THE trial of John Cavendish murder stepmother took place two months later

intervening weeks say little, but my admiration and sympathy went out unfeignedly to Mary Cavendish She ranged herself passionately on her husband's side, scorning the mere idea guilt, and fought for him tooth and nail

I expressed my admiration to Poirot, and he nodded thoughtfully

"Yes, women who show at their best in adversity It brings out all sweetest and truest Her pride and her jealousy have -- ''

"Jealousy ? '' I queried

"Yes not realized that an unusually jealous woman ? As saying, her pride and jealousy laid aside She thinks of nothing but her husband, terrible fate hanging over him ''

He spoke very feelingly, and I looked at him earnestly, remembering that last afternoon, when he deliberating whether or not tenderness for "a woman's happiness,'' glad decision taken out hands

"Even now,'' , " hardly believe it , very last minute, Lawrence ! ''

Poirot grinned

" ''

"But John ! My old friend John ! ''

"Every murderer is probably somebody's old friend,'' observed Poirot philosophically " mix up sentiment and reason ''

" say you given me hint ''

"Perhaps, mon ami, , just because your old friend ''

rather disconcerted , remembering how I had busily passed on to John what I believed Poirot's views concerning Bauerstein He, , acquitted charge brought against him Nevertheless, although he too clever , charge of espionage brought home to him, his wings were pretty well clipped future

I asked Poirot whether he thought John condemned To my intense surprise, he replied that, contrary, extremely likely acquitted

"But, Poirot -- '' I protested

"Oh, my friend, have I not said all along that no proofs that man is guilty, quite another matter him so And, in , terribly little evidence whole trouble I, Hercule Poirot, know, but I lack the last link in my chain And unless find that missing link -- '' He shook his head gravely

"When did you first suspect John Cavendish ? '' I asked, after minute or two

"Did you not suspect him at all ? ''

"No, indeed ''

"Not fragment of conversation you overheard between Mrs Cavendish and her mother-in-law, and her subsequent lack of frankness inquest ? ''

"No ''

"Did you not put two and two together, and reflect that not Alfred Inglethorp who was quarrelling wife -- and you remember, he strenuously denied it inquest -- it either Lawrence or John Now, Lawrence, Mary Cavendish's conduct was just as inexplicable But if, other hand, John, the whole thing was explained quite naturally ''

"So,'' I cried, light breaking in upon me, " John who quarrelled mother that afternoon ? ''

"Exactly ''

"And known this all along ? ''

"Certainly Mrs Cavendish's behaviour could only be explained that way ''

"And yet you say acquitted ? ''

Poirot shrugged his shoulders

"Certainly police court proceedings, hear the case prosecution, but in all probability his solicitors will advise him to reserve his defence sprung upon us trial And -- ah, , word of caution , my friend not appear case ''

"What ? ''

"No Officially, nothing with it Until found that last link in my chain, remain behind the scenes Mrs Cavendish must think working for her husband, not against him ''

" , that's playing it bit low down,'' I protested

"Not at all to deal with most clever and unscrupulous man, and use any means power -- otherwise slip through our fingers why careful to remain background All the discoveries made by Japp, and Japp will take all the credit If called upon evidence at all'' -- he smiled broadly -- " probably be as witness defence ''

hardly believe my ears

" quite en règle,'' continued Poirot "Strangely enough, give evidence demolish one contention prosecution ''

"Which one ? ''

"The one that relates destruction will John Cavendish destroy ''

Poirot was true prophet go details police court proceedings, as it involves many tiresome repetitions merely state baldly that John Cavendish reserved his defence, and was duly committed for trial

September found us all in London Mary took house in Kensington, Poirot being included family party

I myself given job War Office, so was able them continually

weeks went by, the state of Poirot's nerves grew worse and worse That "last link'' he talked about was still lacking Privately, I hoped it might remain so, for what happiness could there be for Mary, if John acquitted ?

On September 15th John Cavendish appeared dock Old Bailey, charged with "The Wilful Murder of Emily Agnes Inglethorp,'' and pleaded "Not Guilty ''

Sir Ernest Heavywether, the famous K C , engaged to defend him

Mr Philips, K C , opened the case Crown

The murder, , was most premeditated and cold-blooded one neither more nor deliberate poisoning of fond and trusting woman stepson she more than mother his boyhood, she had supported him He wife had lived at Styles Court in every luxury, surrounded by her care and attention She their kind and generous benefactress

He proposed witnesses to show how the prisoner, profligate and spendthrift, end financial tether, and had also been carrying on an intrigue with certain Mrs Raikes, neighbouring farmer's wife This having come stepmother's ears, she taxed him with it afternoon before her death, and quarrel ensued, part of overheard previous day, the prisoner had purchased strychnine village chemist's shop, wearing disguise he hoped to throw the onus crime upon another man -- to wit, Mrs Inglethorp's husband, of whom he bitterly jealous Luckily Inglethorp, he able an unimpeachable alibi

afternoon of July 17th, continued Counsel, immediately quarrel with her son, Mrs Inglethorp made new will was found destroyed grate of her bedroom the following morning, but evidence had come to light which showed drawn up in favour of her husband Deceased had already made will favour before her marriage, but -- and Mr Philips wagged an expressive forefinger -- the prisoner was not aware What had induced the deceased fresh will, old one still extant, he She was an old lady, and might possibly have forgotten the former one; or -- this seemed to him more likely -- she had an idea revoked by her marriage, as there some conversation Ladies always versed in legal knowledge She had, about year before, executed will in favour prisoner call evidence to show the prisoner who ultimately handed his stepmother her coffee fatal night Later evening, he had sought admission to her room, occasion, , an opportunity of destroying the will which, as far as , would render the one favour valid