Evening star., 1927-02-16
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Star.)

Ii CHi lCSbCAuts - Nt0A'f
There was something almost inde-
sc1ibable in the way he said those last
words. l felt that he was looking at
the cSae from some peculiar angle or
his angle, and what he saw l could
not tell.
He went to the window and stood
there, looking out.
"You say it was 9 O'Clock, DR.. Shep-
pard, when YOU met this stranger out
side the gate?'
He asked the question witholt, turn
Ing round.
Yes" 7 replied. II heard the
church clock chime the hour"
How long would it take HIM 10
reach the house-to reach this win
dow, for instance"
Five minutes at the outside Two
or three minutes only if he took the
path at the right of the drive ana
came straight here"
but TO do that he would have to
know the way. How can | explain
myself?-it would mean that he mad
been here before--that he knew his
surroundings.
THAT is true" replied Col. Melrose.
I'VE could find out. doubtless, If Mr..
Ackroyd had received any strangers
during the past week
! said.
''Or Parker" suggested Col. Mel
rose.
"Ou tous les deux," suggested Poirot,
smiling.
Col. Melrose went in search of Ray
mond. and | rang the bell once more
for Parker.
Col. Me!rose returned almost imme-
diately, accompanied by the young
secretary. whom he introduced to
Poirot Geoffrey Raymond was fresh
and debonair as ever. He seemed sur
prised and delighted to make Poirots
acquaintance.
mo idea you'd been living among
us incognito, NJ. Poirot," he said. 1T
will be a great privilege to watch you
at work. Halo, 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
hack was turned he must have swiftly
drawn out the armchair till it stood
in the position Parker had indicated.
Want me to sit in the chair while
you take a blood test" asked Ray
mond. spontaneously. What's the
idea?'
m. Raymond. this chair was pulled
out-so-last night when Mr.. Ackroyd
was found killed. Some one moved 1t
back again into place. Did you do
SOP"
The secretary's reply came without
a seconds hesitation!
mo, indeed, didn't. ] don't even
remember that it was in that position,
but it must have been if YOU say so.
Anyway, somebody else must have
moved it back to its proper place.
so? Too bedr
q n rnnSpnHpncP - said the
detective. "Of no consequence what
ever What really want to ask you
Is this, NJ Raymond: Did any stranger
come to see Mr.. Ackroyd during this
past week."
The secretary reflected for a minute
or two, knitting his brows. and dur
ing the pause Parker appeared in an
swer to the bell.
NO. said Raymond at last. Il
can't remember any one. Can you,
Parker"
II beg your pardon, sir?"
ANY stranger coming to see Mr..
Ackroyd this week?"
The butler reflected for minute or
two.
There was the young man. who
came on Wednesday, sir he said at
last. From Curtis and Troute. un-
derstood he was"
impatient hand.
"Oh, yes, / remember, but that is |
not the kind of stranger this gentle |
man means" He turned to Poirot. |
"Mr. Ackroyd had some idea of pur- |
chasing a dictaphone," he explained. |
"It would have enabled us to get |
through lot more work in limited |
time. The firm in question sent down /
their representative, but nothing |
came of it. Mr.. Ackroyd did not make |
up his mind to purchase"
Poirot turned to the butler.
Can you describe this young man |
to me, my good Parker"
He was fair-haired, sir, and short. |
Very neatly dressed in a blue serge |
suit. A very presertable young man,
sir. for his station in life"
Poirot turned to me.
The man you met outside the gate, |
doctor, was tall, was he not?"
Yes l said. Somewhere about |
six feet. should say"
There is nothing in that, then"
declared the Belgian. Il thank you,
Parker"
The butler spoke to Raymond.
Mr.. Hammond has just arrived.
sir" he said. HE is anxious to know |
If he can be of any service, and he !
would be glad to have word with
you"
III come at once" said the young
man. He hurried out. Poirot looked
inquiringly at the chief constable.
1.-THE family solicitor, NJ. Poirot,
said the latter.
1T is a busy time for this young |
n. Raymond, mumured NJ. Poirot.
He has the air efficient, that one"
! believe Mr.. Ackroyd considered |
hin, a a