“We could find out, doubtless, if Mr. Ackroyd had received any strangers during

the past week?”

 

“Young Raymond could tell us that,” I said.

 

“Or Parker,” suggested Colonel Melrose.

 

“_Ou tous les deux_,” suggested Poirot, smiling.

 

Colonel Melrose went in search of Raymond, and I rang the bell once more for

Parker.

 

Colonel Melrose returned almost immediately, accompanied by the young secretary,

whom he introduced to Poirot. Geoffrey Raymond was fresh and debonair as ever.

He seemed surprised and delighted to make Poirot’s acquaintance.

 

“No idea you’d been living among us incognito, M. Poirot,” he said. “It will be

a great privilege to watch you at work——Hallo, what’s this?”

 

Poirot had been standing just to the left of the door. Now he moved aside

suddenly, and I saw that while my back was turned he must have swiftly drawn out

the arm-chair till it stood in the position Parker had indicated.

 

“Want me to sit in the chair whilst you take a blood test?” asked Raymond

good-humoredly. “What’s the idea?”