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"Or, rather," pursued my friend imperturbably, "there was one"

"What do you mean--there was one? Where is it now?"

"Burnt!"

"Burnt?"

"Yes See here" He took out the charred fraglethorp's room, and handed it to the laith a brief explanation of when and where he had found it

"But possibly this is an old will?"

"I do not think so In fact I am almost certain that it was made no earlier than yesterday afternoon"

"What?" "Impossible!" broke simultaneously from both men

Poirot turned to John

"If you will allow ardener, I will prove it to you"

"Oh, of course--but I don't see----"

Poirot raised his hand

"Do as I ask you Afterwards you shall question asthe bell

Dorcas answered it in due course