Evening star., 1940-05-12

to the glory of God. do not think
that the nuns themselves ever realized
its value. They took it, probably. for
family heirloom. In their eyes it was
chalice and they used it as SUCH
"An extraordinary story! What
made you think of going there"
Poirot shrugged his shoulders. per
haps a process of elimination. And
then there was the extraordinary fact
that no one had ever tried to dispose
of the cup. That looked, you see, as
though it were in place where or
dinary material values did not apply.
l remembered that Patrick Casey's
daughter was a num-"
Tower said heartily: "Well, as l said
before, congratulate you. Let me
know your fee and I'll write -"
Poirot said: There is no fee
What do you mean?"
did you ever read fairy stories
when you we're a child? The King
would say:'Ask OF me what you wil'?"
so you are asking something?"
''Yes. but not money. Merely SIM
pie request"
well, what is it? D'you want tip
on the market?"
That would be only money in an
other form. My request is much sim
pier than that"
What is it?'
Hercule Poirot laid his hand on the
cup. Send this back to the convent"
There was pause. Then Emery
Power said: Are you quite mad?"
mo, am not mad See, will show
you something" Poirot picked up the
goblet. With his fingernail he pressed
hard into the open jaws of the snake
that was coiled round the tree Inside
the cup a tiny portion Of the gold
chased interior slid aside. leaving an
aperture into the hollow handle
"You see? This was the drinking
cup of the Borgias. Through this little
hole the poison passed into the drink.
You have said yourself that the his
tory of this cup is evil. Violence and
blood and evil passions have accom-
panied its possession. Evil will perhaps
come to you in your turn"
"Superstition!"
Possibly. But why were you so
anxious to possess this thing? Not for
its beauty Not for its value. You have
hundred-a thousand perhaps
beautiful and rare things. You wanted
it to sustain your pride. You were
determined not to be beaten. En- bien,
you are not beaten. You win The
goblet is in your possession But now,
why not make great-a supreme
gesture. Send it back to where it has
dwelt in peace for nearly ten years.
Let the evil of it be purified there. Let
it stand once more on the altar, puri-
fled and absolved as we hope that the
souls of men shall also be purified and
absolved from their sins.
He leaned forward. LET me describe
for you the place where found it -
the garden of peace. looking out over
the western sea toward a forgotten
paradise of youth and eternal beauty"
He spoke on, describing in simple
words the remote charm of Inishgowlan.
Emery Power sat back, one hand
over his eyes. He said at last: II was
born on the west coast of Ireland l
left there as boy to go to America"
Poirot said gently: Il heard that"
The financier sat up. His eyes were
shrewd again. He said, faint smile
on his lips. 'You are strange man,
M. Poirot. You shall have your way.
Take the goblet to the convent as
gift in my name. A pretty costly gift
- thirty thousand pounds. And what
shall get in exchange?"
THE nuns will say masses for your
soul" =
The rich mans smile widened-a
hungry smile. He said: $50, after all,
it may be an investment! Perhaps, the