The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-24
Madame, l am at your se,v
by King Feoiyre, syndie,te

Madame, l am at your serv-
ice"
Lady Angkatel S hands floated
cut expressively. Her wild, beau
tlful eyes opened.
"You see, it's all so difficult.
The inspector person is interview
ing, no, questioning - taking a
statement-what Is the Term thew
use?- Gudgeon. And really. our
whole life here depends on Gud-
geon, and n does so sympathize
with him. Because, naturally, it is
terrible for him to be questioned
by the police - even Inspector
Grange, who l GO feel is really
nice and probably a famil, maj
boys, l think, and he helps them
with Meccano IN the evenings
and a wife who has everything
spotless but a little over-crowded.o
Hercule Poirot blinked as Lady
Angkatell developed her imagi-
nary sketch of Inspector Oranges
home life.
by the way his mustache
droops," went on Lady Angkatell
y think that a home that is too
spotless might be sometimes de-
pressing like soap on hospital
nurses faces. Quite a shine! But
that is more abroad where things
lag behind - in London nursing
homes they have lots of powder
end really vivid lipstick. But i
was saying, M. Poirot, that you
really must come to lunch prop
erly when all this ridiculous bust
ness is over"
you are very kind"
Il do not mind the police my
self" said Lady Angkatell. Il
really find it all quite interesting.
Do let me help you in any way
cam l said to Inspector Grange.
He seems rather a bewildered sort
Of person, but mathodical.
motive seems 50 important to
policemen" she went on. Talk
ing of hospital nurses just now, l
believe that John Christow-a
nurse with red hair and an up
turned nose-quite attractive. But,
Of course, it was a long time ago
and the police might not be inter-
ested. One doesn't really know
how much poor Gerda had to put
UP with. She is the loyal type,
cont you think? Or possibly she
believes what is told her. ! think
If n has not a great deal o. in
telligence, it is wise to do that. ,
Quite suddenly, Lady Angkatell
flung open the study door and ush-
cred Poirot in, crying brightly,
Here is M. Poirot." She swept
around him and out, shutting the
door. Inspector Grange and Gud-
geon were sitting by the desk. A
young man with & notebook was
in a corner. Gudgeon rose re-
specially TO his feet.
Poirot fastened into apologies.
Il retire Immediately. 7 assure
you I had no idea that Lady Ang.
katell-"
mo, no. you wouldn't have.
Oranges mustache looked more
pessimistic than ever this morn.
ing. Perhaps, thought Poirot, fas.
oinated by Lady Angkatell's re.
cent sketch of Grange, there has
been too much cleaning or per
haps a Bernares table has been
purchased so that the good inspec-
tor he really cannot have space
to move.
Angrily he dismissed these
thoughts. Inspector Grange S clean
but o~vercrowded home, his wife.
his boys and their addiction to
Meccano were al Pigments Of
Lady Angkatell's busy brain.
But the vividness with which
they assumed concrete reality in
t%erested him. 1t was quite an &C
complishment.
''sit down, M. Poirot.' said
Grange. There's something
want to ask you about, and I've
nearly finished here"
He turned his attention back tc
Gudgeon, who deferentially and
almost under protest resumed his
seat and turned an expressioniess
face toward his mterlocutor.
And that's all you can re}nem
ber?"
Eyes, sir. Everything, si:. was
very much as usual. There was nc
unpleasantness of any kind
There's a fur cape thing-ou1
in that summer house by the pool
Which of the ladies did it belong
to-"
Are you referring, sir, to a
cape of platinum fox? I noticed il
yesterday when I took out the
glasses to the pavilion. But it is