Evening star., 1939-09-03

Nonsense. I've never said anything to
Jean that my wife couldn t have overheard" "
Perhaps. Dr. Oldfeld, l am going to do
my utmost in this case But must have from
3ou the most absolute frankness. 1t is true,
it not, that you had ceased to care for your
wife for some time before she died."
Oldfeld was silent for a minute. Then he
laid: This business is killing me. l must have
kope Somehow feel that you will be able to
O something for me. Twill be frank NJ. Poirot.
did not care for my wife. | made her.
hink, good husband, but l was never
eeply in love with her.
And this girl, Jean:"
Il - | should have asked her to marry me
! it weren t for all this scandal.
Poirot sat back in his chair. Now at last
re have come to the true facts! Eh bien,
fonsieur lie docteur, will take up your case.
ut remember this - it is the truth that
hall seek out
Oldfield said bitterly: 1T isn't the truth
hat s going to hurt me!' He paused. You
now I've contemplated the possibility of an
ttion for slander! If could pin anyone down
definite accusation - surely then should
vindicated At least, sometimes think so
At other times think it would only make
hings worse give bigger publicity and have
eople saying: 1t mayn't have been proved
ut there's no smoke without fire!
He looked at Poirot Tell me, honestly, is
here any way out of this nightmare
That, we shall see,' said Poirot.
I'VE are going into the country, Georges, y
Daid Poirot to his valet And the purpose OF
bur journey is to destroy monster with nine
heads"
Really. siro Something after the style of
Inc Loeb Ness Monster"
LESS tangible than that. did not refer
flesh and blood animal, Georges. 1t would
easier if it were one There is nothing so
Intangible, so difficult to pin down, as the
burCe of rumor.'
The morning after Poirot's arrival - he
hd put up at the local inn - he had his first
Pterview with Jean Moncrieffe. She was tall,
18th copper hair and steady blue eyes. She
ad about her a watchful look as of one on
er guard She said: so DR.. Oldheld did go to
ou. knew he was thinking about it.
And you did not approve?"
Her eyes met his She said coldly What
an you do?"
Poirot said quietly: There might be way
,f tackling the situation
What way? Do you mean to 60 around to
Ill the whispering old women and say: Really,
please, you must stop talking like this. Its so
bad for poor DR.. Oldfeld. They'd answer you
and say: OF course. have never believed the
story!' That's the worst of the whole thing.
They don't say: My dear. has it ever oc-
Cured to you that perhaps Mrs Oldflelds
death wasn't quite what it seemed" No, they
say: My dear, of course. | don't believe that
story about DR.. Oldfeld and his wife. I'm sure
he wouldn't do such thing. though it's true
hat he did neglect her just little perhaps
md | don't think, really. it's quite wise to
ave quite so young girl as dispenser. Of
curse I'm not saying for minute that there
vas anything wrong between them. On, no,
m sure it was qniie all right -. She
topped Her face was flushed.
Poirot said: You seem to know very well
lst what is being said What is your own
olution?"
The best thing for him to do is to sell his
In a,.;ce and start again somewhere else
Don't you think the story might follow