moment's stupefied silence Japp, who least surprised of any of us, first

"My word,'' he cried, "you're the goods ! And no mistake, Mr Poirot ! These witnesses of yours are all right, I suppose ? ''

"Voilą ! prepared list -- names and addresses see them, But it all right ''

"I'm sure '' Japp lowered his voice "I'm much obliged pretty mare's nest arresting him '' He turned to Inglethorp "But, 'll excuse me, sir, why couldn't you say all this inquest ? ''

" tell you why,'' interrupted Poirot " certain rumour -- -- ''

"A most malicious and utterly untrue one,'' interrupted Alfred Inglethorp in an agitated voice

"And Mr Inglethorp was anxious no scandal revived just at present Am I right ? ''

"Quite right '' Inglethorp nodded "With my poor Emily not yet buried, wonder anxious that no more lying rumours started ''

"Between you and me, sir,'' remarked Japp, "I'd sooner have any amount of rumours than be arrested for murder And I venture your poor lady felt the same And, hadn't been Poirot here, arrested , as sure as eggs is eggs ! ''

" foolish, ,'' murmured Inglethorp "But know, inspector, how persecuted and maligned '' And he shot baleful glance at Evelyn Howard

"Now, sir,'' said Japp, turning briskly to John, " like the lady's bedroom, please, and I'll have little chat servants Don't you bother about anything Mr Poirot, here, will show me the way ''

all went room, Poirot turned and made me sign him upstairs There he caught me arm, and drew me aside

"Quick, go other wing Stand there -- just this side baize door move till I come '' Then, turning rapidly, he rejoined the two detectives

I followed his instructions, taking up my position baize door, and wondering what on earth lay behind the request Why was I to stand particular spot on guard ? I looked thoughtfully down the corridor in front of me An idea struck me exception of Cynthia Murdoch's, 's room was left wing Had that anything with it ? Was I to report who came or went ? I stood faithfully at my post The minutes passed Nobody came Nothing happened

It must quite twenty minutes before Poirot rejoined me

" stirred ? ''

"No, I've stuck here like rock Nothing's happened ''

"Ah ! '' Was he pleased, or disappointed ? "You've seen nothing at all ? ''

"No ''

"But probably heard something ? big bump -- eh, mon ami ? ''

"No ''

" possible ? Ah, but vexed with myself ! not usually clumsy but slight gesture'' -- Poirot's gestures -- " , and over went the table bed ! ''

He looked so childishly vexed and crest-fallen that I hastened to console him

"Never mind, old chap What does it matter ? Your triumph downstairs excited you tell you, that was surprise all more affair of Inglethorp's with Mrs Raikes than we thought, him hold his tongue so persistently you going now ? Where are the Scotland Yard fellows ? ''

"Gone down to interview the servants I showed them all our exhibits disappointed in Japp He has no method ! ''

"Hullo ! '' , looking window "Here's Dr Bauerstein I believe you're right man, Poirot I don't like him ''

" clever,'' observed Poirot meditatively

"Oh, clever devil ! say overjoyed him plight in on Tuesday You never saw such spectacle ! '' And I described the doctor's adventure "He looked regular scarecrow ! Plastered with mud from head to foot ''

"You saw him, then ? ''

"Yes , he didn't want in -- just after dinner -- but Mr Inglethorp insisted ''

"What ? '' Poirot caught me violently shoulders "Was Dr Bauerstein here on Tuesday evening ? Here ? And you never told me ? Why did you not tell me ? Why ? Why ? ''

He appeared in an absolute frenzy

"My dear Poirot,'' I expostulated, "I never thought it would interest you I didn't know of any importance ''

"Importance ? first importance ! So Dr Bauerstein was here on Tuesday night -- the night murder Hastings, not see ? That alters everything -- everything ! ''

I had never seen him so upset Loosening his hold of me, he mechanically straightened pair of candlesticks, still murmuring to himself: "Yes, that alters everything -- everything ''

Suddenly to decision

"Allons ! '' " act at once Where is Mr Cavendish ? ''

John was smoking-room Poirot went straight to him

" Mr Cavendish, some important business in Tadminster new clue May I take your motor ? ''

"Why, at once ? ''

" please ''

John rang the bell, and ordered round the car In another ten minutes, we were racing down the park and along the high road to Tadminster

"Now, Poirot,'' I remarked resignedly, "perhaps tell me what all about ? ''

"Well, mon ami, guess you , now Mr Inglethorp is out of it, the whole position is greatly changed with an entirely new problem now one person who buy the poison cleared away the manufactured clues Now real ones ascertained that anyone household, exception of Mrs Cavendish, who was playing tennis , personated Mr Inglethorp on Monday evening same way, his statement that he put the coffee down hall No one took much notice inquest -- but now it has very different significance find out who did take that coffee to Mrs Inglethorp eventually, or who passed hall whilst standing there From your account, only two people whom positively say go near the coffee -- Mrs Cavendish, and Mademoiselle Cynthia ''

"Yes, so '' an inexpressible lightening heart Mary Cavendish could certainly not rest under suspicion

"In clearing Alfred Inglethorp,'' continued Poirot, " obliged to show my hand sooner than I intended As long as thought pursuing him, the criminal off his guard Now, doubly careful Yes -- doubly careful '' He turned abruptly "Tell me, Hastings, you yourself -- no suspicions of anybody ? ''

I hesitated the truth, an idea, wild and extravagant in itself, had that morning flashed through my brain I had rejected it as absurd, nevertheless it persisted

"You couldn't call it suspicion,'' I murmured "It's so utterly foolish ''

"Come now,'' urged Poirot encouragingly " fear Speak your mind always pay attention to your instincts ''

"Well then,'' I blurted out, "it's absurd -- but I suspect Miss Howard of not telling all she knows ! ''

"Miss Howard ? ''

"Yes -- you'll laugh at me -- -- ''

"Not at all Why should I ? ''

" 't help feeling,'' I continued blunderingly; "that we've rather left her possible suspects, simply strength of her having been away place But, after all, she was only fifteen miles away car would in half an hour Can we say positively that she was away from Styles night murder ? ''

"Yes, my friend,'' said Poirot unexpectedly, " One first actions was to ring up the hospital where she was working ''

"Well ? ''

"Well, I learnt that Miss Howard on afternoon duty on Tuesday, -- convoy coming in unexpectedly -- she had kindly offered to remain on night duty, which offer was gratefully accepted That disposes ''