came Stylites Arms, Poirot drew me aside by gentle pressure arm I understood his object waiting Scotland Yard men

In , they emerged, and Poirot at once stepped forward, and accosted the shorter two

" remember me, Inspector Japp ''

"Why, isn't Mr Poirot ! '' cried the Inspector He turned other man "You've heard me speak of Mr Poirot ? in 1904 he and I worked together -- the Abercrombie forgery case -- you remember, run down in Brussels Ah, those were great days, moosier Then, remember 'Baron' Altara ? pretty rogue ! He eluded the clutches of half the police in Europe But we nailed him in Antwerp -- thanks to Mr Poirot here ''

friendly reminiscences were being indulged in, I drew nearer, and was introduced to Detective-Inspector Japp, who, turn, introduced us both companion, Superintendent Summerhaye

" hardly ask what doing here, gentlemen,'' remarked Poirot

Japp closed one eye knowingly

"No, indeed Pretty clear case say ''

But Poirot answered gravely:

"There I differ ''

"Oh, come ! '' said Summerhaye, opening his lips first time "Surely the whole thing is clear as daylight The man's caught red-handed How be such fool beats me ! ''

But Japp was looking attentively at Poirot

"Hold your fire, Summerhaye,'' he remarked jocularly "Me and Moosier here have met before -- and there's no man's judgment I'd sooner take than his If I'm not greatly mistaken, he's got something up his sleeve Isn't that so, moosier ? ''

Poirot smiled

" drawn certain conclusions -- yes ''

Summerhaye was still looking rather sceptical, but Japp continued his scrutiny of Poirot

"It's ,'' , " , we've only seen the case outside That's where the Yard's at disadvantage in case kind, where the murder's only out, so , inquest lot depends on being spot first thing, 's where Mr Poirot's had the start of us We shouldn't here this even, hadn't been fact that smart doctor spot, who the tip Coroner But you've been spot first, and picked up some little hints evidence inquest, Mr Inglethorp murdered his wife as sure as I stand here, and if anyone but you hinted the contrary I'd laugh face say surprised the jury didn't bring it in Wilful Murder against him right off , hadn't been Coroner -- holding them back ''

"Perhaps, though, warrant arrest in your pocket now,'' suggested Poirot

kind of wooden shutter of officialdom came down from Japp's expressive countenance

"Perhaps , and perhaps I haven't,'' he remarked dryly

Poirot looked at him thoughtfully

" very anxious, Messieurs, that be arrested ''

"I dare say,'' observed Summerhaye sarcastically

Japp was regarding Poirot with comical perplexity

"Can't you go little further, Mr Poirot ? wink's as good as nod -- You've been spot -- Yard doesn't want any mistakes, ''

Poirot nodded gravely

" exactly what Well, tell you this Use your warrant: Arrest Mr Inglethorp But bring you no kudos -- the case against him dismissed at once ! Comme ? ! '' And he snapped his fingers expressively

Japp's face grew grave, though Summerhaye gave an incredulous snort

As , literally dumb with astonishment only conclude that Poirot was mad

Japp had taken out handkerchief, and was gently dabbing his brow

"I daren't , Mr Poirot I'd take your word, but there's others over me who'll be asking what the devil I mean Can't you little more on ? ''

Poirot reflected moment

"It ,'' at last "I admit wish it It forces my hand preferred to work dark just , but what you say is very just -- the word of Belgian policeman, whose day is past, enough ! And Alfred Inglethorp must not be arrested That sworn, as my friend Hastings here knows See, then, my good Japp, you go at once to Styles ? ''

"Well, in about half an hour We're seeing the Coroner doctor first ''

"Good Call in passing -- the last house village go At Styles, Mr Inglethorp will , or if he refuses -- as is probable -- such proofs that shall satisfy you case against him possibly be sustained bargain ? ''

"That's bargain,'' said Japp heartily "And, Yard, I'm much obliged , though I'm bound to confess 't at present see the faintest possible loop-hole evidence, but you always were marvel ! , then, moosier ''

