"Ah! I'm after rather a big bug in the smuggling line. A bit of luck, my being on the spot. This is the most amazing business I've come across for years. Now, then, let's get down to it... First of all, doctor, perhaps you'll give me your full name and address."

"Roger James Bryant. I am a specialist on diseases of the ear and throat. My address is 329 Harley street."

A stolid constable sitting at a table took down these particulars.

"Our own surgeons will, of course, examine the body," said Japp, "but we want you at the inquest, doctor."

"Quite so, quite so."

"Can you give us any idea of the time of death?"

"The woman must have been dead at least half an hour when I examined her - that was a few minutes before we arrived at Croydon. I can't go nearer than that, but I understand from the steward that he had spoken to her about an hour before."

"Well, that narrows it down for all practical purposes. I suppose it's no good asking you if you observed anything of a suspicious nature?"

The doctor shook his head.

"And me, I was asleep," said Poirot with deep chagrin. "I suffer almost as badly in the air as on the sea. Always I wrap myself up well and try to sleep."

"Any idea as to the cause of death, doctor?"

"I should not like to say anything definite at this stage. This is a case for post-mortem examination and analysis."

Japp nodded comprehendingly.

"Well, doctor," he said, "I don't think we need detain you now. I'm afraid you'll - er - have to go through certain formalities - all the passengers will. We can't make exceptions."

Doctor Bryant smiled.

"I should prefer you to make sure that I have no - er - blowpipes or other lethal weapons concealed upon my person," he said gravely.

"Rogers will see to that," Japp nodded to his subordinate. "By the way, doctor, have you any idea what would be likely to be on this -"

He indicated the discolored thorn, which was lying in a small box on the table in front of him.

Doctor Bryant shook his head.

"Difficult to say without an analysis. Curare is the usual poison employed by the South American natives, I believe."

"Would that do the trick?"

"It is a very swift and rapid poison."

"But not very easy to obtain, eh?"

"Not at all easy for a layman."

"Then we'll have to search you extra carefully," said Japp, who was always fond of his joke... "Rogers!"

The doctor and the constable left the room together.

Japp tilted back his chair and looked at Poirot.

"Rum business this," he said. "Bit too sensational to be true. I mean, blowpipes and poisoned darts in an aeroplane - well, it insults one's intelligence."

"That, my friend, is a very profound remark," said Poirot.

"A couple of my men are searching the plane," said Japp. "We've got a fingerprint man and a photographer coming along. I think we'd better see the stewards next.