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

Japp's voice spoke: Glad I've Just caught
It's all off, old man. Found message at the Y
when ! got back. Girls turned up. At the sid
the main road fifteen miles from Amicns She's d.
and they can't get any coherent story from her,
she's all right. Nothing wrong with her
Poirot said slowly so you have. then, no nee
my services"
That's right. In fact - sorrrry you have I
trrrroubled " Japp laughed at his own wittic
and rang off,
Hercule Poirot did not laugh He put back
receiver slowly
Detective Inspector Hearn looked at l'o
curiously. I'D no idea you d be so interested sir
Porot said: You had word from Chief Inspee
Japp that | might consult with you over this
ter"
Hearn nodded He said you were coming over
some other business, and that you'd give us h:
with this puzzle But | didn't expect you now it's
cleared up. thought you'd be busy on your
job
MY own business can wait. 1t is this affair
that interests me. You called it puzzle, and !.
say it is now ended But the puzzle is still there
seems
We'll, sir, we've got the child back And 81
not hurt That S the main thing
But it does not solve the problem of how ',
got her back. does it? What does she herself s
A doctor saw her. did he not? What did he say"
Said she'd been doped. She was still hazy with
Can't remember anything much after starting
from Cranchester All later events seem to have b.
wiped out. Doctor thinks she might just possi
have had slight conclusion. There's bruise on i
back of her head Says that would account 70
complete blackout of memory
Which is very convenient for - someone!
Inspector Hearn said in a shocked voice:
You don't think she is shamming, sir? I'm 81
she isn't. She's nice kid - bit young for her age
that's all
mo, no. she is not shamming'' Poirot shook |
head vigorously. But want to know hosc she got
that train. want to know who is responsible &
why
"As to why, should say it was an attempt at
naping. sir. They meant to hold her to ransom"
But they didn't!
Lost their nerve with the hue and cry "a
planted her by the road quick.
And what ransom were they likely to get from
Canon of Cranchester Cathedral? English Chur
dignitaries are not millionaires :.
Detective Inspector Hearn said cheerfully:
made botch of the whole thing, sir, in
opinion
"Ah, that's your opinion
Hearn said his face flushing slightly:
whats yours, sir?"
Il want to know how she was spirited off II
train
The policeman's face clouded over. That d
mystery. One minute she was there sitting in
dining car. chatting to the other girls Five mimi
later she's vanished - like a conjuring trick"
Precisely. like a conjuring trick! Who else
there in that particular coach?"
That's good point sir. That's important III
particularly important because it was the last cd
on the train and as soon as all the people were h
in their coaches the doors between the coaches u
locked - actually 50 as to prevent people crowd
along to the restaurant Car and demanding tea bed
they'd had time to clear up lunch and get real
Winnie King came back to the coach with the 9TH
- the school had three reserved compartmd|
there" II
"And in the other compartments"
Hearn pulled out his notebook Miss Jordan n