“I admit everything; I was at my wit’s end for money. I never saw my uncle that

evening after he left the dinner-table. As to the money, you can take what steps

you please. Nothing could be worse than it is now!”

 

Suddenly she broke down again, hid her face in her hands, and rushed from the

room.

 

“Well,” said the inspector in a flat tone, “so that’s that.”

 

He seemed rather at a loss what to do next.

 

Blunt came forward.

 

“Inspector Raglan,” he said quietly, “that money was given to me by Mr.

 

Ackroyd for a special purpose. Miss Ackroyd never touched it. When she says she

did, she is lying with the idea of shielding Captain Paton.

 

The truth is as I said, and I am prepared to go into the witness box and swear

to it.”

 

He made a kind of jerky bow, then turning abruptly, he left the room.

 

Poirot was after him in a flash. He caught the other up in the hall.