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"Alfred Inglethorp?"

"Him, or another"

"No question of another Poor E I don't say she wasn't surrounded by sharks--she was But it was only her purse they were after Her life was safe enough But along colethorp--and within two months--hey presto!"

"Believe lethorp is thehih as Haman!"

"That's better," said Miss Howard more enthusiastically

"But I must ask you to trust me Now your help may be very valuable to me I will tell you why Because, in all this house of , yours are the only eyes that have wept"

Miss Howard blinked, and a new note crept into the gruffness of her voice

"If you mean that I was fond of her--yes, I was You know, Eenerous, but she alanted a return She never let people forget what she had done for them--and, that way she h, or felt the lack of it Hope not, anyway I was on a different footing I took my stand from the first 'So ood But not a penny piece besides-- not a pair of gloves, nor a theatre ticket' She didn't understand--was very offended sometimes Said I was foolishly proud It wasn't that--but I couldn't explain Anyway, I kept my self-respect And so, out of the whole bunch, I was the only one who could allow uarded her froued scoundrel co"

Poirot nodded sympathetically

"I understand, mademoiselle, I understand all you feel It is most natural You think that we are lukewary--but trust me, it is not so"

John stuck his head in at this juncture, and invited us both to colethorp's rooh the desk in the boudoir

As ent up the stairs, John looked back to the dining-room door, and lowered his voice confidentially: "Look here, what's going to happen when these two meet?"

I shook my head helplessly

"I've told Mary to keep them apart if she can"