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"What were you doing there?" I asked, in lively curiosity

"I left so to be analysed"

"Yes, but what?"

"The sample of coco I took from the saucepan in the bedroom"

"But that has already been tested!" I cried, stupefied "Dr Bauerstein had it tested, and you yourself laughed at the possibility of there being strychnine in it"

"I know Dr Bauerstein had it tested," replied Poirot quietly

"Well, then?"

"Well, I have a fancy for having it analysed again, that is all"

And not another word on the subject could I drag out of hi of Poirot's, in respect of the coco, puzzled me intensely I could see neither rhyme nor reason in it However, my confidence in him, which at one time had rather waned, was fully restored since his belief in Alfred Inglethorp's innocence had been so triulethorp took place the following day, and on Monday, as I came down to a late breakfast, John drewthat , to take up his quarters at the Stylites Arms until he should have coreat relief to think he's going, Hastings," continued ht he'd done it, but I'uilty for having been so down on the fellow The fact is, we've treated hiainst hi to the conclusions we did Still, there it is, ere in the wrong, and now there's a beastly feeling that one ought to make amends; which is difficult, when one doesn't like the fellow a bit better than one did before The whole thing's damned aard! And I'ood thing Styles wasn't the mater's to leave to hi it here He's welcome to her ht?" I asked

"Oh, yes There are the death duties, of course, but half oes with the place, and Lawrence will stay with us for the present, so there is his share as well We shall be pinched at first, of course, because, as I once told you, I am in a bit of a hole financially myself Still, the Johnnies ait now"