishman,middle-agedandburly.Hisaccount,deliveredinveryBritish

French,wassubstantiallythesame.

'Déroulardwentveryredintheface,anddownhefell.'

Therewasnothingfurthertobefoundoutthere.NextIwenttothesceneofthetragedy,thestudy,and
was left alone there at my own request. So far there was nothing to support Mademoiselle Mesnard's
theory. I could not but believe that it was a delusion on her part. Evidently she had entertained a
romantic passion for the dead man which had not permitted her to take a normal view of the case.
Nevertheless,Isearchedthestudywithmeticulouscare.Itwasjustpossiblethatahypodermicneedle
mighthavebeenintroducedintothedeadman'schairinsuchawayastoallowofafatalinjection.The
minutepunctureitwouldcausewaslikelytoremainunnoticed.ButIcoulddiscovernosigntosupport
thattheory.Iflungmyselfdowninthechairwithagestureofdespair.

'Enfin,Iabandonit!'Isaidaloud.'Thereisnotaclueanywhere!Everythingisperfectlynormal.'

AsIsaidthewords,myeyesfellonalargeboxofchocolatesstandingonatablenearby,andmyheart
gavealeap.ItmightnotbeacluetoM.Déroulard'sdeath,buthereatleastwassomethingthatwasnot
normal.Iliftedthelid.Theboxwasfull,untouched;notachocolatewasmissing-butthatonlymade
thepeculiarity that hadcaught my eyemore striking. For, seeyou, Hastings, whilethe box itself was
pink,thelidwasblue.Now,oneoftenseesablueribbononapinkbox,andviceversa,butaboxofone
colour,andalidofanother-no;decidedly-çanesevoitjamais!

I did not as yet see that this little incident was of any use to me, yet I determined to investigate it as
beingoutoftheordinary.IrangthebellforFrançois,andaskedhimifhislatemasterhadbeenfondof
sweets.Afaintmelancholysmilecametohislips.

'Passionatelyfondofthem,monsieur.Hewouldalwayshaveaboxofchocolatesinthehouse.Hedid
notdrinkwineofanykind,yousee.'

'Yetthisboxhasnotbeentouched?'Iliftedthelidtoshowhim.

'Pardon, monsieur, but that was a new box purchased on the day of his death, the other being nearly
finished.'

'Thentheotherboxwasfinishedonthedayofhisdeath,'Isaidslowly.

'Yes,monsieur,Ifounditemptyinthemorningandthrewitaway.'

'DidM.Déroulardeatsweetsatallhoursoftheday?'

'Usuallyafterdinner,monsieur.'

Ibegantoseelight.

'François,'Isaid,'youcanbediscreet?'

'Ifthereisneed,monsieur.'

'Bon!Know,then,thatIamofthepolice.Canyoufindmethatotherbox?'

'Withoutdoubt,monsieur.Itwillbeinthedustbin.'

Hedeparted,andreturnedinafewminuteswithadust-coveredobject.ItwastheduplicateoftheboxI
held, save for the fact that this time the box was blue and the lid was pink. I thanked François,
recommendedhimoncemoretobediscreet,andleftthehouseintheAvenueLouisewithoutmoreado.

NextdayIcalleduponthedoctorwhohadattendedM.Déroulard.WithhimIhadadifficulttask.He
entrenchedhimselfprettilybehindawalloflearnedphraseology,butIfanciedthathewasnotquiteas
sureaboutthecaseashewouldliketobe.

'Therehavebeenmanycuriousoccurrencesofthekind,'heobserved,whenIhadmanagedtodisarm
himsomewhat.'Asuddenfitofanger,aviolentemotion-afteraheavydinner,c'estentendu-then,with
anaccessofrage,thebloodfliestothehead,andpst!-thereyouare!'

'ButM.Déroulardhadhadnoviolentemotion.'

'No?ImadesurethathehadbeenhavingastormyaltercationwithM.deSaintAlard.'

'Whyshouldhe?'

'C'estévident!'Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders.'WasnotM.deSaintAlardaCatholicofthemost

fanatical? Their friendship was being ruined by this question of church and state. Not a day passed
withoutdiscussions.ToM.deSaintAlard,DéroulardappearedalmostasAntichrist.'

Thiswasunexpected,andgavemefoodforthought.

'Onemorequestion,Doctor:woulditbepossibletointroduceafataldoseofpoisonintoachocolate?'

'Itwouldbepossible,Isuppose,'saidthedoctorslowly.'Pureprussicacidwouldmeetthecaseifthere
were no chance of evaporation, and a tiny globule of anything might be swallowed unnoticed - but it
doesnotseemaverylikelysupposition.Achocolatefullofmorphineorstrychnine-'Hemadeawry
face.'Youcomprehend,M.Poirot-onebitewouldbeenough!Theunwaryonewouldnotstandupon
ceremony.'

'Thankyou,M.leDocteur.'

Iwithdrew.NextImadeinquiriesofthechemists,especiallythoseintheneighbourhoodoftheAvenue
Louise.Itisgoodtobeofthepolice.IgottheinformationIwantedwithoutanytrouble.Onlyinone
casecouldIhearofanypoisonhavingbeensuppliedtothehouseinquestion.Thiswassomeeyedrops
of atropine sulphate for Madame Dé roulard. Atropine is a potent poison, and for the moment I was
elated, but the symptoms of atropine poisoning are closely allied to those of ptomaine, and bear no
resemblancetothoseIwasstudying.Besides,theprescriptionwasanoldone.MadameDéroulardhad
sufferedfromcataractinbotheyesformanyyears.

Iwasturningawaydiscouragedwhenthechemist'svoicecalledmeback.

'Un moment, M. Poirot. I remember, the girl who brought that prescription, she said something about
havingtogoontotheEnglishchemist.Youmighttrythere.'

Idid.Oncemoreenforcingmyofficialstatus,IgottheinformationIwanted.OnthedaybeforeM.Dé
roulard'sdeaththeyhadmadeupaprescriptionforMrJohnWilson.Notthattherewasanymakingup
aboutit.Theyweresimplylittletabletsoftrinitrine.IaskedifImightseesome.Heshowedmethem,
andmyheartbeatfaster-forthetinytabletswereofchocolate.

'Itisapoison?'Iasked.

'No,monsieur.'

'Canyoudescribetomeitseffect?'

'Itlowerstheblood-pressure.Itisgivenforsomeformsofhearttrouble-anginapectorisforinstance.It
relievesthearterialtension.Inarteriosclerosis-'

Iinterruptedhim.'Mafoi!Thisrigmarolesaysnothingtome.Doesitcausethefacetoflush?'

'Certainlyitdoes.'

'AndsupposingIateten-twentyofyourlittletablets,whatthen?'

'Ishouldnotadviseyoutoattemptit,'hereplieddrily.

'Andyetyousayitisnotpoison?'

'Therearemanythingsnotcalledpoisonwhichcankillaman,'herepliedasbefore.

Ilefttheshopelated.Atlast,thingshadbeguntomarch!

InowknewthatJohnWilsonheldthemeansforthecrime-butwhataboutthemotive?Hehadcometo
Belgiumonbusiness,andhadaskedM.Déroulard,whomheknewslightly,toputhimup.Therewas
apparentlynowayinwhichDéroulard'sdeathcouldbenefithim.Moreover,Idiscoveredbyinquiriesin
Englandthathehadsufferedforsomeyearsfromthatpainfulformofheartdiseaseknownasangina.
Thereforehehadagenuinerighttohavethosetabletsinhispossession.Nevertheless,Iwasconvinced
thatsomeonehadgonetothechocolatebox,openingthefullonefirstbymistake,andhadabstracted
thecontentsofthelastchocolate,crammingininsteadasmanylittletrinitrintabletsasitwouldhold.
Thechocolateswerelargeones.Betweentwentyorthirtytablets,Ifeltsure,couldhavebeeninserted.
Butwhohaddonethis?

There were two guests in the house. John Wilson had the means. Saint Alard had the motive.
Remember, he was a fanatic, and there is no fanatic like a religious fanatic. Could he, by any means,
havegotholdofJohnWilson'strinitrine?

Anotherlittleideacametome.Ah!Yousmileatmylittleideas!WhyhadWilsonrunoutoftrinitrine?
SurelyhewouldbringanadequatesupplyfromEngland.IcalledoncemoreatthehouseintheAvenue

Louise.Wilsonwasout,butIsawthegirlwhodidhisroom,Félicie.Idemandedofherimmediately
whetheritwasnottruethatM.Wilsonhadlostabottlefromhiswashstandsomelittletimeago.The
girlrespondedeagerly.Itwasquitetrue.She,Félicie,hadbeenblamedforit.TheEnglishgentleman
had evidently thought that she had broken it, and did not like to say so. Whereas she had never even
touchedit.WithoutdoubtitwasJeannette-alwaysnosingroundwhereshehadnobusinesstobe-

Icalmedtheflowofwords,andtookmyleave.IknewnowallthatIwantedtoknow.Itremainedfor
metoprovemycase.That,Ifelt,wouldnotbeeasy.ImightbesurethatSaintAlardhadremovedthe
bottle of trinitrine from John Wilson's washstand, but to convince others, I would have to produce
evidence.AndIhadnonetoproduce!

Nevermind.Iknew-thatwasthegreatthing.YourememberourdifficultyintheStylescase,Hastings?
Thereagain,Iknewbutittookmealongtimetofindthelastlinkwhichmademychainofevidence
againstthemurderercomplete.

IaskedforaninterviewwithMademoiselleMesnard.Shecameatonce.Idemandedofhertheaddress
ofM.deSaintAlard.Alookoftroublecameoverherface.

'Whydoyouwantit,monsieur?'

'Mademoiselle,itisnecessary.'

Sheseemeddoubtful-troubled.

'Hecantellyounothing.Heisamanwhosethoughtsarenotinthisworld.Hehardlynoticeswhatgoes
onaroundhim.'

'Possibly,mademoiselle.Nevertheless,hewasanoldfriendofM.Déroulard's.Theremaybethingshe
cantellme-thingsofthepast-oldgrudges-oldlove-affairs.'

Thegirlflushedandbitherlip.'Asyouplease-but-but-IfeelsurenowthatIhavebeenmistaken.It
wasgoodofyoutoaccedetomydemand,butIwasupset-almostdistraughtatthetime.Iseenowthat
thereisnomysterytosolve.Leaveit,Ibegofyou,monsieur.'

Ieyedherclosely.

'Mademoiselle,' I said, 'it is sometimes difficult for a dog to find a scent, but once he has found it,
nothingonearthwillmakehimleaveit!Thatisifheisagooddog!AndI,mademoiselle,I,Hercule
Poirot,amaverygooddog.'

Withoutawordsheturnedaway.Afewminuteslatershereturnedwiththeaddresswrittenonasheetof
paper.Ileftthehouse.Françoiswaswaitingformeoutside.Helookedatmeanxiously.

'Thereisnonews,monsieur?'

'Noneasyet,myfriend.'

'Ah!PauvreMonsieurDéroulard!'hesighed.'Itoowasofhiswayofthinking.Idonotcareforpriests.
NotthatIwouldsaysointhehouse.Thewomenarealldevout-agoodthingperhaps.Madameesttrès
pieuse-etMademoiselleVirginieaussi.'

Mademoiselle Virginie? Was she 'très pieuse?' Thinking of the tear-stained passionate face I had seen
thatfirstday,Iwondered.

HavingobtainedtheaddressofM.deSaintAlard,Iwastednotime.Iarrivedintheneighbourhoodof
hischâteauintheArdennesbutitwassomedaysbeforeIcouldfindapretextforgainingadmissionto
thehouse.IntheendIdid-howdoyouthink-asaplumber,monami!Itwastheaffairofamomentto
arrangeaneatlittlegasleakinhisbedroom.Idepartedformytools,andtookcaretoreturnwiththem
atanhourwhenIknewIshouldhavethefieldprettywelltomyself.WhatIwassearchingfor,Ihardly
knew.Theonethingneedful,Icouldnotbelievetherewasanychanceoffinding.Hewouldneverhave
runtheriskofkeepingit.

Still when I found a little cupboard above the washstand locked, I could not resist the temptation of
seeingwhatwasinsideit.Thelockwasquiteasimpleonetopick.Thedoorswungopen.Itwasfullof
old bottles. I took them up one by one with a trembling hand. Suddenly, I uttered a cry. Figure to
yourself, my friend, I held in my hand a little phial with an English chemist's label. On it were the
words:'TrinitrineTablets.Onetobetakenwhenrequired.MrJohnWilson.'

Icontrolledmyemotion,closedthelittlecupboard,slippedthebottleintomypocket,andcontinuedto
repairthegasleak!Onemustbemethodical.ThenIleftthechâteau,andtooktrainformyowncountry
assoonaspossible.IarrivedinBrusselslatethatnight.Iwaswritingoutareportforthepréfetinthe
morning,whenanotewasbroughttome.ItwasfromoldMadameDéroulard,anditsummonedmeto
thehouseintheAvenueLouisewithoutdelay.

Françoisopenedthedoortome.

'MadamelaBaronneisawaitingyou.'

He conducted me to her apartments. She sat in state in a large armchair. There was no sign of
MademoiselleVirginie.

'M. Poirot,' said the old lady. 'I have just learned that you are not what you pretend to be. You are a
policeofficer.'

'Thatisso,madame.'

'Youcameheretoinquireintothecircumstancesofmyson'sdeath?'

AgainIreplied:'Thatisso,madame.'

'Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtellmewhatprogressyouhavemade.'

Ihesitated.

'FirstIwouldliketoknowhowyouhavelearnedallthis,madame.'

'Fromonewhoisnolongerofthisworld.'

Herwords,andthebroodingwaysheutteredthem,sentachilltomyheart.Iwasincapableofspeech.

'Wherefore,monsieur,Iwouldbegofyoumosturgentlytotellmeexactlywhatprogressyouhavemade
inyourinvestigation.'

'Madame,myinvestigationisfinished.'

'Myson?'

'Waskilleddeliberately.'

'Youknowbywhom?'

'Yes,madame.'

'Who,then?'

'M.deSaintAlard.'

Theoldladyshookherhead.

'Youarewrong.M.deSaintAlardisincapableofsuchacrime.'

'Theproofsareinmyhands.'

'Ibegofyouoncemoretotellmeall.'

This time I obeyed, going over each step that had led me to the discovery of the truth. She listened
attentively.Attheendshenoddedherhead.

'Yes,yes,itisallasyousay,allbutonething.ItwasnotM.deSaintAlardwhokilledmyson.ItwasI,
hismother.'

Istaredather.Shecontinuedtonodherheadgently.

'It is well that I sent for you. It is the providence of the good God that Virginie told me before she
departedfortheconvent,whatshehaddone.Listen,M.Poirot!Mysonwasanevilman.Hepersecuted
the church. He led a life of mortal sin. He dragged down other souls beside his own. But there was
worse than that. As I came out of my room in this house one morning, I saw my daughter-in-law
standingattheheadofthestairs.Shewasreadingaletter.Isawmysonstealupbehindher.Oneswift
push,andshefell,strikingherheadonthemarblesteps.Whentheypickedherupshewasdead.My
sonwasamurderer,andonlyI,hismother,knewit.'

Sheclosedhereyesforamoment.'Youcannotconceive,monsieur,ofmyagony,mydespair.Whatwas
Itodo?Denouncehimtothepolice?Icouldnotbringmyselftodoit.Itwasmyduty,butmyfleshwas
weak.Besides,wouldtheybelieveme?Myeyesighthadbeenfailingforsometime-theywouldsayI
was mistaken. I kept silence. But my conscience gave me no peace. By keeping silence I too was a
murderer.Mysoninheritedhiswife'smoney.Heflourishedasthegreenbaytree.Andnowhewasto
haveaMinister'sportfolio.Hispersecutionofthechurchwouldberedoubled.AndtherewasVirginie.
She,poorchild,beautiful,naturallypious,wasfascinatedbyhim.Hehadastrangeandterriblepower
overwomen.Isawitcoming.Iwaspowerlesstopreventit.Hehadnointentionofmarryingher.The
timecamewhenshewasreadytoyieldeverythingtohim.

'Then I saw my path clear. He was my son. I had given him life. I was responsible for him. He had
killedonewoman'sbody,nowhewouldkillanother'ssoul!IwenttoMrWilson'sroom,andtookthe
bottleoftablets.Hehadoncesaidlaughinglythattherewereenoughinittokillaman!Iwentintothe
study and opened the big box of chocolates that always stood on the table. I opened a new box by
mistake.Theotherwasonthetablealso.Therewasjustonechocolateleftinit.Thatsimplifiedthings.
NooneatechocolatesexceptmysonandVirginie.Iwouldkeepherwithmethatnight.AllwentasI
hadplanned-'

Shepaused,closinghereyesaminutethenopenedthemagain.

'M.Poirot,Iaminyourhands.TheytellmeIhavenotmanydaystolive.Iamwillingtoanswerformy
actionbeforethegoodGod.MustIanswerforitonearthalso?'

Ihesitated.'Buttheemptybottle,madame,'Isaidtogaintime.'HowcamethatintoM.deSaintAlard's
possession?'

'Whenhecametosaygoodbyetome,monsieur,Islippeditintohispocket.Ididnotknowhowtoget
ridofit.IamsoinfirmthatIcannotmoveaboutmuchwithouthelp,andfindingitemptyinmyrooms
mighthavecausedsuspicion.Youunderstand,monsieur-'shedrewherselfuptoherfullheight-'itwas
withnoideaofcastingsuspiciononM.deSaintAlard!Ineverdreamedofsuchathing.Ithoughthis
valetwouldfindanemptybottleandthrowitawaywithoutquestion.'

Ibowedmyhead.'Icomprehend,madame,'Isaid.

'Andyourdecision,monsieur?'

Hervoicewasfirmandunfaltering,herheadheldashighasever.Irosetomyfeet.

'Madame,'Isaid,'Ihavethehonourtowishyougoodday.Ihavemademyinvestigations-andfailed!
Thematterisclosed.'

Hewassilentforamoment,thensaidquietly:'Shediedjustaweeklater.MademoiselleVirginiepassed
through her novitiate, and duly took the veil. That, my friend, is the story. I must admit that I do not
makeafinefigureinit.'

'But that was hardly a failure,' I expostulated. 'What else could you have thought under the
circumstances?'

'Ah,sacré,monami,'criedPoirot,becomingsuddenlyanimated.'Isitthatyoudonotsee?ButIwas
thirty-sixtimesanidiot!Mygreycells,theyfunctionednotatall.ThewholetimeIhadthetruecluein
myhands.'

'Whatclue?'

'The chocolate box! Do you not see? Would anyone in possession of their full eyesight make such a
mistake?IknewMadameDéroulardhadcataract-theatropinedropstoldmethat.Therewasonlyone
personinthehouseholdwhoseeyesightwassuchthatshecouldnotseewhichlidtoreplace.Itwasthe
chocolateboxthatstartedmeonthetrack,andyetuptotheendIfailedconsistentlytoperceiveitsreal
significance!

'Alsomypsychologywasatfault.HadM.deSaintAlardbeenthecriminal,hewouldneverhavekept
an incriminating bottle. Finding it was a proof of his innocence. I had learned already from
Mademoiselle Virginie that he was absent-minded. Altogether it was a miserable affair that I have
recountedtoyouthere!OnlytoyouhaveItoldthestory.Youcomprehend,Idonotfigurewellinit!An
old lady commits a crime in such a simple and clever fashion that I, Hercule Poirot, am completely
deceived.Sapristi!Itdoesnotbearthinkingof!Forgetit.Orno-rememberit,andifyouthinkatany
timethatIamgrowingconceited-itisnotlikely,butitmightarise.'

Iconcealedasmile.

'Ehbien,myfriend,youshallsaytome,"Chocolatebox".Isitagreed?'

'It'sabargain!'

'After all,' said Poirot reflectively, 'it was an experience! I, who have undoubtedly the finest brain in
Europeatpresent,canaffordtobemagnanimous!'

'Chocolatebox,'Imurmuredgently.

'Pardon,monami?'

IlookedatPoirot'sinnocentface,ashebentforwardinquiringly,andmyheartsmoteme.Ihadsuffered
often at his hands, but I, too, though not possessing the finest brain in Europe, could afford to be
magnanimous!

'Nothing,'Ilied,andlitanotherpipe,smilingtomyself.

THESUBMARINEPLANS

A note had been brought by special messenger. Poirot read it, and a gleam of excitement and interest
cameintohiseyesashedidso.Hedismissedthemanwithafewcurtwordsandthenturnedtome.

'Packabagwithallhaste,myfriend.We'regoingdowntoSharples.'

I started at the mention of the famous country place of Lord Alloway. Head of the newly formed
MinistryofDefence,LordAllowaywasaprominentmemberoftheCabinet.AsSirRalphCurtis,head
ofagreatengineeringfirm,hehadmadehismarkintheHouseofCommons,andhewasnowfreely
spokenofasthecomingman,andtheonemostlikelytobeaskedtoformaministryshouldtheturnouts
astoMrDavidMacAdam'shealthprovewellfounded.

AbigRolls-Roycecarwaswaitingforusbelow,andasweglidedoffintothedarkness,IpliedPoirot
withquestions.

'Whatonearthcantheywantusforatthistimeofnight?'Idemanded.Itwaspasteleven.

Poirotshookhishead.'Somethingofthemosturgent,withoutdoubt.'

'Iremember,'Isaid,'thatsomeyearsagotherewassomeratheruglyscandalaboutRalphCurtis,ashe
thenwas-somejugglerywithshares,Ibelieve.Intheend,hewascompletelyexonerated;butperhaps
somethingofthekindhasarisenagain?'

'Itwouldhardlybenecessaryforhimtosendformeinthemiddleofthenight,myfriend.'

Iwasforcedtoagree,andtheremainderofthejourneywaspassedinsilence.OnceoutofLondon,the
powerfulcarforgedrapidlyahead,andwearrivedatSharplesinalittleunderthehour.

A pontifical butler conducted us at once to a small study where Lord Alloway was awaiting us. He
spranguptogreetus-atall,sparemanwhoseemedactuallytoradiatepowerandvitality.

'M.Poirot,Iamdelightedtoseeyou.ItisthesecondtimetheGovernmenthasdemandedyourservices.
Irememberonlytoowellwhatyoudidforusduringthewar,whenthePrimeMinisterwaskidnapped
in that astounding fashion. Your masterly deductions - and may I add, your discretion? - saved the
situation.'

Poirot'seyestwinkledalittle.

'DoIgatherthen,Milord,thatthisisanothercasefor-discretion?'

'Mostemphatically.SirHarryandI-oh,letmeintroduceyou-AdmiralSirHarryWeardale,ourFirst
SeaLord-M.Poirotand-letmesee,Captain-'

'Hastings,'Isupplied.

'I've often heard of you, M. Poirot,' said Sir Harry, shaking hands. 'This is a most unaccountable
business,andifyoucansolveit,we'llbeextremelygratefultoyou.'

IlikedtheFirstSeaLordimmediately,asquare,bluffsailorofthegoodold-fashionedtype.

Poirotlookedinquiringlyatthemboth,andAllowaytookupthetale.

'Ofcourse,youunderstandthatallthisisinconfidence,M.Poirot.Wehavehadamostseriousloss.The
plansofthenewZtypeofsubmarinehavebeenstolen.'

'Whenwasthat?'

'Tonight - less than three hours ago. You can appreciate perhaps, M. Poirot, the magnitude of the
disaster. It is essential that the loss should not be made public. I will give you the facts as briefly as
possible.Myguestsovertheweek-endweretheAdmiral,here,hiswifeandson,andaMrsConrad,a
lady well known in London society. The ladies retired to bed early - about ten o'clock; so did Mr
LeonardWeardale.SirHarryisdownherepartlyforthepurposeofdiscussingtheconstructionofthis
new type of submarine with me. Accordingly, I asked Mr Fitzroy, my secretary, to get out the plans
fromthesafeinthecornerthere,andtoarrangethemreadyforme,aswellasvariousotherdocuments
thatboreuponthesubjectinhand.Whilehewasdoingthis,theAdmiralandIstrolledupanddownthe
terrace, smoking cigars and enjoying the warm June air. We finished our smoke and our chat, and
decidedtogetdowntobusiness.Justasweturnedatthefarendoftheterrace,IfanciedIsawashadow
slipoutofthefrenchwindowhere,crosstheterrace,anddisappear.Ipaidverylittleattention,however.
IknewFitzroytobeinthisroom,anditneverenteredmyheadthatanythingmightbeamiss.There,of
course, I am to blame. Well, we retraced our steps along the terrace and entered this room by the
windowjustasFitzroyentereditfromthehall.

'"Goteverythingoutwearelikelytoneed,Fitzroy?"Iasked.

'"Ithinkso,LordAlloway.Thepapersareallonyourdesk,"heanswered.Andthenhewishedusboth
goodnight.

'"Justwaitaminute,"Isaid,goingtothedesk."ImaywantsomethingIhaven'tmentioned."

'Ilookedquicklythroughthepapersthatwerelyingthere.

'"You'veforgottenthemostimportantofthelot,Fitzroy,"Isaid."Theactualplansofthesubmarine!"

'"Theplansarerightontop,LordAlloway."

'"Ohno,they'renot,"Isaid,turningoverthepapers.

'"ButIputthemtherenotaminuteago?'

'"Well,they'renotherenow,"Isaid.

'Fitzroy advanced with a bewildered expression on his face. The thing seemed incredible. We turned
overthepapersonthedesk;wehuntedthroughthesafe;butatlastwehadtomakeupourmindstoit
thatthepapersweregone-andgonewithintheshortspaceofaboutthreeminuteswhileFitzroywas
absentfromtheroom.'

'Whydidheleavetheroom?'askedPoirotquickly.

'JustwhatIaskedhim,'exclaimedSirHarry.

'Itappears,'saidLordAlloway,'thatjustwhenhehadfinishedarrangingthepapersonmydesk,hewas
startled by hearing a woman scream. He dashed out into the hall. On the stairs he discovered Mrs
Conrad'sFrenchmaid.Thegirllookedverywhiteandupset,anddeclaredthatshehadseenaghost-a
tallfiguredressedallinwhitethatmovedwithoutasound.Fitzroylaughedatherfearsandtoldher,in
moreorlesspolitelanguage,nottobeafool.Thenhereturnedtothisroomjustasweenteredfromthe
window.'

'Itallseemsveryclear,'saidPoirotthoughtfully.'Theonlyquestionis,wasthemaidanaccomplice?Did
shescreambyarrangementwithherconfederatelurkingoutside,orwashemerelywaitingthereinthe
hopeofanopportunitypresentingitself?Itwasaman,Isuppose-notawomanyousaw?'

'Ican'ttellyou,M.Poirot.Itwasjusta-shadow.'

TheAdmiralgavesuchapeculiarsnortthatitcouldnotfailtoattractattention.

'M. l'Admiral has something to say, I think,' said Poirot quietly, with a slight smile. 'You saw this
shadow,SirHarry?'

'No,Ididn't,'returnedtheother.'AndneitherdidAlloway.Thebranchofatreeflapped,orsomething,
and then afterwards, when we discovered the theft, he leaped to the conclusion that he had seen
someonepassacrosstheterrace.Hisimaginationplayedatrickonhim;that'sall.'

'Iamnotusuallycreditedwithhavingmuchimagination,'saidLordAllowaywithaslightsmile.

'Nonsense,we'veallgotimagination.Wecanallworkourselvesuptobelievethatwe'veseenmorethan
wehave.I'vehadalifetimeofexperienceatsea,andI'llbackmyeyesagainstthoseofanylandsman.I
waslookingrightdowntheterrace,andI'dhaveseenthesameiftherewasanythingtosee.'

Hewasquiteexcitedoverthematter.Poirotroseandsteppedquicklytothewindow.

'Youpermit?'heasked.'Wemustsettlethispointifpossible.'

Hewentoutupontheterrace,andwefollowedhim.Hehadtakenanelectrictorchfromhispocket,and
wasplayingthelightalongtheedgeofthegrassthatborderedtheterrace.

'Wheredidhecrosstheterrace,Milor'?'heasked.

'Aboutoppositethewindow,Ishouldsay.'

Poirotcontinuedtoplaythetorchforsomeminuteslonger,walkingtheentirelengthoftheterraceand
back.Thenheshutitoffandstraightenedhimselfup.

'Sir Harry is right - and you are wrong, Milor',' he said quietly. 'It rained heavily earlier this evening.
Anyonewhopassedoverthatgrasscouldnotavoidleavingfootmarks.Buttherearenone-noneatall.'

Hiseyeswentfromoneman'sfacetotheother's.LordAllowaylookedbewilderedandunconvinced;
theAdmiralexpressedanoisygratification.

'KnewIcouldn'tbewrong,'hedeclared.'Trustmyeyesanywhere.'

Hewassuchapictureofanhonestoldsea-dogthatIcouldnothelpsmiling.

'So that brings us to the people in the house,' said Poirot smoothly. 'Let us come inside again. Now,
Milor', while Mr Fitzroy was speaking to the maid on the stairs, could anyone have seized the
opportunitytoenterthestudyfromthehall?'

LordAllowayshookhishead.

'Quiteimpossible-theywouldhavehadtopasshiminordertodoso.'

'AndMrFitzroyhimself-youaresureofhim,eh?'

Lord Alloway flushed. 'Absolutely, M. Poirot. I will answer confidently for my secretary. It is quite
impossiblethatheshouldbeconcernedinthematterinanyway.'

