The prisoner was a man of medium height, with a

somewhat unpleasing cast of features. He looked a jailbird if ever a man did.

"Honest to God, I never did it," he whined. "Some one put those little glass figures amongst my traps. It

was a frame-up, that's what it was. I went straight to my rooms when I came in, like I said. I never knew a thing

till Betsy screeched out. S'welp me, God, I didn't." Poirot rose.

"If you can't tell me the truth, that is the end of it."

"But, guv'nor--"

"You did go into the room--you did know your

master was dead; and you were just preparing to make a

THE BIG FOUR 37

bolt of it when the good Betsy made her terrible discovery."

The man stared at Poirot with a dropped jaw.

"Come now, is it not so? I tell you solemnly--on my word of honour--that to be frank now is your only

chance."

"I'll risk it," said the man suddenly. "It was just as you say. I came in, and went straight to the master--and there he was, dead on the floor and blood all round.

Then I got the wind up proper. They'd ferret out my

record, and for a certainty they'd say it was me as had

done him in. My only thought was to get away--at

once--before he was found--"

"And the jade figures?"

The man hesitated.

"You see--"

"You took them by a kind of reversion to instinct, as it were? You had heard your master say that they were

valuable, and you felt you might as well go the whole

hog. That, I understand. Now, answer me this. Was it

the second time that you went into the room that you

took the figures?"

"I didn't go in a second time. Once was enough for

me."

"You are sure of that?"

"Absolutely certain."

"Good. Now, when did you come out of prison?"

"Two months ago."

"How did you obtain this job?"

"Through one of them Prisoners' Help Societies.

Bloke met me when I came out."

"What was he like?"

"Not exactly a parson, but looked like one. Soft

black hat and mincing way of talking. Got a broken

38 Agatha Christie

front tooth. Spectacled chap. Saunders his name was.

Said he hoped I was repentant, and that he'd find me a

good post. I went to old Whalley on his recommendation."

Poirot rose once more.

"I thank you. I know all now. Have patience." He paused in the doorway and added: "Saunders gave you a pair of boots, didn't he?"

Grant looked very astonished.

"Why, yes, he did. But how did you know?"

"It is my business to know things," said Poirot gravely.

After a word or two to the Inspector, the three of us

went to the White Hart and discussed eggs and bacon

and Devonshire cider.

"Any elucidations yet?" asked Ingles, with a smile.

"Yes, the case is clear enough now; but, see you, I shall have a good deal of difficulty in proving it.