"Oh, yes, I heard the voices, but hear what they said '' faint spot of colour came into her cheek " not habit of listening to private conversations ''

The Coroner persisted

"And you remember nothing at all ? Nothing, Mrs Cavendish ? Not one stray word or phrase you private conversation ? ''

She paused, and seemed to reflect, still outwardly as calm as ever

"Yes; I remember Mrs Inglethorp said something -- remember exactly what -- about causing scandal between husband and wife ''

"Ah ! '' the Coroner leant back satisfied "That corresponds with what Dorcas heard But excuse me, Mrs Cavendish, although you realized private conversation, move away ? You remained where you were ? ''

I caught the momentary gleam of her tawny eyes as she raised them certain that moment willingly have torn the little lawyer, insinuations, into pieces, but she replied quietly enough:

"No very comfortable where I fixed my mind on my book ''

" is all tell us ? ''

" all ''

The examination was over, though I doubted Coroner was entirely satisfied with it he suspected that Mary Cavendish could tell more if she chose

Amy Hill, shop assistant, was next called, and deposed to having sold will form afternoon 17th to William Earl, under-gardener at Styles

William Earl and Manning succeeded her, and testified to witnessing document Manning fixed the time at about 4 30, William was opinion rather earlier

Cynthia Murdoch came next She had, however, little She had known nothing tragedy, until awakened by Mrs Cavendish

" hear the table fall ? ''

"No fast asleep ''

The Coroner smiled

"A good conscience makes sound sleeper,'' he observed " , Miss Murdoch, all ''

"Miss Howard ''

Miss Howard produced the letter written to her by Mrs Inglethorp evening 17th Poirot and I had, already seen it It added nothing to our knowledge tragedy The following is facsimile:

[A picture]

STYLES COURT ESSEX July 17th

My dear Evelyn

Can we not bury the hachet ? found it hard to forgive the things you said against my dear husband but an old woman & very fond of you

Yours affectionately, Emily Inglethorpe

handed jury who scrutinized it attentively

" it much,'' said the Coroner, with sigh " no mention of any events afternoon ''

"Plain as pikestaff ,'' said Miss Howard shortly "It shows clearly enough that my poor old friend had just found out she'd been made fool of ! ''

"It says nothing kind letter,'' the Coroner pointed out

"No, because Emily never could bear herself wrong But her She wanted me back But she wasn't going to own that I'd been right She went round about Most people do Don't believe myself ''

Mr Wells smiled faintly So, I noticed, did several jury Miss Howard was obviously quite public character

"Anyway, all this tomfoolery is great waste ,'' continued the lady, glancing up and down the jury disparagingly "Talk -- talk -- talk ! When all the time perfectly well -- -- ''

The Coroner interrupted her in an agony of apprehension:

" , Miss Howard, all ''

I fancy he breathed sigh of relief when she complied

Then came the sensation day The Coroner called Albert Mace, chemist's assistant

our agitated young man pale face In answer Coroner's questions, he explained that qualified pharmacist, but had only recently come particular shop, assistant formerly there had just been called up army

These preliminaries completed, the Coroner proceeded to business

" Mr Mace, lately sold strychnine to any unauthorized person ? ''

"Yes, sir ''

"When ? ''

"Last Monday night ''

"Monday ? Not Tuesday ? ''

"No, sir, Monday, the 16th ''

" tell us you sold it ? ''

heard pin drop

"Yes, sir to Mr Inglethorp ''

Every eye turned simultaneously to where Alfred Inglethorp was sitting, impassive and wooden He started slightly, damning words fell young man's lips I half thought going to rise chair, but he remained seated, although remarkably well acted expression of astonishment rose face

" of what you say ? '' asked the Coroner sternly

" , sir ''

" habit of selling strychnine indiscriminately over the counter ? ''

The wretched young man wilted visibly under the Coroner's frown

"Oh, no, sir -- not But, seeing Mr Inglethorp Hall, no harm to poison dog ''

Inwardly I sympathized only human nature to endeavour "The Hall'' -- especially when it might result in custom being transferred from Coot's local establishment

" not customary for anyone purchasing poison to sign book ? ''

"Yes, sir, Mr Inglethorp did so ''

" got the book here ? ''

"Yes, sir ''

produced; and, with few words of stern censure, the Coroner dismissed the wretched Mr Mace

Then, amidst breathless silence, Alfred Inglethorp was called Did he realize, I wondered, how closely the halter was being drawn around his neck ?

