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The house which the Belgians occupied in the village was quite close to the park gates One could save tirass, which cut off the detours of the winding drive So I, accordingly, went that way I had nearly reached the lodge, when ure of a lethorp Where had he been? How did he intend to explain his absence?

He accosted erly

"My God! This is terrible! My poor wife! I have only just heard"

"Where have you been?" I asked

"Denby kept ht It was one o'clock before we'd finished Then I found that I'd forgotten the latch-key after all I didn't want to arouse the household, so Denby gave me a bed"

"How did you hear the news?" I asked

"Wilkins knocked Denby up to tell hi--such a noble character She over-taxed her strength"

A wave of revulsion swept over me What a consummate hypocrite the man was!

"I must hurry on," I said, thankful that he did not askat the door of Leastways Cottage

Getting no answer, I repeated my summons impatiently Aabove me was cautiously opened, and Poirot hiave an excla edy that had occurred, and that I wanted his help

"Wait, my friend, I will let you in, and you shall recount to me the affair whilst I dress"

In a few moments he had unbarred the door, and I followed him up to his room There he installedback nothing, and onificant, whilst he himself made a careful and deliberate toilet

I told hi words, of her husband's absence, of the quarrel the day before, of the scrap of conversation between Mary and her mother-in-law that I had overheard, of the forlethorp and Evelyn Howard, and of the latter's innuendoes

I was hardly as clear as I could wish I repeated o back to sootten Poirot smiled kindly on me

"The itated; you are excited--it is but natural Presently, e are cale the facts, neatly, each in his proper place We will examine--and reject Those of importance ill put on one side; those of no importance, pouf!"--he screwed up his cherub-like face, and puffed coh--"blow them away!"