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"These evenings enially "I suppose Mr Lawrence wore that fine black beard in the chest upstairs, when he was Shah of Persia?"

"He did have a beard, sir," replied Dorcas, s "And well I know it, for he borroo skeins of my black wool to make it with! And I'm sure it looked wonderfully natural at a distance I didn't know as there was a beard up there at all It , I know, but nothing else in the way of hair Burnt corks they use ain Miss Cynthia was a nigger once, and, oh, the trouble she had"

"So Dorcas knows nothing about that black beard," said Poirot thoughtfully, as alked out into the hall again

"Do you think it is the one?" I whispered eagerly

Poirot nodded

"I do You notice it had been trilethorp's, and I found one or two snipped hairs Hastings, this affair is very deep"

"Who put it in the chest, I wonder?"

"Soence," remarked Poirot dryly "You realize that he chose the one place in the house to hide it where its presence would not be reent Weintelligent at all"

I acquiesced

"There, reat assistance to me"

I was pleased with the coht that Poirot appreciatedat htfully, "you will be invaluable"

This was naturally gratifying, but Poirot's next words were not so welcome

"I must have an ally in the house," he observed reflectively

"You have me," I protested

"True, but you are not sufficient"

I was hurt, and showed it Poirot hurried to explain hi You are known to be working with me I want somebody who is not associated with us in any way"

"Oh, I see How about John?"

"No, I think not"

"The dear fellow isn't perhaps very bright," I said thoughtfully

"Here comes Miss Howard," said Poirot suddenly "She is the very person But I alethorp Still, we can but try"