POIROT INVESTIGATES

 

BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

 

I

 

The Adventure of “The Western Star”

 

I was standing at the window of Poirot’s rooms looking out idly on the street

below.

 

“That’s queer,” I ejaculated suddenly beneath my breath.

 

“What is, _mon ami_?” asked Poirot placidly, from the depths of his comfortable

chair.

 

“Deduce, Poirot, from the following facts! Here is a young lady, richly

dressed—fashionable hat, magnificent furs. She is coming along slowly, looking

up at the houses as she goes. Unknown to her, she is being shadowed by three men

and a middle-aged woman. They have just been joined by an errand boy who points

after the girl, gesticulating as he does so. What drama is this being played? Is

the girl a crook, and are the shadowers detectives preparing to arrest her? Or

are _they_ the scoundrels, and are they plotting to attack an innocent victim?

What does the great detective say?”