'Everything seems to be impossible,' remarked Poirot rather drily. 'Possibly the plans attached to
themselves a little pair of wings, and flew away - comme ça!' He blew his lips out like a comical
cherub.

'Thewholethingisimpossible,'declaredLordAllowayimpatiently.'ButIbeg,M.Poirot,thatyouwill
notdreamofsuspectingFitzroy.Considerforonemoment-hadhewishedtotaketheplans,whatcould
havebeeneasierforhimthantotakeatracingofthemwithoutgoingtothetroubleofstealingthem?'

'There, Milor',' said Poirot with approval, 'you make a remark bien juste - I see that you have a mind
orderlyandmethodical.L'Angleterreishappyinpossessingyou.'

LordAllowaylookedratherembarrassedbythissuddenburstofpraise.Poirotreturnedtothematterin
hand.

'Theroominwhichyouhadbeensittingalltheevening-'

'Thedrawing-room?Yes?'

'Thatalsohasawindowontheterrace,sinceIrememberyoursayingyouwentoutthatway.Wouldit
not be possible for someone to come out by the drawing-room window and in by this one while Mr
Fitzroywasoutoftheroom,andreturnthesameway?'

'Butwe'dhaveseenthem,'objectedtheAdmiral.

'Notifyouhadyourbacksturned,walkingtheotherway.'

'Fitzroywasonlyoutoftheroomafewminutes,thetimeitwouldtakeustowalktotheendandback.'

'Nomatter-itisapossibility-infact,theonlyoneasthingsstand.'

'Buttherewasnooneinthedrawing-roomwhenwewentout,'saidtheAdmiral.

'Theymayhavecomethereafterwards.'

'Youmean,'saidLordAllowayslowly,'thatwhenFitzroyheardthemaidscreamandwentout,someone
wasalreadyconcealedinthedrawing-room,thattheydartedinandoutthroughthewindows,andonly
leftthedrawing-roomwhenFitzroyhadreturnedtothisroom?'

'Themethodicalmindagain,'saidPoirot,bowing.'Youexpressthematterperfectly.'

'Oneoftheservants,perhaps?'

'Oraguest.ItwasMrsConrad'smaidwhoscreamed.WhatexactlycanyoutellmeofMrsConrad?'

LordAllowayconsideredforaminute.

'Itoldyouthatsheisaladywellknowninsociety.Thatistrueinthesensethatshegiveslargeparties,
andgoeseverywhere.Butverylittleisknownastowhereshereallycomesfrom,andwhatherpastlife
hasbeen.SheisaladywhofrequentsdiplomaticandForeignOfficecirclesasmuchaspossible.The

SecretServiceisinclinedtoask-why?'

'Isee,'saidPoirot.'Andshewasaskedherethisweek-end-'

'Sothat-shallwesay?-wemightobserveheratclosequarter.'

'Parfaitement!Itispossiblethatshehasturnedthetablesonyouratherneatly.'

LordAllowaylookeddiscomfited,andPoirotcontinued:

'Tellme,Milor',wasanyreferencemadeinherhearingtothesubjectsyouandtheAdmiralweregoing
todiscusstogether?'

'Yes,'admittedtheother.'SirHarrysaid:"Andnowforoursubmarine!Towork!"orsomethingofthat
sort.Theothershadlefttheroom,butshehadcomebackforabook.'

'I see,' said Poirot thoughtfully. 'Milor', it is very late - but this is an urgent affair. I would like to
questionthemembersofthishouse-partyatonceifitispossible.'

'It can be managed, of course,' said Lord Alloway. 'The awkward thing is, we don't want to let it get
aboutmorethancanbehelped.Ofcourse,LadyJulietWeardaleandyoungLeonardareallright-but
Mrs Conrad, if she is not guilty, is rather a different proposition. Perhaps you could just state that an
importantpaperismissing,withoutspecifyingwhatitis,orgoingintoanyofthecircumstancesofthe
disappearance?'

'ExactlywhatIwasabouttoproposemyself,'saidPoirot,beaming.'Infact,inallthreecases.Monsieur
theAdmiralwillpardonme,buteventhebestofwives-'

'Nooffence,'saidSirHarry.'Allwomentalk,bless'em!IwishJulietwouldtalkalittlemoreandplay
bridgealittleless.Butwomenarelikethatnowadays,neverhappyunlessthey'redancingorgambling.
I'llgetJulietandLeonardup,shallI,Alloway?'

'Thankyou.I'llcalltheFrenchmaid.M.Poirotwillwanttoseeher,andshecanrousehermistress.I'll
attendtoitnow.Inthemeantime,I'llsendFitzroyalong.'

Mr Fitzroy was a pale, thin young man with pince-nez and a frigid expression. His statement was

practicallywordforwordwhatLordAllowayhadalreadytoldus.

'Whatisyourowntheory,MrFitzroy?'

MrFitzroyshruggedhisshoulders.

'Undoubtedlysomeonewhoknewthehangofthingswaswaitinghischanceoutside.Hecouldseewhat
wentonthroughthewindow,andheslippedinwhenIlefttheroom.It'sapityLordAllowaydidn'tgive
chasethenandtherewhenhesawthefellowleave.'

Poirotdidnotundeceivehim.Insteadheasked:'DoyoubelievethestoryoftheFrenchmaid-thatshe
hadseenaghost?'

'Well,hardly,M.Poirot!'

'Imean-thatshereallythoughtso?'

'Oh,astothat,Ican'tsay.Shecertainlyseemedratherupset.Shehadherhandstoherhead.'

'Aha!'criedPoirotwiththeairofonewhohasmadeadiscovery.'Isthatsoindeed-andshewaswithout
doubtaprettygirl?'

'Ididn'tnoticeparticularly,'saidMrFitzroyinarepressivevoice.

'Youdidnotseehermistress,Isuppose?'

'Asamatteroffact,Idid.Shewasinthegalleryatthetopofthestepsandwascallingher-"Léonie!"
Thenshesawme-andofcourseretired.'

'Upstairs,'saidPoirot,frowning.

'Ofcourse,Irealizethatallthisisveryunpleasantforme-orratherwouldhavebeen,ifLordAlloway
hadnotchancedtoseethemanactuallyleaving.Inanycase,Ishouldbegladifyouwouldmakeapoint
ofsearchingmyroom-andmyself.'

'Youreallywishthat?'

'CertainlyIdo.'

What Poirot would have replied I do not know, but at that moment Lord Alloway reappeared and
informedusthatthetwoladiesandMrLeonardWeardalewereinthedrawing-room.

Thewomenwereinbecomingnegligees.MrsConradwaabeautifulwomanofthirty-five,withgolden
hairandaslighttendencytoembonpoint.LadyJulietWeardalemusthavebeenforty,tallanddark,very
thin,stillbeautiful,withexquisitehandsandfeet,andarestless,haggardmanner.Hersonwasratheran
effeminate-lookingyoungman,asgreatacontrasttohisbluff,heartyfatherascouldwellbeimagined.

Poirot gave forth the little rigmarole we had agreed upon, and then explained that he was anxious to
knowifanyonehadheardorseenanythingthatnightwhichmightassistus.

Turning to Mrs Conrad first, he asked her if she would be so kind as to inform him exactly what her
movementshadbeen.

'Letmesee...Iwentupstairs.Irangformymaid.Then,asshedidnotputinanappearance,Icameout
andcalledher.Icouldhearhertalkingonthestairs.Aftershehadbrushedmyhair,Isentheraway-she
wasinaverycuriousnervousstate.Ireadawhileandthenwenttobed.'

'Andyou,LadyJuliet?'

'Iwentstraightupstairsandtobed.Iwasverytired.'

'Whataboutyourbook,dear?'askedMrsConradwithasweetsmile.

'Mybook?'LadyJulietflushed.

'Yes,youknow,whenIsentLéonieaway,youwerecomingupthestairs.Youhadbeendowntothe
drawing-roomforabook,yousaid.'

'Ohyes,Ididgodown.I-Iforgot.'

LadyJulietclaspedherhandsnervouslytogether.

'DidyouhearMrsConrad'smaidscream,milady?'

'No-no,Ididn't.'

'Howcurious-becauseyoumusthavebeeninthedrawing-roomatthetime.'

'Iheardnothing,'saidLadyJulietinafirmervoice.

PoirotturnedtoyoungLeonard.

'Monsieur?'

'Nothingdoing.Iwentstraightupstairsandturnedin.'

Poirotstrokedhischin.

'Alas,Ifearthereisnothingtohelpmehere.Mesdamesandmonsieur,Iregret-Iregretinfinitelyto
havederangedyoufromyourslumbersforsolittle.Acceptmyapologies,Iprayofyou.'

Gesticulating and apologizing, he marshalled them out. He returned with the French maid, a pretty,
impudent-lookinggirl.AllowayandWeardalehadgoneoutwiththeladies.

'Now,mademoiselle,'saidPoirotinabrisktone,'letushavethetruth.Recounttomenohistories.Why
didyouscreamonstairs?'

'Ah,monsieur,Isawatallfigure-allinwhite-'

Poirotarrestedherwithanenergeticshakeofhisforefinger.

'DidInotsay,recounttomenohistories?Iwillmakeaguess.Hekissedyou,didhenot?M.Leonard
Weardale,Imean?'

'Ehbien,monsieur,andafterall,whatisakiss?'

'Underthecircumstances,itismostnatural,'repliedPoirotgallantly.'Imyself,orHastingshere-buttell
mejustwhatoccurred.'

'Hecameupbehindme,andcaughtme.Iwasstartled,andIscreamed.IfIhadknown,Iwouldnothave
screamed-buthecameuponmelikeacat.ThencameM.lesecretaire.M.Leonardflewupthestairs.
And what could I say? Especially to a jeune homme comme ça - tellement comme il faut? Ma foi, I
inventaghost.'

'And all is explained,' cried Poirot genially. 'You then mounted to the chamber of Madame your
mistress.Whichisherroom,bytheway?'

'Itisattheend,monsieur.Thatway.'

'Directlyoverthestudy,then.Bien,mademoiselle,Iwilldetainyounolonger.Andlaprochainefois,do
notscream.'

Handingherout,hecamebacktomewithasmile.

'Aninterestingcase,isitnot,Hastings?Ibegintohaveafewlittleideas.Etvous?'

'WhatwasLeonardWeardaledoingonthestairs?Idon'tlikethatyoungman,Poirot.He'sathorough
youngrake,Ishouldsay.'

'Iagreewithyou,monami.'

'Fitzroyseemsanhonestfellow.'

'LordAllowayiscertainlyinsistentonthatpoint.'

'Andyetthereissomethinginhismanner-'

'That is almost too good to be true? I felt it myself. On the other hand, our friend Mrs Conrad is
certainlynotgoodatall.'

'Andherroomisoverthestudy,'Isaidmusingly,andkeepingasharpeyeonPoirot.

Heshookhisheadwithaslightsmile.

'No,monami,Icannotbringmyselfseriouslytobelievethatthatimmaculateladyswarmeddownthe
chimney,orletherselfdownfromthebalcony.'

Ashespoke,thedooropened,andtomygreatsurprise,LadyJulietWeardaleflittedin.

'M.Poirot,'shesaidsomewhatbreathlessly,'canIspeaktoyoualone?'

'Milady,CaptainHastingsisasmyotherself.Youcanspeakbeforehimasthoughhewereathingofno
account,notthereatall.Beseated,Iprayyou.'

Shesatdown,stillkeepinghereyesfixedonPoirot.

'WhatIhavetosayis-ratherdifficult.Youareinchargeofthiscase.Ifthe-papersweretobereturned,
wouldthatendthematter?Imean,coulditbedonewithoutquestionsbeingasked?'

Poirotstaredhardather.

'Letmeunderstandyou,madame.Theyaretobeplacedinmyhands-isthatright?AndIamtoreturn
themtoLordAllowayontheconditionthatheasksnoquestionsastowhereIgotthem?'

Shebowedherhead.'ThatiswhatImean.ButImustbesuretherewillbeno-publicity.'

'IdonotthinkLordAllowayisparticularlyanxiousforpublicity,'saidPoirotgrimly.

'Youacceptthen?'shecriedeagerlyinresponse.

'Alittlemoment,milady.Itdependsonhowsoonyoucanplacethosepapersinmyhands.'

'Almostimmediately.'

Poirotglancedupattheclock.

'Howsoon,exactly?'

'Say-tenminutes,'shewhispered.

'Iaccept,milady.'

Shehurriedfromtheroom.Ipursedmymouthupforawhistle.

'Canyousumupthesituationforme,Hastings?'

'Bridge,'Irepliedsuccinctly.

'Ah, you remember the careless words of Monsieur the Admiral! What a memory! I felicitate you,
Hastings.'

Wesaidnomore,forLordAllowaycamein,andlookedinquiringlyatPoirot.

'Have you any further ideas, M. Poirot? I am afraid the answer to your questions have been rather
disappointing.'

'Notatall,Milor'.Theyhavebeenquitesufficientlyilluminating.Itwillbeunnecessaryformetostay
hereanylonger,andso,withyourpermission,IwillreturnatoncetoLondon.'

LordAllowayseemeddumbfounded.

'But-butwhathaveyoudiscovered?Doyouknowwhotooktheplans?'

'Yes, Milor', I do. Tell me - in the case of the papers being returned to you anonymously, you would
prosecutenofurtherinquiry?'

LordAllowaystaredathim.

'Doyoumeanonpaymentofasumofmoney?'

'No,Milor',returnedunconditionally.'

'Of course, the recovery of the plans is the great thing,' said Lord Alloway slowly. He still looked
puzzledanduncomprehending.

'ThenIshouldseriouslyrecommendyoutoadoptthatcourse.Onlyyou,theAdmiralandyoursecretary
knowoftheloss.Onlytheyneedknowoftherestitution.Andyoumaycountonmetosupportyouin
everyway-laythemysteryonmyshoulders.Youaskedmetorestorethepapers-Ihavedoneso.You
knownomore.'Heroseandheldouthishand.'Milor',Iamgladtohavemetyou.Ihavefaithinyou-
andyourdevotiontoEngland.Youwillguideherdestinieswithastrong,surehand.'

'M.Poirot-IsweartoyouthatIwilldomybest.Itmaybeafault,oritmaybeavirtue-butIbelievein
myself.'

'Sodoeseverygreatman.Me,Iamthesame!'saidPoirotgrandiloquently.

Thecarcameroundtothedoorinafewminutes,andLordAllowaybadeusfarewellonthestepswith
renewedcordiality.

'Thatisagreatman,Hastings,'saidPoirotaswedroveoff.'Hehasbrains,resource,power.Heisthe
strongmanthatEnglandneedstoguideherthroughthesedifficultdaysofreconstruction.'

'I'mquitereadytoagreewithallyousay,Poirot-butwhataboutLadyJuliet?Isshetoreturnthepapers
straighttoAlloway?Whatwillshethinkwhenshefindsyouhavegoneoffwithoutaword?'

'Hastings,Iwillaskyoualittlequestion.Why,whenshewastalkingwithme,didshenothandmethe
plansthenandthere?'

'Shehadn'tgotthemwithher.'

'Perfectly.Howlongwouldittakehertofetchthemfromherroom?Orfromanyhiding-placeinthe
house?Youneednotanswer.Iwilltellyou.Probablyabouttwominutesandahalf!Yetsheasksforten
minutes.Why?Clearlyshehastoobtainthemfromsomeotherperson,andtoreasonorarguewiththat
person before they give them up. Now, what person could that be? Not Mrs Conrad, clearly, but a
memberofherownfamily,herhusbandorson.Whichisitlikelytobe?LeonardWeardalesaidhewent
straighttobed.Weknowthattobeuntrue.Supposinghismotherwenttohisroomandfounditempty;
supposingshecamedownfilledwithanamelessdread-heisnobeautythatsonofhers!Shedoesnot
findhim,butlatershehearshimdenythatheeverlefthisroom.Sheleapstotheconclusionthatheis
thethief.Henceherinterviewwithme.

'But,monami,weknowsomethingthatLadyJulietdoesnot.Weknowthathersoncouldnothavebeen
inthestudy,becausehewasonthestairs,makinglovetotheprettyFrenchmaid.Althoughshedoesnot
knowit,LeonardWeardalehasanalibi.'

'Well,then,whodidstealthepapers?Weseemtohaveeliminatedeverybody-LadyJuliet,herson,Mrs
Conrad,theFrenchmaid-'

'Exactly.Useyourlittlegreycells,myfriend.Thesolutionstaresyouintheface.'

Ishookmyheadblankly.

'Butyes!Ifyouwouldonlypersevere!See,then,Fitzroygoesoutofthestudy;heleavesthepaperson
thedesk.AfewminuteslaterLordAllowayenterstheroom,goestothedesk,andthepapersaregone.
Only two things are possible: either Fitzroy did not leave the papers on the desk, but put them in his
pocket-andthatisnotreasonable,because,asAllowaypointedout,hecouldhavetakenatracingathis
ownconvenienceanytime-orelsethepaperswerestillonthedeskwhenLordAllowaywenttoit-in
whichcasetheywentintohispocket.'

'LordAllowaythethief,'Isaid,dumbfounded.'Butwhy?Why?'

'Didyounottellmeofsomescandalinthepast?Hewasexonerated,yousaid.Butsuppose,afterall,it
hadbeentrue?InEnglishpubliclifetheremustbenoscandal.Ifthiswererakedupandprovedagainst
himnow-goodbyetohispoliticalcareer.Wewillsupposethathewasbeingblackmailed,andtheprice
askedwasthesubmarineplans.'

'Buttheman'sablacktraitor!'Icried.

'Ohno,heisnot.Heiscleverandresourceful.Supposing,myfriend,thathecopiedthoseplans,making
-forheisacleverengineer-aslightalterationineachpartwhichwillrenderthemquiteimpracticable.
Hehandsthefakedplanstotheenemy'sagent-MrsConrad,Ifancy;butinorderthatnosuspicionof
theirgenuinenessmayarise,theplansmustseemtobestolen.Hedoeshisbesttothrownosuspicionon
anyone in the house, by pretending to see a man leaving the window. But there he ran up against the
obstinacyoftheAdmiral.SohisnextanxietyisthatnosuspicionshallfallonFitzroy.'

'Thisisallguessworkonyourpart,Poirot,'Iobjected.

'Itispsychology,monami.Amanwhohadhandedovertherealplanswouldnotbeoverscrupulousas
to who was likely to fall under suspicion. And why was he so anxious that no details of the robbery
shouldbegiventoMrsConrad?Becausehehadhandedoverthefakedplansearlierintheevening,and
didnotwanthertoknowthatthetheftcouldonlyhavetakenplacelater.'

'Iwonderifyouareright,'Isaid.

'Ofcourse,Iamright.IspoketoAllowayasonegreatmantoanother-andheunderstoodperfectly.
Youwillsee.'

One thing is quite certain. On the day when Lord Alloway became Prime Minister, a cheque and a
signedphotographarrived;onthephotographwerethewords:'Tomydiscreetfriend,HerculePoirot-
fromAlloway.'

I believe that the Z type of submarine is causing great exultation in naval circles. They say it will
revolutionize modern naval warfare. I have heard that a certain foreign power essayed to construct
something of the same kind and the result was a dismal failure. But I still consider that Poirot was
guessing.Hewilldoitoncetoooftenoneofthesedays.

THETHIRD-FLOORFLAT

'Bother!'saidPat.

Withadeepeningfrownsherummagedwildlyinthesilkentrifleshecalledaneveningbag.Twoyoung
menandanothergirlwatchedheranxiously.TheywereallstandingoutsidethecloseddoorofPatricia
Garnett'sflat.

'It'snogood,'saidPat.'It'snotthere.Andnowwhatshallwedo?'

'Whatislifewithoutalatchkey?'murmuredJimmyFaulkener.

Hewasashort,broad-shoulderedyoungman,withgood-temperedblueeyes.

Patturnedonhimangrily.'Don'tmakejokes,Jimmy.Thisisserious.'

'Lookagain,Pat,'saidDonovanBailey.'Itmustbetheresomewhere.'

Hehadalazy,pleasantvoicethatmatchedhislean,darkfigure.

'Ifyoueverbroughtitout,'saidtheothergirl,MildredHope.

'Of course I brought it out,' said Pat. 'I believe I gave it to one of you two.' She turned on the man
accusingly.'ItoldDonovantotakeitforme.'

Butshewasnottofindascapegoatsoeasily.Donovanputinafirmdisclaimer,andJimmybackedhim
up.

'Isawyouputitinyourbag,myself,'saidJimmy.

'Well,then,oneofyoudroppeditoutwhenyoupickedupmybag.I'vedroppeditonceortwice.'

'Onceortwice!'saidDonovan.'You'vedroppeditadozentimesatleast,besidesleavingitbehindon
everypossibleoccasion.'

'Ican'tseewhyeverythingonearthdoesn'tdropoutofitthewholetime,'saidJimmy.

'Thepointis-howarewegoingtogetin?'saidMildred.

Shewasasensiblegirl,whokepttothepoint,butshewasnotnearlysoattractiveastheimpulsiveand
troublesomePat.

Allfourofthemregardedthecloseddoorblankly.

'Couldn'ttheporterhelp?'suggestedJimmy.'Hasn'thegotamasterkeyorsomethingofthatkind?'

Patshookherhead.Therewereonlytwokeys.Onewasinsidetheflathungupinthekitchenandthe
otherwas-orshouldbeinthemalignedbag.

'If only the flat were on the ground floor,' wailed Pat. 'We could have broken open a window or
something.Donovan,youwouldn'tliketobeacatburglar,wouldyou?'

Donovandeclinedfirmlybutpolitelytobeacatburglar.

'Aflatonthefourthfloorisabitofanundertaking,'saidJimmy.

'Howaboutafire-escape?'suggestedDonovan.

'Thereisn'tone.'

'Thereshouldbe,'saidJimmy.'Abuildingfivestoreyshighoughttohaveafireescape.'

'Idaresay,'saidPat.'Butwhatshouldbedoesn'thelpus.HowamIevertogetintomyflat?'

'Isn'tthereasortofthingummybob?'saidDonovan.'Athingthetradesmensendupchopsandbrussels
sproutsin?'

'The service lift,' said Pat. 'Oh yes, but it's only a sort of wire-basket thing. Oh! wait - I know. What
aboutthecoallift?'

'Nowthat,'saidDonovan,'isanidea.'

Mildred made a discouraging suggestion. 'It'll be bolted,' she said. 'In Pat's kitchen, I mean, on the
inside.'

Buttheideawasinstantlynegatived.

'Don'tyoubelieveit,'saidDonovan.

'NotinPat'skitchen,'saidJimmy.'Patneverlocksandboltsthings.'

'I don't think it's bolted,' said Pat. 'I took the dustbin off this morning, and I'm sure I never bolted it
afterwards,andIdon'tthinkI'vebeennearitsince.'

'Well,'saidDonovan,'thatfact'sgoingtobeveryusefultoustonight,but,allthesame,youngPat,let
mepointouttoyouthattheseslackhabitsareleavingyouatthemercyofburglars-non-feline-every
night.'

Patdisregardedtheseadmonitions.

'Comeon,'shecried,andbeganracingdownthefourflightsofstairs.Theothersfollowedher.Patled
themthroughadarkrecess,apparentlyfulltooverflowingofperambulators,andthroughanotherdoor
intothewelloftheflats,andguidedthemtotherightlift.Therewas,atthemoment,adustbinonit.
Donovanlifteditoffandsteppedgingerlyontotheplatforminitsplace.Hewrinkleduphisnose.

'Alittlenoisome,'heremarked.'Butwhatofthat?DoIgoaloneonthisventureorisanyonecoming
withme?'

'I'llcome,too,'saidJimmy.

HesteppedonbyDonovan'sside.

'Isupposetheliftwillbearme,'headdeddoubtfully.

'Youcan'tweighmuchmorethanatonofcoal,'saidPat,whohadneverbeenparticularlystrongonher
weights-and-measurestable.

'And,anyway,weshallsoonfindout,'saidDonovancheerfully,ashehauledontherope.

Withagrindingnoisetheydisappearedfromsight.

'Thisthingmakesanawfulnoise,'remarkedJimmy,astheypassedupthroughblackness.'Whatwillthe
peopleintheotherflatsthink?'

'Ghostsorburglars,Iexpect,'saidDonovan.'Haulingthisropeisquiteheavywork.TheporterofFriars
MansionsdoesmoreworkthanIeversuspected.Isay,Jimmy,oldson,areyoucountingthefloors?'

'Oh,Lord!No.Iforgotaboutit.'

'Well,Ihave,whichisjustaswell.That'sthethirdwe'repassingnow.Thenextisours.'

'Andnow,Isuppose,'grumbledJimmy,'weshallfindthatPatdidboltthedoorafterall.'

But these fears were unfounded. The wooden door swung back at a touch, and Donovan and Jimmy
steppedoutintotheinkyblacknessofPat'skitchen.

'Weoughttohaveatorchforthiswildnightwork,'explainedDonovan.'IfIknowPat,everything'son
thefloor,andweshallsmashendlesscrockerybeforeIcangettothelightswitch.Don'tmoveabout,
Jimmy,tillIgetthelighton.'

Hefelthiswaycautiouslyoverthefloor,utteringonefervent'Damn!'asacornerofthekitchentable
tookhimunawaresintheribs.Hereachedtheswitch,andinanothermomentanother'Damn!'floated
outofthedarkness.

'What'sthematter?'askedJimmy.

'Lightwon'tcomeon.Dudbulb,Isuppose.Waitaminute.I'llturnthesitting-roomlighton.'

The sitting-room was the door immediately across the passage. Jimmy heard Donovan go out of the
door,andpresentlyfreshmuffledcursesreachedhim.Hehimselfedgedhiswaycautiouslyacrossthe
kitchen.

'What'sthematter?'

'I don't know. Rooms get bewitched at night, I believe. Everything seems to be in a different place.
Chairsandtableswhereyouleastexpectedthem.Oh,hell!Here'sanother!'

ButatthismomentJimmyfortunatelyconnectedwiththeelectric-lightswitchandpresseditdown.In
anotherminutetwoyoungmenwerelookingateachotherinsilenthorror.

ThisroomwasnotPat'ssitting-room.Theywereinthewrongflat.

To begin with, the room was about ten times more crowded than Pat's, which explained Donovan's
patheticbewildermentatrepeatedlycannoningintochairsandtables.Therewasalargeroundtablein
thecentreoftheroomcoveredwithabaizecloth,andtherewasanaspidistrainthewindow.Itwas,in
fact, the kind of room whose owner, the young men felt sure, would be difficult to explain to. With
silenthorrortheygazeddownatthetable,onwhichlayalittlepileofletters.

'Mrs Ernestine Grant,' breathed Donovan, picking them up and reading the name. 'Oh, help! Do you
thinkshe'sheardus?'

'It's a miracle she hasn't heard you,' said Jimmy. 'What with your language and the way you've been
crashingintothefurniture.Comeon,fortheLord'ssake,let'sgetoutofherequickly.'

Theyhastilyswitchedoffthelightandretracedtheirstepsontiptoetothelift.Jimmybreathedasighof
reliefastheyregainedthefastnessofitsdepthswithoutfurtherincident.

'I do like a woman to be a good, sound sleeper,' he said approvingly. 'Mrs Ernestine Grant has her
points.'

'Iseeitnow,'saidDonovan;'whywemadethemistakeinthefloor,Imean.Outinthatwellwestarted
upfromthebasement.'Heheavedontherope,andtheliftshotup.'We'rerightthistime.'

'Idevoutlytrustweare,'saidJimmyashesteppedoutintoanotherinkyvoid.'Mynerveswon'tstand
manymoreshocksofthiskind.'

Butnofurthernervestrainwasimposed.ThefirstclickofthelightshowedthemPat'skitchen,andin
anotherminutetheywereopeningthefrontdoorandadmittingthetwogirlswhowerewaitingoutside.

'Youhavebeenalongtime,'grumbledPat.'MildredandIhavebeenwaitinghereages.'

'We've had an adventure,' said Donovan. 'We might have been hauled off to the police-station as

dangerousmalefactors.'

Pathadpassedonintothesitting-room,wheresheswitchedonthelightanddroppedherwraponthe
sofa.ShelistenedwithlivelyinteresttoDonovan'saccountofhisadventures.

'I'mgladshedidn'tcatchyou,'shecommented.'I'msureshe'sanoldcurmudgeon.Igotanotefromher
this morning - wanted to see me some time - something she had to complain about - my piano, I
suppose.Peoplewhodon'tlikepianosovertheirheadsshouldn'tcomeandliveinflats.Isay,Donovan,
you'vehurtyourhand.It'salloverblood.Goandwashitunderthetap.'

Donovan looked down at his hand in surprise. He went out of the room obediently and presently his
voicecalledtoJimmy.

'Hullo,'saidtheother,'what'sup?Youhaven'thurtyourselfbadly,haveyou?'

'Ihaven'thurtmyselfatall.'

TherewassomethingsoqueerinDonovan'svoicethatJimmystaredathiminsurprise.Donovanheld
outhiswashedhandandJimmysawthattherewasnomarkorcutofanykindonit.

'That's odd,' he said, frowning. 'There was quite a lot of blood. Where did it come from?' And then
suddenlyherealizedwhathisquicker-wittedfriendhadalreadyseen.'ByJove,'hesaid.'Itmusthave
comefromthatflat.'Hestopped,thinkingoverthepossibilitieshiswordsimplied.'You'resureitwas-
er-blood?'hesaid.'Notpaint?'

