Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-09-10

Author of"-And There W.,. No.s" "AA.vs..
Mvstrotsd
did not suspect anything wrong, merely thought she
was in one of the other reserved compartments.
so she was last seen when exactly?'
About ten minutes after the train left Amiens.
She was last seen entering the washroom."
There is nothing else?" said Poirot.
Yes, one thing. Her hat was found by the side
of the line at spot approximately twenty
minutes from Amiens.
but no body?
mo body"
Poirot asked What do you yourself Think
Difficult to know what to think. As there's no
sign of her body, she can't have fallen off the train
did the train stop at all after leaving Amiens?"
mo. 1t slowed up once. for signal, but it didn't
stop, and doubt if it slowed up enough for anyone
to have jumped off without injury. You're thinking
that the kid got panic and tried to away? 1t
was her first term and she might have been home
sick, that's true enough, but all the same she was
fifteen and a half - sensible age and she d been in
quite good spirits all the journey, chatterng away
Poirot asked Was the train searched?"
'Oh, yes. they went right through it before it
arrived at the Nord station. The girl wasn't on the
train, that s quite certain
Japp added in an exasperated manner. "She just
disappeared - into thin air! 1t doesn't make sense.
NJ Poirot. It's crazyr'
What kind of girl was she?"
Ordinary normal type as far as can make out.
I've got snap of her here. She's not exactly bud
ding beauty"
He proffered the snapshot to Poirot, who studied
in ad lopL ho;r in
two limp plaits 1t was not posed photograph Il the
subject had clearly been caught unawares. She was
eating apple. her lips parted and her slightly
protruding teeth were confined by dentist brace
She wore spectacles
Japp said: "Plan- looking kid - but they are
plain at that age! Was at my dentist S yesterday.
Saw picture in the Sketch of Marcia Gaunt. this
seasons beauty. remember her at fifteen when
down at the Castle their burglary business.
Spotty. awkward. teeth sticking out, hair all lank
and anyhow. They grow into beauties overnight i
don know how they do it !. It's like miracle
Poirot smiled. women" he said, "are miraCu-
lous sex! What about the childs family? Have they
anything to say?''
Nothing that's any help. Mothers an invalid.
Poor old Canon King is absolutely bowled over He
swears that the girl frightfully keen to 60 to
Paris - had been looking forward to it. Wanted to
study painting and music Miss Popes girls go in
for Art with capital A. Miss Pope's is very well
known Lots of society girls 60 there. She's strict -
and very expensive - and extremely particular
whom she takes.
Poirot sighed. Il know the type. And Miss
Burshaw who took the girls over from England?"
mot exactly frantic with brains. Terrified that
Miss Pope will say it's her fault"
There is no young man in the case?"
Does she look like it,"
mo, she does not But Notwithstanding her
appearance, she may have romantic heart. Fifteen
is not 50 young"
WELL" said Japp. IF romantic heart spirited
her off that train I'll take to reading lady novelists
He looked hopefully at Poirot. Nothing strikes
you -eh?
Poirot shook his head slowly He said:
They did not, by any chance, find her shoes also
by the side of the line?"
Shoes? No. Why shoes?'
Just an idea ="
D.:-z l.:-A