showing slightly protruding teeth confined

by a dentist's plate. She wore spectacles.

Japp said:

"Plain-looking kid — but then they are

plain at that age! Was at my dentist's

yesterday. Saw a picture in the Sketch

of Marcia Gaunt, this season's beauty.

/ remember her at fifteen when I was down

at the Castle over their burglary business.

Spotty, awkward, teeth sticking out, hair

all lank and anyhow. They grow into

beauties overnight — I don't know how

they do it! It's like a miracle."

Poirot smiled.

"Women," he said, "are a miraculous

sex! What about the child's family? Have

they anything helpful to say ?"

Japp shook his head.

332

"Nothing that's any help. Mother's an

invalid. Poor old Canon King is absolutely

bowled over. He swears that the girl was

frightfully keen to go to Paris --had been

looking forward to it. Wanted to study

painting and music --that sort of thing.

Miss Pope's girls go in for Art with a

capital A. As you probably know. Miss

Pope's is a very well-known establishment.

Lots of society girls go there. She's strict - quite a dragon--and very expensive-and extremely particular whom she takes.55

Poirot sighed.

"I know the type. And Miss Burshaw

who took the girls over from England ?"

"Not exactly frantic with brains. Terrified

that Miss Pope will say it's her

fault."

Poirot said thoughtfully:

"There is no young man in the case?"

Japp gesticulated towards the snapshot.

"Does she look like it ?"

"No, she does not. But notwithstanding

her appearance, she may have a romantic

heart. Fifteen is not so young."

"Well," said Japp. "If a romantic heart

spirited her off that train, I'll take to

reading lady novelists."

333

He looked hopefully at Poirot.

"Nothing strikes you — eh ?"

Poirot shook his head slowly. He said:

"They did not, by any chance, find her

shoes also by the side of the line ?"

"Shoes ? No. Why shoes ?"

Poirot murmured:

"Just an idea. ..."

II

Hercule Poirot was just going down to his

taxi when the telephone rang. He took off

the receiver.

"Yes ?»

Japp's voice spoke.

"Glad I've just caught you. It's all off,

old man. Found a message at the Yard

when I got back. The girl's turned up.

At the side of the main road fifteen miles

from Amiens. She's dazed and they can't

get any coherent story from her, doctor

says she's been doped— However, she's

all right. Nothing wrong with her."

Poirot said slowly:

"So you have, then, no need of my

services ?"

"Afraid not! In fact — sorrrry you have

been trrrroubled."

334

Japp laughed at his witticism and rang

off.

Hercule Poirot did not laugh. He put

back the receiver slowly. His face was

worried.

Ill

Detective Inspector Hearn looked at Poirot

curiously.

He said:

"I'd no idea you'd be so interested,

sir."

Poirot said:

"You had word from Chief Inspector

Japp that I might consult with you over

this matter ?"