Donovanshookhishead.'Itwasblood,allright,'hesaid,andshivered.

They looked at each other. The same thought was clearly in each of their minds. It was Jimmy who
voiceditfirst.

'I say,' he said awkwardly. 'Do you think we ought to - well go down again - and have - a - a look
around?Seeit'sallright,youknow?'

'Whataboutthegirls?'

'Wewon'tsayanythingtothem.Pat'sgoingtoputonanapronandmakeusanomelette.We'llbeback
bythetimetheywonderwhereweare.'

'Oh, well, come on,' said Donovan. 'I suppose we've got to go through with it. I dare say there isn't
anythingreallywrong.'Buthistonelackedconviction.Theygotintotheliftanddescendedtothefloor
below.Theyfoundtheirwayacrossthekitchenwithoutmuchdifficultyandoncemoreswitchedonthe
sitting-roomlight.

'Itmusthavebeeninhere,'saidDonovan,'that-thatIgotthestuffonme.Inevertouchedanythingin
thekitchen.'

He looked round him. Jimmy did the same, and they both frowned. Everything looked neat and
commonplaceandmilesremovedfromanysuggestionofviolenceorgore.

SuddenlyJimmystartedviolentlyandcaughthiscompanion'sarm.

'Look!'

Donovanfollowedthepointingfinger,andinhisturnutteredanexclamation.Frombeneaththeheavy
repcurtainsthereprotrudedafoot-awoman'sfootinagapingpatent-leathershoe.

Jimmy went to the curtains and drew them sharply apart. In the recess of the window a woman's
huddledbodylayonthefloor,astickydarkpoolbesideit.Shewasdead,therewasnodoubtofthat.
JimmywasattemptingtoraiseherupwhenDonovanstoppedhim.

'You'dbetternotdothat.Sheoughtn'ttobetouchedtillthepolicecome.'

'The police. Oh, of course. I say, Donovan, what a ghastly business. Who do you think she is? Mrs
ErnestineGrant?'

'Lookslikeit.Atanyrate,ifthere'sanyoneelseintheflatthey'rekeepingjollyquiet.'

'Whatdowedonext?'askedJimmy.'RunoutandgetapolicemanorringupfromPat'sflat?'

'I should think ringing up would be best. Come on, we might as well go out the front door. We can't

spendthewholenightgoingupanddowninthatevil-smellinglift.'

Jimmyagreed.Justastheywerepassingthroughthedoorhehesitated.'Lookhere;doyouthinkoneof
usoughttostay-justtokeepaneyeonthings-tillthepolicecome?'

'Yes,Ithinkyou'reright.Ifyou'llstayI'llrunupandtelephone.'

Heranquicklyupthestairsandrangthebelloftheflatabove.Patcametoopenit,averyprettyPat
withaflushedfaceandacookingapronon.Hereyeswidenedinsurprise.

'You?Buthow-Donovan,whatisit?Isanythingthematter?'

Hetookbothherhandsinhis.'It'sallright,Pat-onlywe'vemaderatheranunpleasantdiscoveryinthe
flatbelow.Awoman-dead.'

'Oh!'Shegavealittlegasp.'Howhorrible.Hasshehadafitorsomething?'

'No.Itlooks-well-itlooksratherasthoughshehadbeenmurdered.'

'Oh,Donovan!'

'Iknow.It'sprettybeastly.'

Herhandswerestillinhis.Shehadleftthemthere-wasevenclingingtohim.DarlingPat-howhe
loved her. Did she care at all for him? Sometimes he thought she did. Sometimes he was afraid that
JimmyFaulkener-remembrancesofJimmywaitingpatientlybelowmadehimstartguiltily.

'Pat,dear,wemusttelephonetothepolice.'

'Monsieurisright,'saidavoicebehindhim.'Andinthemeantime,whilewearewaitingtheirarrival,
perhapsIcanbeofsomeslightassistance.'

Theyhadbeenstandinginthedoorwayoftheflat,andnowtheypeeredoutontothelanding.Afigure
wasstandingonthestairsalittlewayabovethem.Itmoveddownandintotheirrangeofvision.

They stood staring at a little man with a very fierce moustache and an egg-shaped head. He wore a
resplendentdressing-gownandembroideredslippers.HebowedgallantlytoPatricia.

'Mademoiselle!'hesaid.'Iam,asperhapsyouknow,thetenantoftheflatabove.Iliketobeuphigh-
theair-theviewoverLondon.ItaketheflatinthenameofMrO'Connor.ButIamnotanIrishman.I
haveanothername.ThatiswhyIventuretoputmyselfatyourservice.Permitme.'Withaflourishhe
pulledoutacardandhandedittoPat.Shereadit.

'M.HerculePoirot.Oh!'Shecaughtherbreath.'TheM.Poirot!Thegreatdetective?Andyouwillreally
help?'

'Thatismyintention,mademoiselle.Inearlyofferedmyhelpearlierintheevening.'

Patlookedpuzzled.

'I heard you discussing how to gain admission to your flat. Me, I am very clever at picking locks. I
could,withoutdoubt,haveopenedyourdoorforyou,butIhesitatedtosuggestit.Youwouldhavehad
thegravesuspicionsofme.'

Patlaughed.

'Now, monsieur,' said Poirot to Donovan. 'Go in, I pray of you, and telephone to the police. I will
descendtotheflatbelow.'

Patcamedownthestairswithhim.TheyfoundJimmyonguard,andPatexplainedPoirot'spresence.
Jimmy,inhisturn,explainedtoPoirothisandDonovan'sadventures.Thedetectivelistenedattentively.

'Theliftdoorwasunbolted,yousay?Youemergedintothekitchen,butthelightitwouldnotturnon.'

Hedirectedhisfootstepstothekitchenashespoke.Hisfingerspressedtheswitch.

'Tiens!Voilàcequiestcurieux!'hesaidasthelightflashedon.'Itfunctionsperfectlynow.Iwonder-'

Heheldupafingertoensuresilenceandlistened.Afaintsoundbrokethestillness-thesoundofan

unmistakablesnore.

'Ah!'saidPoirot.'Lachambrededomestique.'

He tiptoed across the kitchen into a little pantry, out of which led a door. He opened the door and
switched on the light. The room was the kind of dog kennel designed by the builders of flats to
accommodateahumanbeing.Thefloorspacewasalmostentirelyoccupiedbythebed.Inthebedwasa
rosy-cheekedgirllyingonherbackwithhermouthwide-open,snoringplacidly.

Poirotswitchedoffthelightandbeataretreat.

'Shewillnotwake,'hesaid.'Wewilllethersleeptillthepolicecome.'

Hewentbacktothesitting-room.Donovanhadjoinedthem.

'Thepolicewillbeherealmostimmediately,theysay,'hesaidbreathlessly.'Wearetotouchnothing.'

Poirotnodded.'Wewillnottouch,'hesaid.'Wewilllook,thatisall.'

Hemovedintotheroom.MildredhadcomedownwithDonovan,andallfouryoungpeoplestoodinthe
doorwayandwatchedhimwithbreathlessinterest.

'WhatIcan'tunderstand,sir,isthis,'saidDonovan.'Ineverwentnearthewindow-howdidtheblood
comeonmyhand?'

'Myyoungfriend,theanswertothatstaresyouintheface.Ofwhatcolouristhetablecloth?Red,isit
not?anddoubtlessyoudidputyourhandonthetable.'

'Yes,Idid.Isthat-'Hestopped.

Poirotnodded.Hewasbendingoverthetable.Heindicatedwithhishandadarkpatchonthered.

'Itwasherethatthecrimewascommitted,'hesaidsolemnly.'Thebodywasmovedafterwards.'

Then he stood upright and looked slowly round the room. He did not move, he handled nothing, but
neverthelessthefourwatchingfeltasthougheveryobjectinthatratherfrowstyplacegaveupitssecret
tohisobservanteye.

HerculePoirotnoddedhisheadasthoughsatisfied.Alittlesighescapedhim.'Isee,'hesaid.

'Youseewhat?'askedDonovancuriously.

'Isee,'saidPoirot,'whatyoudoubtlessfelt-thattheroomisoverfulloffurniture.'

Donovan smiled ruefully. 'I did go barging about a bit,' he confessed. 'Of course, everything was in a
differentplacetoPat'sroom,andIcouldn'tmakeitout.'

'Noteverything,'saidPoirot.

Donovanlookedathiminquiringly.

'Imean,'saidPoirotapologetically,'thatcertainthingsarealwayfixed.Inablockofflatsthedoor,the
window,thefireplace-theyareinthesameplaceintheroomswhicharebeloweachother.'

'Isn'tthatrathersplittinghairs?'askedMildred.ShewaslookingatPoirotwithfaintdisapproval.

'Oneshouldalwaysspeakwithabsoluteaccuracy.Thatisalittle-howdoyousay?-fadofmine.'

Therewasthenoiseoffootstepsonthestairs,andthreemencamein.Theywereapoliceinspector,a
constable, and the divisional surgeon. The inspector recognized Poirot and greeted him in an almost
reverentialmanner.Thenheturnedtotheothers.

'Ishallwantstatementsfromeveryone,'hebegan,'butinthefirstplace-'

Poirotinterrupted.'Alittlesuggestion.Wewillgobacktotheflatupstairsandmademoisellehereshall
dowhatshewasplanningtodo-makeusanomelette.Me,Ihaveapassionfortheomelettes.Then,M.
l'Inspecteur,whenyouhavefinishedhere,youwillmounttousandaskquestionsatyourleisure.'

Itwasarrangedaccordingly,andPoirotwentupwiththem.

'M.Poirot,'saidPat,'Ithinkyou'reaperfectdear.Andyoushallhavealovelyomelette.Ireallymake
omelettesfrightfullywell.'

'Thatisgood.Once,mademoiselle,IlovedabeautifulyoungEnglishgirl,whoresembledyougreatly-
butalas!-shecouldnotcook.Soperhapseverythingwasforthebest.'

Therewasafaintsadnessinhisvoice,andJimmyFaulkenerlookedathimcuriously.

Onceintheflat,however,heexertedhimselftopleaseandamuse.Thegrimtragedybelowwasalmost
forgotten.

The omelette had been consumed and duly praised by the time that Inspector Rice's footsteps were
heard.Hecameinaccompaniedbythedoctor,havinglefttheconstablebelow.

'Well,MonsieurPoirot,'hesaid.'Itallseemsclearandabove-board-notmuchinyourline,thoughwe
mayfindithardtocatchtheman.I'djustliketohearhowthediscoverycametobemade.'

Donovan and Jimmy between them recounted the happenings of the evening. The inspector turned
reproachfullytoPat.

'Youshouldn'tleaveyourliftdoorunbolted,miss.Youreallyshouldn't.'

'Ishan'tagain,'saidPat,withashiver.'Somebodymightcomeinandmurdermelikethatpoorwoman
below.'

'Ah,buttheydidn'tcomeinthatway,though,'saidtheinspector.

'Youwillrecounttouswhatyouhavediscovered,yes?'saidPoirot.

'Idon'tknowasIoughtto-butseeingit'syou,M.Poirot-'

'Précisément,'saidPoirot.'Andtheseyoungpeople-theywillbediscreet.'

'The newspapers will get hold of it, anyway, soon enough,' said the inspector. 'There's no real secret
aboutthematter.Well,thedeadwoman'sMrsGrant,allright.Ihadtheporteruptoidentifyher.Woman
of about thirty-five. She was sitting at the table, and she was shot with an automatic pistol of small
calibre, probably by someone sitting opposite her at table. She fell forward, and that's how the
bloodstaincameonthetable.'

'Butwouldn'tsomeonehaveheardtheshot?'askedMildred.

'The pistol was fitted with a silencer. No, you wouldn't hear anything. By the way, did you hear the
screech the maid let out when we told her her mistress was dead? No. Well, that just shows how
unlikelyitwasthatanyonewouldheartheother.'

'Hasthemaidnostorytotell?'askedPoirot.

'Itwashereveningout.She'sgotherownkey.Shecameinaboutteno'clock.Everythingwasquiet.She
thoughthermistresshadgonetobed.'

'Shedidnotlookinthesitting-room,then?'

'Yes,shetookthelettersintherewhichhadcomebytheeveningpost,butshesawnothingunusual-
anymorethanMrFaulkenerandMrBaileydid.Yousee,themurdererhadconcealedthebodyrather
neatlybehindthecurtains.'

'Butitwasacuriousthingtodo,don'tyouthink?'

Poirot'svoicewasverygentle,yetitheldsomethingthatmadetheinspectorlookupquickly.

'Didn'twantthecrimediscoveredtillhe'dhadtimetomakehisgetaway.'

'Perhaps,perhaps-butcontinuewithwhatyouweresaying.'

'Themaidwentoutatfiveo'clock.Thedoctorhereputsthetimeofdeathas-roughly-aboutfourto
fivehoursago.That'sright,isn'tit?'

Thedoctor,whowasamanoffewwords,contentedhimselfwithjerkinghisheadaffirmatively.

'It'saquartertotwelvenow.Theactualtimecan,Ithink,benarroweddowntoafairlydefinitehour.'

Hetookoutacrumpledsheetofpaper.

'Wefoundthisinthepocketofthedeadwoman'sdress.Youneedn'tbeafraidofhandlingit.Thereare
nofingerprintsonit.'

Poirotsmoothedoutthesheet.Acrossitsomewordswereprintedinsmall,primcapitals.

IWILLCOMETOSEEYOUTHISEVENINGATHALFPASTSEVEN.-J.F.

'Acompromisingdocumenttoleavebehind,'commentedPoirot,ashehandeditback.

'Well,hedidn'tknowshe'dgotitinherpocket,'saidtheinspector.'Heprobablythoughtshe'ddestroyed
it.We'veevidencethathewasacarefulman,though.Thepistolshewasshotwithwefoundunderthe
body-andthereagainnofingerprints.They'dbeenwipedoffverycarefullywithasilkhandkerchief.'

'Howdoyouknow,'saidPoirot,'thatitwasasilkhandkerchief?'

'Becausewefoundit,'saidtheinspectortriumphantly.'Atthelast,ashewasdrawingthecurtains,he
musthaveletitfallunnoticed.'

He handed across a big white silk handkerchief - a good-quality handkerchief. It did not need the
inspector's finger to draw Poirot's attention to the mark on it in the centre. It was neatly marked and
quitelegible.Poirotreadthenameout.

'JohnFraser.'

'That'sit,'saidtheinspector.'JohnFraser-J.F.inthenote.Weknowthenameofthemanwehaveto
lookfor,andIdaresaywhenwefindoutalittleaboutthedeadwoman,andherrelationscomeforward,
weshallsoongetalineonhim.'

'Iwonder,'saidPoirot.'No,moncher,somehowIdonotthinkhewillbeeasytofind,yourJohnFraser.

Heisastrangeman-careful,sincehemarkshishandkerchiefsandwipesthepistolwithwhichhehas
committedthecrime-yetcarelesssinceheloseshishandkerchiefanddoesnotsearchforaletterthat
mightincriminatehim.'

'Flurried,that'swhathewas,'saidtheinspector.

'Itispossible,'saidPoirot.'Yes,itispossible.Andhewasnotseenenteringthebuilding?'

'Thereareallsortsofpeoplegoinginandoutatthetime.Thesearebigblocks.Isupposenoneofyou-'
headdressedthefourcollectively-'sawanyonecomingoutoftheflat?'

Patshookherhead.'Wewentoutearlier-aboutseveno'clock.'

'Isee.'Theinspectorrose.Poirotaccompaniedhimtothedoor.

'Asalittlefavour,mayIexaminetheflatbelow?'

'Why,certainly,M.Poirot.Iknowwhattheythinkofyouatheadquarters.I'llleaveyouakey.I'vegot
two.Itwillbeempty.Themaidclearedouttosomerelatives,tooscaredtostaytherealone.'

'Ithankyou,'saidM.Poirot.Hewentbackintotheflat,thoughtful.

'You'renotsatisfied,M.Poirot?'saidJimmy.

'No,'saidPoirot.'Iamnotsatisfied.'

Donovanlookedathimcuriously.'Whatisitthat-well,worriesyou?'

Poirotdidnotanswer.Heremainedsilentforaminuteortwo,frowning,asthoughinthought,thenhe
madeasuddenimpatientmovementofshoulders.

'Iwillsaygoodnighttoyou,mademoiselle.YoumustbetiredYouhavehadmuchcookingtodo-eh?'

Patlaughed.'Onlytheomelette.Ididn'tdodinner.DonovanandJimmycameandcalledforus,andwe
wentouttoalittleplaceinSoho.'

'Andthenwithoutdoubt,youwenttoatheatre?'

'Yes.TheBrownEyesofCaroline.'

'Ah!'saidPoirot.'Itshouldhavebeenblueeyes-theblueeyesofmademoiselle.'

He made a sentimental gesture, and then once more wished Pat good night, also Mildred, who was
stayingthenightbyspecialrequest,asPatadmittedfranklythatshewouldgetthehorrors,ifleftalone
onthisparticularnight.

The two young men accompanied Poirot. When the door was shut, and they were preparing to say
goodbyetohimonthelanding,Poirotforestalledthem.

'Myyoungfriends,youheardmesaythatIwasnotsatisfied!Ehbien,itistrue-Iamnot.Igonowto
makesomelittleinvestigationsofmyown.Youwouldliketoaccompanyme-yes?'

An eager assent greeted this proposal. Poirot led the way to the flat below and inserted the key the
inspector had given him in the lock. On entering, he did not, as the others had expected, enter the
sitting-room.Insteadhewentstraighttothekitchen.Inalittlerecesswhichservedasasculleryabig
iron bin was standing. Poirot uncovered this and, doubling himself up, began to rootle in it with the
energyofaferociousterrier.

BothJimmyandDonovanstaredathiminamazement.

Suddenlywithacryoftriumphheemerged.Inhishandheheldaloftasmallstopperedbottle.

'Voilà!'hesaid.'IfindwhatIseek.'Hesniffedatitdelicately.'Alas!Iamenrhumé-Ihavethecoldin
thehead.'

Donovan took the bottle from him and sniffed in his turn, but could smell nothing. He took out the
stopperandheldthebottletohisnosebeforePoirot'swarningcrycouldstophim.

Immediatelyhefelllikealog.Poirot,byspringingforward,partlybrokehisfall.

'Imbecile!'hecried.'Theidea.Toremovethestopperinthatfoolhardymanner!Didhenotobservehow
delicately I handled it? Monsieur - Faulkener - is it not? Will you be so good as to get me a little
brandy?Iobservedadecanterinthesitting-room.'

Jimmyhurriedoff,butbythetimehereturned,Donovanwassittingupanddeclaringhimselfquiteall
right again. He had to listen to a short lecture from Poirot on the necessity of caution in sniffing at
possiblypoisonoussubstances.

'IthinkI'llbeoffhome,'saidDonovan,risingshakilytohisfeet.'Thatis,ifIcan'tbeanymoreusehere.
Ifeelabitwonkystill.'

'Assuredly,'saidPoirot.'Thatisthebestthingyoucando.M.Faulkener,attendmeherealittleminute.I
willreturnontheinstant.'

He accompanied Donovan to the door and beyond. They remained outside on the landing talking for
some minutes. When Poirot at last re-entered the flat he found Jimmy standing in the sitting-room
gazingroundhimwithpuzzledeyes.

'Well,M.Poirot,'hesaid,'whatnext?'

'Thereisnothingnext.Thecaseisfinished.'

'What?'

'Iknoweverything-now.'

Jimmystaredathim.'Thatlittlebottleyoufound?'

'Exactly.Thatlittlebottle.'

Jimmy shook his head. 'I can't make head or tail of it. For some reason or other I can see you are
dissatisfiedwiththeevidenceagainstthisJohnFraser,whoeverhemaybe.'

'Whoeverhemaybe,'repeatedPoirotsoftly.'Ifheisanyoneatall-well,Ishallbesurprised.'

'Idon'tunderstand.'

'Heisaname-thatisall-anamecarefullymarkedonahandkerchief!'

'Andtheletter?'

'Didyounoticethatitwasprinted?Now,why?Iwilltellyou.Handwritingmightberecognized,anda
typewritten letter is more easily traced than you would imagine - but if a real John Fraser wrote that
letterthosetwopointswouldnothaveappealedtohim!No,itwaswrittenonpurpose,andputinthe
deadwoman'spocketforustofind.ThereisnosuchpersonasJohnFraser.'

Jimmylookedathiminquiringly.

'And so,' went on Poirot, 'I went back to the point that first struck me. You heard me say that certain
things in a room were always in the same place under given circumstances. I gave three instances. I
mighthavementionedafourth-theelectric-lightswitch,myfriend.'

Jimmystillstareduncomprehendingly.Poirotwenton.

'YourfriendDonovandidnotgonearthewindow-itwasbyrestinghishandonthistablethathegotit
covered in blood! But I asked myself at once - why did he rest it there? What was he doing groping
aboutthisroomindarkness?Forremember,myfriend,theelectric-lightswitchisalwaysinthesame
place-bythedoor.Why,whenhecametothisroom,didhenotatoncefeelforthelightandturniton?
That was the natural, the normal thing to do. According to him, he tried to turn on the light in the
kitchen,butfailed.YetwhenItriedtheswitchitwasinperfectworkingorder.Didhe,then,notwish
thelighttogoonjustthen?Ifithadgoneonyouwouldbothhaveseenatoncethatyouwereinthe
wrongflat.Therewouldhavebeennoreasontocomeintothisroom.'

'Whatareyoudrivingat,M.Poirot?Idon'tunderstand.Whatdoyoumean?'

'Imean-this.'

PoirotheldupaYaledoorkey.

'Thekeyofthisflat?'

'No, mon ami, the key of the flat above. Mademoiselle Patricia's key, which M. Donovan Bailey
abstractedfromherbagsometimeduringtheevening.'

'Butwhy-why?'

'Parbleu! So that he could do what he wanted to do - gain admission to this flat in a perfectly
unsuspiciousmanner.Hemadesurethattheliftdoorwasunboltedearlierintheevening.'

'Wheredidyougetthekey?'

Poirot'ssmilebroadened.'Ifounditjustnow-whereIlookedforit-inM.Donovan'spocket.Seeyou,
thatlittlebottleIpretendedtofindwasaruse.M.Donovanistakenin.HedoeswhatIknewhewould
do - unstoppers it and sniffs. And in that little bottle is ethyl chloride, a very powerful instant
anaesthetic.ItgivesmejustthemomentortwoofunconsciousnessIneed.Itakefromhispocketthe
twothingsthatIknewwouldbethere.Thiskeywasoneofthem-theother-'

Hestoppedandthenwenton.

'Iquestionedatthetimethereasontheinspectorgaveforthebodybeingconcealedbehindthecurtain.
Togaintime?No,therewasmorethanthat.AndsoIthoughtofjustonething-thepost,myfriend.The
eveningpostthatcomesathalfpastnineorthereabouts.Saythemurdererdoesnotfindsomethinghe
expects to find, but that something may be delivered by post later. Clearly, then, he must come back.
But the crime must not be discovered by the maid when she comes in, or the police would take
possessionoftheflat,sohehidesthebodybehindthecurtain.Andthemaidsuspectsnothingandlays
thelettersonthetableasusual.'

'Theletters?'

'Yes, the letters.' Poirot drew something from his pocket. 'This is the second article I took from M.
Donovanwhenhewasunconscious.'Heshowedthesuperscription-atypewrittenenvelopeaddressed
toMrsErnestineGrant.'ButIwillaskyouonethingfirst,M.Faulkener,beforewelookatthecontents
ofthisletter.AreyouorareyounotinlovewithMademoisellePatricia?'

'IcareforPatdamnably-butI'veneverthoughtIhadachance.'

'YouthoughtthatshecaredforM.Donovan?Itmaybethatshehadbeguntocareforhim-butitwas
onlyabeginning,myfriend.Itisforyoutomakeherforget-tostandbyherinhertrouble.'

'Trouble?'saidJimmysharply.

'Yes,trouble.Wewilldoallwecantokeephernameoutofit,butitwillbeimpossibletodosoentirely.
Shewas,yousee,themotive.'

Herippedopentheenvelopethatheheld.Anenclosurefellout.Thecoveringletterwasbrief,andwas
fromafirmofsolicitors.

DearMadam,

Thedocumentyouencloseisquiteinorder,andthefactofthemarriagehavingtakenplaceinaforeign
countrydoesnotinvalidateitinanyway.

Yourstruly,etc.

Poirotspreadouttheenclosure.ItwasacertificateofmarriagebetweenDonovanBaileyandErnestine
Grant,datedeightyearsgo.

'Oh,myGod!'saidJimmy.'Patsaidshe'dhadaletterfromthewomanaskingtoseeher,butshenever
dreameditwasanythingimportant.'

Poirotnodded.'M.Donovanknew-hewenttoseehiswifethiseveningbeforegoingtotheflatabove-
a strange irony, by the way, that led the unfortunate woman to come to this building where her rival
lived-hemurderedherincoldblood,andthenwentontohisevening'samusement.Hiswifemusthave
toldhimthatshehadsentthemarriagecertificatetohersolicitorsandwasexpectingtohearfromthem.
Doubtlesshehimselfhadtriedtomakeherbelievethattherewasaflawinthemarriage.'

'He seemed in quite good spirits, too, all the evening. M. Poirot, you haven't let him escape?' Jimmy
shuddered.

'Thereisnoescapeforhim,'saidPoirotgravely.'Youneednotfear.'

'It'sPatI'mthinkingaboutmostly,'saidJimmy.'Youdon'tthink-shereallycared.'

'Monami,thatisyourpart,'saidPoirotgently.'Tomakeherturntoyouandforget.Idonotthinkyou
willfinditverydifficult!'

DOUBLESIN

IhadcalledinatmyfriendPoirot'sroomstofindhimsadlyoverworked.Somuchhadhebecomethe
ragethateveryrichwomanwhohadmislaidabraceletorlostapetkittenrushedtosecuretheservices
ofthegreatHerculePoirot.MylittlefriendwasastrangemixtureofFlemishthriftandartisticfervor.
Heacceptedmanycasesinwhichhehadlittleinterestowingtothefirstinstinctbeingpredominant.

Healsoundertookcasesinwhichtherewasalittleornomonetaryrewardsheerlybecausetheproblem
involvedinterestedhim.Theresultwasthat,asIsay,hewasoverworkinghimself.Headmittedasmuch
himself, and I found little difficulty in persuading him to accompany me for a week's holiday to that
well-knownSouthCoastresort,Ebermouth.

WehadspentfourveryagreeabledayswhenPoirotcametome,anopenletterinhishand.

"Monami,youremembermyfriendJosephAarons,thetheatricalagent?"

Iassentedafteramoment'sthought.Poirot'sfriendsaresomanyandsovaried,andrangefromdustmen
todukes.

"Eh bien, Hastings, Joseph Aarons finds himself at Charlock Bay. He is far from well, and there is a
littleaffairthatitseemsisworryinghim.Hebegsmetogooverandseehim.Ithink,monami,thatI
mustaccedetohisrequest.Heisafaithfulfriend,thegoodJosephAarons,andhasdonemuchtoassist
meinthepast."

"Certainly, if you think so," I said. "I believe Charlock Bay is a beautiful spot, and as it happens I've
neverbeenthere."

"Thenwecombinebusinesswithpleasure,"saidPoirot."Youwillinquirethetrains,yes?"

"It will probably mean a change or two," I said with a grimace. "You know what these cross-country
linesare.TogofromtheSouthDevoncoasttotheNorthDevoncoastissometimesaday'sjourney."

However,oninquiry,IfoundthatthejourneycouldbeaccomplishedbyonlyonechangeatExeterand

thatthetrainsweregood.IwashasteningbacktoPoirotwiththeinformationwhenIhappenedtopass
theofficesoftheSpeedycarsandsawwrittenup:

Tomorrow. All-day excursion to Charlock Bay. Starting 8:30 through some of the most beautiful
sceneryinDevon.

Iinquiredafewparticularsandreturnedtothehotelfullofenthusiasm.Unfortunately,Ifoundithardto
makePoirotsharemyfeelings.

"Myfriend,whythispassionforthemotorcoach?Thetrain,seeyou,itissure?Thetires,theydonot
burst;theaccidents,theydonothappen.Oneisnotincommodedbytoomuchair.Thewindowscanbe
shutandnodraftsadmitted."

I hinted delicately that the advantage of fresh air was what attracted me most to the motor-coach
scheme.

"Andifitrains?YourEnglishclimateissouncertain."

"There'sahoodandallthat.Besides,ifitrainsbadly,theexcursiondoesn'ttakeplace."

"Ah!"saidPoirot."Thenletushopethatitrains."

"Ofcourse,ifyoufeellikethatand..."

"No,no,manami.Iseethatyouhavesetyourheartonthetrip.Fortunately,Ihavemygreatcoatwith
meandtwomufflers."Hesighed."ButshallwehavesufficienttimeatCharlockBay?"

"Well,I'mafraiditmeansstayingthenightthere.Yousee,thetourgoesroundbyDartmoor.Wehave
lunchatMonkhampton.WearriveatCharlockBayaboutfouro'clock,andthecoachstartsbackatfive,
arrivinghereatteno'clock."

"So!"saidPoirot."Andtherearepeoplewhodothisforpleasure!Weshall,ofcourse,getareductionof
thefaresincewedonotmakethereturnjourney?"

