any of these deaths. One, I believe, was pneumonia following influenza and another was attributed to gastric ulcer. There were

absolutely no suspicious circumstances, if

you know what I mean, and the deaths did

not take place at Green Hills Sanctuary, but at their own homes. I've no doubt it is quite all right, but all the same I --well --I shouldn't like anything to happen to Emmie."

She clasped her hands, her eyes appealed

to Poirot.

361

Poirot himself was silent for some

minutes. When he spoke there was a

change in his voice. It was grave and deep.

He said:

"Will you give me, or will you find out

for me, the names and addresses of these

members of the sect who have recently

died ?"

"Yes indeed, M. Poirot."

Poirot said slowly:

"Mademoiselle, I think you are a woman

of great courage and determination. You

have good histrionic powers. Would you

be willing to undertake a piece of work that

may be attended with considerable

danger ?"

"I should like nothing better," said the

adventurous Miss Carnaby.

Poirot said warningly:

"If there is a risk at all, it will be a grave

one. You comprehend — either this is a

mare's nest or else it is serious. To find out

which it is, it will be necessary for you

yourself to become a member of the Great

Flock. I would suggest that you exaggerate

the amount of the legacy that you recently

inherited. You are now a well-to-do woman

with no very definite aim in life. You argue

362

with your friend Emmeline about this

religion she has adopted --assure her that

it is all nonsense. She is eager to convert

you. You allow yourself to be persuaded to

go down to Green Hills Sanctuary. And

there you fall a victim to the persuasive

powers and magnetic influence of Dr.

Andersen. I think I can safely leave that

part to you ?"

Miss Camaby smiled modestly. She

murmured:

"I think I can manage that all right!"

II

"Well, my friend, what have you got for

me?"

Chief Inspector Japp looked thoughtfully

at the little man who asked the

question. He said ruefully:

"Not at all what I'd like to have, Poirot.

I hate these long-haired, religious cranks

like poison. Filling up women with a lot

of mumbo-jumbo. But this fellow's being

careful. There's nothing one can get hold

of. All sounds a bit batty but harmless."

"Have you learned anything about this

Dr. Andersen ?"

363

"I've looked up his past history. He was

a promising chemist and got chucked out

of some German University. Seems his

mother was Jewish. He was always keen

on the study of Oriental Myths and

Religions, spent all his spare time on that

and has written various articles on the

subject --some of the articles sound pretty

crazy to me."

"So it is possible that he is a genuine

fanatic ?"

"I'm bound to say it seems quite likely!"

"What about those names and addresses