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"Oh, of course--that goes without saying"

We had walked, as we talked, and noe passed through the little gate into the garden Voices rose near at hand, for tea was spread out under the sycamore-tree, as it had been on the day of my arrival

Cynthia was back from the hospital, and I placed my chair beside her, and told her of Poirot's wish to visit the dispensary

"Of course! I'd love him to see it He'd better come to tea there one day I must fix it up with him He's such a dear little man! But he is funny He made me take the brooch out of ain, because he said it wasn't straight"

I laughed

"It's quite a mania with him"

"Yes, isn't it?"

We were silent for ain the direction of Mary Cavendish, and dropping her voice, Cynthia said: "Mr Hastings"

"Yes?"

"After tea, I want to talk to you"

Her glance at Mary had setI fancied that between these two there existed very little sympathy For the first tiirl's future Mrs Inglethorp had ined that John and Mary would probably insist on herher home with them--at any rate until the end of the war John, I kneas very fond of her, and would be sorry to let her go

John, who had gone into the house, now reappeared His good-natured face wore an unaccustoer

"Confound those detectives! I can't think what they're after! They've been in every roos inside out, and upside down It really is too bad! I suppose they took advantage of our all being out I shall go for that fellow Japp, when I next see hirunted Miss Howard

Lawrence opined that they had to

After tea, I invited Cynthia to coether

"Well?" I inquired, as soon as ere protected froh, Cynthia flung herself down, and tossed off her hat The sunlight, piercing through the branches, turned the auburn of her hair to quivering gold

"Mr Hastings--you are always so kind, and you know such a lot"