"Ihardlythinkthat'slikely."

"Youmustinsist."

"Comenow,Poirot,don'tbemean.Youknowyou'recoiningmoney."

"My friend, it is not the meanness. It is the business sense. If I were a millionaire, I would pay only
whatwasjustandright."

AsIhadforeseen,however,Poirotwasdoomedtofailinthisrespect.Thegentlemanwhoissuedtickets
attheSpeedyofficewascalmandunimpassionedbutadamant.Hispointwasthatweoughttoreturn.
HeevenimpliedthatweoughttopayextrafortheprivilegeofleavingthecoachatCharlockBay.

Defeated,Poirotpaidovertherequiredsumandlefttheoffice.

"TheEnglish,theyhavenosenseofmoney,"hegrumbled."Didyouobserveayoungman,Hastings,
whopaidoverthefullfareandyetmentionedhisintentionofleavingthecoachatMonkhampton?"

"Idon'tthinkIdid.Asamatteroffact..."

"YouwereobservingtheprettyyoungladywhobookedNo.5,thenextseattoours.Ah!Yes,myfriend,
Isawyou.AndthatiswhywhenIwasonthepointoftakingseatsNo.13and14-whichareinthe
middleandaswellshelteredasitispossibletobe-yourudelypushedyourselfforwardandsaidthat3
and4wouldbebetter."

"Really,Poirot,"Isaid,blushing.

"Auburnhair-alwaystheauburnhair!"

"Atanyrate,shewasmoreworthlookingatthananoddyoungman."

"Thatdependsuponthepointofview.Tome,theyoungmanwasinteresting."

SomethingrathersignificantinPoirot'stonemademelookathimquickly."Why?Whatdoyoumean?"

"Oh!Donotexciteyourself.ShallIsaythatheinterestedmebecausehewastryingtogrowamustache
and as yet the result is poor." Poirot stroked his own magnificent mustache tenderly. "It is an art," he
murmured,"thegrowingofthemustache!Ihavesympathyforallwhoattemptit."

ItisalwaysdifficultwithPoirottoknowwhenheisseriousandwhenheismerelyamusinghimselfat
one'sexpense.Ijudgeditsafesttosaynomore.

Thefollowingmorningdawnedbrightandsunny.Areallygloriousday!Poirot,however,wastakingno
chances.Heworeawoollywaistcoat,amackintosh,aheavyovercoat,andtwomufflers,inadditionto
wearing his thickest suit. He also swallowed two tablets of "Antigrippe" before starting and packed a
furthersupply.

Wetookacoupleofsmallsuitcaseswithus.Theprettygirlwehadnoticedthedaybeforehadasmall
suitcase, and so did the young man whom I gathered to have been the object of Poirot's sympathy.
Otherwise,therewasnoluggage.Thefourpieceswerestowedawaybythedriver,andwealltookour
places.

Poirot,rathermaliciously,Ithought,assignedmetheoutsideplaceas"Ihadthemaniaforthefreshair"
andhimselfoccupiedtheseatnexttoourfairneighbor.Presently,however,hemadeamends.Theman
inseat6wasanoisyfellow,inclinedtobefacetiousandboisterous,andPoirotaskedthegirlinalow
voice if she would like to change seats with him. She agreed gratefully, and, the change having been
effected,sheenteredintoconversationwithusandweweresoonallthreechatteringtogethermerrily.

Shewasevidentlyquiteyoung,notmorethannineteen,andasingenuousasachild.Shesoonconfided
to us the reason of her trip. She was going, it seemed, on business for her aunt who kept a most
interestingantiqueshopinEbermouth.

Thisaunthadbeenleftinveryreducedcircumstancesonthedeathofherfatherandhadusedhersmall
capital and a houseful of beautiful things which her father had left to start in business. She had been
extremelysuccessfulandhadmadequiteanameforherselfinthetrade.Thisgirl,MaryDurrant,had
cometobewithherauntandlearnthebusinessandwasveryexcitedaboutit-muchpreferringittothe
otheralternative-becominganurserygovernessorcompanion.

Poirotnoddedinterestandapprovaltoallthis.

"Mademoiselle will be successful, I am sure," he said gallantly. "But I will give her a little word of
advice.Donotbetootrusting,mademoiselle.Everywhereintheworldthereareroguesandvagabonds,
evenitmaybeonthisverycoachofours.Oneshouldalwaysbeontheguard,suspicious!"

Shestaredathimopen-mouthed,andhenoddedsapiently.

"But yes, it is as I say. Who knows? Even I who speak to you may be a malefactor of the worst
description."

Andhetwinkledmorethaneverathersurprisedface.

We stopped for lunch at Monkhampton, and, after a few words with the waiter, Poirot managed to
secureusasmalltableforthreeclosebythewindow.Outside,inabigcourtyard,abouttwentychar-a-
bancswereparked-char-a-bancswhichhadcomefromalloverthecounty.Thehoteldiningroomwas
full,andthenoisewasratherconsiderable.

"Onecanhavealtogethertoomuchoftheholidayspirit,"Isaidwithagrimace.

MaryDurrantagreed."Ebermouthisquitespoiledinthesummersnowadays.Myauntsaysitusedtobe
quitedifferent.Nowonecanhardlygetalongthepavementsforthecrowd."

"Butitisgoodforbusiness,mademoiselle."

"Notforoursparticularly.Wesellonlyrareandvaluablethings.Wedonotgoinforcheapbric-a-brac.
MyaunthasclientsalloverEngland.Iftheywantaparticularperiodtableorchair,oracertainpieceof
china, they write to her, and, sooner or later, she gets it for them. That is what has happened in this
case."

We looked interested and she went on to explain. A certain American gentleman, Mr J. Baker Wood,
wasaconnoisseurandcollectorofminiatures.Averyvaluablesetofminiatureshadrecentlycomeinto
themarket,andMissElizabethPenn-Mary'saunt-hadpurchasedthem.ShehadwrittentoMrWood
describing the miniatures and naming a price. He had replied at once, saying that he was prepared to
purchase if the miniatures were as represented and asking that someone should be sent with them for
himtoseewherehewasstayingatCharlockBay.MissDurranthadaccordinglybeendispatched,acting
asrepresentativeforthefirm.

"They'relovelythings,ofcourse,"shesaid."ButIcan'timagineanyonepayingallthatmoneyforthem.
Fivehundredpounds!Justthinkofit!They'rebyCosway.IsitCoswayImean?Igetsomixedupin
thesethings."

Poirotsmiled."Youarenotyetexperienced,eh,mademoiselle?"

"I'vehadnotraining,"saidMaryruefully."Weweren'tbroughtuptoknowaboutoldthings.It'salotto
learn."

Shesighed.Thensuddenly,Isawhereyeswideninsurprise.Shewassittingfacingthewindow,andher
glancenowwasdirectedoutofthatwindow,intothecourtyard.Withahurriedword,sherosefromher
seatandalmostranoutoftheroom.Shereturnedinafewmoments,breathlessandapologetic.

"I'msosorryrushingofflikethat.ButIthoughtIsawamantakingmysuitcaseoutofthecoach.Iwent
flyingafterhim,anditturnedouttobehisown.It'sonealmostexactlylikemine.Ifeltlikesuchafool.
ItlookedasthoughIwereaccusinghimofstealingit."

Shelaughedattheidea.

Poirot,however,didnotlaugh."Whatmanwasit,mademoiselle?Describehimtome."

"Hehadonabrownsuit.Athinweedyyoungmanwithaveryindeterminatemustache."

"Aha,"saidPoirot."Ourfriendofyesterday,Hastings.Youknowthisyoungman,mademoiselle.You
haveseenhimbefore?"

"No,never.Why?"

"Nothing.Itisrathercurious-thatisall."

HerelapsedintosilenceandtooknofurtherpartintheconversationuntilsomethingMaryDurrantsaid
caughthisattention.

"Eh,mademoiselle,whatisthatyousay?"

"IsaidthatonmyreturnjourneyIshouldhavetobecarefulof'malefactors,'asyoucallthem.Ibelieve
MrWoodalwayspaysforthingsincash.IfIhavefivehundredpoundsinnotesonme,Ishallbeworth
somemalefactor'sattention."

ShelaughedbutagainPoirotdidnotrespond.Instead,heaskedherwhathotelsheproposedtostayatin
CharlockBay.

"TheAnchorHotel.Itissmallandnotexpensive,butquitegood."

"So!"saidPoirot."TheAnchorHotel.PreciselywhereHastingsherehasmadeuphismindtostay.How
odd!"

Hetwinkledatme.

"YouarestayinglonginCharlockBay?"askedMary.

"One night only. I have business there. You could not guess, I am sure, what my profession is,
mademoiselle?"

IsawMaryconsiderseveralpossibilitiesandrejectthem-probablyfromafeelingofcaution.Atlast,
shehazardedthesuggestionthatPoirotwasaconjurer.Hewasvastlyentertained.

"Ah!Butitisanidea,that!YouthinkItaketherabbitsoutofthehat?No,mademoiselle.Me,Iamthe
opposite of a conjurer. The conjurer, he makes things disappear. Me, I make things that have
disappeared,reappear."Heleanedforwarddramaticallysoastogivethewordsfulleffect."Itisasecret,
mademoiselle,butIwilltellyou,Iamadetective!"

He leaned back in his chair pleased with the effect he had created. Mary Durrant stared at him
spellbound.Butanyfurtherconversationwasbarredforthebrayingofvarioushornsoutsideannounced
thattheroadmonsterswerereadytoproceed.

AsPoirotandIwentouttogetherIcommentedonthecharmofourluncheoncompanion.Poirotagreed.

"Yes,sheischarming.But,alsorathersilly?"

"Silly?"

"Donotbeoutraged.Agirlmaybebeautifulandhaveauburnhairandyetbesilly.Itistheheightof

foolishnesstotaketwostrangersintoherconfidenceasshehasdone."

"Well,shecouldseewewereallright."

"That is imbecile, what you say, my friend. Anyone who knows his job - naturally he will appear 'all
right.'Thatlittleoneshetalkedofbeingcarefulwhenshewouldhavefivehundredpoundsinmoney
withher.Butshehasfivehundredpoundswithhernow."

"Inminiatures."

"Exactly.Inminiatures.Andbetweenoneandtheother,thereisnogreatdifference,monami."

"Butnooneknowsaboutthemexceptus."

"And the waiter and the people at the next table. And, doubtless, several people in Ebermouth!
MademoiselleDurrant,sheischarming,but,ifIwereMissElizabethPenn,Iwouldfirstofallinstruct
mynewassistantinthecommonsense."Hepausedandthensaidinadifferentvoice:"Youknow,my
friend,itwouldbetheeasiestthingintheworldtoremoveasuitcasefromoneofthosechar-a-bancs
whilewewereallatluncheon."

"Oh!Come,Poirot,somebodywillbesuretosee."

"And what would they see? Somebody removing his luggage. It would be done in an open and
aboveboardmanner,anditwouldbenobody'sbusinesstointerfere."

"Doyoumean-Poirot,areyouhinting-Butthatfellowinthebrownsuit-itwashisownsuitcase?"

Poirotfrowned."Soitseems.Allthesame,itiscurious,Hastings,thatheshouldhavenotremovedhis
suitcasebefore,whenthecarfirstarrived.Hehasnotlunchedhere,younotice."

"IfMissDurranthadn'tbeensittingoppositethewindow,shewouldn'thaveseenhim,"Isaidslowly.

"And since it was his own suitcase, that would not have mattered," said Poirot. "So let us dismiss it
fromourthoughts,monami."

Nevertheless, when we had resumed our places and were speeding along once more, he took the
opportunityofgivingMaryDurrantafurtherlectureonthedangersofindiscretionwhichshereceived
meeklyenoughbutwiththeairofthinkingitallratherajoke.

We arrived at Charlock Bay at four o'clock and were fortunate enough to be able to get rooms at the
AnchorHotel-acharmingold-worldinninoneofthesidestreets.

Poirot had just unpacked a few necessaries and was applying a little cosmetic to his mustache
preparatorytogoingouttocalluponJosephAaronswhentherecameafrenziedknockingatthedoor.I
called"Comein,"and,tomyutteramazement,MaryDurrantappeared,herfacewhiteandlargetears
standinginhereyes.

"I do beg your pardon - but - but the most awful thing has happened. And you did say you were a
detective?"ThistoPoirot.

"Whathashappened,mademoiselle?"

"I opened my suitcase. The miniatures were in a crocodile dispatch case - locked, of course. Now,
look!"

She held out a small square crocodile-covered case. The lid hung loose. Poirot took it from her. The
case had been forced; great strength must have been used. The marks were plain enough. Poirot
examineditandnodded.

"Theminiatures?"heasked,thoughwebothknewtheanswerwellenough.

"Gone.They'vebeenstolen.Oh!WhatshallIdo?"

"Don'tworry,"Isaid."MyfriendisHerculePoirot.Youmusthaveheardofhim.He'llgetthembackfor
youifanyonecan."

"MonsieurPoirot.ThegreatMonsieurPoirot."

Poirotwasvainenoughtobepleasedattheobviousreverenceinhervoice."Yes,mychild,"hesaid."It
isI,myself.Andyoucanleaveyourlittleaffairinmyhands.Iwilldoallthatcanbedone.ButIfear-I

muchfear-thatitwillbetoolate.Tellme,wasthelockofyoursuitcaseforcedalso?"

Sheshookherhead.

"Letmeseeit,please."

Wewenttogethertoherroom,andPoirotexaminedthesuitcaseclosely.Ithadobviouslybeenopened
withakey.

"Whichissimpleenough.Thesesuitcaselocksareallmuchofthesamepattern.Eh,bien,wemustring
upthepoliceandwemustalsogetintouchwithMrBakerWoodassoonaspossible.Iwillattendto
thatmyself."

Iwentwithhimandaskedwhathemeantbysayingitmightbetoolate."Moncher,IsaidtodaythatI
wastheoppositeoftheconjurer-thatImakethedisappearingthingsreappear-butsupposesomeone
hasbeenbeforehandwithme.Youdonotunderstand?Youwillinaminute."

He disappeared into the telephone box. He came out five minutes later looking very grave. "It is as I
feared.AladycalleduponMrWoodwiththeminiatureshalfanhourago.Sherepresentedherselfas
comingfromMissElizabethPenn.Hewasdelightedwiththeminiaturesandpaidforthemforthwith."

"Halfanhourago-beforewearrivedhere."

Poirot smiled rather enigmatically. "The Speedy cars are quite speedy, but a fast motor from say,
Monkhamptonwouldgethereagoodhouraheadofthematleast."

"Andwhatdowedonow?"

"ThegoodHastings-alwayspractical.Weinformthepolice,doallwecanforMissDurrant,and-yes,
Ithinkdecidedly,wehaveaninterviewwithMrJ.BakerWood."

Wecarriedoutthisprogram.PoorMaryDurrantwasterriblyupset,fearingherauntwouldblameher.

"Whichsheprobablywill,"observedPoirot,aswesetoutfortheSeasideHotelwhereMrWoodwas
staying. "And with perfect justice. The idea of leaving five hundred pounds' worth of valuables in a

suitcaseandgoingtolunch!Allthesame,monami,thereareoneortwocuriouspointsaboutthecase.
Thatdispatchbox,forinstance,whywasitforced?"

"Togetouttheminiatures."

"But was not that a foolishness? Say our thief is tampering with the luggage at lunch time under the
pretextofgettingouthisown.Surelyitismuchsimplertoopenthesuitcase,transferthedispatchcase
unopenedtohisownsuitcase,andgetaway,thantowastethetimeforcingthelock?"

"Hehadtomakesuretheminiatureswereinside."

Poirotdidnotlookconvinced,but,aswewerejustbeingshownintoMrWood'ssuite,wehadnotime
formorediscussion.

ItookanimmediatedisliketoMrBakerWood.

He was a large vulgar man, very much overdressed and wearing a diamond solitaire ring. He was
blusteringandnoisy.

Ofcourse,he'dnotsuspectedanythingamiss?Whyshouldhe?Thewomansaidshehadtheminiatures
allright.Veryfinespecimens,too!Hadhethenumbersofthenotes?No,hehadn't.AndwhowasMr-
er-Poirot,anyway,tocomeaskinghimallthesequestions?

"I will not ask you anything more, monsieur, except for one thing. A description of the woman who
calleduponyou.Wassheyoungandpretty?"

"No,sir,shewasnot.Mostemphaticallynot.Atallwoman,middle-aged,greyhair,blotchycomplexion
andabuddingmustache.Asiren?Notonyourlife."

"Poirot,"Icried,aswetookourdeparture."Amustache.Didyouhear?"

"Ihavetheuseofmyears,thankyou,Hastings."

"Butwhataveryunpleasantman."

"Hehasnotthecharmingmanner,no."

"Well,weoughttogetthethiefallright,"Iremarked."Wecanidentifyhim."

"Youareofsuchanaivesimplicity,Hastings.Doyounotknowthatthereissuchathingasanalibi?"

"Youthinkhewillhaveanalibi?"

Poirotrepliedunexpectedly:"Isincerelyhopeso."

"Thetroublewithyouis,"Isaid,"thatyoulikeathingtobedifficult."

"Quiteright,monami.Idonotlike-howdoyousayit-thebirdwhosits!"

Poirot'sprophecywasfullyjustified.OurtravelingcompanioninthebrownsuitturnedouttobeaMr
NortonKane.HehadgonestraighttotheGorgeHotelatMonkhamptonandhadbeenthereduringthe
afternoon.TheonlyevidenceagainsthimwasthatofMissDurrantwhodeclaredthatshehadseenhim
gettingouthisluggagefromthecarwhilewewereatlunch.

"Whichinitselfisnotasuspiciousact,"saidPoirotmeditatively.

After that remark, he lapsed into silence and refused to discuss the matter any further, saying when I
pressedhim,thathewasthinkingofmustachesingeneral,andthatIshouldbewelladvisedtodothe
same.

Idiscovered,however,thathehadaskedJosephAarons-withwhomhespenttheevening-togivehim
everydetailpossibleaboutMrBakerWood.Asbothmenwerestayingatthesamehotel,therewasa
chance of gleaning some stray crumbs of information. Whatever Poirot learned, he kept to himself,
however.

MaryDurrant,aftervariousinterviewswiththepolice,hadreturnedtoEbermouthbyanearlymorning
train.WelunchedwithJosephAarons,and,afterlunch,Poirotannouncedtomethathehadsettledthe
theatrical agent's problem satisfactorily, and that we could return to Ebermouth as soon as we liked.
"Butnotbyroad,monami;wegobyrailthistime."

"Areyouafraidofhavingyourpocketpicked,orofmeetinganotherdamselindistress?"

"Both those affairs, Hastings, might happen to me on the train. No, I am in haste to be back in
Ebermouth,becauseIwanttoproceedwithourcase."

"Ourcase?"

"But,yes,myfriend.MademoiselleDurrantappealedtometohelpher.Becausethematterisnowin
thehandsofthepolice,itdoesnotfollowthatIamfreetowashmyhandsofit.Icameheretoobligean
oldfriend,butitshallneverbesaidofHerculePoirotthathedesertedastrangerinneed!"Andhedrew
himselfupgrandiloquently.

"Ithinkyouwereinterestedbeforethat,"Isaidshrewdly."Intheofficeofcars,whenyoufirstcaught
sightofthatyoungman,thoughwhatdrewyourattentiontohimIdon'tknow."

"Don'tyou,Hastings?Youshould.Well,well,thatmustremainmylittlesecret."

We had a short conversation with the police inspector in charge of the case before leaving. He had
interviewed Mr Norton Kane, and told Poirot in confidence that the young man's manner had not
impressedhimfavorably.Hehadblustered,denied,andcontradictedhimself.

"But just how the trick was done, I don't know," he confessed. "He could have handed the stuff to a
confederatewhopushedoffatonceinafastcar.Butthat'sjusttheory.We'vegottofindthecarandthe
confederateandpinthethingdown."

Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.

"Doyouthinkthatwashowitwasdone?"Iaskedhim,aswewereseatedinthetrain.

"No,myfriend,thatwasnothowitwasdone.Itwasclevererthanthat."

"Won'tyoutellme?"

"Notyet.Youknow-itismyweakness-Iliketokeepmylittlesecretstilltheend."

"Istheendgoingtobesoon?"

"Verysoonnow."

We arrived in Ebermouth a little after six and Poirot drove at once to the shop which bore the name
"Elizabeth Penn." The establishment was closed, but Poirot rang the bell, and presently Mary herself
openedthedoor,andexpressedsurpriseanddelightatseeingus.

"Pleasecomeinandseemyaunt,"shesaid.

Sheledusintoabackroom.Anelderlyladycameforwardtomeetus;shehadwhitehairandlooked
rather like a miniature herself with her pink-and-white skin and her blue eyes. Round her rather bent
shoulderssheworeacapeofpricelessoldlace.

"Is this the great Monsieur Poirot?" she asked in a low charming voice. "Mary has been telling me. I
couldhardlybelieveit.Andyouwillreallyhelpusinourtrouble.Youwilladviseus?"

Poirotlookedatherforamoment,thenbowed.

"MademoisellePenn-theeffectischarming.Butyoushouldreallygrowamustache."

MissPenngaveagaspanddrewback.

"Youwereabsentfrombusinessyesterday,wereyounot?"

"Iwashereinthemorning.LaterIhadabadheadacheandwentdirectlyhome."

"Not home, mademoiselle. For your headache you tried the change of air, did you not? The air of
CharlockBayisverybracing,Ibelieve."

Hetookmebythearmanddrewmetowardthedoor.Hepausedthereandspokeoverhisshoulder.

"Youcomprehend,Iknoweverything.Thislittle-farce-itmustcease."

Therewasamenaceinhistone.MissPenn,herfaceghastlywhite,noddedmutely.Poirotturnedtothe
girl.

"Mademoiselle," he said gently, "you are young and charming. But participating in these little affairs
willleadtothatyouthandcharmbeinghiddenbehindprisonwalls-andI,HerculePoirot,tellyouthat
thatwillbeapity."

ThenhesteppedoutintothestreetandIfollowedhim,bewildered.

"From the first, man ami, I was interested. When that young man booked his place as far as
Monkhampton only, I saw the girl's attention suddenly riveted on him. Now why? He was not of the
typetomakeawomanlookathimforhimselfalone.Whenwestartedonthatcoach,Ihadafeelingthat
something would happen. Who saw the young man tampering with the luggage? Mademoiselle and
mademoiselleonly,andremembershechosethatseat-aseatfacingthewindow-amostunfeminine
choice.

"And then she comes to us with the tale of robbery - the dispatch box forced which makes not the
commonsense,asItoldyouatthetime.

"And what is the result of it all? Mr Baker Wood has paid over good money for stolen goods. The
miniatures will be returned to Miss Penn. She will sell them and will have made a thousand pounds
insteadoffivehundred.Imakethediscreetinquiriesandlearnthatherbusinessisinabadstate-touch
andgo.Isaytomyself-theauntandnieceareinthistogether."

"ThenyouneversuspectedNortonKane?"

"Monami!Withthatmustache?Acriminaliseithercleanshavenorhehasapropermustachethatcan
beremovedatwill.ButwhatanopportunityforthecleverMissPenn-ashrinkingelderlyladywitha
pink-and-whitecomplexionaswesawher.Butifsheholdsherselferect,wearslargeboots,altersher
complexionwithafewunseemlyblotchesand-crowningtouch-addsafewsparsehairstoherupper
lip.Whatthen?Amasculinewoman,saysMrWood,and-'amanindisguise'sayweatonce."

"ShereallywenttoCharlockyesterday?"

"Assuredly.Thetrain,asyoumayremembertellingme,lefthereatelevenandgottoCharlockBayat
twoo'clock.Thenthereturntrainisevenquicker-theonewecameby.ItleavesCharlockatfour-five
and gets here at six-fifteen. Naturally, the miniatures were never in the dispatch case at all. That was

artisticallyforcedbeforebeingpacked.MademoiselleMaryhasonlytofindacoupleofmugswhowill
besympathetictohercharmandchampionbeautyindistress.Butoneofthemugswasnomug-hewas
HerculePoirot!"

Ihardlylikedtheinference.Isaidhurriedly:

"Then,whenyousaidyouwerehelpingastranger,youwerewillfullydeceivingme.That'sexactlywhat
youweredoing."

"NeverdoIdeceiveyou,Hastings.Ionlypermityoutodeceiveyourself.IwasreferringtoMrBaker
Wood - a stranger to these shores." His face darkened. "Ah! When I think of that imposition, that
iniquitousovercharge;thesamefaresingletoCharlockasreturn,mybloodboilstoprotectthevisitor!
Notapleasantman,MrBakerWood,not,asyouwouldsay,sympathetic.Butavisitor!Andwevisitors,
Hastings,muststandtogether.Me,Iamallforthevisitors!"

THEMARKETBASINGMYSTERY

'Afterall,there'snothinglikethecountry,isthere?'saidInspectorJapp,breathinginheavilythroughhis
noseandoutthroughhismouthinthemostapprovedfashion.

Poirot and I applauded the sentiment heartily. It had been the Scotland Yard inspector's idea that we
shouldallgofortheweekendtothelittlecountrytownofMarketBasing.Whenoffduty,Jappwasan
ardent botanist, and discoursed upon minute flowers possessed of unbelievably lengthy Latin names
(somewhatstrangelypronounced)withanenthusiasmevengreaterthanthathegavetohiscases.

'Nobodyknowsus,andweknownobody,'explainedJapp.'That'stheidea.'

Thiswasnottoprovequitethecase,however,forthelocalconstablehappenedtohavebeentransferred
fromavillagefifteenmilesawaywhereacaseofarsenicalpoisoninghadbroughthimintocontactwith
theScotlandYardman.However,hisdelightedrecognitionofthegreatmanonlyenhancedJapp'ssense
ofwell-being,andaswesatdowntobreakfastonSundaymorningintheparlourofthevillageinn,with
thesunshining,andtendrilsofhoneysucklethrustingthemselvesinatthewindow,wewereallinthe
bestofspirits.Thebaconandeggswereexcellent,thecoffeenotsogood,butpassableandboilinghot.

'Thisisthelife,'saidJapp.'WhenIretire,Ishallhavealittleplaceinthecountry.Farfromcrime,like
this!'

'Lecrime,ilestpartout,'remarkedPoirot,helpinghimselftoaneatsquareofbread,andfrowningata

sparrowwhichhadbalanceditselfimpertinentlyonthewindowsill.

Iquotedlightly:

'Thatrabbithasapleasantface,

Hisprivatelifeisadisgrace

Ireallycouldnottelltoyou

Theawfulthingsthatrabbitsdo.'

'Lord,' said Japp, stretching himself backward, 'I believe I could manage another egg, and perhaps a
rasherortwoofbacon.Whatdoyousay,Captain?'

'I'mwithyou,'Ireturnedheartily.'Whataboutyou,Poirot?'

Poirotshookhishead.

'Onemustnotsoreplenishthestomachthatthebrainrefusestofunction,'heremarked.

'I'llriskreplenishingthestomachabitmore,'laughedJapp.'Itakealargesizeinstomachs;andbythe
way,you'regettingstoutyourself,M.Poirot.Here,miss,eggsandbacontwice.'

Atthatmoment,however,animposingformblockedthedoorway.ItwasConstablePollard.

'Ihopeyou'llexcusemetroublingtheinspector,gentlemen,butI'dbegladofhisadvice.'

'I'monmyholiday,'saidJapphastily.'Noworkforme.Whatisthecase?'

'GentlemanupatLeighHall-shothimself-throughthehead.'

'Well, they will do it,' said Japp prosaically. 'Debt, or a woman, I suppose. Sorry I can't help you,
Pollard.'

'Thepointis,'saidtheconstable,'thathecan'thaveshothimself.Leastways,that'swhatDrGilessays.'

Jappputdownhiscup.

'Can'thaveshothimself?Whatdoyoumean?'

'That'swhatDrGilessays,'repeatedPollard.'Hesaysit'splumbimpossible.He'spuzzledtodeath,the
doorbeinglockedontheinsideandthewindowbolted;buthestickstoitthatthemancouldn'thave
committedsuicide.'

Thatsettledit.Thefurthersupplyofbaconandeggswerewavedaside,andafewminuteslaterwewere
allwalkingasfastaswecouldinthedirectionofLeighHouse,Jappeagerlyquestioningtheconstable.

The name of the deceased was Walter Protheroe; he was a man of middle age and something of a
recluse.HehadcometoMarketBasingeightyearsagoandrentedLeighHouse,arambling,dilapidated
old mansion fast falling into ruin. He lived in a corner of it, his wants attended to by a housekeeper
whom he had brought with him. Miss Clegg was her name, and she was a very superior woman and
highlythoughtofinthevillage.JustlatelyMrProtheroehadhadvisitorsstayingwithhim,aMrand
Mrs Parker from London. This morning, unable to get a reply when she went to call her master, and
finding the door locked, Miss Clegg became alarmed, and telephoned for the police and the doctor.
ConstablePollardandDrGileshadarrivedatthesamemoment.Theirunitedeffortshadsucceededin
breakingdowntheoakdoorofhisbedroom.

MrProtheroewaslyingonthefloor,shotthroughthehead,andthepistolwasclaspedinhisrighthand.
Itlookedaclearcaseofsuicide.

