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I think every one was a little surprised that it should be he and not one of the official detectives who took the initiative

"Mesdah he were a celebrity about to deliver a lecture, "I have asked you to coether, for a certain object That object, it concerns Mr Alfred Inglethorp"

Inglethorp was sitting a little by himself--I think, unconsciously, every one had drawn his chair slightly away froave a faint start as Poirot pronounced his na hi on this house--the shadow of lethorp shook his head sadly

"My poor wife," he murmured "Poor Emily! It is terrible"

"I do not think, monsieur," said Poirot pointedly, "that you quite realize how terrible it lethorp did not appear to understand, he added: "Mr Inglethorp, you are standing in very grave danger"

The two detectives fidgeted I saw the official caution "Anything you say will be used in evidence against you," actually hovering on Summerhaye's lips Poirot went on

"Do you understand now, monsieur?"

"No; What do you mean?"

"I mean," said Poirot deliberately, "that you are suspected of poisoning your wife"

A little gasp ran round the circle at this plain speaking

"Good heavens!" cried Inglethorp, starting up "What a monstrous idea! I--poison my dearest Emily!"

"I do not think"--Poirot watched him narrowly--"that you quite realize the unfavourable nature of your evidence at the inquest Mr Inglethorp, knohat I have now told you, do you still refuse to say where you were at six o'clock on Monday afternoon?"

With a groan, Alfred Inglethorp sank down again and buried his face in his hands Poirot approached and stood over hilethorp raised his face from his hands Then, slowly and deliberately, he shook his head

"You will not speak?"

"No I do not believe that anyone could be so monstrous as to accuse htfully, like a man whose mind is made up

"Soit!" he said "Then I ain

"You? How can you speak? You do not know----" he broke off abruptly

Poirot turned to face us "Mesdames and messieurs! I speak! Listen! I, Hercule Poirot, affirm that the man who entered the chemist's shop, and purchased strychnine at six o'clock on Monday last was not Mr Inglethorp, for at six o'clock on that day Mr Inglethorp was escorting Mrs Raikes back to her ho farm I can produce no less than five witnesses to swear to having seen theether, either at six or just after and, as you may know, the Abbey Farm, Mrs Raikes's hoe There is absolutely no question as to the alibi!"