Poirot smiled.

"I did understand. "There was only one

person sitting near esnough to overhear

anything we said and sas soon as I left the

teashop I arranged to have him followed

when he came out. Whnen he went straight back to the Sanctuary I understood that I could rely on you and that you would not

let me down --but I v^as afraid because it

increased the danger for you."

"Was --was there rreally danger ? What

was there in the syring^e ?"

Japp said:

3841

"Will you explain, or shall I ?"

Poirot said gravely:

"Mademoiselle, this Dr. Andersen had

perfected a scheme of exploitation and

murder --scientific murder. Most of his

life has been spent in bacteriological research.

Under a different name he has a

chemical laboratory in Sheffield. There he

makes cultures of various bacilli. It was his

practice, at the Festivals, to inject into his

followers a small but sufficient dose of

Cannabis Indica --which is also known by

the names of Hashish or Blang. This gives

delusions of grandeur and pleasurable enjoyment.

It bound his devotees to him.

These were the Spiritual Joys that he

promised them.3'

"Most remarkable," said Miss Carnaby.

"Really a most remarkable sensation."

Hercule Poirot nodded.

"That was his general stock in trade - a dominating personality, the power of creating mass hysteria and the reactions

aim in view.

"Lonely women, in their gratitude and

fervour, made wills leaving their money to

the Cult. One by one, these women died.

385

They died in their own homes and apparently

of natural causes. Without being

too technical I will try to explain. It is

possible to make intensified cultures of

certain bacteria. The bacillus Coli Cornmums,

for instance, the cause of ulcerative

colitis. Typhoid bacilli can be introduced

into the system. So can the Pneumococcus.

There is also what is termed Old Tuberculin

which is harmless to a healthy person

but which stimulates any old tubercular

lesion into activity. You perceive the

cleverness of the man ? These deaths would

occur in different parts of the country, with

different doctors attending them and without

any risk of arousing suspicion. He had

also, I gather, cultivated a substance which

had the power of delaying but intensifying

the action of the chosen bacillus."

"He's a devil, if there ever was one!" said Chief Inspector Japp. Poirot went on:

"By my orders, you told him that you

were a tuberculous subject. There was Old

Tuberculin in the syringe when Cole

arrested him. Since you were a healthy

person it would not have harmed you, which is why I made you lay stress on your 386

tubercular trouble. I was terrified that even

now he might choose some other germ, but

I respected your courage and I had to let

you take the risk.35

"Oh, that's all right," said Miss Carnaby

brightly. cc! don't mind taking risks. I'm

only frightened of bulls in fields and things

like that. But have you enough evidence to convict this dreadful person ?" Japp grinned.