" understand, Wells,'' he added, " all strictly private still hoping that turn out no need for investigation of any kind ''

"Quite so, quite so,'' said Mr Wells soothingly " spared you the pain and publicity of an inquest, but it's quite unavoidable absence of doctor's certificate ''

"Yes, I suppose so ''

"Clever man, Bauerstein Great authority on toxicology, I believe ''

"Indeed,'' said John with certain stiffness manner Then he added rather hesitatingly: "Shall to appear as witnesses -- all of us, I mean ? ''

"You, -- and ah -- er -- Mr -- er -- Inglethorp ''

slight pause ensued lawyer went on soothing manner:

" evidence simply confirmatory, mere matter of form ''

" ''

faint expression of relief swept over John's face It puzzled me, for no occasion

" of nothing contrary,'' pursued Mr Wells, "I had thought of Friday plenty doctor's report The post-mortem is place to-night, I believe ? ''

"Yes ''

"Then that arrangement will suit you ? ''

"Perfectly ''

" not tell you, my dear Cavendish, how distressed most tragic affair ''

" no help in solving it, monsieur ? '' interposed Poirot, speaking first time since we had entered the room

"I ? ''

"Yes, we heard that Mrs Inglethorp wrote last night received the letter ''

" , but it contains no information merely note asking me upon her , as she wanted my advice on matter of great importance ''

"She no hint what that matter ? ''

"Unfortunately, no ''

" pity,'' said John

"A great pity,'' agreed Poirot gravely

silence Poirot remained lost in thought Finally he turned lawyer again

" Mr Wells, like to -- , if against professional etiquette event of Mrs Inglethorp's death, inherit her money ? ''

The lawyer hesitated moment, and then replied:

"The knowledge public property , so if Mr Cavendish object -- -- ''

"Not at all,'' interpolated John

" any reason why I answer your question By her last will, dated August of last year, after various unimportant legacies to servants, etc , she gave her entire fortune to her stepson, Mr John Cavendish ''

"Was not that -- pardon the question, Mr Cavendish -- rather unfair to her other stepson, Mr Lawrence Cavendish ? ''

"No, so , under the terms father's will, while John inherited the property, Lawrence, at his stepmother's death, would come into considerable sum of money Mrs Inglethorp left her money to her elder stepson, knowing that up Styles , to my mind, very fair and equitable distribution ''

Poirot nodded thoughtfully

" But right in saying, am I not, that by your English law was automatically revoked when Mrs Inglethorp remarried ? ''

Mr Wells bowed his head

"As about , Monsieur Poirot, that document is now null and void ''

"Hein ! '' said Poirot He reflected for moment, and then asked: "Was Mrs Inglethorp herself aware fact ? ''

" know She may ''

"She was,'' said John unexpectedly "We were discussing the matter of wills being revoked by marriage only yesterday ''

"Ah ! One more question, Mr Wells You say 'her last will ' Had Mrs Inglethorp, then, made several former wills ? ''

"On an average, she made new will once year,'' said Mr Wells imperturbably "She was given to changing her mind her testamentary dispositions, now benefiting one, now another member of her family ''

"Suppose,'' suggested Poirot, "that, unknown , she had made new will in favour of some one who was not, in any sense word, member family -- say Miss Howard, for instance -- would you be surprised ? ''

"Not least ''

"Ah ! '' Poirot seemed exhausted his questions

I drew close to him, while John lawyer were debating the question of going through Mrs Inglethorp's papers

" Mrs Inglethorp made will leaving all her money to Miss Howard ? '' I asked in low voice, with some curiosity

Poirot smiled

"No ''

"Then why did you ask ? ''

"Hush ! ''

John Cavendish had turned to Poirot

" come , Monsieur Poirot ? going through my mother's papers Mr Inglethorp is quite willing to leave it entirely to Mr Wells and myself ''

"Which simplifies matters ,'' murmured the lawyer "As technically, , entitled -- -- '' finish the sentence

" look desk boudoir first,'' explained John, "and go her bedroom afterwards She kept her most important papers in purple despatch-case, which look through carefully ''

"Yes,'' said the lawyer, " quite possible that later will one in my possession ''

" later will '' Poirot who spoke

"What ? '' John lawyer looked at him startled

"Or, rather,'' pursued my friend imperturbably, " one ''

"What -- one ? Where now ? ''

"Burnt ! ''

"Burnt ? ''

"Yes See here '' out the charred fragment we had found grate in Mrs Inglethorp's room, and handed it lawyer with brief explanation of when and where he had found it

"But possibly an old will ? ''

" so almost certain made no earlier than yesterday afternoon ''

"What ? '' "Impossible ! '' broke simultaneously from both men

Poirot turned to John

" allow me to send for your gardener, prove it ''

"Oh, -- but I don't see -- -- ''

Poirot raised his hand

"Do as I Afterwards you shall question please ''

" '' He rang the bell

Dorcas answered it in due course

"Dorcas, tell Manning round and speak here ''

"Yes, sir ''

Dorcas withdrew

We waited in tense silence Poirot alone seemed perfectly at his ease, and dusted forgotten corner bookcase

The clumping of hobnailed boots gravel outside proclaimed the approach of Manning John looked questioningly at Poirot The latter nodded

"Come inside, Manning,'' said John, " ''

Manning came slowly and hesitatingly French window, and stood as near it as He held his cap hands, twisting it very carefully round and round His back was much bent, though probably not as old as he looked, but his eyes were sharp and intelligent, and belied his slow and rather cautious speech

"Manning,'' said John, "this gentleman will put some questions which you to answer ''

"Yessir,'' mumbled Manning

Poirot stepped forward briskly Manning's eye swept over him with faint contempt

"You were planting bed of begonias round south side house yesterday afternoon, were you not, Manning ? ''

"Yes, sir, me and Willum ''

"And Mrs Inglethorp came window and called you, did she not ? ''

"Yes, sir, she did ''

"Tell me in your own words exactly what happened ''

"Well, sir, nothing much She just told Willum bicycle down village, and bring back form of will, or such-like -- I don't know what exactly -- she wrote it down for him ''

"Well ? ''

"Well, , sir ''

"And what happened next ? ''

"We went on begonias, sir ''

" Mrs Inglethorp call you again ? ''

"Yes, sir, both me and Willum, she called ''

"And then ? ''

"She made us come right in, and sign our names bottom of long paper -- under where she'd signed ''

"Did anything of written above her signature ? '' asked Poirot sharply

"No, sir, bit of blotting paper over that part ''

"And you signed where she told you ? ''

"Yes, sir, first me and then Willum ''

"What did she do with it afterwards ? ''

"Well, sir, she slipped it into long envelope, and put it inside sort of purple box that was standing desk ''

"What time when she first called you ? ''

"About four, say, sir ''

"Not earlier ? Couldn't it about half-past three ? ''

"No, I shouldn't say so, sir It more likely bit after four -- not before it ''

" , Manning, do,'' said Poirot pleasantly

The gardener glanced at his master, who nodded, whereupon Manning lifted finger forehead with low mumble, and backed cautiously window

We all looked at

"Good heavens ! '' murmured John "What an extraordinary coincidence ''

"How -- coincidence ? ''

"That my mother made will very day of her death ! ''

Mr Wells cleared his throat and remarked drily:

" so sure coincidence, Cavendish ? ''

"What ? ''

"Your mother, you tell me, had violent quarrel with -- some one yesterday afternoon -- -- ''