Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-11

has been amazing to me that no one
has commented on them--has seen
anything odd about them"
He paused minute, and then
quoted softly:
IS. rhe calls on nay purse
have been so frequent of late that I
fear II Is impossible for me TO accede
to your request. Does nothing strike
YOU as odd about that?"
Il don't think So" said Raymond.
He has frequently dictated letters
to me, using almost exactly those
same words"
Exactly" cried Poirot. THAT ia
what l seek to arrive at. Would any
man use such phrase I'm talking IN
another? Impossible that that should
De part of a real conversation. Now
II ne had been debating a letter
You mean he was reading a letter
aloud. said Raymond slowly. Even
some one
But why? We have no evidenca
| that there was any one else i'm the
room. No other voice but Mr.. Ack.
royd's was heard, remember"
surely man wouldn't read letters
OF that type aloud to himself-not sun.
| less he was--well-going balmy."
, You have all forgotten one thing"
said Poirot softly, "the stranger who
called at the house the preceding Wed.
nesday."
They all stared at him.
But yes" said Poirot. nodding en-.
couragingly. ION Wednesday. The
young man was not of himself i'm.
portant. But the firm he represented
interested me very much"
1 The DiCfa nhopa 70 oag1.a D..
mond. Il see IL now. A dictaphone.
That's what you Think"
Poirot nodded.
Mr.. Ackroyd had promised to in.
vest IN a dictaphone. you remember.
Me, | had the curiosity to inquire OF
the company in question. Their reply
is that MIR. Ackroyd did purchase a
dictaphone from their representative.
Why he concealed the matter from
you / do not know"
| He must have meant to surprise
me with it, murmured Raymond.
He had quite a childish love OF sur
prising people. Meant to keep II up
his sleeve for a day or SO. Probably
was playing with it like a new toy.
Yes, II f1ts in. You're quite right-no
one would use quite those words in
casual conversation"
| 1t explains, too" said Poirot. ''whv
MAJ Blunt thought II was you who
were In the study. Such scraps as
came TO him were fragments Of dicta.
ton, and so his subconscIous mind de.
duceo that you were with him. His
conscious mind was occupied with
something quite different-the white
figure he had caught a glimpse Of He
fancied IL was Miss Ackroyd. Really.
OF course, 1t was Ursula Bourne
white apron he saw as she was steal.
ing down to the Summer house.
raymond had recovered from his
first surprise.
All the same" he remarked. 'thia
discovery OF yours, brilliant though n
is I'm quite sure / should never have
tnougnt OF III leaves the essential posi-.
lon unchanged. Mr.. Ackroyd was
alive at $50. since he was speaking
INTO the dictaphone. 1t seems clear
tnat the man Charles Kent was really
on the premises by then. AS to Ralph
lPatOn-?"
He hesitated. glancing at Ursula.
Her color fiared up, but she an.
lswered steadily enough.
Ralph and l parted just before a
quarter to 10. He never went near the
house. am sure of that. He had no
intention of doing so, The last thing
on earth he wanted was to face his
stepfather. He would have funked it
badly"
1T isn't that / doubt your story for
a moment" explained Raymond. I've
always been quite sure Capt. Patton
was innocent. But one has to think
of a court Of law--and the questions
that would be asked. He is in most
unfortunate position, but IL he were TO
come forward
Poirot interrupted.
That Is your advice, yes? That he
should come forward"
Certainly. II you know where he
is" E--
OF perceive that you do not believe
that do know. And yet / have told
you just now that know everything.
The truth of the telephone call. of the
footprints on the window sill, Of the
hiding place of Ralph Patton
Where is hep" said Blunt sharply.
Not very far away" said Poirot.
smiling.
In Cranchester?" I asked.
Poirot turned toward me.
| Always you ask me that. The idea
of Cranchester it Is with you an idee
fixe. No. he Is not in Cranchester. He
Iis-there,"
He pointed a dramatic forefinger.
Every ones head turned.
Ralph Patton was standing in the
doorway.