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"Bien!" he said at last "It is evident! I had an idea--but clearly I was e But no , he dis hi that this obsession of his over the coffee was bound to end in a blind alley, but I restrained reat man in his day

"Breakfast is ready," said John Cavendish, co in from the hall "You will breakfast with us, Monsieur Poirot?"

Poirot acquiesced I observed John Already he was almost restored to his norht had upset hi back to the norination, in sharp contrast with his brother, who had, perhaps, too , John had been hard at work, sending telegra notices for the papers, and generally occupying himself with the s are proceeding?" he said "Do your investigations point todied a natural death-- or--or must we prepare ourselves for the worst?"

"I think, Mr Cavendish," said Poirot gravely, "that you would do well not to buoy yourself up with any false hopes Can you tell me the views of the other members of the fa a fuss over nothing He says that everything points to its being a simple case of heart failure"

"He does, does he? That is very interesting--very interesting," murmured Poirot softly "And Mrs Cavendish?"

A faint cloud passed over John's face

"I have not the least idea what ht a momentary stiffness in its train John broke the rather aard silence by saying with a slight effort: "I told you, didn't I, that Mr Inglethorp has returned?"

Poirot bent his head

"It's an aard position for all of us Of course one has to treat hi down to eat with a possible murderer!"

Poirot nodded sympathetically

"I quite understand It is a very difficult situation for you, Mr Cavendish I would like to ask you one question Mr Inglethorp's reason for not returning last night was, I believe, that he had forgotten the latch-key Is not that so?"