After examining the body, however, Dr Giles became clearly perplexed, and finally he drew the
constableaside,andcommunicatedhisperplexitiestohim;whereuponPollardhadatoncethoughtof
Japp.Leavingthedoctorincharge,hehadhurrieddowntotheinn.

By the time the constable's recital was over, we had arrived at Leigh House, a big, desolate house
surroundedbyanunkempt,weed-riddengarden.Thefrontdoorwasopen,andwepassedatonceinto
thehallandfromthereintoasmallmorning-roomwhenceproceededthesoundofvoices.Fourpeople
were in the room: a somewhat flashily dressed man with a shifty, unpleasant face to whom I took an
immediate dislike; a woman of much the same type, though handsome in a coarse fashion; another
womandressedinneatblackwhostoodapartfromtherest,andwhomItooktobethehousekeeper;and
atallmandressedinsportingtweeds,withaclever,capableface,andwhowasclearlyincommandof
thesituation.

'DrGiles,'saidtheconstable,'thisisDetective-InspectorJappofScotlandYard,andhistwofriends.'

ThedoctorgreetedusandmadeusknowntoMrandMrsParker.Thenweaccompaniedhimupstairs.
Pollard,inobediencetoasignfromJapp,remainedbelow,asitwereonguardoverthehousehold.The
doctorledusupstairsandalongapassage.Adoorwasopenattheend;splintershungfromthehinges,
andthedooritselfhadcrashedtothefloorinsidetheroom.

Wewentin.Thebodywasstilllyingonthefloor.MrProtheroehadbeenamanofmiddleage,bearded,
withhairgreyatthetemples.Jappwentandkneltbythebody.

'Whycouldn'tyouleaveitasyoufoundit?'hegrumbled.

Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders.

'Wethoughtitaclearcaseofsuicide.'

'H'm!'saidJapp.'Bulletenteredtheheadbehindtheleftear.'

'Exactly,'saidthedoctor.'Clearlyimpossibleforhimtohavefiredithimself.He'dhavehadtotwisthis
handrightroundhishead.Itcouldn'thavebeendone.'

'Yetyoufoundthepistolclaspedinhishand?Whereisit,bytheway?'

Thedoctornoddedtothetable.

'Butitwasn'tclaspedinhishand,'hesaid.'Itwasinsidethehand,butthefingersweren'tclosedoverit.'

'Put there afterwards,' said Japp; 'that's clear enough.' He was examining the weapon. 'One cartridge
fired. We'll test it for fingerprints, but I doubt if we'll find any but yours, Dr Giles. How long has he
beendead?'

'Sometimelastnight.Ican'tgivethetimetoanhourorso,asthewonderfuldoctorsindetectivestories
do.Roughly,he'sbeendeadabouttwelvehours.'

Sofar,Poirothadnotmadeamoveofanykind.Hehadremainedbymyside,watchingJappatwork
andlisteningtohisquestions.Only,fromtimetotimehehadsniffedtheairverydelicately,andasif
puzzled.Itoobadsniffed,butcoulddetectnothingtoarouseinterest.Theairseemedperfectlyfreshand

devoidofodour.Andyet,fromtimetotime,Poirotcontinuedtosniffitdubiously,asthoughhiskeener
nosedetectedsomethingIhadmissed.

Now,asJappmovedawayfromthebody,Poirotkneltdownbyit.Hetooknointerestinthewound.I
thoughtatfirstthathewasexaminingthefingersofthehandthathadheldthepistol,butinaminuteI
sawthatitwasahandkerchiefcarriedinthecoat-sleevethatinterestedhim.MrProtheroewasdressed
in a dark grey lounge-suit. Finally Poirot got up from his knees, but his eyes still strayed back to the
handkerchiefasthoughpuzzled.

Japp called to him to come and help to lift the door. Seizing my opportunity, I too knelt down, and
takingthehandkerchieffromthesleeve,scrutinizeditminutely.Itwasaperfectlyplainhandkerchiefof
white cambric; there was no mark or stain on it of any kind. I replaced it, shaking my head, and
confessingmyselfbaffled.

Theothershadraisedthedoor.Irealizedthattheywerehuntingforthekey.Theylookedinvain.

'Thatsettlesit,'saidJapp.'Thewindow'sshutandbolted.Themurdererleftbythedoor,lockingitand
takingthekeywithhim.HethoughtitwouldbeacceptedthatProtheroehadlockedhimselfinandshot
himself,andthattheabsenceofthekeywouldnotbenoticed.Youagree,M.Poirot?'

'Iagree,yes;butitwouldhavebeensimplerandbettertoslipthekeybackinsidetheroomunderthe
door.Thenitwouldlookasthoughithadfallenfromthelock.'

'Ah, well, you can't expect everybody to have the bright ideas that you have. You'd have been a holy
terrorifyou'dtakentocrime.Anyremarkstomake,M.Poirot?'

Poirot,itseemedtome,wassomewhatataloss.Helookedroundtheroomandremarkedmildlyand
almostapologetically:

'Hesmokedalot,thismonsieur.'

Trueenough,thegratewasfilledwithcigarette-stubs,aswasanashtraythatstoodonasmalltablenear
thebigarmchair.

'He must have got through about twenty cigarettes last night,' remarked Japp. Stooping down, he
examinedthecontentsofthegratecarefully,thentransferredhisattentiontotheashtray.'They'reallthe
samekind,'heannounced,'andsmokedbythesameman.There'snothingthere,M.Poirot.'

'Ididnotsuggestthattherewas,'murmuredmyfriend.

'Ha,'criedJapp,'what'sthis?'Hepouncedonsomethingbrightandglitteringthatlayonthefloornear
the dead man. 'A broken cuff-link. I wonder who this belongs to. Dr Giles, I'd be obliged if you'd go
downandsendupthehousekeeper.'

'What about the Parkers? He's very anxious to leave the house - says he's got urgent business in
London.'

'Idaresay.It'llhavetogetonwithouthim.Bythewaythingsaregoing,it'slikelythatthere'llbesome
urgent business down here for him to attend to! Send up the housekeeper, and don't let either of the
ParkersgiveyouandPollardtheslip.Didanyofthehouseholdcomeinherethismorning?'

Thedoctorreflected.

'No,theystoodoutsideinthecorridorwhilePollardandIcamein.'

'Sureofthat?'

'Absolutelycertain.'

Thedoctordepartedonhismission.

'Goodman,that,'saidJappapprovingly.'Someofthesesportingdoctorsarefirst-classfellows.Well,I
wonderwhoshotthischap.Itlookslikeoneofthethreeinthehouse.Ihardlysuspectthehousekeeper.
She'shadeightyearstoshoothiminifshewantedto.IwonderwhotheseParkersare?They'renota
prepossessing-lookingcouple.'

Miss Clegg appeared at this juncture. She was a thin, gaunt woman with neat grey hair parted in the
middle, very staid and calm in manner. Nevertheless there was an air of efficiency about her which
commandedrespect.InanswertoJapp'squestions,sheexplainedthatshehadbeenwiththedeadman
for fourteen years. He had been a generous and considerate master. She had never seen Mr and Mrs
Parkeruntil three daysago, when theyarrived unexpectedly to stay.She was ofthe opinion that they
hadaskedthemselves-themasterhadcertainlynotseemedpleasedtoseethem.Thecuff-linkswhich
JappshowedherhadnotbelongedtoMrProtheroe-shewassureofthat.Questionedaboutthepistol,
shesaidthatshebelievedhermasterhadaweaponofthatkind.Hekeptitlockedup.Shehadseenit
oncesomeyearsago,butcouldnotsaywhetherthiswasthesameone.Shehadheardnoshotlastnight,
butthatwasnotsurprising,asitwasabig,ramblinghouse,andherroomsandthosepreparedforthe
Parkerswereattheotherendofthebuilding.ShedidnotknowwhattimeMrProtheroehadgonetobed
-hewasstillupwhensheretiredathalfpastnine.Itwasnothishabittogoatoncetobedwhenhe
wenttohisroom.Usuallyhewouldsituphalfthenight,readingandsmoking.Hewasagreatsmoker.

ThenPoirotinterposedaquestion:

'Didyourmastersleepwithhiswindowopenorshut,asarule?'

MissCleggconsidered.

'Itwasusuallyopen,atanyrateatthetop.'

'Yetnowitisclosed.Canyouexplainthat?'

'No,unlesshefeltadraughtandshutit.'

Jappaskedherafewmorequestionsandthendismissedher.NextheinterviewedtheParkersseparately.
MrsParkerwasinclinedtobehystericalandtearful;MrParkerwasfullofblusterandabuse.Hedenied
thatthecuff-linkwashis,butashiswifehadpreviouslyrecognizedit,thishardlyimprovedmattersfor
him; and as he had also denied ever having been in Protheroe's room, Japp considered that he had
sufficientevidencetoapplyforawarrant.

LeavingPollardincharge,Jappbustledbacktothevillageandgotintotelephoniccommunicationwith
headquarters.PoirotandIstrolledbacktotheinn.

'You'reunusuallyquiet,'Isaid.'Doesn'tthecaseinterestyou?'

'Aucontraire,itinterestsmeenormously.Butitpuzzlesmealso.'

'Themotiveisobscure,'Isaidthoughtfully,'butI'mcertainthatParker'sabadlot.Thecaseagainsthim
seemsprettyclearbutforthelackofmotive,andthatmaycomeoutlater.'

'Nothingstruckyouasbeingespeciallysignificant,althoughoverlookedbyJapp?'

Ilookedathimcuriously.

'Whathaveyougotupyoursleeve,Poirot?'

'Whatdidthedeadmanhaveuphissleeve?'

'Oh,thathandkerchief!'

'Exactly,thehandkerchief.'

'Asailorcarrieshishandkerchiefinhissleeve,'Isaidthoughtfully.

'Anexcellentpoint,Hastings,thoughnottheoneIhadinmind.'

'Anythingelse?'

'Yes,overandoveragainIgobacktothesmellofcigarette-smoke.'

'Ididn'tsmellany,'Icriedwonderingly.

'NomoredidI,cherami."

I looked earnestly at him. It is so difficult to know when Poirot is pulling one's leg, but he seemed
thoroughlyinearnestandwasfrowningtohimself.

Theinquesttookplacetwodayslater.Inthemeantimeotherevidencehadcometolight.Atramphad
admittedthathehadclimbedoverthewallintotheLeighHousegarden,whereheoftensleptinashed
thatwasleftunlocked.Hedeclaredthatattwelveo'clockhehadheardtwomenquarrellingloudlyina
roomonthefirstfloor.Onewasdemandingasumofmoney;theotherwasangrilyrefusing.Concealed
behindabush,hehadseenthetwomenastheypassedandrepassedthelightedwindow.Oneheknew
wellasbeingMrProtheroe,theownerofthehouse;theotherheidentifiedpositivelyasMrParker.

It was clear now that the Parkers had come to Leigh House to blackmail Protheroe, and when later it
wasdiscoveredthatthedeadman'srealnamewasWendover,andthathehadbeenalieutenantinthe
Navy and had been concerned in the blowing up of the first-class cruiser Merrythought, in 1910, the
case seemed to be rapidly clearing. It was supposed that Parker, cognizant of the part Wendover had
played,hadtrackedhimdownanddemandedhush-moneywhichtheotherrefusedtopay.Inthecourse
ofthequarrel,Wendoverdrewhisrevolver,andParkersnatcheditfromhimandshothim,subsequently
endeavouringtogiveittheappearanceofsuicide.

Parkerwascommittedfortrial,reservinghisdefence.Wehadattendedthepolice-courtproceedings.As
weleft,Poirotnoddedhishead.

'Itmustbeso,'hemurmuredtohimself.'Yes,itmustbeso.Iwilldelaynolonger.'

Hewentintothepostoffice,andwroteoffanotewhichhedespatchedbyspecialmessenger.Ididnot
see to whom it was addressed. Then we returned to the inn where we had stayed on that memorable
weekend.

Poirotwasrestless,goingtoandfromthewindow.

'Iawaitavisitor,'heexplained.'Itcannotbe-surelyitcannotbethatIammistaken?No,heresheis.'

Tomyutterastonishment,inanotherminuteMissCleggwalkedintotheroom.Shewaslesscalmthan
usual,andwasbreathinghardasthoughshehadbeenrunning.Isawthefearinhereyesasshelooked
atPoirot.

'Sitdown,mademoiselle,'hesaidkindly.'Iguessedrightly,didInot?'

Foranswersheburstintotears.

'Whydidyoudoit?'askedPoirotgently.'Why?'

'Ilovedhimso,'sheanswered.'Iwasnursemaidtohimwhenhewasalittleboy.Oh,bemercifultome!'

'IwilldoallIcan.ButyouunderstandthatIcannotpermitaninnocentmantohang-eventhoughheis
anunpleasingscoundrel.'

Shesatupandsaidinalowvoice:

'PerhapsintheendIcouldnothave,either.Dowhatevermustbedone.'

Then,rising,shehurriedfromtheroom.

'Didsheshoothim?'Iasked,utterlybewildered.

Poirotsmiledandshookhishead.

'Heshothimself.Doyourememberthathecarriedhishandkerchiefinhisrightsleeve?Thatshowedme
thathewasleft-handed.Fearingexposure,afterhisstormyinterviewwithMrParker,heshothimself.In
themorningMissCleggcametocallhimasusualandfoundhimlyingdead.Asshehasjusttoldus,she
hadknownhimfromalittleboyupward,andwasfilledwithfuryagainsttheParkers,whohaddriven
him to this shameful death. She regarded them as murderers, and then suddenly she saw a chance of
making them suffer for the deed they had inspired. She alone knew that he was left-handed. She

changedthepistoltohisrighthand,closedandboltedthewindow,droppedthebitofcuff-linkshehad
pickedupinoneofthedownstairsrooms,andwentout,lockingthedoorandremovingthekey.'

'Poirot,' I said, in a burst of enthusiasm, 'you are magnificent. All that from the one little clue of the
handkerchief!'

'And the cigarette-smoke. If the window had been closed, and all those cigarettes smoked, the room
ought to have been full of stale tobacco. Instead, it was perfectly fresh, so I deduced at once that the
window must have been open all night, and only closed in the morning, and that gave me a very
interestinglineofspeculation.Icouldconceiveofnocircumstancesunderwhichamurderercouldwant
to shut the window. It would be to his advantage to leave it open, and pretend that the murderer had
escaped that way, if the theory of suicide did not go down. Of course, the tramp's evidence, when I
heardit,confirmedmysuspicions.Hecouldneverhaveoverheardthatconversationunlessthewindow
hadbeenopen.'

'Splendid!'Isaidheartily.'Now,whataboutsometea?'

'Spoken like a true Englishman,' said Poirot with a sigh. 'I suppose it is not likely that I could obtain
hereaglassofsirop?'

WASPS'NEST

OutofthehousecameJohnHarrisonandstoodamomentontheterracelookingoutoverthegarden.
He was a big man with a lean, cadaverous face. His aspect was usually somewhat grim but when as
now,theruggedfeaturessoftenedintoasmile,therewassomethingveryattractiveabouthim.

John Harrison loved his garden, and it had never looked better than it did on this August evening,
summeryandlanguorous.Theramblerroseswerestillbeautiful;sweetpeasscentedtheair.

A well-known creaking sound made Harrison turn his head sharply. Who was coming in through the
garden gate? In another minute, an expression of utter astonishment came over his face, for the
dandifiedfigurecomingupthepathwasthelastheexpectedtoseeinthispartoftheworld.

"Byallthat'swonderful,"criedHarrison."MonsieurPoirot!"

It was, indeed, the famous Hercule Poirot whose renown as a detective had spread over the whole
world.

"Yes,"hesaid,"itisI.Yousaidtomeonce:'Ifyouareeverinthispartoftheworld,comeandseeme.'I
takeyouatyourword.Iarrive."

"AndI'mdelighted,"saidHarrisonheartily."Sitdownandhaveadrink."

Withahospitablehand,heindicatedatableontheverandabearingassortedbottles.

"Ithankyou,"saidPoirot,sinkingdownintoabasketchair."Youhave,Isuppose,nosyrup?No,no,I
thoughtnot.Alittleplainsodawaterthen-nowhisky."Andheaddedinafeelingvoiceastheother
placedtheglassbesidehim:"Alas:Mymustachesarelimp.Itisthisheat!"

"And what brings you into this quiet spot?" asked Harrison as he dropped into another chair.
"Pleasure?"

"No,monami,business."

"Business?Inthisout-of-the-wayplace?"

Poirotnoddedgravely."Butyes,myfriend,allcrimesarenotcommittedincrowds,youknow?"

Theotherlaughed."Isupposethatwasratheranidioticremarkofmine.Butwhatparticularcrimeare
youinvestigatingdownhere,oristhatathingImustn'task?"

"Youmayask,"saidthedetective."Indeed,Iwouldpreferthatyouasked."

Harrisonlookedathimcuriously.Hesensedsomethingalittleunusualintheother'smanner."Youare
investigatingacrime,yousay?"headvancedratherhesitatingly."Aseriouscrime?"

"Acrimeofthemostseriousthereis."

"Youmean..."

"Murder."

So gravely did Hercule Poirot say that word that Harrison was quite taken aback. The detective was
looking straight at him and again there was something so unusual in his glance that Harrison hardly
knewhowtoproceed.Atlast,hesaid:"ButIhaveheardofnomurder."

"No,"saidPoirot,"youwouldnothaveheardofit."

"Whohasbeenmurdered?"

"Asyet,"saidHerculePoirot,"nobody."

"What?"

"That is why I said you would not have heard of it. I am investigating a crime that has not yet taken
place."

"Butlookhere,thatisnonsense."

"Notatall.Ifonecaninvestigateamurderbeforeithashappened,surelythatisverymuchbetterthan
afterward.Onemighteven-alittleidea-preventit."

Harrisonstaredathim."Youarenotserious,MonsieurPoirot."

"Butyes,Iamserious."

"Youreallybelievethatamurderisgoingtobecommitted?Oh,it'sabsurd!"

HerculePoirotfinishedthefirstpartofthesentencewithouttakinganynoticeoftheexclamation.

"Unlesswecanmanagetopreventit.Yes,monami,thatiswhatImean."

"We?"

"Isaidwe.Ishallneedyourcooperation."

"Isthatwhyyoucamedownhere?"

AgainPoirotlookedathim,andagainanindefinablesomethingmadeHarrisonuneasy.

"Icamehere,MonsieurHarrisonbecauseI-well-likeyou."

Andthenheaddedinanentirelydifferentvoice:"Isee,MonsieurHarrison,thatyouhaveawasps'nest
there.Youshoulddestroyit."

ThechangeofsubjectmadeHarrisonfrowninapuzzledway.HefollowedPoirot'sglanceandsaidin
rather a bewildered voice: "As a matter of fact, I'm going to. Or rather, young Langton is. You
rememberClaudeLangton?HewasatthesamedinnerwhereImetyou.He'scomingoverthisevening
totakethenest.Ratherfancieshimselfatthejob."

"Ah!"saidPoirot."Andhowishegoingtodoit?"

"Petrol and the garden syringe. He's bringing his own syringe over; it's a more convenient size than
mine."

"Thereisanotherway,istherenot?"askedPoirot."Withcyanideofpotassium?"

Harrisonlookedalittlesurprised."Yes,butthat'sratherdangerousstuff.Alwaysabitofriskhavingit
abouttheplace."

Poirot nodded gravely. "Yes, it is deadly poison." He waited a minute and then repeated in a grave
voice."Deadlypoison."

"Usefulifyouwanttodoawaywithyourmother-in-law,eh?"saidHarrisonwithalaugh.

ButHerculePoirotremainedgrave."Andyouarequitesure,MonsieurHarrison,thatitiswithpetrol
thatMonsieurLangtonisgoingtodestroyyourwasps'nest?"

"Quitesure.Why?"

"Iwondered.Iwasatthechemist'sinBarchesterthisafternoon.ForoneofmypurchasesIhadtosign
thepoisonbook.Isawthelastentry.ItwasforcyanideofpotassiumanditwassignedforbyClaude
Langton."

Harrisonstared."That'sodd,"hesaid."Langtontoldmetheotherdaythathe'dneverdreamofusingthe
stuff;infact,hesaiditoughtn'ttobesoldforthepurpose."

Poirot looked out over the roses. His voice was very quiet as he asked a question. "Do you like
Langton?"

Theotherstarted.Thequestionsomehowseemedtofindhimquiteunprepared."I-I-well,Imean-of
course,Ilikehim.Whyshouldn'tI?"

"Ionlywondered,"saidPoirotplacidly,"whetheryoudid."

Andastheotherdidnotanswer,hewenton."Ialsowonderedifhelikedyou?"

"Whatareyougettingat,MonsieurPoirot?There'ssomethinginyourmindIcan'tfathom."

"Iamgoingtobeveryfrank.Youareengagedtobemarried,MonsieurHarrison.IknowMissMolly
Deane.Sheisaverycharming,averybeautifulgirl.Beforeshewasengagedtoyou,shewasengaged
toClaudeLangton.Shethrewhimoverforyou."

Harrisonnodded.

"Idonotaskwhatherreasonswere;shemayhavebeenjustified.ButItellyouthis,itisnottoomuch
tosupposethatLangtonhasnotforgottenorforgiven."

"You're wrong, Monsieur Poirot. I swear you're wrong. Langton's been a sportsman; he's taken things
likeaman.He'sbeenamazinglydecenttome-goneoutofhiswaytobefriendly."

"And that does not strike you as unusual? You use the word 'amazingly,' but you do not seem to be
amazed."

"Whatdoyoumean,M.Poirot?"

"Imean,"saidPoirot,andhisvoicehadanewnoteinit,"thatamanmayconcealhishatetilltheproper
timecomes."

"Hate?"Harrisonshookhisheadandlaughed.

"TheEnglishareverystupid,"saidPoirot."Theythinkthattheycandeceiveanyonebutthatnoonecan
deceivethem.Thesportsman-thegoodfellow-neverwilltheybelieveevilofhim.Andbecausethey
arebrave,butstupid,sometimestheydiewhentheyneednotdie."

"Youarewarningme,"saidHarrisoninalowvoice."Iseeitnow-whathaspuzzledmeallalong.You
arewarningmeagainstClaudeLangton.Youcameheretodaytowarnme..."

Poirot nodded. Harrison sprang up suddenly. "But you are mad, Monsieur Poirot. This is England.
Thingsdon'thappenlikethathere.Disappointedsuitorsdon'tgoaboutstabbingpeopleinthebackand
poisoningthem.Andyou'rewrongaboutLangton.Thatchapwouldn'thurtafly."

"Thelivesoffliesarenotmyconcern,"saidPoirotplacidly."AndalthoughyousayMonsieurLangton
wouldnottakethelifeofone,yetyouforgetthatheisevennowpreparingtotakethelivesofseveral
thousandwasps."

Harrison did not at once reply. The little detective in his turn sprang to his feet. He advanced to his
friendandlaidahandonhisshoulder.Soagitatedwashethathealmostshookthebigman,and,ashe
didso,hehissedintohisear:"Rouseyourself,myfriend,rouseyourself.Andlook-lookwhereIam
pointing. There on the bank, close by that tree root. See you, the wasps returning home, placid at the
endoftheday?Inalittlehour,therewillbedestruction,andtheyknowitnot.Thereisnoonetotell
them. They have not, it seems, a Hercule Poirot. I tell you, Monsieur Harrison, I am down here on
business.Murderismybusiness.Anditismybusinessbeforeithashappenedaswellasafterward.At
whattimedoesMonsieurLangtoncometotakethiswasps'nest?"

"Langtonwouldnever..."

"Atwhattime?"

"Atnineo'clock.ButItellyou,you'reallwrong.Langtonwouldnever..."

"These English!" cried Poirot in a passion. He caught up his hat and stick and moved down the path,
pausingtospeakoverhisshoulder."Idonotstaytoarguewithyou.Ishouldonlyenragemyself.But
youunderstand,Ireturnatnineo'clock?"

Harrisonopenedhismouthtospeak,butPoirotdidnotgivehimthechance."Iknowwhatyouwould
say: 'Langton would never,' et cetera. Ah, Langton would never! But all the same I return at nine
o'clock.But,yes,itwillamuseme-putitlikethat-itwillamusemetoseethetakingofawasps'nest.
AnotherofyourEnglishsports!"

Hewaitedfornoreplybutpassedrapidlydownthepathandoutthroughthedoorthatcreaked.Once
outside on the road, his pace slackened. His vivacity died down, his face became grave and troubled.
Oncehedrewhiswatchfromhispocketandconsultedit.Thehandspointedtotenminutespasteight.
"Overthreequartersofanhour,"hemurmured."IwonderifIshouldhavewaited."

Hisfootstepsslackened;healmostseemedonthepointofreturning.Somevagueforebodingseemedto
assailhim.Heshookitoffresolutely,however,andcontinuedtowalkinthedirectionofthevillage.But
hisfacewasstilltroubled,andonceortwiceheshookhisheadlikeamanonlypartlysatisfied.

It was still some minutes of nine when he once more approached the garden door. It was a dear, still
evening; hardly a breeze stirred the leaves. There was, perhaps, something a little sinister in the
stillness,likethelullbeforeastorm.

Poirot's footsteps quickened ever so slightly. He was suddenly alarmed - and uncertain. He feared he
knewnotwhat.

AndatthatmomentthegardendooropenedandClaudeLangtonsteppedquicklyoutintotheroad.He
startedwhenhesawPoirot.

"Oh-er-goodevening."

"Goodevening,MonsieurLangton.Youareearly."

Langtonstaredathim."Idon'tknowwhatyoumean."

"Youhavetakenthewasps'nest?"

"Asamatteroffact,Ididn't."

"Oh!"saidPoirotsoftly."Soyoudidnottakethewasps'nest.Whatdidyoudothen?"

"Oh,justsatandyarnedabitwitholdHarrison.Ireallymusthurryalongnow,MonsieurPoirot.I'dno
ideayouwereremaininginthispartoftheworld."

"Ihadbusinesshere,yousee."

"Oh!Well,you'llfindHarrisonontheterrace.SorryIcan'tstop."

Hehurriedaway.Poirotlookedafterhim.Anervousyoungfellow,goodlookingwithaweakmouth!

"SoIshallfindHarrisonontheterrace,"murmuredPoirot."Iwonder."Hewentinthroughthegarden
doorandupthepath.Harrisonwassittinginachairbythetable.Hesatmotionlessanddidnoteven
turnhisheadasPoirotcameuptohim.

"Ah!Monami,"saidPoirot."Youareallright,eh?"

TherewasalongpauseandthenHarrisonsaidinaqueer,dazedvoice,"Whatdidyousay?"

"Isaid-areyouallright?"

"Allright?Yes,I'mallright.Whynot?"

"Youfeelnoilleffects?Thatisgood."

"Illeffects?Fromwhat?"

"Washingsoda."

Harrisonrousedhimselfsuddenly.

"Washingsoda?Whatdoyoumean?"

Poirotmadeanapologeticgesture."Iinfinitelyregretthenecessity,butIputsomeinyourpocket."

"Youputsomeinmypocket?Whatonearthfor?"

Harrisonstaredathim.Poirotspokequietlyandimpersonallylikealecturercomingdowntothelevel
ofasmallchild.

"Yousee,oneoftheadvantages,ordisadvantages,ofbeingadetectiveisthatitbringsyouintocontact
with the criminal classes. And the criminal classes, they can teach you some very interesting and
curiousthings.Therewasapickpocketonce-Iinterestedmyselfinhimbecauseforonceinawayhe
hasnotdonewhattheysayhehasdone-andsoIgethimoff.Andbecauseheisgratefulhepaysmein
theonlywayhecanthinkof-whichistoshowmethetricksofhistrade.

"AndsoithappensthatIcanpickaman'spocketifIchoosewithouthiseversuspectingthefact.Ilay
one hand on his shoulder, I excite myself, and he feels nothing. But all the same I have managed to
transferwhatisinhispockettomypocketandleavewashingsodainitsplace.

"Yousee,"continuedPoirotdreamily,"ifamanwantstogetatsomepoisonquicklytoputinaglass,
unobserved, he positively must keep it in his righthand coat pocket; there is nowhere else. I knew it
wouldbethere."

He dropped his hand into his pocket and brought out a few white, lumpy crystals. "Exceedingly
dangerous,"hemurmured,"tocarryitlikethat-loose."

Calmlyandwithouthurryinghimself,hetookfromanotherpocketawide-mouthedbottle.Heslippedin
thecrystals,steppedtothetableandfilledupthebottlewithplainwater.Thencarefullycorkingit,he
shookituntilallthecrystalsweredissolved.Harrisonwatchedhimasthoughfascinated.

Satisfied with his solution, Poirot stepped across to the nest. He uncorked the bottle, turned his head
aside,andpouredthesolutionintothewasps'nest,thenstoodbackapaceortwowatching.

Somewaspsthatwerereturningalighted,quiveredalittleandthenlaystill.Otherwaspscrawledoutof
theholeonlytodie.Poirotwatchedforaminuteortwoandthennoddedhisheadandcamebacktothe

veranda.

"Aquickdeath,"hesaid."Averyquickdeath."

Harrisonfoundhisvoice."Howmuchdoyouknow?"

