it soon transpired that his thoughts were occupied by something of a totally

different nature.

 

“See you,” he said. “We must act. With your help I propose to examine a witness.

We will question him, we will put such fear into him that the truth is bound to

come out.”

 

“What witness are you talking of?” I asked, very much surprised.

 

“Parker!” said Poirot. “I asked him to be at my house this morning at twelve

o’clock. He should await us there at this very minute.”

 

“What do you think,” I ventured, glancing sideways at his face.

 

“I know this—that I am not satisfied.”

 

“You think that it was he who blackmailed Mrs. Ferrars?”

 

“Either that, or——”

 

“Well?” I said, after waiting a minute or two.

 

“My friend, I will say this to you—I hope it was he.”

 

The gravity of his manner, and something indefinable that tinged it, reduced me