"In consequence quarrel, your mother very suddenly and hurriedly makes new will The contents of never know She told no one provisions , , she consulted me -- but she had no chance The will disappears, and she takes its secret with her to her grave Cavendish, I much fear no coincidence there Monsieur Poirot, you agree with me facts are very suggestive ''

"Suggestive, or not,'' interrupted John, " most grateful to Monsieur Poirot for elucidating the matter But for him, never have known of I suppose, not , monsieur, what first led you to suspect the fact ? ''

Poirot smiled and answered:

"A scribbled over old envelope, and freshly planted bed of begonias ''

John, , pressed his questions further, but moment the loud purr of motor was audible, and we all turned window as it swept past

"Evie ! '' cried John "Excuse me, Wells '' He went hurriedly out hall

Poirot looked inquiringly at me

"Miss Howard,'' I explained

"Ah, she woman with head and heart too, Hastings Though the good God gave her no beauty ! ''

I followed John's example, and went out hall, where Miss Howard was endeavouring to extricate herself voluminous mass of veils that enveloped her head As her eyes fell on me, sudden pang of guilt shot through me the woman who had warned me so earnestly, and to whose warning I had, alas, paid no heed ! How soon, and how contemptuously, I had dismissed it from my mind Now that she proved justified in so tragic manner, ashamed She had known Alfred Inglethorp only too well I wondered whether, if she had remained at Styles, the tragedy taken place, or would the man have feared her watchful eyes ?

relieved when she shook me hand, with her well remembered painful grip The eyes that met mine were sad, but not reproachful; that she crying bitterly, tell redness of her eyelids, but her manner was unchanged from its old gruffness

"Started the moment I got the wire Just come off night duty Hired car Quickest way here ''

" had anything to eat , Evie ? '' asked John

"No ''

" not Come along, breakfast's not cleared away yet, 'll make you some fresh tea '' He turned "Look after her, Hastings, ? Wells is waiting Oh, here's Monsieur Poirot He's helping us, , Evie ''

Miss Howard shook hands with Poirot, but glanced suspiciously over her shoulder at John

"What -- helping us ? ''

"Helping us to investigate ''

"Nothing to investigate Have they taken him to prison yet ? ''

"Taken who to prison ? ''

"Who ? Alfred Inglethorp, ! ''

"My dear Evie, do be careful Lawrence is opinion that my mother died from heart seizure ''

"More fool, Lawrence ! '' retorted Miss Howard " Alfred Inglethorp murdered poor Emily -- as I always told you ''

"My dear Evie, don't shout so Whatever think or suspect, better as little as possible The inquest isn't until Friday ''

"Not until fiddlesticks ! '' The snort Miss Howard gave was truly magnificent "You're all off your heads The man country by then If he's any sense, he won't stay here tamely and wait hanged ''

John Cavendish looked at her helplessly

" what ,'' she accused him, "you've been listening doctors Never should What do they know ? Nothing at all -- or just enough them dangerous I ought -- my own father was doctor That little Wilkins is greatest fool that even ever seen Heart seizure ! Sort of thing say Anyone with any sense at once that her husband had poisoned her I always said he'd murder her in her bed, poor soul Now he's done it And all do is to murmur silly things about 'heart seizure' and 'inquest on Friday ' You ashamed of yourself, John Cavendish ''

"What me ? '' asked John, unable to help faint smile "Dash it all, Evie, 't haul him down local police station scruff neck ''

"Well, do something Find out how it He's crafty beggar Dare say he soaked fly papers Ask Cook if she's missed any ''

It occurred very forcibly moment that to harbour Miss Howard and Alfred Inglethorp under the same roof, and keep the peace , was likely Herculean task, and envy John I expression face that he fully appreciated the difficulty position moment, he sought refuge in retreat, and left the room precipitately

Dorcas brought in fresh tea As she left the room, Poirot came over window where he standing, and sat down facing Miss Howard

"Mademoiselle,'' gravely, " to something ''

"Ask away,'' said the lady, eyeing him with some disfavour

" to count upon your help ''

"I'll to hang Alfred with pleasure,'' she replied gruffly "Hanging's too good for him drawn and quartered, like in good old times ''

" at one then,'' said Poirot, "for I, too, want to hang the criminal ''

"Alfred Inglethorp ? ''

"Him, or another ''

"No question of another Poor Emily was never murdered until along I don't say she wasn't surrounded by sharks -- she was But only her purse they were after Her life was safe enough But along comes Mr Alfred Inglethorp -- and within two months -- hey presto ! ''

"Believe me, Miss Howard,'' said Poirot very earnestly, "if Mr Inglethorp man, he escape me On my honour, hang him as high as Haman ! ''

"That's better,'' said Miss Howard more enthusiastically

"But to trust me Now your help very valuable tell you why Because, in all this house of mourning, yours are the only eyes wept ''

Miss Howard blinked, and new note crept gruffness of her voice

" mean that fond of her -- yes, , Emily was selfish old woman in her way She was very generous, but she always wanted return She never let people forget what she had done -- and, that way she missed love Don't think she ever realized it, though, or felt the lack of it Hope not, anyway on different footing my stand first ' pounds year I'm worth Well and good But not penny piece besides -- not pair of gloves, nor theatre ticket ' She didn't understand -- was very offended sometimes Said foolishly proud It wasn't that -- but I couldn't explain Anyway, I kept my self-respect And so, whole bunch, I allow myself fond of her I watched over her I guarded her lot , and then glib-tongued scoundrel comes along, and pooh ! all my years of devotion go for nothing ''

Poirot nodded sympathetically

"I understand, mademoiselle, I understand all you feel most natural that lukewarm -- that we lack fire and energy -- but trust me, so ''

John stuck his head in juncture, and invited us both Mrs Inglethorp's room, as he and Mr Wells had finished looking desk boudoir

went up the stairs, John looked back dining-room door, and lowered his voice confidentially:

"Look here, what's going to happen when these two meet ? ''

I shook my head helplessly

"I've told Mary them apart if ''

"Will she ? ''

"The Lord only knows There's , Inglethorp himself won't be too keen on meeting her ''

"You've got the keys still, haven't you, Poirot ? '' I asked, reached the door locked room

Taking the keys from Poirot, John unlocked it, and we all passed in The lawyer went straight desk, and John followed him

"My mother kept most of her important papers despatch-case, I believe,''

Poirot drew out the small bunch of keys

"Permit me I locked it, out of precaution, ''

"But it's not locked now ''

"Impossible ! ''

"See '' And John lifted the lid as he spoke

"Milles tonnerres ! '' cried Poirot, dumfounded "And I -- both the keys in my pocket ! '' He flung himself case Suddenly he stiffened "En voilą une affaire ! This lock forced ''

"What ? ''

Poirot laid down the case again

"But who forced it ? Why should they ? When ? But the door was locked ? '' These exclamations burst disjointedly

Poirot answered them categorically -- almost mechanically

"Who ? question Why ? Ah, if I only knew When ? Since here an hour ago door being locked, very ordinary lock Probably doorkeys passage would fit it ''