Poirotlookedstraightahead."AsItoldyou,IsawClaudeLangton'snameinthebook.WhatIdidnot
tellyouwasthatalmostimmediatelyafterward,Ihappenedtomeethim.Hetoldmehehadbeenbuying
cyanideofpotassiumatyourrequest-totakeawasps'nest.Thatstruckmeasalittleodd,myfriend,
because I remember that at that dinner of which you spoke, you held forth on the superior merits of
petrolanddenouncedthebuyingofcyanideasdangerousandunnecessary."

"Goon."

"I knew something else. I had seen Claude Langton and Molly Deane together when they thought no
onesawthem.Idonotknowwhatlovers'quarrelitwasthatoriginallypartedthemanddroveherinto
yourarms,butIrealizedthatmisunderstandingswereoverandthatMissDeanewasdriftingbacktoher
love."

"Goon."

"Iknewsomethingmore,myfriend.IwasinHarleyStreettheotherday,andIsawyoucomeoutofa
certain doctor's house. I know that doctor and for what disease one consults him, and I read the
expressiononyourface.Ihaveseenitonlyonceortwiceinmylifetime,butitisnoteasilymistaken.It
wasthefaceofamanundersentenceofdeath.Iamright,amInot?"

"Quiteright.Hegavemetwomonths."

"Youdidnotseeme,myfriend,foryouhadotherthingstothinkabout.Isawsomethingelseonyour
face-thethingthatItoldyouthisafternoonmentrytoconceal.Isawhatethere,myfriend.Youdidnot
troubletoconcealit,becauseyouthoughttherewerenonetoobserve."

"Goon,"saidHarrison.

"Thereisnotmuchmoretosay.Icamedownhere,sawLangton'snamebyaccidentinthepoisonbook
asItellyou,methim,andcameheretoyou.Ilaidtrapsforyou.YoudeniedhavingaskedLangtonto

getcyanide,orratheryouexpressedsurpriseathishavingdoneso.Youweretakenabackatfirstatmy
appearance,butpresently,yousawhowwellitwouldfitinandyouencouragedmysuspicions.Iknew
fromLangtonhimselfthathewascomingathalfpasteight.Youtoldmenineo'clock,thinkingIshould
comeandfindeverythingover.AndsoIkneweverything."

"Whydidyoucome?"criedHarrison."Ifonlyyouhadn'tcome!"

Poirotdrewhimselfup."Itoldyou,"hesaid,"murderismybusiness."

"Murder?Suicide,youmean."

"No."Poirot'svoicerangoutsharplyandclearly."Imeanmurder.Yourdeathwastobequickandeasy,
butthedeathyouplannedforLangtonwastheworstdeathanymancandie.Heboughtthepoison;he
comestoseeyou,andheisalonewithyou.Youdiesuddenly,andthecyanideisfoundinyourglass,
andClaudeLangtonhangs.Thatwasyourplan."

AgainHarrisonmoaned.

"Whydidyoucome?Whydidyoucome?"

"Ihavetoldyou,butthereisanotherreason.Ilikedyou.Listen,monami,youareadyingman;you
havelostthegirlyouloved,butthereisonethingthatyouarenot:youarenotamurderer.Tellmenow:
areyougladorsorrythatIcame?"

Therewasamoment'spauseandthenHarrisondrewhimselfup.Therewasanewdignityinhisface-
thelookofamanwhohasconqueredhisownbaserself.Hestretchedouthishandacrossthetable.

"Thankgoodnessyoucame,"hecried."Oh!Thankgoodnessyoucame."

THEVEILEDLADY

IhadnoticedthatforsometimePoirothadbeengrowingincreasinglydissatisfiedandrestless.Wehad
had no interesting cases of late, nothing on which my little friend could exercise his keen wits and
remarkablepowersofdeduction.Thismorningheflungdownthenewspaperwithanimpatient'Tchah!'
-afavouriteexclamationofhiswhichsoundedexactlylikeacatsneezing.

'They fear me, Hastings; the criminals of your England they fear me! When the cat is there, the little
mice,theycomenomoretothecheese!'

'Idon'tsupposethegreaterpartofthemevenknowofyourexistence,'Isaid,laughing.

Poirotlookedatmereproachfully.Healwaysimaginesthatthewholeworldisthinkingandtalkingof
HerculePoirot.HehadcertainlymadeanameforhimselfinLondon,butIcouldhardlybelievethathis
existencestruckterrorintothecriminalworld.

'WhataboutthatdaylightrobberyofjewelsinBondStreettheotherday?'Iasked.

'Aneatcoup,'saidPoirotapprovingly,'thoughnotinmyline.Pasdefinesse,seuelmentdel'audace!A
man with a loaded cane smashes the plate-glass window of a jeweller's shop and grabs a number of
preciousstones.Worthycitizensimmediatelyseizehim;apolicemanarrives.Heiscaughtred-handed
with the jewels on him. He is marched off to the police, and then it is discovered that the stones are
paste.Hehaspassedtherealonestoaconfederate-oneoftheaforementionedworthycitizens.Hewill
go to prison - true; but when he comes out, there will be a nice little fortune awaiting him. Yes, not
badlyimagined.ButIcoulddobetterthanthat.Sometimes,Hastings,IregretthatIamofsuchamoral
disposition.Toworkagainstthelaw,itwouldbepleasing,forachange.'

'Cheerup,Poirot;youknowyouareuniqueinyourownline.'

'Butwhatisthereonhandinmyownline?'

Ipickedupthepaper.

'Here'sanEnglishmanmysteriouslydonetodeathinHolland,'Isaid.

'They always say that - and later they find that he ate the tinned fish and that his death is perfectly
natural.'

'Well,ifyou'redeterminedtogrouse!'

'Tiens!'saidPoirot,whohadstrolledacrosstothewindow.'Hereinthestreetiswhattheycallinnovels
a "heavily veiled lady". She mounts the steps; she rings the bell - she comes to consult us. Here is a
possibilityofsomethinginteresting.Whenoneisasyoungandprettyasthatone,onedoesnotveilthe

faceexceptforabigaffair.'

A minute later our visitor was ushered in. As Poirot had said, she was indeed heavily veiled. It was
impossible to distinguish her features until she raised her veil of black Spanish lace. Then I saw that
Poirot'sintuitionhadbeenright;theladywasextremelypretty,withfairhairandlargeblueeyes.From
thecostlysimplicityofherattire,Ideducedatoncethatshebelongedtotheupperstrataofsociety.

'MonsieurPoirot,'saidtheladyinasoft,musicalvoice,'Iamingreattrouble.Icanhardlybelievethat
youcanhelpme,butIhaveheardsuchwonderfulthingsofyouthatIcomeliterallyasalasthopeto
begyoutodotheimpossible.'

'Theimpossible,itpleasesmealways,'saidPoirot.'Continue,Ibegofyou,mademoiselle.'

Ourfairguesthesitated.

'Butyoumustbefrank,'addedPoirot.'Youmustnotleavemeinthedarkonanypoint.'

'Iwilltrustyou,'saidthegirlsuddenly.'YouhaveheardofLadyMillicentCastleVaughan?'

Ilookedupwithkeeninterest.TheannouncementofLadyMillicent'sengagementtotheyoungDukeof
Southshirehadappearedafewdayspreviously.Shewas,Iknew,thefifthdaughterofanimpecunious
Irishpeer,andtheDukeofSouthshirewasoneofthebestmatchesinEngland.

'IamLadyMillicent,'continuedthegirl.'Youmayhavereadofmyengagement.Ishouldbeoneofthe
happiestgirlsalive;butoh,M.Poirot,Iaminterribletrouble!Thereisaman,ahorribleman-hisname
isLavington;andhe-Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou.TherewasaletterIwrote-Iwasonlysixteenat
thetime;andhe-he-'

'AletterthatyouwrotetothisMrLavington?'

'Ohno-nottohim!Toayoungsoldier-Iwasveryfondofhim-hewaskilledinthewar.'

'Iunderstand,'saidPoirotkindly.

'Itwasafoolishletter,anindiscreetletter,butindeed,M.Poirot,nothingmore.Buttherearephrasesin

itwhich-whichmightbearadifferentinterpretation.'

'Isee,'saidPoirot.'AndthisletterhascomeintothepossessionofMrLavington?'

'Yes,andhethreatens,unlessIpayhimanenormoussumofmoney,asumthatitisquiteimpossiblefor
metoraise,tosendittotheDuke.'

'Thedirtyswine!'Iejaculated.'Ibegyourpardon,LadyMillicent.'

'Woulditnotbewisertoconfessalltoyourfuturehusband?'

'I dare not, M. Poirot. The Duke is a rather peculiar character, jealous and suspicious and prone to
believetheworst.Imightaswellbreakoffmyengagementatonce.'

'Dear,dear,'saidPoirotwithanexpressivegrimace.'Andwhatdoyouwantmetodo,milady?'

'I thought perhaps that I might ask Mr Lavington to call upon you. I would tell him that you were
empoweredbymetodiscussthematter.Perhapsyoucouldreducehisdemands.'

'Whatsumdoeshemention?'

'Twentythousandpounds-animpossibility.IdoubtifIcouldraiseathousand,even.'

'Youmightperhapsborrowthemoneyontheprospectofyourapproachingmarriage-butIdoubtifyou
couldgetholdofhalfthatsum.Besides-ehbien,itisrepugnanttomethatyoushouldpay!No,the
ingenuityofHerculePoirotshalldefeatyourenemies!SendmethisMrLavington.Ishelikelytobring
theletterwithhim?'

Thegirlshookherhead.

'Idonotthinkso.Heisverycautious.'

'Isupposethereisnodoubtthathereallyhasit?'

'HeshowedittomewhenIwenttohishouse.'

'Youwenttohishouse?Thatwasveryimprudent,milady.'

'Wasit?Iwassodesperate.Ihopedmyentreatiesmightmovehim.'

'Oh, la la! The Lavingtons of this world are not moved by entreaties! He would welcome them as
showinghowmuchimportanceyouattachedtothedocument.Wheredoeshelive,thisfinegentleman?'

'AtBuonaVista,Wimbledon.Iwentthereafterdark-'Poirotgroaned.'IdeclaredthatIwouldinform
thepoliceintheend,butheonlylaughedinahorrid,sneeringmanner."Byallmeans,mydearLady
Millicent,dosoifyouwish,"hesaid.'

'Yes,itishardlyanaffairforthepolice,'murmuredPoirot.

'"ButIthinkyouwillbewiserthanthat,"hecontinued."See,hereisyourletter-inthislittleChinese
puzzlebox!"HehelditsothatIcouldsee.Itriedtosnatchatit,buthewastooquickforme.Witha
horridsmilehefoldeditupandreplaceditinthelittlewoodenbox."Itwillbequitesafehere,Iassure
you," he said, "and the box itself lives in such a clever place that you would never find it." My eyes
turned to the small wall-safe, and he shook his head and laughed. "I have a better safe than that," he
said.Oh,hewasodious!M.Poirot,doyouthinkthatyoucanhelpme?'

'HavefaithinPapaPoirot.Iwillfindaway.'

These reassurances were all very well, I thought, as Poirot gallantly ushered his fair client down the
stairs,butitseemedtomethatwehadatoughnuttocrack.IsaidasmuchtoPoirotwhenhereturned.
Henoddedruefully.

'Yes-thesolutiondoesnotleaptotheeye.Hehasthewhiphand,thisM.Lavington.ForthemomentI
donotseehowwearetocircumventhim.'

MrLavingtondulycalleduponusthatafternoon.LadyMillicenthadspokentrulywhenshedescribed
himasanodiousman.Ifeltapositivetinglingintheendofmyboot,sokeenwasItokickhimdown
the stairs. He was blustering and overbearing in manner, laughed Poirot's gentle suggestions to scorn,
andgenerallyshowedhimselfasmasterofthesituation.IcouldnothelpfeelingthatPoirotwashardly
appearingathisbest.Helookeddiscouragedandcrestfallen.

'Well,gentlemen,'saidLavington,ashetookuphishat,'wedon'tseemtobegettingmuchfurther.The
case stands like this: I'll let the Lady Millicent off cheap, as she is such a charming young lady.' He
leeredodiously.'We'llsayeighteenthousand.I'mofftoParistoday-alittlepieceofbusinesstoattend
tooverthere.IshallbebackonTuesday.UnlessthemoneyispaidbyTuesdayevening,thelettergoes
totheDuke.Don'ttellmeLadyMillicentcan'traisethemoney.Someofhergentlemenfriendswould
beonlytoowillingtoobligesuchaprettywomanwithaloan-ifshegoestherightwayaboutit.'

Myfaceflushed,andItookastepforward,butLavingtonhadwheeledoutoftheroomashefinished
hissentence.

'MyGod!'Icried.'Somethinghasgottobedone.Youseemtobetakingthislyingdown,Poirot.'

'You have an excellent heart, my friend - but your grey cells are in a deplorable condition. I have no
wishtoimpressMrLavingtonwithmycapabilities.Themorepusillanimoushethinksme,thebetter.'

'Why?'

'Itiscurious,'murmuredPoirotreminiscently,'thatIshouldhaveutteredawishtoworkagainstthelaw
justbeforeLadyMillicentarrived!'

'Youaregoingtoburglehishousewhileheisaway?'Igasped.

'Sometimes,Hastings,yourmentalprocessesareamazinglyquick.'

'Supposehetakestheletterwithhim?'

Poirotshookhishead.

'That is very unlikely. He has evidently a hiding-place in his house that he fancies to be pretty
impregnable.'

'Whendowe-er-dothedeed?'

'Tomorrownight.Wewillstartfromhereabouteleveno'clock.'

AtthetimeappointedIwasreadytosetoff.Ihaddonnedadarksuit,andasoftdarkhat.Poirotbeamed
kindlyonme.

'Youhavedressedthepart,Isee,'heobserved.'ComeletustaketheundergroundtoWimbledon.'

'Aren'twegoingtotakeanythingwithus?Toolstobreakinwith?'

'MydearHastings,HerculePoirotdoesnotadoptsuchcrudemethods.'

Iretired,snubbed,butmycuriositywasalert.

ItwasjustonmidnightthatweenteredthesmallsuburbangardenofBuonaVista.Thehousewasdark
and silent. Poirot went straight to a window at the back of the house, raised the sash noiselessly and
bademeenter.

'Howdidyouknowthiswindowwouldbeopen?'Iwhispered,forreallyitseemeduncanny.

'BecauseIsawedthroughthecatchthismorning.'

'What?'

'Butyes,itwasthemostsimple.Icalled,presentedafictitiouscardandoneofInspectorJapp'sofficial
ones.IsaidIhadbeensent,recommendedbyScotlandYard,toattendtosomeburglarprooffastenings
thatMrLavingtonwantedfixedwhilehewasaway.Thehousekeeperwelcomedmewithenthusiasm.It
seemstheyhavehadtwoattemptedburglariesherelately-evidentlyourlittleideahasoccurredtoother
clients of Mr Lavington's - with nothing of value taken. I examined all the windows, made my little
arrangement, forbade the servants to touch the windows until tomorrow, as they were electrically
connectedup,andwithdrewgracefully.'

'Really,Poirot,youarewonderful.'

'Monami,itwasofthesimplest.Now,towork!Theservantssleepatthetopofthehouse,sowewill
runlittleriskofdisturbingthem.'

'Ipresumethesafeisbuiltintothewallsomewhere?'

'Safe? Fiddlesticks! There is no safe. Mr Lavington is an intelligent man. You will see, he will have
devisedahiding-placemuchmoreintelligentthanasafe.Asafeisthefirstthingeveryonelooksfor.'

Whereuponwebeganasystematicsearchoftheentireplace.Butafterseveralhours'ransackingofthe
house,oursearchhadbeenunavailing.IsawsymptomsofangergatheringonPoirot'sface.

'Ah,sapristi,isHerculePoirottobebeaten?Never!Letusbecalm.Letusreflect.Letusreason.Letus
-enfin!-employourlittlegreycells!'

Hepausedforsomemoments,bendinghisbrowsinconcentration;thenthegreenlightIknewsowell
stoleintohiseyes.

'Ihavebeenanimbecile!Thekitchen!'

'Thekitchen,'Icried.'Butthat'simpossible.Theservants!'

'Exactly.Justwhatninety-ninepeopleoutofahundredwouldsay!Andforthatveryreasonthekitchen
istheidealplacetochoose.Itisfullofvarioushomelyobjects.Enavant,tothekitchen!'

I followed him, completely sceptical, and watched whilst he dived into bread-bins, tapped saucepans,
andputhisheadintothegas-oven.Intheend,tiredofwatchinghim,Istrolledbacktothestudy.Iwas
convincedthatthere,andthereonly,wouldwefindthecache.Imadeafurtherminutesearch,notedthat
itwasnowaquarterpastfourandthatthereforeitwouldsoonbegrowinglight,andthenwentbackto
thekitchenregions.

Tomyutteramazement,Poirotwasnowstandingrightinsidethecoal-bin,totheutterruinofhisneat
lightsuit.Hemadeagrimace.

'Butyes,myfriend,itisagainstallmyinstinctssotoruinmyappearance,butwhatwillyou?'

'ButLavingtoncan'thaveburieditunderthecoal?'

'Ifyouwoulduseyoureyes,youwouldseethatitisnotthecoalthatIexamine.'

Ithensawthatonashelfbehindthecoal-bunkersomelogsofwoodwerepiled.Poirotwasdexterously

takingthemdownonebyone.Suddenlyheutteredalowexclamation.

'Yourknife,Hastings!'

Ihandedittohim.Heappearedtoinsertitinthewood,andsuddenlythelogsplitintwo.Ithadbeen
neatlysawninhalfandacavityhollowedoutinthecentre.FromthiscavityPoirottookalittlewooden
boxofChinesemake.

'Welldone!'Icried,carriedoutofmyself.

'Gently,Hastings!Donotraiseyourvoicetoomuch.Come,letusbeoff,beforethedaylightisuponus.'

Slippingtheboxintohispocket,heleapedlightlyoutofthecoal-bunker,brushedhimselfdownaswell
ashecould,andleavingthehousebythesamewayaswehadcome,wewalkedrapidlyinthedirection
ofLondon.

'Butwhatanextraordinaryplace!'Iexpostulated.'Anyonemighthaveusedthelog.'

'InJuly,Hastings?Anditwasatthebottomofthepile-averyingenioushiding-place.Ah,hereisa
taxi!Nowforhome,awash,andarefreshingsleep.'

Aftertheexcitementofthenight,Isleptlate.WhenIfinallystrolledintooursitting-roomjustbefore
one o'clock, I was surprised to see Poirot, leaning back in an armchair, the Chinese box open beside
him,calmlyreadingtheletterhehadtakenfromit.

Hesmiledatmeaffectionately,andtappedthesheetheheld.

'Shewasright,theLadyMillicent;neverwouldtheDukehavepardonedthisletter!Itcontainssomeof
themostextravaganttermsofaffectionIhaveevercomeacross.'

'Really,Poirot,'Isaid,ratherdisgustedly,'Idon'tthinkyoushouldreallyhavereadtheletter.That'sthe
sortofthingthatisn'tdone.'

'ItisdonebyHerculePoirot,'repliedmyfriendimperturbably.

'Andanotherthing,'Isaid.'Idon'tthinkusingJapp'sofficialcardyesterdaywasquiteplayingthegame.'

'ButIwasnotplayingagame,Hastings.Iwasconductingacase.'

Ishruggedmyshoulders.Onecan'targuewithapointofview.

'Asteponthestairs,'saidPoirot.'ThatwillbeLadyMillicent.'

Our fair client came in with an anxious expression on her face which changed to one of delight on
seeingtheletterandboxwhichPoirotheldup.

'Oh,M.Poirot.Howwonderfulofyou!Howdidyoudoit?'

'Byratherreprehensiblemethods,milady.ButMrLavingtonwillnotprosecute.Thisisyourletter,isit
not?'

Sheglancedthroughit.

'Yes.Oh,howcanIeverthankyou!Youareawonderful,wonderfulman.Wherewasithidden?'

Poirottoldher.

'Howverycleverofyou!'Shetookupthesmallboxfromthetable.'Ishallkeepthisasasouvenir.'

'Ihadhoped,milady,thatyouwouldpermitmetokeepit-alsoasasouvenir.'

'Ihopetosendyouabettersouvenirthanthat-onmyweddingday.Youshallnotfindmeungrateful,
M.Poirot.'

'Thepleasureofdoingyouaservicewillbemoretomethanacheque-soyoupermitthatIretainthe
box.'

'Ohno,M.Poirot,Isimplymusthavethat,'shecriedlaughingly.

Shestretchedoutherhand,butPoirotwasbeforeher.Hishandclosedoverit.

'Ithinknot.'Hisvoicehadchanged.

'Whatdoyoumean?'Hervoiceseemedtohavegrownsharper.

'At any rate, permit me to abstract its further contents. You observe that the original cavity has been
reducedbyhalf.Inthetophalf,thecompromisingletter;inthebottom-'

Hemadeanimblegesture,thenheldouthishand.Onthepalmwerefourlargeglitteringstones,and
twobigmilkywhitepearls.

'ThejewelsstoleninBondStreettheotherday,Iratherfancy,'murmuredPoirot.'Jappwilltellus.'

Tomyutteramazement,JapphimselfsteppedoutfromPoirot'sbedroom.

'Anoldfriendofyours,Ibelieve,'saidPoirotpolitelytoLadyMillicent.

'Nabbed,bytheLord!'saidLadyMillicent,withacompletechangeofmanner.'Younippyolddevil!'
ShelookedatPoirotwithalmostaffectionateawe.

'Well, Gertie, my dear,' said Japp, 'the game's up this time, I fancy. Fancy seeing you again so soon!
We'vegotyourpal,too,thegentlemanwhocalledheretheotherdaycallinghimselfLavington.Asfor
Lavingtonhimself,aliasCroker,aliasReed,Iwonderwhichofthegangitwaswhostuckaknifeinto
him the other day in Holland? Thought he'd got the goods with him, didn't you? And he hadn't. He
double-crossed you properly - hid 'em in his own house. You had two fellows looking for them, and
thenyoutackledM.Poirothere,andbyapieceofamazingluckhefoundthem.'

'Youdoliketalking,don'tyou?'saidthelateLadyMillicent.'Easythere,now.I'llgoquietly.Youcan't
saythatI'mnottheperfectlady.Ta-ta,all!'

'Theshoeswerewrong,'saidPoirotdreamily,whileIwasstilltoostupefiedtospeak.'Ihavemademy
littleobservationsofyourEnglishnation,andalady,abornlady,isalwaysparticularabouthershoes.
Shemayhaveshabbyclothes,butshewillbewellshod.Now,thisLadyMillicenthadsmart,expensive
clothes,andcheapshoes.ItwasnotlikelythateitheryouorIshouldhaveseentherealLadyMillicent;
shehasbeenverylittleinLondon,andthisgirlhadacertainsuperficialresemblancewhichwouldpass
wellenough.AsIsay,theshoesfirstawakenedmysuspicions,andthenherstory-andherveil-werea

littlemelodramatic,eh?TheChineseboxwithaboguscompromisingletterinthetopmusthavebeen
known to all the gang, but the log of wood was the late Mr Lavington's own idea. Eh, par exemple,
Hastings, I hope you will not again wound my feelings as you did yesterday by saying that I am
unknowntothecriminalclasses.Mafoi,theyevenemploymewhentheythemselvesfail!'

PROBLEMATSEA

'ColonelClapperton!'saidGeneralForbes.Hesaiditwithaneffectmidwaybetweenasnortandasniff.

MissEllieHendersonleanedforward,astrandofhersoftgreyhairblowingacrossherface.Hereyes,
darkandsnapping,gleamedwithawickedpleasure.

'Such a soldierly-looking man,' she said with malicious intent, and smoothed back the lock of hair to
awaittheresult.

'Soldierly!'explodedGeneralForbes.Hetuggedathismilitarymoustacheandhisfacebecamebright
red.

'IntheGuards,wasn'the?'murmuredMissHenderson,completingherwork.

'Guards?Guards?Packofnonsense.Fellowwasonthemusichallstage!Fact!Joinedupandwasoutin
France counting tins of plum and apple. Huns dropped a stray bomb and he went home with a flesh
woundinthearm.SomehoworothergotintoLadyCarrington'shospital.'

'Sothat'showtheymet.'

'Fact! Fellow played the wounded hero. Lady Carrington had no sense and oceans of money. Old
Carringtonhadbeeninmunitions.She'dbeenawidowonlysixmonths.Thisfellowsnapsherupinno
time.ShewangledhimajobattheWarOffice.ColonelClapperton!Pah!'hesnorted.

'And before the war he was on the music hall stage,' mused Miss Henderson, trying to reconcile the
distinguished grey-haired Colonel Clapperton with a red-nosed comedian singing mirth-provoking
songs.

'Fact!' said General Forbes. 'Heard it from old Bassington-ffrench. And he heard it from old Badger
Cotterillwho'dgotitfromSnooksParker.'

MissHendersonnoddedbrightly.'Thatdoesseemtosettleit!'shesaid.

A fleeting smile showed for a minute on the face of a small man sitting near them. Miss Henderson
noticedthesmile.Shewasobservant.Ithadshownappreciationoftheironyunderlyingherlastremark
-ironywhichtheGeneralneverforamomentsuspected.

TheGeneralhimselfdidnotnoticethesmiles.Heglancedathiswatch,roseandremarked:'Exercise.
Gottokeeponeselffitonaboat,'andpassedoutthroughtheopendoorontothedeck.

MissHendersonglancedatthemanwhohadsmiled.Itwasawell-bredglanceindicatingthatshewas
readytoenterintoconversationwithafellowtraveller.

'Heisenergetic-yes?'saidthelittleman.

'Hegoesroundthedeckforty-eighttimesexactly,'saidMissHenderson.'Whatanoldgossip!Andthey
saywearethescandal-lovingsex.'

'Whatanimpoliteness!'

'Frenchmenarealwayspolite,'saidMissHenderson-therewasthenuanceofaquestioninhervoice.

Thelittlemanrespondedpromptly.'Belgian,mademoiselle.'

'Oh!Belgian.'

'HerculePoirot.Atyourservice.'

The name aroused some memory. Surely she had heard it before -? 'Are you enjoying this trip, M.
Poirot?'

'Frankly,no.Itwasanimbecilitytoallowmyselftobepersuadedtocome.Idetestlamer.Neverdoesit
remaintranquilno,notforalittleminute.'

'Well,youadmitit'squitecalmnow.'

M. Poirot admitted this grudgingly. 'At the moment, yes. That is why I revive. I once more interest
myselfinwhatpassesaroundme-yourveryadepthandlingoftheGeneralForbes,forinstance.'

'Youmean-'MissHendersonpaused.

HerculePoirotbowed.'Yourmethodsofextractingthescandalousmatter.Admirable!'

Miss Henderson laughed in an unashamed manner. 'That touch about the Guards? I knew that would
bringtheoldboyupsplutteringandgasping.'Sheleanedforwardconfidentially.'IadmitIlikescandal-
themoreill-natured,thebetter!'

Poirotlookedthoughtfullyather-herslimwell-preservedfigure,herkeendarkeyes,hergreyhair;a
womanofforty-fivewhowascontenttolookherage.

Elliesaidabruptly:'Ihaveit!Aren'tyouthegreatdetective?'

Poirotbowed.'Youaretooamiable,mademoiselle.'Buthemadenodisclaimer.

'How thrilling,' said Miss Henderson. 'Are you "hot on the trail" as they say in books? Have we a
criminalsecretlyinourmidst?OramIbeingindiscreet?'

'Notatall.Notatall.Itpainsmetodisappointyourexpectations,butIamsimplyhere,likeeveryone
else,toamusemyself.'

HesaiditinsuchagloomyvoicethatMissHendersonlaughed.

'Oh!Well,youwillbeabletogetashoretomorrowatAlexandria.YouhavebeentoEgyptbefore?'

'Never,mademoiselle.'

MissHendersonrosesomewhatabruptly.

'IthinkIshalljointheGeneralonhisconstitutional,'sheannounced.

Poirotsprangpolitelytohisfeet.

Shegavehimalittlenodandpassedoutontothedeck.

AfaintpuzzledlookshowedforamomentinPoirot'seyes,then,alittlesmilecreasinghislips,herose,
puthisheadthroughthedoorandglanceddownthedeck.MissHendersonwasleaningagainsttherail
talkingtoatall,soldierly-lookingman.

Poirot'ssmiledeepened.Hedrewhimselfbackintothesmoking-roomwiththesameexaggeratedcare
with which a tortoise withdraws itself into its shell. For the moment he had the smoking-room to
himself,thoughherightlyconjecturedthatthatwouldnotlastlong.

Itdidnot.MrsClapperton,hercarefullywavedplatinumheadprotectedwithanet,hermassagedand
dietedformdressedinasmartsportssuit,camethroughthedoorfromthebarwiththepurposefulairof
awomanwhohasalwaysbeenabletopaytoppriceforanythingsheneeded.

Shesaid:'John-?Oh!Goodmorning,M.Poirot-haveyouseenJohn?'

'He'sonthestarboarddeck,madame.ShallI-?'

She arrested him with a gesture. 'I'll sit here a minute.' She sat down in a regal fashion in the chair
oppositehim.Fromthedistanceshehadlookedapossibletwenty-eight.Now,inspiteofherexquisitely
made-up face, her delicately plucked eyebrows, she looked not her actual forty-nine years, but a
possiblefifty-five.Hereyeswereahardpalebluewithtinypupils.

'Iwassorrynottohaveseenyouatdinnerlastnight,'shesaid.'Itwasjustashadechoppy,ofcourse-'

'Précisément,'saidPoirotwithfeeling.

