Removing the pipe, and closing the door behind him, he said: "You'll excuse me, but I was anxious to just have a word with Mr. Poirot here." "With me?" Poirot turned his head in innocent surprise.

"Ay, with you." Colin spoke grimly.

He drew up a rather uncomfortable chair and sat squarely on it facing Hercule Poirot.

"You've given us an amusing talk tonight," he said indulgently. "And I'll not deny that you're a man who's had a varied and lengthy experience, but if you'll excuse me for saying so, your methods and your ideas are both equally antiquated." "Really, Colin," said Mrs. Hubbard, colouring. "You're extremely rude." "I'm not meaning to give offence, but I've got to make thins clear. Crime and Punishment, Mr.

Poiro-t comt's as far as your horizon stretches." "They seem to me a natural sequence," said Poirot.

"You take the narrow view of the Law-and what's more of the Law at its most old fashioned.

Nowadays, even the Law has to keep itself co nizant of the newest and most up to date theories of what causes crime. It is the causes that are important, Mr. Poirot." "But there," cried Poirot, "to speak in your new fashioned phrase, I could not agree with you more!" "Then you've got to consider the cause of what has been happening in this house-you've got to find out why these things have been done." "But I am still agreeing with you-yes, that is most important." "Because there always is a reason, and it may be, to the person concerned, a very good reason." At this point, Mrs. Hubbard, unable to contain herself, interjected sharply, "Rubbish." "That's where you're wrong," said Colin, turning slightly toward her. "You've got to take into account the psychological background." "Psychological balderdash," said Mrs.

Hubbard. "I've no patience with all that sort of talk!" "That's because you know precisely nothing about it," comsd Colin in a gravely rebuking fashion. He returned his gaze to Poirot.

"I'm interested in these subjects. I am at present taking a post graduate course in psychiatry and psychology. We come across the most involved and astounding cases, and what I'm pointing out to you, M.

Poirot, is that you can't just dismiss the criminal with a doctrine of original sin, or wilful disregard of the laws of the land. You've got to have an understanding of the root of the trouble if you're ever to effect a cure of the young delinquent. These ideas were not known or thought of in your day and I've no doubt you find them hard to accept-was can' Stealing's stealing," put in Mrs. Hubbard stubbornly.

Colin frowned impatiently.

Poirot said meekly, "My ideas are doubtless old fashioned, but I am perfectly prepared to listen to you, Mr.

Mcationabb." Colin looked areeably surprised.

C, "That's very fairly said, Mr. Poirot. Now I'll try to make this matter clear to you, usin, very simple terms." I coneaThank you," said Poirot meekly.

"For convenience's sake, I'll start with the pair of shoes you brought with you tonight and returned to Sally Finch. If you remember, one shoe was stolen.