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"That's all very well," I objected, "but how are you going to decide what is important, and what isn't? That always seeetically He was now arranging his moustache with exquisite care

"Not so Voyons! One fact leads to another--so we continue Does the next fit in with that? A merveille! Good! We can proceed This next little fact--no! Ah, that is curious! There is so--a link in the chain that is not there We examine We search And that little curious fact, that possibly paltry little detail that will not tally, we put it here!" He nificant! It is treer so fiercely at me that I quailed before it "Beware! Peril to the detective who says: 'It is so set it' That way lies confusion! Everything matters"

"I know You always told one into all the details of this thing whether they seemed to me relevant or not"

"And I aiven me the facts faithfully Of the order in which you present the--truly, it is deplorable! But I make allowances--you are upset To that I attribute the circumstance that you have omitted one fact of paramount importance"

"What is that?" I asked

"You have not told ht"

I stared at him Surely the war had affected the littlehis coat before putting it on, and seerossed in the task

"I don't remember," I said "And, anyway, I don't see----"

"You do not see? But it is of the first importance"

"I can't see why," I said, rather nettled "As far as I can remember, she didn't eat much She was obviously upset, and it had taken her appetite away That was only natural"

"Yes," said Poirot thoughtfully, "it was only natural"

He opened a drawer, and took out a small despatch-case, then turned to me

"Now I am ready We will proceed to the chateau, and study matters on the spot Excuse me, mon ami, you dressed in haste, and your tie is on one side Pered it