'Luckily, I am an excellent sailor,' said Mrs Clapperton. 'I say luckily, because, with my weak heart,
seasicknesswouldprobablybethedeathofme.'

'Youhavetheweakheart,madame?'

'Yes,Ihavetobemostcareful.Imustnotovertiremyself.Allthespecialistssayso!'MrsClapperton
hadembarkedonthe-toher-ever-fascinatingtopicofherhealth.'John,poordarling,wearshimself
outtryingtopreventmefromdoingtoomuch.Ilivesointensely,ifyouknowwhatImean,M.Poirot?'

'Yes,yes.'

'Healwayssaystome:"Trytobemoreofavegetable,Adeline."ButIcan't.Lifewasmeanttobelived,
I feel. As a matter of fact I wore myself out as a girl in the war. My hospital - you've heard of my
hospital?OfcourseIhadnursesandmatronsandallthatbutIactuallyranit.'Shesighed.

'Yourvitalityismarvellous,dearlady,'saidPoirot,withtheslightlymechanicalairofonerespondingto
hiscue.

MrsClappertongaveagirlishlaugh.

'EveryonetellsmehowyoungIam!It'sabsurd.InevertrytopretendI'madaylessthanforty-three,'
shecontinuedwithlightlymendaciouscandour,'butalotofpeoplefindithardtobelieve."You'reso
alive,Adeline,"theysaytome.Butreally,M.Poirot,whatwouldonebeifonewasn'talive?'

'Dead,'saidPoirot.

MrsClappertonfrowned.Thereplywasnottoherliking.Theman,shedecided,wastryingtobefunny.
Shegotupandsaidcoldly:'ImustfindJohn.'

Asshesteppedthroughthedoorshedroppedherhandbag.Itopenedandthecontentsflewfarandwide.
Poirot rushed gallantly to the rescue. It was some few minutes before the lipsticks, vanity boxes,
cigarettecaseandlighterandotheroddsandendswerecollected.MrsClappertonthankedhimpolitely,
thenshesweptdownthedeckandsaid,'John!'

Colonel Clapperton was still deep in conversation with Miss Henderson. He swung round and came
quickly to meet his wife. He bent over her protectively. Her deck chair - was it in the right place?
Wouldn'titbebetter-?Hismannerwascourteous-fullofgentleconsideration.Clearlyanadoredwife
spoiltbyanadoringhusband.

MissEllieHendersonlookedoutatthehorizonasthoughsomethingaboutitratherdisgustedher.

Standinginthesmoking-roomdoor,Poirotlookedon.

Ahoarsequaveringvoicebehindhimsaid:'I'dtakeahatchettothatwomanifIwereherhusband.'The
oldgentlemanknowndisrespectfullyamongtheyoungersetonboardastheGrandfatherofAlltheTea
Planters,hadjustshuffledin.'Boy!'hecalled.'Getmeawhiskypeg.'

Poirot stooped to retrieve a torn scrap of notepaper, an overlooked item from the contents of Mrs
Clapperton'sbag.Partofaprescription,henoted,containingdigitalin.Heputitinhispocket,meaning
torestoreittoMrsClappertonlater.

'Yes,'wentontheagedpassenger.'Poisonouswoman.IrememberawomanlikethatinPoona.In'87
thatwas.'

'Didanyonetakeahatchettoher?'inquiredPoirot.

Theoldgentlemanshookhisheadsadly.

'Worriedherhusbandintohisgravewithintheyear.Clappertonoughttoasserthimself.Giveshiswife
herheadtoomuch.'

'Sheholdsthepursestrings,'saidPoirotgravely.

'Ha,ha!'chuckledtheoldgentleman.'You'veputthematterinanutshell.Holdsthepursestrings.Ha,
ha!'

Twogirlsburstintothesmoking-room.Onehadaroundfacewithfrecklesanddarkhairstreamingout
inawindsweptconfusion,theotherhadfrecklesandcurlychestnuthair.

'Arescue-arescue!'criedKittyMooney.'PamandIaregoingtorescueColonelClapperton.'

'Fromhiswife,'gaspedPamelaCregan.

'Wethinkhe'sapet...'

'Andshe'sjustawful-shewon'tlethimdoanything,'thetwogirlsexclaimed.

'Andifheisn'twithher,he'susuallygrabbedbytheHendersonwoman...'

'Who'squitenice.Butterriblyold...'

Theyranout,gaspinginbetweengiggles:'Arescue-arescue!'

That the rescue of Colonel Clapperton was no isolated sally, but a fixed project was made clear that
sameeveningwhentheeighteen-year-oldPamCregancameuptoHerculePoirot,andmurmured:

'Watchus,M.Poirot.He'sgoingtobecutoutfromunderhernoseandtakentowalkinthemoonlight
ontheboatdeck.'

ItwasjustatthatmomentthatColonelClappertonwassaying:

'IgrantyouthepriceofaRolls-Royce.Butit'spracticallygoodforalifetime.Nowmycar-'

'Mycar,Ithink,John.'MrsClapperton'svoicewasshrillandpenetrating.

Heshowednoannoyanceatherungraciousness.Eitherhewasusedtoitbythistime,orelse-'Orelse?'
thoughtPoirotandlethimselfspeculate.

'Certainly, my dear, your car,' Clapperton bowed to his wife and finished what he had been saying,
perfectlyunruffled.

'Voilàcequ'onappellelepukkasahib,'thoughtPoirot.'ButtheGeneralForbessaysthatClappertonis
nogentlemanatall.Iwondernow.'

Therewasasuggestionofbridge.MrsClapperton,GeneralForbesandahawk-eyedcouplesatdownto
it.MissHendersonhadexcusedherselfandgoneoutondeck.

'Whataboutyourhusband?'askedGeneralForbes,hesitating.

'Johnwon'tplay,'saidMrsClapperton.'Mosttiresomeofhim.'

Thefourbridgeplayersbeganshufflingthecards.

PamandKittyadvancedonColonelClapperton.Eachonetookanarm.

'You'recomingwithus!'saidPam.'Totheboatdeck.There'samoon.'

'Don'tbefoolish,John,'saidMrsClapperton.'You'llcatchachill.'

'Notwithus,hewon't,'saidKitty.'We'rehotstuff!'

Hewentwiththem,laughing.

PoirotnoticedthatMrsClappertonsaidNoBidtoherinitialbidofTwoClubs.

Hestrolledoutontothepromenadedeck.MissHendersonwasstandingbytherail.Shelookedround
expectantlyashecametostandbesideherandhesawthedropinherexpression.

Theychattedforawhile.Thenpresentlyashefellsilentsheasked:'Whatareyouthinkingabout?'

Poirotreplied:'IamwonderingaboutmyknowledgeofEnglish.MrsClappertonsaid:"Johnwon'tplay
bridge."Isnot"can'tplay"theusualterm?'

'Shetakesitasapersonalinsultthathedoesn't,Isuppose,'saidElliedrily.'Themanwasafooleverto
havemarriedher.'

InthedarknessPoirotsmiled.'Youdon'tthinkit'sjustpossiblethatthemarriagemaybeasuccess?'he
askeddiffidently.

'Withawomanlikethat?'

Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.'Manyodiouswomenhavedevotedhusbands.Anenigmaofnature.You
willadmitthatnothingshesaysordoesappearstogallhim.'MissHendersonwasconsideringherreply
whenMrsClapperton'svoicefloatedoutthroughthesmoking-roomwindow.

'No-Idon'tthinkIwillplayanotherrubber.Sostuffy.IthinkI'llgoupandgetsomeairontheboat
deck.'

'Goodnight,'saidMissHenderson.'I'mgoingtobed.'Shedisappearedabruptly.

Poirotstrolledforwardtothelounge-desertedsaveforColonelClappertonandthetwogirls.Hewas
doing card tricks for them and noting the dexterity of his shuffling and handling of the cards, Poirot
rememberedtheGeneral'sstoryofacareeronthemusichallstage.

'Iseeyouenjoythecardseventhoughyoudonotplaybridge,'heremarked.

'I've my reasons for not playing bridge,' said Clapperton, his charming smile breaking out. 'I'll show
you. We'll play one hand.' He dealt the cards rapidly. 'Pick up your hands. Well, what about it?' He
laughed at the bewildered expression on Kitty's face. He laid down his hand and the others followed
suit.Kittyheldtheentireclubsuit,M.Poirotthehearts,PamthediamondsandColonelClappertonthe
spades.

'Yousee?'hesaid.'Amanwhocandealhispartnerandhisadversariesanyhandhepleaseshadbetter
standalooffromafriendlygame!Iftheluckgoestoomuchhisway,ill-naturedthingsmightbesaid.'

'Oh!'gaspedKitty.'Howcouldyoudothat?Italllookedperfectlyordinary.'

'Thequicknessofthehanddeceivestheeye,'saidPoirotsententiously-andcaughtthesuddenchange
intheColonel'sexpression.

Itwasasthoughherealizedthathehadbeenoffhisguardforamomentortwo.

Poirotsmiled.Theconjurorhadshownhimselfthroughthemaskofthepukkasahib.

TheshipreachedAlexandriaatdawnthefollowingmorning.

AsPoirotcameupfrombreakfasthefoundthetwogirlsallreadytogoonshore.Theyweretalkingto
ColonelClapperton.

'Weoughttogetoffnow,'urgedKitty.'Thepassportpeoplewillbegoingofftheshippresently.You'll
comewithus,won'tyou?Youwouldn'tletusgoashoreallbyourselves?Awfulthingsmighthappento
us.'

'Icertainly don't thinkyou ought togo by yourselves,' saidClapperton, smiling. 'ButI'm not sure my
wifefeelsuptoit.'

'That'stoobad,'saidPam.'Butshecanhaveanicelongrest.'

ColonelClappertonlookedalittleirresolute.Evidentlythedesiretoplaytruantwasstronguponhim.
HenoticedPoirot.

'Hullo,M.Poirot-yougoingashore?'

'No,Ithinknot,'M.Poirotreplied.

'I'll-I'll-justhaveawordwithAdeline,'decidedColonelClapperton.

'We'll come with you,' said Pam. She flashed a wink at Poirot. 'Perhaps we can persuade her to come
too,'sheaddedgravely.

ColonelClappertonseemedtowelcomethissuggestion.Helookeddecidedlyrelieved.

'Come along then, the pair of you,' he said lightly. They all three went along the passage of B deck
together.

Poirot,whosecabinwasjustoppositetheClappertons,followedthemoutofcuriosity.

ColonelClappertonrappedalittlenervouslyatthecabindoor.'Adeline,mydear,areyouup?'

ThesleepyvoiceofMrsClappertonfromwithinreplied:'Oh,bother-whatisit?'

'It'sJohn.Whataboutgoingashore?'

'Certainlynot.'Thevoicewasshrillanddecisive.'I'vehadaverybadnight.Ishallstayinbedmostof
theday.'

Pamnippedinquickly.'Oh,MrsClapperton,I'msosorry.Wedidsowantyoutocomewithus.Areyou
sureyou'renotuptoit?'

'I'mquitecertain.'MrsClapperton'svoicesoundedevenshriller.

TheColonelwasturningthedoor-handlewithoutresult.

'Whatisit,John?Thedoor'slocked.Idon'twanttobedisturbedbythestewards.'

'Sorry,mydear,sorry.JustwantedmyBaedeker.'

'Well,youcan'thaveit,'snappedMrsClapperton.'I'mnotgoingtogetoutofbed.Dogoaway,John,
andletmehavealittlepeace.'

'Certainly,certainly,mydear.'TheColonelbackedawayfromthedoor.PamandKittyclosedinonhim.

'Let's start at once. Thank goodness your hat's on your head. Oh, gracious - your passport isn't in the
cabin,isit?'

'Asamatteroffactit'sinmypocket-'begantheColonel.

Kittysqueezedhisarm.'Glorybe!'sheexclaimed.'Now,comeon.'

Leaningovertherail,Poirotwatchedthethreeofthemleavetheship.Heheardafaintintakeofbreath
besidehimandturnedtoseeMissHenderson.Hereyeswerefastenedonthethreeretreatingfigures.

'Sothey'vegoneashore,'shesaidflatly.

'Yes.Areyougoing?'

Shehadashadehat,henoticed,andasmartbagandshoes.Therewasashore-goingappearanceabout
her.Nevertheless,afterthemostinfinitesimalofpauses,sheshookherhead.

'No,'shesaid.'IthinkI'llstayonboard.Ihavealotofletterstowrite.'

Sheturnedandlefthim.

Puffingafterhismorningtourofforty-eightroundsofthedeck,GeneralForbestookherplace.'Aha!'
he exclaimed as his eyes noted the retreating figures of the Colonel and the two girls. 'So that's the
game!Where'stheMadam?'

PoirotexplainedthatMrsClappertonwashavingaquietdayinbed.

'Don'tyoubelieveit!'theoldwarriorclosedoneknowingeye.'She'llbeupfortiffin-andifthepoor
devil'sfoundtobeabsentwithoutleave,there'llbeructions.'

ButtheGeneral'sprognosticationswerenotfulfilled.MrsClappertondidnotappearatlunchandbythe
time the Colonel and his attendant damsels returned to the ship at four o'clock, she had not shown
herself.

Poirotwasinhiscabinandheardthehusband'sslightlyguiltyknockonhiscabindoor.Heardtheknock
repeated,thecabindoortried,andfinallyheardtheColonel'scalltoasteward.

'Lookhere,Ican'tgetananswer.Haveyouakey?'

Poirotrosequicklyfromhisbunkandcameoutintothepassage.

Thenewswentlikewildfireroundtheship.WithhorrifiedincredulitypeopleheardthatMrsClapperton
had been found dead in her bunk - a native dagger driven through her heart. A string of amber beads
wasfoundonthefloorofhercabin.Rumoursucceededrumour.Allbeadsellerswhohadbeenallowed
onboardthatdaywerebeingroundedupandquestioned!Alargesumincashhaddisappearedfroma
drawerin the cabin!The notes hadbeen traced! They hadnot been traced!Jewellery worth a fortune
hadbeentaken!Nojewelleryhadbeentakenatall!Astewardhadbeenarrestedandhadconfessedto
themurder!

'Whatisthetruthofitall?'demandedMissEllieHendersonwaylayingPoirot.Herfacewaspaleand
troubled.

'Mydearlady,howshouldIknow?'

'Ofcourseyouknow,'saidMissHenderson.

Itwaslateintheevening.Mostpeoplehadretiredtotheircabins.MissHendersonledPoirottoacouple
ofdeckchairsontheshelteredsideoftheship.'Nowtellme,'shecommanded.

Poirotsurveyedherthoughtfully.'It'saninterestingcase,'hesaid.

'Isittruethatshehadsomeveryvaluablejewellrystolen?'

Poirotshookhishead.'No.Nojewellerywastaken.Asmallamountofloosecashthatwasinadrawer
hasdisappeared,though.'

'I'llneverfeelsafeonashipagain,'saidMissHendersonwithashiver.'Anyclueastowhichofthose
coffee-colouredbrutesdidit?'

'No,'saidHerculePoirot.'Thewholethingisrather-strange.'

'Whatdoyoumean?'askedElliesharply.

Poirotspreadouthishands.'Ehbien-takethefacts.MrsClappertonhadbeendeadatleastfivehour
whenshewasfound.Somemoneyhaddisappeared.Astringofbeadswasonthefloorbyherbed.The
doorwaslockedandthekeywasmissing.Thewindow-window,notport-hole-givesonthedeckand
wasopen.'

'Well?'askedthewomanimpatiently.

'Do you not think it is curious for a murder to be committed under those particular circumstances?
Rememberthatthepostcardsellers,moneychangersandbeadsellerswhoareallowedonboardareall
wellknowntothepolice.'

'Thestewardsusuallylockyourcabin,allthesame,'Elliepointedout.

'Yes,topreventanychanceofpettypilfering.Butthis-wasmurder.'

'Whatexactlyareyouthinkingof,M.Poirot?'Hervoicesoundedalittlebreathless.

'Iamthinkingofthelockeddoor.'

Miss Henderson considered this. 'I don't see anything in that. The man left by the door, locked it and
tookthekeywithhimsoastoavoidhavingthemurderdiscoveredtoosoon.Quiteintelligentofhim,
foritwasn'tdiscovereduntilfouro'clockintheafternoon.'

'No,no,mademoiselle,youdon'tappreciatethepointI'mtryingtomake.I'mnotworriedastohowhe
gotout,butastohowhegotin.'

'Thewindowofcourse.'

'C'estpossible.Butitwouldbeaverynarrowfit-andtherewerepeoplepassingupanddownthedeck
allthetime,remember.'

'Thenthroughthedoor,'saidMissHendersonimpatiently.

'But you forget, mademoiselle. Mrs Clapperton had locked the door on the inside. She had done so
beforeColonelClappertonlefttheboatthismorning.Heactuallytriedit-soweknowthatisso.'

'Nonsense.Itprobablystuck-orhedidn'tturnthehandleproperly.'

'Butitdoesnotrestonhisword.WeactuallyheardMrsClappertonherselfsayso.'

'We?'

'MissMooney,MissCregan,ColonelClappertonandmyself.'

EllieHendersontappedaneatlyshodfoot.Shedidnotspeakforamomentortwo.Thenshesaidina
slightlyirritabletone:

'Well-whatexactlydoyoudeducefromthat?IfMrsClappertoncouldlockthedoorshecouldunlockit
too,Isuppose.'

'Precisely, precisely.' Poirot turned a beaming face upon her. 'And you see where that leads us. Mrs
Clapperton unlocked the door and let the murderer in. Now would she be likely to do that for a bead
seller?'

Ellieobjected:'Shemightnothaveknownwhoitwas.Hemayhaveknocked-shegotupandopened
thedoor-andheforcedhiswayinandkilledher.'

Poirotshookhishead.'Aucontraire.Shewaslyingpeacefullyinbedwhenshewasstabbed.'

MissHendersonstaredathim.'What'syouridea?'sheaskedabruptly.

Poirotsmiled.'Well,itlooks,doesitnot,asthoughsheknewthepersonsheadmitted...'

'Youmean,'saidMissHendersonandhervoicesoundedalittleharsh,'thatthemurdererisapassenger
ontheship?'

Poirotnodded.'Itseemsindicated.'

'Andthestringofbeadsleftonthefloorwasablind?'

'Precisely.'

'Thetheftofthemoneyalso?'

'Exactly.'

There was a pause, then Miss Henderson said slowly: 'I thought Mrs Clapperton a very unpleasant

womanandIdon'tthinkanyoneonboardreallylikedher-buttherewasn'tanyonewhohadanyreason
tokillher.'

'Exceptherhusband,perhaps,'saidPoirot.

'Youdon'treallythink-'Shestopped.

'ItistheopinionofeverypersononthisshipthatColonelClappertonwouldhavebeenquitejustifiedin
"takingahatchettoher".Thatwas,Ithink,theexpressionused.'

EllieHendersonlookedathim-waiting.

'ButIamboundtosay,'wentonPoirot,'thatImyselfhavenotnotedanysignsofexasperationonthe
goodColonel'spart.Also,whatismoreimportant,hehadanalibi.Hewaswiththosetwogirlsallday
anddidnotreturntotheshiptillfouro'clock.Bythen,MrsClappertonhadbeendeadmanyhours.'

Therewasanotherminuteofsilence.EllieHendersonsaidsoftly:'Butyoustillthink-apassengeron
theship?'

Poirotbowedhishead.

EllieHendersonlaughedsuddenly-arecklessdefiantlaugh.

'Yourtheorymaybedifficulttoprove,M.Poirot.Thereareagoodmanypassengersonthisship.'

Poirotbowedtoher.'Iwilluseaphrasefromoneofyourdetectivestorywriters."Ihavemymethods,
Watson."'

Thefollowingevening,atdinner,everypassengerfoundatypewrittenslipbyhisplaterequestinghim
to be in the main lounge at 8.30. When the company were assembled, the Captain stepped on to the
raisedplatformwheretheorchestrausuallyplayedandaddressedthem.

'Ladiesandgentlemen,youallknowofthetragedywhichtookplaceyesterday.Iamsureyouallwish
toco-operateinbringingtheperpetratorofthatfoulcrimetojustice.'Hepausedandclearedhisthroat.
'WehaveonboardwithusM.HerculePoirotwhoisprobablyknowntoyouallasamanwhohashad
wideexperiencein-er-suchmatters.Ihopeyouwilllistencarefullytowhathehastosay.'

ItwasatthisminutethatColonelClapperton,whohadnotbeenatdinner,cameinandsatdownnextto
GeneralForbes.Helookedlikeamanbewilderedbysorrow-notatalllikeamanconsciousofgreat
relief.Eitherhewasaverygoodactororelsehehadbeengenuinelyfondofhisdisagreeablewife.

'M.HerculePoirot,'saidtheCaptainandsteppeddown.Poirottookhisplace.Helookedcomicallyself-
importantashebeamedonhisaudience.

'Messieurs, mesdames,' he began. 'It is most kind of you to be so indulgent as to listen to me. M. le
CaptainehastoldyouthatIhavehadacertainexperienceinthesematters.Ihave,itistrue,alittleidea
ofmyownabouthowtogettothebottomofthisparticularcase.'Hemadeasignandastewardpushed
forwardandpassedontohimabulky,shapelessobjectwrappedinasheet.

'WhatIamabouttodomaysurpriseyoualittle,'Poirotwarnedthem.'ItmayoccurtoyouthatIam
eccentric,perhapsmad.NeverthelessIassureyouthatbehindmymadnessthereis-asyouEnglishsay
-amethod.'

HiseyesmetthoseofMissHendersonforjustaminute.Hebeganunwrappingthebulkyobject.

'Ihavehere,messieursandmesdames,animportantwitnesstothetruthofwhokilledMrsClapperton.'
Withadefthandhewhiskedawaythelastenvelopingcloth,andtheobjectitconcealedwasrevealed-
analmostlife-sizedwoodendoll,dressedinavelvetsuitandlacecollar.

'Now, Arthur,' said Poirot and his voice changed subtly - it was no longer foreign - it had instead a
confidentEnglish,aslightlyCockneyinflection.'Canyoutellme-Irepeat-canyoutellme-anything
atallaboutthedeathofMrsClapperton?'

Thedoll'sneckoscillatedalittle,itswoodenlowerjawdroppedandwaveredandashrillhigh-pitched
woman'svoicespoke:

'Whatisit,John?Thedoor'slocked.Idon'twanttobedisturbedbythestewards...'

Therewasacry-anoverturnedchair-amanstoodswaying,hishandtohisthroat-tryingtospeak-
trying...Thensuddenly,hisfigureseemedtocrumpleup.Hepitchedheadlong.

ItwasColonelClapperton.

Poirotandtheship'sdoctorrosefromtheirkneesbytheprostratefigure.

'Allover,I'mafraid.Heart,'saidthedoctorbriefly.

Poirotnodded.'Theshockofhavinghistrickseenthrough,'hesaid.

HeturnedtoGeneralForbes.'Itwasyou,General,whogavemeavaluablehintwithyourmentionof
the music hall stage. I puzzle - I think - and then it comes to me. Supposing that before the war
Clappertonwasaventriloquist.Inthatcase,itwouldbeperfectlypossibleforthreepeopletohearMrs
Clappertonspeakfrominsidehercabinwhenshewasalreadydead...'

Ellie Henderson was beside him. Her eyes were dark and full of pain. 'Did you know his heart was
weak?'sheasked.

'Iguessedit...MrsClappertontalkedofherownheartbeingaffected,butshestruckmeasthetypeof
woman who likes to be thought ill. Then I picked up a torn prescription with a very strong dose of
digitalininit.Digitalinisaheartmedicinebutitcouldn'tbeMrsClapperton'sbecausedigitalindilates
thepupilsoftheeyes.IhadnevernoticedsuchaphenomenonwithherbutwhenIlookedathiseyesI
sawthesignsatonce.'

Elliemurmured:'Soyouthought-itmightend-thisway?'

'The best way, don't you think, mademoiselle?' he said gently. He saw the tears rise in her eyes. She
said:'You'veknown.You'veknownallalong...ThatIcared...Buthedidn'tdoitforme...Itwasthose
girls-youth-itmadehimfeelhisslavery.Hewantedtobefreebeforeitwastoolate...Yes,I'msure
that'showitwas...Whendidyouguess-thatitwashe?'

'Hisself-controlwastooperfect,'saidPoirotsimply.'Nomatterhowgallinghiswife'sconduct,itnever
seemedtotouchhim.Thatmeanteitherthathewassousedtoitthatitnolongerstunghim,orelse-eh
bien-Idecidedonthelatteralternative...AndIwasright...

'Andthentherewashisinsistenceonhisconjuringability-theeveningbeforethecrimehepretendedto
give himself away. But a man like Clapperton doesn't give himself away. There must be a reason. So
long as people thought he had been a conjuror they weren't likely to think of his having been a
ventriloquist.'

'Andthevoiceweheard-MrsClapperton'svoice?'

'Oneofthestewardesseshadavoicenotunlikehers.Iinducedhertohidebehindthestageandtaught
herthewordstosay.'

'Itwasatrick-acrueltrick,'criedoutEllie.

'Idonotapproveofmurder,'saidHerculePoirot.

HOWDOESYOURGARDENGROW?

HerculePoirotarrangedhislettersinaneatpileinfrontofhim.Hepickedupthetopmostletter,studied
theaddressforamoment,thenneatlyslitthebackoftheenvelopewithalittlepaperknifethathekept
on the breakfast table for that express purpose and extracted the contents. Inside was yet another
envelope,carefullysealedwithpurplewaxandmarked'PrivateandConfidential'.

Hercule Poirot's eyebrows rose a little on his egg-shaped head. He murmured, 'Patience! Nous allons
arriver!'andoncemorebroughtthelittlepaper-knifeintoplay.Thistimetheenvelopeyieldedaletter-
writteninarathershakyandspikyhandwriting.Severalwordswereheavilyunderlined.

HerculePoirotunfoldeditandread.Theletterwasheadedonceagain'PrivateandConfidential'.Onthe
right-hand side was the address - Rosebank, Charman's Green, Bucks - and the date - March twenty-
first.

DearM.Poirot,

Ihavebeenrecommendedtoyoubyanoldandvaluedfriendofminewhoknowstheworryanddistress
Ihavebeeninlately.Notthatthisfriendknowstheactualcircumstances-thoseIhavekeptentirelyto
myself - the matter being strictly private. My friend assures me that you are discretion itself and that
there will be no fear of my being involved in a police matter which, if my suspicions should prove
correct,Ishouldverymuchdislike.ButitisofcoursepossiblethatIamentirelymistaken.Idonotfeel
myselfclear-headedenoughnowadays,sufferingasIdofrominsomniaandtheresultofasevereillness
lastwinter-toinvestigatethingsformyself.Ihaveneitherthemeansnortheability.Ontheotherhand,
I must reiterate once more that this is a very delicate family matter and that for many reasons I may
wantthewholethinghushedup.IfIamonceassuredofthefacts,Icandealwiththemattermyselfand
should prefer to do so. I hope that I have made myself clear on this point. If you will undertake this
investigation,perhapsyouwillletmeknowtotheaboveaddress?

Yoursverytruly,

AmeliaBarrowby

Poirotreadtheletterthroughtwice.Againhiseyebrowsroseslightly.Thenheplaceditononesideand
proceededtothenextenvelopeinthepile.

Atteno'clockpreciselyheenteredtheroomwhereMissLemon,hisconfidentialsecretary,satawaiting
her instructions for the day. Miss Lemon was forty-eight and of unprepossessing appearance. Her
generaleffectwasthatofalotofbonesflungtogetheratrandom.Shehadapassionfororderalmost
equallingthatofPoirothimself;andthoughcapableofthinking,sheneverthoughtunlesstoldtodoso.

Poirothandedherthemorningcorrespondence.'Havethegoodness,mademoiselle,towriterefusalsin
correcttermstoallofthese.'

MissLemonrananeyeoverthevariousletters,scribblinginturnahieroglyphiconeachofthem.These
markswerelegibletoheraloneandwereinacodeofherown:'Softsoap';'slapintheface';'purrpurr';
'curt';andsoon.Havingdonethis,shenoddedandlookedupforfurtherinstructions.

PoirothandedherAmeliaBarrowby'sletter.Sheextracteditfromitsdoubleenvelope,readitthrough
andlookedupinquiringly.

'Yes,M.Poirot?'Herpencilhovered-ready-overhershort-handpad.

'Whatisyouropinionofthatletter,MissLemon?'

WithaslightfrownMissLemonputdownthepencilandreadthroughtheletteragain.

ThecontentsofalettermeantnothingtoMissLemonexceptfromthepointofviewofcomposingan
adequate reply. Very occasionally her employer appealed to her human, as opposed to her official,
capacities.ItslightlyannoyedMissLemonwhenhedidso-shewasverynearlytheperfectmachine,
completelyandgloriouslyuninterestedinallhumanaffairs.Herrealpassioninlifewastheperfection
ofafilingsystembesidewhichallotherfilingsystemsshouldsinkintooblivion.Shedreamedofsucha
system at night. Nevertheless, Miss Lemon was perfectly capable of intelligence on purely human
matters,asHerculePoirotwellknew.

'Well?'hedemanded.

'Oldlady,'saidMissLemon.'Gotthewindupprettybadly.'

'Ah!Thewindrisesinher,youthink?'

