THE intense interest aroused public by known as "The Styles Case'' has now somewhat subsided Nevertheless, in view world-wide notoriety which attended it, asked, both by my friend Poirot family themselves, to write an account whole story This, we trust, will effectually silence the sensational rumours which still persist

therefore briefly set down the circumstances which led to my being connected affair

I invalided home Front; and, after spending some months in rather depressing Convalescent Home, was given month's sick leave Having no near relations or friends, trying up my mind what , when I ran across John Cavendish I had seen very little of him Indeed, I had never known him particularly well good fifteen years my senior, , though he hardly looked his forty-five years As boy, though, I had often stayed at Styles, his mother's place in Essex

We had good yarn about old times, and it ended inviting me down to Styles my leave there

"The mater delighted you again -- after all those years,'' he added

"Your mother keeps well ? '' I asked

"Oh, yes I suppose that she has married again ? ''

afraid I showed my surprise rather plainly Mrs Cavendish, who had married John's father when widower with two sons, handsome woman of middle-age as I remembered her She certainly day seventy now I recalled her as an energetic, autocratic personality, somewhat inclined to charitable and social notoriety, with fondness for opening bazaars and playing the Lady Bountiful She was most generous woman, and possessed considerable fortune of her own

Their country-place, Styles Court, purchased Cavendish early in their married life He completely under his wife's ascendancy, , on dying, he left the place to her for her lifetime, larger part income; an arrangement that was distinctly unfair two sons Their step-mother, however, had always been most generous ; indeed, they were so young father's remarriage always thought of her as their own mother

Lawrence, the younger, delicate youth He had qualified as doctor but early relinquished the profession of medicine, and lived at home while pursuing literary ambitions; though his verses never had any marked success

John practiced for as barrister, but had finally settled down more congenial life of country squire He had married two , and had taken his wife to live at Styles, though I entertained shrewd suspicion that preferred his mother to increase his allowance, which enabled him home own Mrs Cavendish, however, was lady who liked her own plans, and expected other people in , and in she certainly had the whip hand, namely: the purse strings

John noticed my surprise news mother's remarriage and smiled rather ruefully

"Rotten little bounder too ! '' savagely " tell you, Hastings, it's making life jolly difficult As for Evie -- you remember Evie ? ''

"No ''

"Oh, I suppose she was after your time She's the mater's factotum, companion, Jack of all trades ! great sport -- old Evie ! Not precisely young and beautiful, but as game make them ''

"You were going -- -- ? ''

"Oh, this fellow ! He turned up from nowhere, pretext of being second cousin or something of Evie's, though she didn't seem particularly keen to acknowledge the relationship The fellow is an absolute outsider, anyone that He's got great black beard, and wears patent leather boots in all weathers ! But the mater cottoned to him at once, took him on as secretary -- how she's always running hundred societies ? ''

I nodded

"Well, the war has turned the hundreds into thousands the fellow was very useful to her But knocked us all down with feather when, three , she suddenly announced that she and Alfred were engaged ! The fellow twenty years younger than ! It's simply bare-faced fortune hunting; but there -- her own mistress, and she's married him ''

"It difficult situation all ''

"Difficult ! It's damnable ! ''

Thus it came , three days later, I descended train at Styles St Mary, an absurd little station, with no apparent reason for existence, perched up midst of green fields and country lanes John Cavendish was waiting platform, and piloted me out car

"Got drop or two of petrol still, ,'' he remarked "Mainly owing mater's activities ''

The village of Styles St Mary was situated about two miles little station, and Styles Court lay mile the other side of it still, warm day in early July As one looked out over the flat Essex country, lying so green and peaceful under the afternoon sun, it seemed almost impossible that, not so very far away, great war was running its appointed course I had suddenly strayed into another world turned in lodge gates, John said:

"I'm afraid you'll find it very quiet down here, Hastings ''

"My dear fellow, that's just what ''

"Oh, it's pleasant enough to lead the idle life I drill volunteers twice week, and lend hand farms My wife works regularly ' land' up at five every morning to milk, and keeps at it steadily until lunchtime It's jolly good life taking it all round -- weren't fellow Alfred Inglethorp ! '' He checked the car suddenly, and glanced at his watch "I wonder 've time to pick up Cynthia No, she'll have started hospital by now ''

"Cynthia ! That's not your wife ? ''

"No, Cynthia is protégée mother's, the daughter of an old schoolfellow of hers, who married rascally solicitor cropper, girl was left an orphan and penniless My mother came rescue, and Cynthia nearly two years now She works Red Cross Hospital at Tadminster, seven miles away ''

As he spoke the last words, we drew up in front fine old house lady in stout tweed skirt, who was bending over flower bed, straightened herself at our approach

"Hullo, Evie, here's our wounded hero ! Mr Hastings -- Miss Howard ''

Miss Howard shook hands with hearty, almost painful, grip I had an impression of very blue eyes in sunburnt face She was pleasant-looking woman of about forty, with deep voice, almost manly in its stentorian tones, and had large sensible square body, with feet to match -- these last encased in good thick boots Her conversation, I soon found, was couched telegraphic style

"Weeds grow like house afire Can't keep even with 'em Shall press you in Better be careful ''

"I'm sure only too delighted myself useful,'' I responded

"Don't say it Never does Wish you hadn't later ''

"You're cynic, Evie,'' said John, laughing "Where's tea to-day -- inside or out ? ''

"Out Too fine day cooped up house ''

"Come on then, you've done enough gardening for to-day 'The labourer is worthy hire', Come and be refreshed ''

"Well,'' said Miss Howard, drawing off her gardening gloves, "I'm inclined to agree ''

She led the way round the house to where tea was spread under the shade of large sycamore

figure rose from basket chairs, and came few steps to meet us

"My wife, Hastings,'' said John

never forget my first sight of Mary Cavendish Her tall, slender form, outlined against the bright light; the vivid sense of slumbering fire that seemed expression only in those wonderful tawny eyes of hers, remarkable eyes, different from woman's that ever known; the intense power of stillness she possessed, which nevertheless conveyed the impression of wild untamed spirit in an exquisitely civilised body -- all these things are burnt into my memory never forget them

She greeted me with few words of pleasant welcome in low clear voice, and I sank into basket chair feeling distinctly glad that I had accepted John's invitation Mrs Cavendish some tea, and her few quiet remarks heightened my first impression of her as thoroughly fascinating woman An appreciative listener is always stimulating, and I described, in humorous manner, certain incidents Convalescent Home, in way which, I flatter myself, greatly amused my hostess John, , good fellow though , could hardly be called brilliant conversationalist

moment well remembered voice floated open French window near at hand:

"Then you'll write Princess after tea, Alfred ? I'll write to Lady Tadminster second day, myself Or shall we wait until we hear Princess ? of refusal, Lady Tadminster might open it the first day, and Mrs Crosbie the second Then there's the Duchess -- school fête ''

the murmur of man's voice, and then Mrs Inglethorp's rose in reply:

"Yes, certainly After tea will do quite well so thoughtful, Alfred dear ''

The French window swung open little wider, and handsome white-haired old lady, with somewhat masterful cast of features, stepped out of it on lawn man followed her, suggestion of deference manner

Mrs Inglethorp greeted me with effusion