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"Yes, yes," I said impatiently "Go on"

"Well, uilt were very ainst him that I was inclined to believe that he had not done it"

"When did you change your mind?"

"When I found that the more efforts I et hilethorp had nothing to do with Mrs Raikes and that in fact it was John Cavendish as interested in that quarter, I was quite sure"

"But why?"

"Si on an intrigue with Mrs Raikes, his silence was perfectly comprehensible But, when I discovered that it was known all over the village that it was John as attracted by the farmer's pretty wife, his silence bore quite a different interpretation It was nonsense to pretend that he was afraid of the scandal, as no possible scandal could attach to hiave me furiously to think, and I was slowly forced to the conclusion that Alfred Inglethorp wanted to be arrested Eh bien! from that moment, I was equally determined that he should not be arrested"

"Wait a minute I don't see why he wished to be arrested?"

"Because, mon ami, it is the law of your country that a ain for the same offence Aha! but it was clever--his idea! Assuredly, he is a man of method See here, he knew that in his position he was bound to be suspected, so he conceived the exceedingly clever idea of preparing a lot of ainst himself He wished to be arrested He would then produce his irreproachable alibi--and, hey presto, he was safe for life!"

"But I still don't see how he o to the chemist's shop?"

Poirot stared at me in surprise

"Is it possible? My poor friend! You have not yet realized that it was Miss Hoent to the chemist's shop?"

"Miss Howard?"

"But, certainly Who else? It was ht, her voice is deep and lethorp are cousins, and there is a distinct rese It was simplicity itself They are a clever pair!"