"Is there something in common between them all that I have missed?"

"No, no, you have been very accurate in your summing up. The only point that you might have mentioned but did not, was the fact that in none of those cases did any real doubt exist."

"I don't think I understand?"

"Mrs. Etherington, for instance, was acquitted. But everybody, nevertheless, was quite certain that she did it. Freda Clay was not openly accused, but no one thought of any alternative solution of the crime. Riggs stated that he did not remember killing his wife and her lover, but there was never any question of anybody else having done so. Margaret Litchfield confessed. In each case, you see, Hastings, there was one clear suspect and no other."

I wrinkled my brow.

"Yes, that is true - but I don't see what particular inferences you draw from that."

"Ah, but you see, I am coming to a fact that you do not know as yet. Supposing, Hastings, that in each of these cases that I have outlined, there was one alien note common to them all?"

"What do you mean?"

Poirot said slowly:

"I intend, Hastings, to be very careful in what I say. Let me put it this way. There is a certain person - X. In none of these cases did X (apparently) have any motive in doing away with the victim. In one case, as far as I have been able to find out, X

was actually two hundred miles away when the crime was committed. Nevertheless, I will tell you this. X was on intimate terms with Etherington, X lived for a time in the same village as Riggs, X was acquainted with Mrs. Bradley. I have a snap of X and Freda Clay walking together in the street, and X was near the house when old Matthew Litchfield died. What do you say to that?" I stared at him. I said slowly:

"Yes, it's a bit too much. Coincidence might account for two cases, or even three, but five is a bit too thick. There must, unlikely as it seems, be some connection between these different murders."

"You assume, then, what I have assumed?"

"That X is the murderer? Yes."

"In that case, Hastings, you will be willing to go with me one step further. Let me tell you this. X is in this house."

"Here? At Styles?"

"At Styles. What is the logical inference to be drawn from that?" I knew what was coming as I said:

"Go on - say it."

Hercule Poirot said gravely:

"A murder will shortly be committed here - here."

THREE

For a moment or two I stared at Poirot in dismay, then I reacted.

"No, it won't," I said. "You'll prevent that." Poirot threw me an affectionate glance.

"My loyal friend. How much I appreciate your faith in me. Tout de même, I am not sure if it is justified in this case."

"Nonsense. Of course you can stop it."