MissLemon,whoconsideredthatPoirothadbeenlongenoughinGreatBritaintounderstanditsslang
terms,didnotreply.Shetookabrieflookatthedoubleenvelope.

'Veryhush-hush,'shesaid.'Andtellsyounothingatall.'

'Yes,'saidHerculePoirot.'Iobservedthat.'

Miss Lemon's hand hung once more hopefully over the shorthand pad. This time Hercule Poirot
responded.

'Tell her I will do myself the honour to call upon her at any time she suggests, unless she prefers to
consultmehere.Donottypetheletter-writeitbyhand.'

'Yes,M.Poirot.'

Poirotproducedmorecorrespondence.'Thesearebills.'

MissLemon'sefficienthandssortedthemquickly.'I'llpayallbutthesetwo.'

'Whythosetwo?Thereisnoerrorinthem.'

'Theyarefirmsyou'veonlyjustbeguntodealwith.Itlooksbadtopaytoopromptlywhenyou'vejust
openedanaccount-looksasthoughyouwereworkinguptogetsomecreditlateron.'

'Ah!'murmuredPoirot.'IbowtoyoursuperiorknowledgeoftheBritishtradesman.'

'There'snothingmuchIdon'tknowaboutthem,'saidMissLemongrimly.

ThelettertoMissAmeliaBarrowbywasdulywrittenandsent,butnoreplywasforthcoming.Perhaps,
thoughtHerculePoirot,theoldladyhadunravelledhermysteryherself.Yethefeltashadeofsurprise
thatinthatcasesheshouldnothavewrittenacourteouswordtosaythathisserviceswerenolonger
required.

It was five days later when Miss Lemon, after receiving her morning's instructions, said, 'That Miss
Barrowbywewroteto-nowonderthere'sbeennoanswer.She'sdead.'

HerculePoirotsaidverysoftly,'Ah-dead.'Itsoundednotsomuchlikeaquestionasananswer.

Openingherhandbag,MissLemonproducedanewspapercutting.'Isawitinthetubeandtoreitout.'

Justregisteringinhismindapprovalofthefactthat,thoughMissLemonusedtheword'tore',shehad
neatlycuttheentryoutwithscissors,PoirotreadtheannouncementtakenfromtheBirths,Deathsand
MarriagesintheMorningPost:'OnMarch26thsuddenly-atRosebank,Charman'sGreen,AmeliaJane
Barrowby,inherseventy-thirdyear.Noflowers,byrequest.'

Poirotreaditover.Hemurmuredunderhisbreath,'Suddenly'.Thenhesaidbriskly,'Ifyouwillbeso
obligingastotakealetter,MissLemon?'

Thepencilhovered.MissLemon,herminddwellingontheintricaciesofthefilingsystem,tookdown
inrapidandcorrectshorthand:

DearMissBarrowby,

Ihavereceivednoreplyfromyou,butasIshallbeintheneighbourhoodofCharman'sGreenonFriday,
Iwillcalluponyouonthatdayanddiscussmorefullythemattermentionedtomeinyourletter.

Yours,etc.

'Typethisletter,please;andifitispostedatonce,itshouldgettoCharman'sGreentonight.'

Onthefollowingmorningaletterinablack-edgedenvelopearrivedbythesecondpost:

DearSir,

In reply to your letter my aunt, Miss Barrowby, passed away on the twenty-sixth, so the matter you
speakofisnolongerofimportance.

Yourstruly,

MaryDelafontaine

Poirot smiled to himself. 'No longer of importance... Ah that is what we shall see. En avant - to
Charman'sGreen.'

Rosebankwasahousethatseemedlikelytoliveuptoitsname,whichismorethancanbesaidformost
housesofitsclassandcharacter.

HerculePoirotpausedashewalkedupthepathtothefrontdoorandlookedapprovinglyattheneatly
planned beds on either side of him. Rose trees that promised a good harvest later in the year, and at
presentdaffodils,earlytulips,bluehyacinths-thelastbedwaspartlyedgedwithshells.

Poirotmurmuredtohimself,'Howdoesitgo,theEnglishrhymethechildrensing?

MistressMary,quitecontrary,

Howdoesyourgardengrow?

Withcockle-shells,andsilverbells,

Andprettymaidsallinarow.

'Notarow,perhaps,'heconsidered,'buthereisatleastoneprettymaidtomakethelittlerhymecome
right.'

Thefrontdoorhadopenedandaneatlittlemaidincapandapronwaslookingsomewhatdubiouslyat
the spectacle of a heavily moustached foreign gentleman talking aloud to himself in the front garden.
Shewas,asPoirothadnoted,averyprettylittlemaid,withroundblueeyesandrosycheeks.

Poirotraisedhishatwithcourtesyandaddressedher:'Pardon,butdoesaMissAmeliaBarrowbylive
here?'

Thelittlemaidgaspedandhereyesgrewrounder.'Oh,sir,didn'tyouknow?She'sdead.Eversosudden
itwas.Tuesdaynight.'

She hesitated, divided between two strong instincts: the first, distrust of a foreigner; the second, the
pleasurableenjoymentofherclassindwellingonthesubjectofillnessanddeath.

'Youamazeme,'saidHerculePoirot,notverytruthfully.'Ihadanappointmentwiththeladyfortoday.

However,Icanperhapsseetheotherladywholiveshere.'

The little maid seemed slightly doubtful. 'The mistress? Well, you could see her, perhaps, but I don't
knowwhethershe'llbeseeinganyoneornot.'

'Shewillseeme,'saidPoirot,andhandedheracard.

The authority of his tone had its effect. The rosy-cheeked maid fell back and ushered Poirot into a
sitting-roomontherightofthehall.Then,cardinhand,shedepartedtosummonhermistress.

Hercule Poirot looked round him. The room was a perfectly conventional, drawing-room - oatmeal-
coloured paper with a frieze round the top, indeterminate cretonnes, rose-coloured cushions and
curtains,agoodmanychinaknick-knacksandornaments.Therewasnothingintheroomthatstoodout,
thatannouncedadefinitepersonality.

Suddenly Poirot, who was very sensitive, felt eyes watching him. He wheeled round. A girl was
standingintheentranceofthefrenchwindow-asmall,sallowgirl,withveryblackhairandsuspicious
eyes.

Shecamein,andasPoirotmadealittlebowsheburstoutabruptly,'Whyhaveyoucome?'

Poirotdidnotreply.Hemerelyraisedhiseyebrows.

'Youarenotalawyer-no?'HerEnglishwasgood,butnotforaminutewouldanyonehavetakenherto
beEnglish.

'WhyshouldIbealawyer,mademoiselle?'

Thegirlstaredathimsullenly.'Ithoughtyoumightbe.Ithoughtyouhadcomeperhapstosaythatshe
didnotknowwhatshewasdoing.Ihaveheardofsuchthings-thenotdueinfluence;thatiswhatthey
callit,no?Butthatisnotright.Shewantedmetohavethemoney,andIshallhaveit.IfitisneedfulI
shallhavealawyerofmyown.Themoneyismine.Shewroteitdownso,andsoitshallbe.'Shelooked
ugly,herchinthrustout,hereyesgleaming.

Thedooropenedandatailwomanenteredandsaid,'Katrina'.

Thegirlshrank,flushed,mutteredsomethingandwentoutthroughthewindow.

Poirotturnedtofacethenewcomerwhohadsoeffectuallydealtwiththesituationbyutteringasingle
word.Therehadbeenauthorityinhervoice,andcontemptandashadeofwell-bredirony.Herealized
atoncethatthiswastheownerofthehouse,MaryDelafontaine.

'M.Poirot?Iwrotetoyou.Youcannothavereceivedmyletter.'

'Alas,IhavebeenawayfromLondon.'

'Oh,Isee;thatexplainsit.Imustintroducemyself.MynameisDelafontaine.Thisismyhusband.Miss
Barrowbywasmyaunt.'

Mr Delafontaine had entered so quietly that his arrival had passed unnoticed. He was a tall man with
grizzledhairandanindeterminatemanner.Hehadanervouswayoffingeringhischin.Helookedoften
towardshiswife,anditwasplainthatheexpectedhertotaketheleadinanyconversation.

'ImuchregretthatIintrudeinthemidstofyourbereavement,'saidHerculePoirot.

'Iquiterealizethatitisnotyourfault,'saidMrsDelafontaine.'MyauntdiedorTuesdayevening.Itwas
quiteunexpected.'

'Mostunexpected,'saidMrDelafontaine.'Greatblow.'Hiseyeswatchedthewindowwheretheforeign
girlhaddisappeared.

'Iapologize,'saidHerculePoirot.'AndIwithdraw.'Hemovedasteptowardsthedoor.

'Halfasec,'saidMrDelafontaine.'You-er-hadanappointmentwithAuntAmelia,yousay?'

'Parfaitement.'

'Perhapsyouwilltellusaboutit,'saidhiswife.'Ifthereisanythingwecando-'

'Itwasofaprivatenature,'saidPoirot.'Iamadetective,'headdedsimply.

MrDelafontaineknockedoveralittlechinafigurehewashandling.Hiswifelookedpuzzled.

'A detective? And you had an appointment with Auntie? But how extraordinary? She stared at him.
'Can'tyoutellusalittlemore,M.Poirot?It-itseemsquitefantastic.'

Poirotwassilentforamoment.Hechosehiswordswithcare.

'Itisdifficultforme,madame,toknowwhattodo.'

'Lookhere,'saidMrDelafontaine.'Shedidn'tmentionRussians,didshe?'

'Russians?'

'Yes,youknow-Bolshies,Reds,allthatsortofthing.'

'Don'tbeabsurd,Henry,'saidhiswife.

MrDelafontainecollapsed.'Sorry-sorry-Ijustwondered.'

MaryDelafontainelookedfranklyatPoirot.Hereyeswereveryblue-thecolourofforget-me-nots.'If
youcantellusanything,M.Poirot,Ishouldbegladifyouwoulddoso.IcanassureyouthatIhavea-
areasonforasking.'

MrDelafontainelookedalarmed.'Becareful,oldgirl-youknowtheremaybenothinginit.'

Againhiswifequelledhimwithaglance.'Well,M.Poirot?'

Slowly, gravely, Hercule Poirot shook his head. He shook it with visible regret, but he shook it. 'At
present,madame,'hesaid,'IfearImustsaynothing.'

Hebowed,pickeduphishatandmovedtothedoor.MaryDelafontainecamewithhimintothehall.On

thedoorstephepausedandlookedather.

'Youarefondofyourgarden,Ithink,madame?'

'I?Yes,Ispendalotoftimegardening.'

'Jevousfaitsmescompliments.'

He bowed once more and strode down to the gate. As he passed out of it and turned to the right he
glanced back and registered two impressions - a sallow face watching him from a first-floor window,
andamanoferectandsoldierlycarriagepacingupanddownontheoppositesideofthestreet.

HerculePoirotnoddedtohimself.'Definitivement,'hesaid.'Thereisamouseinthishole!Whatmove
mustthecatmakenow?'

Hisdecisiontookhimtothenearestpostoffice.Hereheputthroughacoupleoftelephonecalls.The
resultseemedtobesatisfactory.HebenthisstepstoCharman'sGreenpolicestation,whereheinquired
forInspectorSims.

InspectorSimswasabig,burlymanwithaheartymanner.

'M.Poirot?'heinquired.'Ithoughtso.I'vejustthisminutehadatelephonecallthroughfromthechief
constableaboutyou.Hesaidyou'dbedroppingin.Comeintomyoffice.'

Thedoorshut,theinspectorwavedPoirottoonechair,settledhimselfinanother,andturnedagazeof
acuteinquiryuponhisvisitor.

'You'reveryquickontothemark,M.Poirot.CometoseeusaboutthisRosebankcasealmostbeforewe
knowitisacase.Whatputyouontoit?'

Poirot drew out the letter he had received and handed it to the inspector. The latter read it with some
interest.

'Interesting,'hesaid.'Thetroubleis,itmightmeansomanythings.Pityshecouldn'thavebeenalittle
moreexplicit.Itwouldhavehelpedusnow.'

'Ortheremighthavebeennoneedforhelp.'

'Youmean?'

'Shemighthavebeenalive.'

'Yougoasfarasthat,doyou?H'm-I'mnotsureyou'rewrong.'

'Iprayofyou,Inspector,recounttomethefacts.Iknownothingatall.'

'That'seasilydone.OldladywastakenbadafterdinneronTuesdaynight.Veryalarming.Convulsions-
spasms-whatnot.Theysentforthedoctor.Bythetimehearrivedshewasdead.Ideawasshe'ddiedof
afit.Well,hedidn'tmuchlikethelookofthings.Hehemmedandhawedandputitwithabitofsoft
powder,buthemadeitclearthathecouldn'tgiveadeathcertificate.Andasfarasthefamilygo,that's
where the matter stands. They're awaiting the result of the post-mortem. We've got a bit further. The
doctorgaveusthetiprightaway-heandthepolicesurgeondidtheautopsytogether-andtheresultis
innodoubtwhatever.Theoldladydiedofalargedoseofstrychnine.'

'Aha!'

'That'sright.Verynastybitofwork.Pointis,whogaveittoher?Itmusthavebeenadministeredvery
shortlybeforedeath.Firstideawasitwasgiventoherinherfoodatdinner-but,frankly,thatseemsto
beawashout.Theyhadartichokesoup,servedfromatureen,fishpieandappletart.'

'MissBarrowby,MrDelafontaineandMrsDelafontaine.MissBarrowbyhadakindofnurse-attendant-
a half-Russian girl but she didn't eat with the family. She had the remains as they came out from the
dining-room.There'samaid,butitwashernightout.Sheleftthesouponthestoveandthefishpiein
theoven,andtheappletartwascold.Allthreeofthematethesamething-and,apartfromthat,Idon't
thinkyoucouldgetstrychninedownanyone'sthroatthatway.Stuff'sasbitterasgall.Thedoctortold
meyoucouldtasteitinasolutionofoneinathousand,orsomethinglikethat.'

'Coffee?'

'Coffee'smorelikeit,buttheoldladynevertookcoffee.'

'Iseeyourpoint.Yes,itseemsaninsuperabledifficulty.Whatdidshedrinkatthemeal?'

'Water.'

'Worseandworse.'

'Bitofateaser,isn'tit?'

'Shehadmoney,theoldlady?'

'Very well to do, I imagine. Of course, we haven't got exact details yet. The Delafontaines are pretty
badlyoff,fromwhatIcanmakeout.Theoldladyhelpedwiththeupkeepofthehouse.'

Poirotsmiledalittle.Hesaid,'SoyoususpecttheDelafontaines.Whichofthem?'

'Idon'texactlysayIsuspecteitheroftheminparticular.Butthereitis;they'reheronlynearrelations,
andherdeathbringsthematidysumofmoney,I'venodoubt.Weallknowwhathumannatureis!'

'Sometimesinhuman-yes,thatisverytrue.Andtherewasnothingelsetheoldladyateordrank?'

'Well,asamatteroffact-'

'Ah,voilà!Ifeltthatyouhadsomething,asyousay,upyoursleeve-thesoup,thefishpie,theappletart
-desbêtises!Nowwecometothehuboftheaffair.'

'Idon'tknowaboutthat.Butasamatteroffact,theoldgirltookacachetbeforemeals.Youknow,nota
pilloratablet;oneofthoserice-paperthingswithapowderinside.Someperfectlyharmlessthingfor
thedigestion.'

'Admirable.Nothingiseasierthantofillacachetwithstrychnineandsubstituteitforoneoftheothers.
Itslipsdownthethroatwithadrinkofwaterandisnottasted.'

'That'sallright.Thetroubleis,thegirlgaveittoher.'

'TheRussiangirl?'

'Yes.KatrinaRieger.Shewasakindoflady-help,nurse-companiontoMissBarrowby.Fairlyordered
aboutbyher,too,Igather.Fetchthis,fetchthat,fetchtheother,rubmyback,pouroutmymedicine,run
roundtothechemist-allthatsortofbusiness.Youknowhowitiswiththeseoldwomen-theymeanto
bekind,butwhattheyneedisasortofblackslave!'

Poirotsmiled.

'Andthereyouare,yousee,'continuedInspectorSims.'Itdoesn'tfitinwhatyoumightcallnicely.Why
shouldthegirlpoisonher?MissBarrowbydiesandnowthegirlwillbeoutofajob,andjobsaren'tso
easytofind-she'snottrainedoranything.'

'Still,' suggested Poirot, 'if the box of cachets was left about, anyone in the house might have the
opportunity.'

'Naturallywe'reontothat,M.Poirot.Idon'tmindtellingyouwe'remakingourinquiries-quietlike,if
youunderstandme.Whentheprescriptionwaslastmadeup,whereitwasusuallykept;patienceanda
lotofspadework-that'swhatwilldothetrickintheend.Andthenthere'sMissBarrowby'ssolicitor.
I'mhavinganinterviewwithhimtomorrow.Andthebankmanager.There'salottobedonestill.'

Poirot rose. 'A little favour, Inspector Sims; you will send me a little word how the affair marches. I
wouldesteemitagreatfavour.Hereismytelephonenumber.'

'Why, certainly, M. Poirot. Two heads are better than one; and besides, you ought to be in on this,
havinghadthatletterandall.'

'Youaretooamiable,Inspector.'Politely,Poirotshookhandsandtookhisleave.

He was called to the telephone on the following afternoon. 'Is that M. Poirot? Inspector Sims here.
ThingsarebeginningtositupandlookprettyinthatlittlematteryouandIknowof.'

'Inverity?Tellme,Iprayofyou.'

'Well,here'sitemNo.1-andaprettybigitem.MissB.leftasmalllegacytohernieceandeverything
elsetoK.Inconsiderationofhergreatkindnessandattention-that'sthewayitwasput.Thataltersthe
complexionofthings.'

ApictureroseswiftlyinPoirot'smind.Asullenfaceandapassionatevoicesaying,'Themoneyismine.
Shewroteitdownandsoitshallbe.'ThelegacywouldnotcomeasasurprisetoKatrina-sheknew
aboutitbeforehand.

'ItemNo.2,'continuedthevoiceofInspectorSims.'NobodybutK.handledthatcachet.'

'Youcanbesureofthat?'

'Thegirlherselfdoesn'tdenyit.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?'

'Extremelyinteresting.'

'Weonlywantonethingmore-evidenceofhowthestrychninecameintoherpossession.Thatoughtn't
tobedifficult.'

'Butsofaryouhaven'tbeensuccessful?'

'I'vebarelystarted.Theinquestwasonlythismorning.'

'Whathappenedatit?'

'Adjournedforaweek.'

'Andtheyounglady-K.?'

'I'mdetainingheronsuspicion.Don'twanttorunanyrisks.Shemighthavesomefunnyfriendsinthe
countrywho'dtrytogetheroutofit.'

'No,'saidPoirot.'Idonotthinkshehasanyfriends.'

'Really?Whatmakesyousaythat,M.Poirot?'

'Itisjustanideaofmine.Therewerenoother"items",asyoucallthem?'

'Nothing that's strictly relevant. Miss B. seems to have been monkeying about a bit with her shares
lately - must have dropped quite a tidy sum. It's rather a funny business, one way and another, but I
don'tseehowitaffectsthemainissue-notatpresent,thatis.'

'No,perhapsyouareright.Well,mybestthankstoyou.Itwasmostamiableofyoutoringmeup.'

'Notatall.I'mamanofmyword.Icouldseeyouwereinterested.Whoknows,youmaybeabletogive
meahelpinghandbeforetheend.'

'Thatwouldgivemegreatpleasure.Itmighthelpyou,forinstance,ifIcouldlaymyhandonafriendof
thegirlKatrina.'

'Ithoughtyousaidshehadn'tgotanyfriends?'saidInspectorSims,surprised.

'Iwaswrong,'saidHerculePoirot.'Shehasone.'

Beforetheinspectorcouldaskafurtherquestion,Poirothadrungoff.

WithaseriousfacehewanderedintotheroomwhereMissLemonsatathertypewriter.Sheraisedher
handsfromthekeysatheremployer'sapproachandlookedathiminquiringly.

'Iwantyou,'saidPoirot,'tofiguretoyourselfalittlehistory.'MissLemondroppedherhandsintoher
lapinaresignedmanner.Sheenjoyedtyping,payingbills,filingpapersandenteringupengagements.
Tobeaskedtoimagineherselfinhypotheticalsituationsboredherverymuch,butsheaccepteditasa
disagreeablepartofaduty.

'YouareaRussiangirl,'beganPoirot.

'Yes,'saidMissLemon,lookingintenselyBritish.

'Youarealoneandfriendlessinthiscountry.YouhavereasonsfornotwishingtoreturntoRussia.You
are employed as a kind of drudge, nurse-attendant and companion to an old lady. You are meek and
uncomplaining.'

'Yes,'saidMissLemonobediently,butentirelyfailingtoseeherselfbeingmeektoanyoldladyunder
thesun.

'The old lady takes a fancy to you. She decides to leave her money to you. She tells you so.' Poirot
paused.

MissLemonsaid'Yes'again.

'Andthentheoldladyfindsoutsomething;perhapsitisamatterofmoney-shemayfindthatyouhave
notbeenhonestwithher.Oritmightbemoregravestill-amedicinethattasteddifferent,somefood
that disagreed. Anyway, she begins to suspect you of something and she writes to a very famous
detective-enfin,tothemostfamousdetective-me!Iamtocalluponhershortly.Andthen,asyousay,
the dripping will be in the fire. The great thing is to act quickly. And so - before the great detective
arrives - the old lady is dead. And the money comes to you... Tell me, does that seem to you
reasonable?'

'Quitereasonable,'saidMissLemon.'QuitereasonableforaRussian,thatis.Personally,Ishouldnever
take a post as a companion. I like my duties clearly defined. And of course I should not dream of
murderinganyone.'

Poirotsighed.'HowImissmyfriendHastings.Hehadsuchanimagination.Sucharomanticmind!Itis
truethathealwaysimaginedwrong-butthatinitselfwasaguide.'

Miss Lemon was silent. She had heard about Captain Hastings before, and was not interested. She
lookedlonginglyatthetypewrittensheetinfrontofher.

'Soitseemstoyoureasonable,'musedPoirot.

'Doesn'tittoyou?'

'Iamalmostafraiditdoes,'sighedPoirot.

The telephone rang and Miss Lemon went out of the room to answer it. She came back to say 'It's
InspectorSimsagain.'

Poirothurriedtotheinstrument.''Allo,'allo.Whatisthatyousay?'

Sims repeated his statement. 'We've found a packet of strychnine in the girl's bedroom - tucked
underneaththemattress.Thesergeant'sjustcomeinwiththenews.Thataboutclinchesit,Ithink.'

'Yes,'saidPoirot,'Ithinkthatclinchesit.'Hisvoicehadchanged.Itrangwithsuddenconfidence.

Whenhehadrungoff,hesatdownathiswritingtableandarrangedtheobjectsonitinamechanical
manner.Hemurmuredtohimself,'Therewassomethingwrong.Ifeltit-no,notfelt.Itmusthavebeen
somethingIsaw.Enavant,thelittlegreycells.Ponder-reflect.Waseverythinglogicalandinorder?
The girl - her anxiety about the money; Mme Delafontaine; her husband his suggestion of Russians -
imbecile,butheisanimbecile;theroom;thegarden-ah!Yes,thegarden.'

Hesatupverystiff.Thegreenlightshoneinhiseyes.Hesprangupandwentintotheadjoiningroom.

'Miss Lemon, will you have the kindness to leave what you are doing and make an investigation for
me?'

'Aninvestigation,M.Poirot?I'mafraidI'mnotverygood-'

Poirotinterruptedher.'Yousaidonedaythatyouknewallabouttradesmen.'

'CertainlyIdo,'saidMissLemonwithconfidence.

'Thenthematterissimple.YouaretogotoCharman'sGreenandyouaretodiscoverafishmonger.'

'Afishmonger?'askedMissLemon,surprised.

'Precisely.ThefishmongerwhosuppliedRosebankwithfish.Whenyouhavefoundhimyouwillask
himacertainquestion.'

Hehandedheraslipofpaper.MissLemontookit,noteditscontentswithoutinterest,thennoddedand
slippedthelidonhertypewriter.

'We will go to Charman's Green together,' said Poirot. 'You go to the fishmonger and I to the police

station.ItwilltakeusbuthalfanhourfromBakerStreet.'

Onarrivalathisdestination,hewasgreetedbythesurprisedInspectorSims.'Well,thisisquickwork,
M.Poirot.Iwastalkingtoyouonthephoneonlyanhourago.'

'Ihavearequesttomaketoyou;thatyouallowmetoseethisgirlKatrina-whatishername?'

'KatrinaRieger.Well,Idon'tsupposethere'sanyobjectiontothat.'

The girl Katrina looked even more sallow and sullen than ever. Poirot spoke to her very gently.
'Mademoiselle,IwantyoutobelievethatIamnotyourenemy.Iwantyoutotellmethetruth.'

Hereyessnappeddefiantly.'Ihavetoldthetruth.ToeveryoneIhavetoldthetruth!Iftheoldladywas
poisoned,itwasnotIwhopoisonedher.Itisallamistake.Youwishtopreventmehavingthemoney.'
Hervoicewasrasping.Shelooked,hethought,likeamiserablelittlecorneredrat.

'Tellmeaboutthiscachet,mademoiselle,'M.Poirotwenton.'Didnoonehandleitbutyou?'

'Ihavesaidso,haveInot?Theyweremadeupatthechemist'sthatafternoon.Ibroughtthembackwith
meinmybag-thatwasjustbeforesupper.IopenedtheboxandgaveMissBarrowbyonewithaglass
ofwater.'

'Noonetouchedthembutyou?'

"No.'Acorneredrat-withcourage!

'AndMissBarrowbyhadforsupperonlywhatwehavebeentold.Thesoup,thefishpie,thetart?'

'Yes.'Ahopeless'yes'-dark,smoulderingeyesthatsawnolightanywhere.

Poirot patted her shoulder. 'Be of good courage, mademoiselle. There may yet be freedom - yes, and
money-alifeofease.'

Shelookedathimsuspiciously.

As he went out Sims said to him, 'I didn't quite get what you said through the telephone - something
aboutthegirlhavingafriend.'

'Shehasone.Me!'saidHerculePoirot,andhadleftthepolicestationbeforetheinspectorcouldpullhis
witstogether.

At the Green Cat tearooms, Miss Lemon did not keep her employer waiting. She went straight to the
point.

'Theman'snameisRudge,intheHighStreet,andyouwerequiteright.Adozenandahalfexactly.I've
madeanoteofwhathesaid.'Shehandedittohim.

'Arrr.'Itwasadeep,richsoundlikethepurrofacat.

HerculePoirotbetookhimselftoRosebank.Ashestoodinthefrontgarden,thesunsettingbehindhim,
MaryDelafontainecameouttohim.

'M.Poirot?'Hervoicesoundedsurprised.'Youhavecomeback?'

'Yes, I have come back.' He paused and then said, 'When I first came here, madame, the children's
nurseryrhymecameintomyhead:

MistressMary,quitecontrary,

Howdoesyourgardengrow?

Withcockle-shells,andsilverbells,

Andprettymaidsallinarow.

Onlytheyarenotcockleshells,arethey,madame?Theyareoystershells.'Hishandpointed.

Heheardhercatchherbreathandthenstayverystill.Hereyesaskedaquestion.

Henodded.'Mais,oui,Iknow!Themaidleftthedinnerready-shewillswearandKatrinawillswear
that that is all you had. Only you and your husband know that you brought back a dozen and a half
oysters-alittletreatpourlabonnetante.Soeasytoputthestrychnineinanoyster.Itisswallowed-
commeça!Butthereremaintheshells-theymustnotgointhebucket.Themaidwouldseethem.And

so you thought of making an edging of them to a bed. But there were not enough - the edging is not
complete.Theeffectisbad-itspoilsthesymmetryoftheotherwisecharminggarden.Thosefewoyster
shellsstruckanaliennote-theydispleasedmyeyeonmyfirstvisit.'

Mary Delafontaine said, 'I suppose you guessed from the letter. I knew she had written - but I didn't
knowhowmuchshe'dsaid.'

Poirot answered evasively, 'I knew at least that it was a family matter. If it had been a question of
Katrina there would have been no point in hushing things up. I understand that you or your husband
handledMissBarrowby'ssecuritiestoyourownprofit,andthatshefoundout-'

Mary Delafontaine nodded. 'We've done it for years - a little here and there. I never realized she was
sharpenoughtofindout.AndthenIlearnedshehadsentforadetective;andIfoundout,too,thatshe
wasleavinghermoneytoKatrina-thatmiserablelittlecreature!'

'And so the strychnine was put in Katrina's bedroom? I comprehend. You save yourself and your
husband from what I may discover, and you saddle an innocent child with murder. Had you no pity,
madame?'

Mary Delafontaine shrugged her shoulders - her blue forget-me-not eyes looked into Poirot's. He
remembered the perfection of her acting the first day he had come and the bungling attempts of her
husband.Awomanabovetheaverage-butinhuman.

Shesaid,'Pity?Forthatmiserableintriguinglittlerat?'Hercontemptrangout.

HerculePoirotsaidslowly,'Ithink,madame,thatyouhavecaredinyourlifefortwothingsonly.Oneis
yourhusband.'

Hesawherlipstremble.

'Andtheother-isyourgarden.'

He looked round him. His glance seemed to apologize to the flowers for that which he had done and
wasabouttodo.