"No ''

"I put it that, anxious an alibi, you conceived the idea of fictitious and rather incredible appointment, and wrote this note yourself to bear out your statement ! ''

"No ''

" not fact that, you claim waiting about at solitary and unfrequented spot, you were really chemist's shop in Styles St Mary, where you purchased strychnine name of Alfred Inglethorp ? ''

"No, lie ''

"I put it that, wearing suit of Mr Inglethorp's clothes, with black beard trimmed to resemble his, you were there -- and signed the register name ! ''

" absolutely untrue ''

"Then leave the remarkable similarity of hand-writing note, the register, and your own, consideration jury,'' said Mr Philips, and sat down air of man who his duty, but who was nevertheless horrified by such deliberate perjury

, as growing late, the case was adjourned till Monday

Poirot, I noticed, was looking profoundly discouraged He had that little frown eyes that

" it, Poirot ? '' I inquired

"Ah, mon ami, things are going badly, badly ''

of myself, my heart gave leap of relief Evidently likelihood of John Cavendish being acquitted

When we reached the house, my little friend waved aside Mary's offer of tea

"No, , madame mount to my room ''

I followed him Still frowning, he went across desk and took out small pack of patience cards Then he drew up chair table, and, to my utter amazement, began solemnly to build card houses !

My jaw dropped involuntarily, and at once:

"No, mon ami, not in my second childhood ! I steady my nerves, all This employment requires precision fingers With precision fingers goes precision brain And never have I needed that more than now ! ''

" the trouble ? '' I asked

With great thump table, Poirot demolished his carefully built up edifice

"It , mon ami ! That build card houses seven stories high, but '' -- thump -- "find'' -- thump -- "that last link I spoke ''

quite tell what , so I held my peace, and he began slowly building up the cards again, speaking in jerks as so

" done -- so ! By placing -- one card -- on another -- with mathematical -- precision ! ''

I watched the card house rising under his hands, story by story He never hesitated or faltered really almost like conjuring trick

"What steady hand you've got,'' I remarked "I believe I've only seen your hand shake once ''

"On an occasion when enraged, without doubt,'' observed Poirot, with great placidity

"Yes indeed ! You were in towering rage remember ? discovered lock despatch-case in Mrs Inglethorp's bedroom forced You stood mantel-piece, twiddling the things in your usual fashion, and your hand shook like leaf ! say -- -- ''

But I stopped suddenly For Poirot, uttering hoarse and inarticulate cry, again annihilated his masterpiece of cards, and putting his hands over his eyes swayed backwards and forwards, apparently suffering the keenest agony

"Good heavens, Poirot ! '' I cried " the matter ? taken ill ? ''

"No, no,'' he gasped " -- -- that an idea ! ''

"Oh ! '' I exclaimed, much relieved "One of your 'little ideas' ? ''

"Ah, ma foi, no ! '' replied Poirot frankly " an idea gigantic ! Stupendous ! And you -- you, my friend, have given it ! ''

Suddenly clasping me arms, he kissed me warmly on both cheeks, and before I had recovered from my surprise ran headlong room

Mary Cavendish entered moment

" the matter with Monsieur Poirot ? He rushed past me crying out: 'A garage ! love of Heaven, direct me to garage, madame ! ' And, before answer, he had dashed out street ''

I hurried window True enough, there , tearing down the street, hatless, and gesticulating as he went I turned to Mary with gesture of despair

"He'll be stopped by policeman in another minute There he goes, round the corner ! ''

Our eyes met, and we stared helplessly at one another

"What the matter ? ''

I shook my head

"I don't know building card houses, when suddenly he had an idea, and rushed off saw ''

"Well,'' said Mary, "I expect back before dinner ''