Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-18
Continued from Yesterdays Starr


bordered each side with formal flower
beds, and at the end was a round
paved recess with a seat and a pond
Of goldfish. Instead of pursuing the
oath to the end. Poirot took another
which wound up the side of a wooded
lope. In one spot the trees had been
cgeared away, and seat had been
nut. Sitting there one had a splendid
view over the countryside. and one
looked right down on the paved recess
and the goldfish pond.
England is very beautiful SAID
Poirot, his eyes straying over the
prospect Then he smiled, And SO
are English girls, he said in lower
tone. "Hush, my friend, and look at
the pretty picture below us.
It was then that l saw Flora she
twas moving along the path we had
lust left and she was humminG a little
snatch of song. Her step was more
dancing than walking, and in spite OF
her black dress, there was nothing but
ioy in her whole attitude. She gave
= sudden pirouette on her toes, ana
her black draperies swung out. Al
The same time she flung her head back
and laughed outright.
As she did so a man stepped out
from the trees. 1t was Hector Blunt.
The girl started. Her expression
changed a little.
How Won startled mel didn't see
YOU"
Blunt said nothing, but stood look.
Ing at her for a minute or two IN
silence.
What l like about you" said Flora,
with touch of malice, lis your
CHEEKY conversation
/ fancy that at that Blunt Redeemed
under his tan. His voice. when he
hnd
curious sort of humility in 1t.
Never was much of a fellow for
talking Not even when / was young.
THAT was a very long time ago,
suppose" said Flora gravely.
I caught the undercurrent of
laughter in her voice, but 1 don't
think Blunt did
yes" he said simply, sit was"
How does 1t feel to be NIethuse.
lah?" asked Flora.
This time the laughter was more
apparent, but Blunt was following out
an idea of his own.
Remember the Johnny who sold
his soul to the devil? In return Tor
being made young again? There's an
opera about it."
Faust, you mean?'
That's the beggar. Rum story.
Some of us would do it if we could
"Any one would think you were
creaking at the joints to hear you
talk" cried Flora, half veXed, half
amused.
Blunt said nothing for minute or
two. Then he looked away from Flora
into the middle distance and observed
to an adjacent tree trunk that IT was
about time he got back to Africa.
"Are YOU going on another eXpedl-
tion-shooting thingS?"
Expect so. Usually do, you know
shoot things, mean"
You shot that head in the man,
didn't you?"
Blunt nodded. Then he jerked out
going rather red, as he did So
Care for some decent skins any
time? If so, could get EN- for YOU
ooh! please do cried Flora. viii
YOU really? You won't forget?"
81 shan't forget" said Hector Blunt.
He added, in a sudden burst of COM
municativeness:
Time I went. I'm no good in this
sort of life. Haven't got the manners
for it. I'm a rough fellow, no use In
society. Never remember the things
ones expected to say. Yes. time
went" q q 49,
cried Flora. "Not-not while we're
In all this trouble. OhA please. If
you go"
She turned away little.
You want me to stay?' asked
Blunt
He spoke deliberately but quite
simply.
I'VE ALL
II meant you personally said
Blunt with directness.
Flora turned slowly back again and
met his eyes.
II want you to stay she said. if
II that makes any difference"
ut makes all the difference" said
Blunt
There was a moments silence. They
sat down on the stone seat by the gold
fish pond. 1t seemed as though neither
Of them knew quite what to say next.
Tits such a lovely morning"
said Flora at last. You know, l
can't help feeling happy, in spite-in
spite of everything. That's awful, /
SUPPOSE"
Quite natural" said Blunt. Never
saw your uncle until two years ago,
did you? Can't be expected to grieve
very much. Much better to have no
humbug about it.
There's something awfully consol-
ing about YOU said Flora. you
make things so simple"
Things are simple as a rule, said
the big game hunter.
Not always" said Flora.
Her voice had lowered itself. and l
saw Blunt turn and look at her, bring
Ing his eyes back from apparently
the coast of Africa to do SO. He evil
IDENTIFY put his own construction on
her change of tone. for he said. after
a minute or two. in rather an abrupt
manner:
"a
worry. About that young chap, 7
mean. Inspectors an ass. Every
body knows-utterly absurd to think
he could have done it. Man from out
side. Burglar chap. That's the only
possible solution
Flora turned to look at him.
You really think so?"
Don't you?" said Blunt quickly.
''l-oh, yes. of course"
Another silence, and then Flora
burst out
'Im-Iu tell you why L felt so
happy this morning. However, heart
less you think me. I'd rather tell you.
It's because the lawyer has been--Mr
hammond He told us about the will
Uncle Roger has left me twenty
thousand pounds. Think Of it-twenty
thousand beautiful pounds.
Blunt looked surprised.
Does II mean SO much to you?'
Mean much to me? Why, it's
everything. Freedom-life-no more
scheming and scraping and dying
Lying" said Blunt, sharply inter
rupting.
Flora seemed taken aback for ii
minute.
You know what | mean" she said
uncertainty. pretending TO be thank
full for all the nasty c;tstoff things riclt
relations give you. Last years coats