THE house which the Belgians occupied village was quite close park gates One could save time by taking narrow path long grass, which cut off the detours winding drive So I, accordingly, went that way I had nearly reached the lodge, when my attention was arrested running figure of man approaching me Mr Inglethorp Where had he been ? How did he intend to explain his absence ?

He accosted me eagerly

"My God ! terrible ! My poor wife ! only just heard ''

"Where been ? '' I asked

"Denby kept me late last night one o'clock before we'd finished Then that I'd forgotten the latch-key after all I didn't want to arouse the household, so Denby bed ''

"How did you hear the news ? '' I asked

"Wilkins knocked Denby up him My poor Emily ! She was so self-sacrificing -- such noble character She over-taxed her strength ''

wave of revulsion swept over me What consummate hypocrite the man was !

" hurry on,'' , thankful that ask me whither bound

knocking door of Leastways Cottage

Getting no answer, I repeated my summons impatiently window above me was cautiously opened, and Poirot himself looked out

an exclamation of surprise at seeing me In few brief words, I explained the tragedy that had occurred, his help

"Wait, my friend, let you in, and you shall recount the affair whilst I dress ''

In he had unbarred the door, and I followed him up room There he installed me in chair, and I related the whole story, keeping back nothing, and omitting no circumstance, however insignificant, whilst he himself made careful and deliberate toilet

him awakening, of Mrs Inglethorp's dying words, of her husband's absence, quarrel the day before, scrap of conversation between Mary and her mother-in-law that I had overheard, former quarrel between Mrs Inglethorp and Evelyn Howard, and latter's innuendoes

hardly as clear as wish I repeated myself , and occasionally had back to some detail that I had forgotten Poirot smiled kindly on me

"The mind is confused ? not so ? Take time, mon ami agitated; excited -- but natural Presently, when calmer, arrange the facts, neatly, each proper place examine -- and reject Those of importance put on one side; those of no importance, pouf ! '' -- he screwed up his cherub-like face, and puffed comically enough -- "blow them away ! ''

"That's all ,'' I objected, "but how going to decide important, and what isn't ? That always seems the difficulty ''

Poirot shook his head energetically now arranging his moustache with exquisite care

"Not so Voyons ! One fact leads to another -- so we continue Does the next fit in ? merveille ! Good ! proceed This next little fact -- no ! Ah, curious ! something missing -- link chain there We examine We search little curious fact, that possibly paltry little detail tally, we put it here ! '' an extravagant gesture hand " significant ! tremendous ! ''

"Y -- es -- ''

"Ah ! '' Poirot shook his forefinger so fiercely at me that I quailed before it "Beware ! Peril detective who says: ' so small -- it matter agree forget it ' That way lies confusion ! Everything matters ''

" You always told me that That's why I into all the details thing whether they seemed relevant or not ''

"And pleased good memory, and given me the facts faithfully order present them, nothing -- truly, deplorable ! But I make allowances -- upset I attribute the circumstance that omitted one fact of paramount importance ''

"What ? '' I asked

" told me if Mrs Inglethorp ate well last night ''

I stared at him Surely the war had affected the little man's brain carefully engaged in brushing his coat before putting it on, and seemed wholly engrossed task

"I don't remember,'' "And, anyway, I don't see -- -- ''

" see ? But first importance ''

" 't see why,'' , rather nettled "As far as remember, she didn't eat much She was obviously upset, and it had taken her appetite away That was only natural ''

"Yes,'' said Poirot thoughtfully, " only natural ''

He opened drawer, and took out small despatch-case, then turned

"Now ready proceed chateau, and study matters spot Excuse me, mon ami, you dressed in haste, and your tie is on one side Permit me '' With deft gesture, he rearranged it

" ? y est ! Now, shall we start ? ''

We hurried up the village, and turned in lodge gates Poirot stopped for moment, and gazed sorrowfully over the beautiful expanse of park, still glittering with morning dew

"So beautiful, so beautiful, and yet, the poor family, plunged in sorrow, prostrated with grief ''

He looked at me keenly as he spoke, and aware that I reddened under his prolonged gaze

family prostrated by grief ? sorrow at Mrs Inglethorp's death so great ? I realized that an emotional lack atmosphere The dead woman the gift of commanding love Her death was shock and distress, but she passionately regretted

Poirot seemed my thoughts He nodded his head gravely

"No, right,'' , " blood tie She kind and generous Cavendishes, but she was not their own mother Blood tells -- always remember that -- blood tells ''

"Poirot,'' , " tell me why if Mrs Inglethorp ate well last night ? turning it over in my mind, but 't see how it has anything matter ? ''

silent for minute or two walked along, but finally :

" mind telling you -- though, , my habit to explain until the end is reached The present contention Mrs Inglethorp died of strychnine poisoning, presumably administered in her coffee ''

"Yes ? ''

"Well, what time coffee served ? ''

"About eight o'clock ''

"Therefore she drank it between then and half-past eight -- certainly not much later Well, strychnine is fairly rapid poison Its effects felt , probably in about an hour Yet, in Mrs Inglethorp's case, the symptoms manifest themselves until five o'clock the next morning: nine hours ! But heavy meal, taken at same time poison, might retard its effects, though hardly extent Still, possibility taken into account But, according , she ate very little for supper, and yet the symptoms develop until early the next morning ! Now curious circumstance, my friend Something may arise autopsy to explain it meantime, remember it ''

neared the house, John came out and met us His face looked weary and haggard

" very dreadful business, Monsieur Poirot,'' "Hastings has explained that anxious for no publicity ? ''

"I comprehend perfectly ''

" , only suspicion nothing upon ''

"Precisely matter of precaution only ''

John turned , taking out his cigarette-case, and lighting cigarette as so

" that fellow Inglethorp is back ? ''

"Yes I met him ''

John flung the match into an adjacent flower bed, proceeding for Poirot's feelings He retrieved it, and buried it neatly

"It's jolly difficult how to treat him ''

"That difficulty will not exist long,'' pronounced Poirot quietly

John looked puzzled, not quite understanding the portent cryptic saying He handed the two keys which Dr Bauerstein had given him

"Show Monsieur Poirot everything ''

"The rooms are locked ? '' asked Poirot

"Dr Bauerstein considered it advisable ''

Poirot nodded thoughtfully