Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-05
Continued from Yesterdays starr

On inquiry for Miss Ackroyd, we
were shown into the billiard room.
Flora and Mai Hector Blunt were
sitting on the ,ong window seat.
Good. morning, Miss Ackroyd." said
the inspector Can we have a word
or two alone with you?'
Blunt got up at once and moved
to the door.
What Is it?" asked Flora. nervous
ly. Don't go. Mai. Blunt. He can
stay. can't he?" she asked. turning to
the inspector.
That's as you like" said the in.
spector dryly. There's a question
or two it's my duty to put to you,
miss, but d prefer to do so privately,
and l dare say you'd prefer it also. -
Flora looked keenly at him. 1 saw
her face grow whittier. Then she
turned and spoke to Blunt
Il want you to stay-please-yes,
I mean it. WIZ ever the inspector
has 70 say to - I'd rather you
heard it
Raglan shrugged hts shoulders.
We'll, If you will have II so, that's
all there is to it, Now, Miss Ack.
royd NJ. Poirot here has made GER
tain suggestion to me. He suggests
that you weren't in the study at all
last Friday night. that you never saw
Mr.. Ackroyd 10 say goodnight to him.
that instead of being in the study
you We're on the stairs leading down
from your uncle's bedroom when you
heard Parker coming across the hall. .
Flora's gaze shifted TO Poirot. He
nodded back at her.
"Mademoiselle, the other day, when
we sat round the table, I implored
you to be frank with me. What one
does not tell to Papa Poirot he finds
out.
1T was that, was II not7 See. will
make 1t easy for you. You took the
money, did you not?"
The money" said Blunt sharply
There was a silence which lasted
for at least a minute.
Then Flora drew herself UP and
spoke.
M Poirot ia right took that mon
ey. l stole. l am thief-yes, com
mon, vulgar little thief. Now you
know. ] am glad 1t has come out. It's
been a nightmare, these last few
days. She sat down suddenly and
buried her face in her hands. She
spoke huskily through her fingers.
You don't know what my life has
been since came here. Wanting
things. scheming for them, lying,
cheating. running up bills, promising
to pay--oh. | hate myself when ]
think OF 1t ALI That's what brought
liz together. Ralph and l. We were
both weak ! understood him and l
was sorry-because I'm the same un-
derneath. We're not strong enough to
stand alone, either of us. We're weak,
miserable, despicable things"
She looked at Blunt and suddenly
stamped her foot.
why do you look at me like that
as though you couldn't believe? | may
he a thief-but at any rate I'm real
now. I'm not lying any more. I'm
not pretending to he the kind of girl
you like, young and innocent and
simple. l don't care If you never want
to see me again. ] hate myself, de-
spise myself-but you've got to believe
one thing. If speaking the truth would
have made things better for Ralph, /
would have spoken out. But I've seen
all along that il wouldn't be better for
Ralph--it makes the case against him
blacker than ever. I was not doing
him any harm by sticking to my lie y
Ralph" said Blunt. Il see-always
Ralph"
You don't understa nd" said Flora
She turned TO the inspector.
Il admit everything; | was at my
wits end for money. | never saw my
uncle that evening after he left the
dinner table. AS to the money, you