Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-22
CONTINUED from Yesterdays star0

IN. Poiretr' she said. Now what
do you think Of that?"
thought q good many things Of
It., but I was careful not to say them
to Caroline.
why did he Gomez" I asked.
ITO see me, Of course. He said
that knowing my brother so well, he
hoped he might be permitted to make
the acquaintance Of his charming
sister-your charming sister. I've got
mixed up. but you know what
mean"
What did he talk about?" asked.
He told me q lot about himself and
his cases. You know that Prince
Paul Of Mauretania--the one who's
Just married a dancer?"
"Yes?"
ct saw q most intriguing paragraph
about her in Society snippets the
other day. limiting that she was really
q Russian grand duchess-one Of
the Cars daughters who managed
it seems that NJ. Poiret solved
baf1ing murder mystery that threat.
ened to involve them both. Prince
Paul was beside himself with
gratitude
sDid he give him an emerald tie
pin the size of a plover's egg?" I
inquired sarcastically.
He didn't mention 1t. why?"
Nothing" I said. IT thought 1t
was always done. It Is in detective
fiction anyway. The super detective
always has his rooms Uttered with
rubies and pearls and emeralds from
grateful royal clients"
Its very interesting to hear about
these things from the inside" said
my sister complacently.
not but admire the ingenuity OF M.
Hercule Poiret, who had selected un-
erringly the case OF all others that
| would most appeal to an elderly mai
den lady living in a small village.
did he tell you IL the dancer was
really a grand Duchess" l inquired.
He was not at liberty to speak,"
said Caroline Importantly.
I wondered how far Poiret had
strained the truth in talking to Caro-.
| line-probably Lct at all. He had
conveyed his inn ..5oes by means OF
his eyebrows and has shoulders.
And after all this" I remarked,
II suppose you were ready to eat
out of his hand"
Don't be coarse, James. don't
know where you get these vulgar ex.
pressions from
Probably from my only link with
the outside world-my patients. I'm
fortunately my practice does not lie
amongst royal princes and interest.
ing Russian emigres."
Caroline pushed her spectacles up
and looked at me.
You seem very grumpy. James.
1t must be your liver. A blue pill.
1 think, tonight
To see me in my own home, you
| would never imagine that I was a
doctor of medicine. Caroline does the
home prescribing both for herself and
me.
Damn my liver" I said irritabiy.
did you talk about the murder at
all?"
We'll. naturally, James. What else
is there to talk about locally? l was
able to set NJ. Poirot right upon
several points. He was very grateful
to me. He said had the makings of
a born detective In me--and a won
derful psychological insight into hui
man nature"
Caroline was exactly like q cat that
is full to overlooking with rich cream.
She was positively purring.
He talked a lot about the little
gray cells OF the brain. and Of their
functions. His own, he says, are of
the first quality
HE would say So" remarked bit
terly. "Modesty is certainly not his
middle name"
II wish you would not be so hor-
ribly American, James. He thought 1t
very important that Ralph should be
found as soon as possible. ana In
duced to come forward and give an
account of himself. He says that his
disappearance will produce very I'M
fortunate impression at the inquest.
And what did you say to thate
II agreed with him." said Caroline
Importantly. And I was able to tell
ing about it."
Caroline" said sharply. did you
tell NJ. Poirot what you overheard in
the wood that day."
II did," said Caroline complacently.
got up and began TO walk about.
you realize what you're doing, I
hope" I jerked out. You're putting
a halter round Ralph Paton's neck as
surely as you're sitting In that
mot at ALL" said Caroline. quite
unruffled. II was surprised you
hadn't told him."
IT took very good care not to-" I
said. I'm fond Of that boy"
$50 am, /. That's why say
you're talking nonsense. I don't be
lieve Ralph did it. and SO the truth
can't hurt him, and we ought to give
M. Poirot all the help we can. Why.
think. very likely Ralph was out with
that identical girl on the night OF the
murder, and if SO, he's got a perfect
alibi"
torted. why doesn't he come forward
and say SOP
Might get the girl into trouble"
said Caroline sapiently. But II NJ.
Poirot gets hold OF her. and puts 1t to
her as her duty, she'll come forward
of her own accord and clear Ralph.
/ "You seem to have invented a ro-
matte fairy story of your own" I
said. You read too many trashy
novels. Caroline. I've always told you
So"
I dropped into my chair again.
Did Poirot ask you any more ques-
tions?" / inquired.
only about the patients you had
that morning"
1.-The patients?" demanded, un-
believingly.
Eyes, your surgery patients. How
many and who they were?"
do you mean to say you were able
to tell him that?" I demanded.
Caroline is really amazing.
why not?" asked my sister triunn-
phantly. II can see the path up to
the surgery door perfectly from this
window. And I've got an excellent
memory. James. Much better than
yours, let me tell you"
I'm sure you have" I murmured
mechanically.
My sister went on, checking the
names on her fingers.