The two detectives strode away, Summerhaye with an incredulous grin face

"Well, my friend,'' cried Poirot, before get in word, "what ? Mon Dieu ! I had some warm moments court; figure to myself man so pig-headed refuse anything at all Decidedly, it policy of an imbecile ''

"H'm ! other explanations besides that of imbecility,'' I remarked "For, case against him is true, how could he defend himself except by silence ? ''

"Why, in thousand ingenious ways,'' cried Poirot "See; say I committed this murder, think of seven most plausible stories ! Far more convincing than Mr Inglethorp's stony denials ! ''

help laughing

"My dear Poirot, capable of thinking of seventy ! But, seriously, of what I heard you say detectives, you surely cannot still believe possibility of Alfred Inglethorp's innocence ? ''

" now as before ? Nothing has changed ''

"But the evidence is so conclusive ''

"Yes, too conclusive ''

We turned in gate of Leastways Cottage, and proceeded up the now familiar stairs

"Yes, yes, too conclusive,'' continued Poirot, almost to himself "Real evidence is usually vague and unsatisfactory It be examined -- sifted But here the whole thing is cut and dried No, my friend, this evidence very cleverly manufactured -- so cleverly has defeated its own ends ''

"How make that out ? ''

"Because, evidence against him was vague and intangible, very hard to disprove But, anxiety, the criminal has drawn the net so closely that one cut will set Inglethorp free ''

silent And in minute or two, Poirot continued:

" look matter like this man, , who sets out to poison his wife He has lived by his wits saying goes Presumably, therefore, he has some wits altogether fool Well, how does he set ? He goes boldly village chemist's and purchases strychnine under his own name, with trumped up story about dog bound proved absurd employ the poison that night No, he waits until he has had violent quarrel with her, the whole household is cognisant, and which naturally directs their suspicions upon him He prepares no defence -- no shadow of an alibi, yet the chemist's assistant must necessarily come forward facts Bah ! ask me that any man so idiotic ! Only lunatic, who wished to commit suicide by causing himself hanged, would act so ! ''

"Still -- -- '' I began

"Neither do I tell you, mon ami, it puzzles me Me -- Hercule Poirot ! ''

"But believe him innocent, how explain his buying the strychnine ? ''

"Very simply buy it ''

"But Mace recognized him ! ''

"I beg your pardon, man with black beard like Mr Inglethorp's, and wearing glasses like Mr Inglethorp, and dressed in Mr Inglethorp's rather noticeable clothes recognize man whom he had probably only seen distance, since, you remember, he himself had only been village fortnight, and Mrs Inglethorp dealt principally with Coot's in Tadminster ''

"Then -- -- ''

"Mon ami, remember the two points I laid stress upon ? Leave the first one moment, the second ? ''

"The important fact that Alfred Inglethorp wears peculiar clothes, has black beard, and uses glasses,'' I quoted

"Exactly Now suppose anyone wished himself off as John or Lawrence Cavendish Would it be easy ? ''

"No,'' thoughtfully " an actor -- -- ''

But Poirot cut me short ruthlessly

"And why would it not be easy ? tell you, my friend: Because both clean-shaven men up successfully as two in broad daylight, it would need an actor of genius, and certain initial facial resemblance But case of Alfred Inglethorp, all changed His clothes, his beard, the glasses which hide his eyes -- those are the salient points about his personal appearance Now, the first instinct criminal ? To divert suspicion from himself, not so ? And how can he best ? By throwing it on some one else instance, man ready hand Everybody was predisposed in Mr Inglethorp's guilt foregone conclusion that suspected; but, it sure thing tangible proof -- such actual buying poison, , with man peculiar appearance of Mr Inglethorp, was not difficult Remember, this young Mace had never actually spoken to Mr Inglethorp How should he doubt man clothes, beard glasses, was not Alfred Inglethorp ? ''

"It so,'' , fascinated by Poirot's eloquence "But, case, why does he not say where at six o'clock on Monday evening ? ''