The Coroner went straight point

"On Monday evening last, did you purchase strychnine of poisoning dog ? ''

Inglethorp replied with perfect calmness:

"No, no dog at Styles, except an outdoor sheepdog, in perfect health ''

"You deny absolutely having purchased strychnine from Albert Mace on Monday last ? ''

" ''

" also deny this ? ''

The Coroner handed him the register his signature was inscribed

"Certainly The hand-writing is quite different from mine show you ''

an old envelope out pocket, and wrote his name , handing it jury certainly utterly dissimilar

"Then your explanation of Mr Mace's statement ? ''

Alfred Inglethorp replied imperturbably:

" Mr Mace must mistaken ''

The Coroner hesitated for moment, and then said:

" Mr Inglethorp, as mere matter of form, would you mind telling us where you were evening of Monday, July 16th ? ''

"Really -- 't remember ''

" absurd, Mr Inglethorp,'' said the Coroner sharply "Think again ''

Inglethorp shook his head

" tell you an idea that out walking ''

"In what direction ? ''

"I really can't remember ''

The Coroner's face grew graver

"Were you in company with anyone ? ''

"No ''

"Did you meet anyone walk ? ''

"No ''

" pity,'' said the Coroner dryly " it then that you decline where you were that Mr Mace positively recognized you as entering the shop to purchase strychnine ? ''

" like it that way, yes ''

"Be careful, Mr Inglethorp ''

Poirot was fidgeting nervously

"Sacré ! '' he murmured "Does this imbecile of man want arrested ? ''

Inglethorp was indeed creating bad impression His futile denials have convinced child The Coroner, however, passed briskly next point, and Poirot drew deep breath of relief

"You had discussion with your wife on Tuesday afternoon ? ''

"Pardon me,'' interrupted Alfred Inglethorp, " misinformed I had no quarrel with my dear wife The whole story is absolutely untrue absent house the entire afternoon ''

" anyone testify ? ''

" my word,'' said Inglethorp haughtily

The Coroner trouble to reply

" two witnesses swear to having heard your disagreement with Mrs Inglethorp ''

"Those witnesses were mistaken ''

puzzled The man spoke quiet assurance that staggered I looked at Poirot an expression of exultation face which understand Was he at last convinced of Alfred Inglethorp's guilt ?

" Mr Inglethorp,'' said the Coroner, " heard your wife's dying words repeated here explain them in ? ''

"Certainly ''

" ? ''

"It seems very simple The room was dimly lighted Dr Bauerstein is much height and build, and, like me, wears beard dim light, and suffering as she was, my poor wife mistook him ''

"Ah ! '' murmured Poirot to himself "But an idea, that ! ''

" true ? '' I whispered

" that But truly an ingenious supposition ''

"You read my wife's last words as an accusation'' -- Inglethorp was continuing -- "they were, contrary, an appeal ''

The Coroner reflected moment, then :

"I believe, Mr Inglethorp, that you yourself poured out the coffee, and took it to your wife that evening ? ''

"I poured it out, yes But take it to her I meant , but told that friend was hall door, so I laid down the coffee hall table When hall again later, gone ''

This statement might, or , be true, but it seem to improve matters much for Inglethorp In any case, he had had ample time to introduce the poison

point, Poirot nudged me gently, indicating two men who were sitting together near the door One was little, sharp, dark, ferret-faced man, the other was tall and fair

I questioned Poirot mutely He put his lips to my ear

" who that little man is ? ''

I shook my head

" Detective Inspector James Japp of Scotland Yard -- Jimmy Japp The other man is from Scotland Yard too Things are moving quickly, my friend ''

I stared two men intently certainly nothing policeman never have suspected them of being official personages

still staring, when startled and recalled verdict being given: