"You consider her vehemence unnatural ? ''

"Y -- es so very violent I wondered really whether quite sane point ''

Poirot shook his head energetically

"No, no, on wrong tack there nothing weak-minded or degenerate about Miss Howard an excellent specimen of well-balanced English beef and brawn sanity itself ''

"Yet her hatred of Inglethorp seems almost mania My idea was -- very ridiculous one, -- that she had intended to poison him -- , in some way, Mrs Inglethorp got hold of it by mistake But I don't at all see how it done The whole thing is absurd and ridiculous last degree ''

"Still right in always wise to suspect everybody until prove logically, and to your own satisfaction, innocent Now, what reasons are there against Miss Howard's having deliberately poisoned Mrs Inglethorp ? ''

"Why, she was devoted to her ! '' I exclaimed

"Tcha ! Tcha ! '' cried Poirot irritably "You argue like child If Miss Howard were capable of poisoning the old lady, be quite equally capable of simulating devotion No, look elsewhere perfectly correct in your assumption that her vehemence against Alfred Inglethorp is too violent natural; but quite wrong deduction you draw drawn my own deductions, which I believe correct, but speak at present '' He paused minute, then went on "Now, to my way of thinking, one insuperable objection to Miss Howard's being the murderess ''

" is ? ''

"That in no possible way could Mrs Inglethorp's death benefit Miss Howard Now no murder without motive ''

I reflected

" Mrs Inglethorp will in her favour ? '' Poirot shook his head

"But you yourself suggested that possibility to Mr Wells ? ''

Poirot smiled

"That was for reason want to mention the name person who was actually in my mind Miss Howard occupied the same position, so I used her name instead ''

"Still, Mrs Inglethorp done so Why, , made afternoon of her death may -- -- ''

But Poirot's shake head was so energetic that I stopped

"No, my friend certain little ideas own will But tell you this much -- not in Miss Howard's favour ''

I accepted his assurance, though really see how be so positive

"Well,'' , with sigh, " acquit Miss Howard, then partly your fault that I ever came to suspect her what you said about her evidence inquest that set me off ''

Poirot looked puzzled

"What did about her evidence inquest ? ''

"Don't you remember ? When I cited her and John Cavendish as being above suspicion ? ''

"Oh -- ah -- yes '' little confused, but recovered himself " , Hastings, something you ''

"Certainly it ? ''

" you happen alone with Lawrence Cavendish, you this to him ' message , from Poirot : "Find the extra coffee-cup, and rest in peace ! '' ' Nothing more Nothing less ''

" 'Find the extra coffee-cup, and rest in peace ' right ? '' I asked, much mystified

"Excellent ''

"But what does it mean ? ''

"Ah, that leave you out access facts Just say that to him, what ''

" -- but it's all extremely mysterious ''

We were running into Tadminster now, and Poirot directed the car "Analytical Chemist ''

Poirot hopped down briskly, and went inside back again

"There,'' " all my business ''

"What were you doing there ? '' I asked, in lively curiosity

"I left something analysed ''

"Yes, but what ? ''

"The sample of coco saucepan bedroom ''

"But that has already been tested ! '' I cried, stupefied "Dr Bauerstein had it tested, and you yourself laughed possibility of there being strychnine ''

" Dr Bauerstein had it tested,'' replied Poirot quietly

"Well, then ? ''

"Well, fancy for having it analysed again, all ''

And not another word could I drag out of him

This proceeding of Poirot's, in respect coco, puzzled me intensely I neither rhyme nor reason However, my confidence in him, which at had rather waned, was fully restored since his belief in Alfred Inglethorp's innocence so triumphantly vindicated

The funeral of Mrs Inglethorp took place the following day, and on Monday, as down to late breakfast, John drew me aside, and informed me that Mr Inglethorp was leaving that morning, up his quarters Stylites Arms until completed his plans

"And really it's great relief he's going, Hastings,'' continued my honest friend " bad enough before, when we thought he'd done it, but I'm hanged isn't worse now, when we all feel guilty for having been so down fellow The fact is, we've treated him abominably , things did look black against him I don't see how anyone could blame us for jumping conclusions Still, there , we were wrong, and now there's beastly feeling that one ought amends; difficult, when one doesn't like the fellow bit better than one did before The whole thing's damned awkward ! And I'm thankful he's had the tact himself off It's good thing Styles wasn't the mater's to leave to him Couldn't bear fellow fording it here He's welcome to her money ''

"You'll up the place all right ? '' I asked

"Oh, yes the death duties, , but half my father's money goes place, and Lawrence will stay , so his share pinched at first, , because, as I once told you, in bit of hole financially myself Still, the Johnnies will wait now ''

general relief at Inglethorp's approaching departure, we had the most genial breakfast we had experienced tragedy Cynthia, whose young spirits were naturally buoyant, was looking quite her pretty self again, and we all, exception of Lawrence, who seemed unalterably gloomy and nervous, were quietly cheerful, opening of new and hopeful future

The papers, , full tragedy Glaring headlines, sandwiched biographies of every member household, subtle innuendoes, the usual familiar tag police having clue Nothing was spared us slack time The war was momentarily inactive, newspapers seized with avidity crime in fashionable life: "The Mysterious Affair at Styles'' topic moment

Naturally very annoying Cavendishes The house was constantly besieged by reporters, who were consistently denied admission, but who continued to haunt the village grounds, where they lay in wait with cameras, for any unwary members household We all lived in blast of publicity The Scotland Yard men came and went, examining, questioning, lynx-eyed and reserved of tongue Towards what end they were working, know Had they any clue, or would the whole thing remain category of undiscovered crimes ?

After breakfast, Dorcas came up rather mysteriously, and asked if she few words with me

"Certainly it, Dorcas ? ''

"Well, it's just this, sir You'll be seeing the Belgian gentleman to-day perhaps ? '' I nodded "Well, sir, how he asked me so particular mistress, or anyone else, had green dress ? ''

"Yes, yes found one ? '' My interest was aroused

"No, not that, sir But since then I've remembered what the young gentlemen'' -- John and Lawrence were still the "young gentlemen'' to Dorcas -- "call the 'dressing-up box ' It's up front attic, sir great chest, full of old clothes and fancy dresses, and what not And it came sudden like that green dress amongst them So, 'd tell the Belgian gentleman -- -- ''

" tell him, Dorcas,'' I promised