anything about it."

Poirot said:

"No. I am sure he did not."

The door opened and Detective Sergeant

Grey came in. He had something in his

hand, wrapped in a silk handkerchief.

He unwrapped it and set it carefully down.

It was a bright rose pink enamel compact.

Nurse Harrison said:

"That's the one I saw."

Grey said:

"Found it pushed right to the back of

Miss Moncrieffe's bureau drawer. Inside a

handkerchief sachet. As far as I can see

there are no fingerprints on it, but I'll be

careful."

With the handkerchief over his hand he

pressed the spring. The case flew open.

Grey said:

"This stuff isn't face powder."

He dipped a finger and tasted it gingerly

on the tip of his tongue.

93

"No particular taste."

Poirot said:

"White arsenic does not taste."

Grey said:

"It will be analysed at once." He looked

at Nurse Harrison. "You can swear to this

being the same case ?"

"Yes. I'm positive. That's the case I

saw Miss Moncrieffe with in the dispensary

about a week before Mrs. Oldfield's

death."

Sergeant Grey sighed. He looked at

Poirot and nodded. The latter rang the

bell.

"Send my servant here, please."

George, the perfect valet, discreet, unobtrusive, entered and looked inquiringly at his master.

Hercule Poirot said:

"You have identified this powder compact, Miss Harrison, as one you saw in the possession of Miss Moncrieffe over a year

ago. Would you be surprised to learn that

this particular case was sold by Messrs.

Woolworth only a few weeks ago and that,

moreover, it is of a pattern and colour that

has only been manufactured/or the last three

months ?"

94

Nurse Harrison gasped. She stared at

Poirot, her eyes round and dark. Poirot

said:

"Have you seen this compact before, Georges ?"

George stepped forward:

"Yes, sir. I observed this person. Nurse

Harrison, purchase it at Woolworth's on

Friday the i8th. Pursuant to your instructions

I followed this lady whenever she

went out. She took a bus over to Darnington

on the day I have mentioned and purchased

this compact. She took it home with

her. Later, the same day, she came to the

house in which Miss Moncrieffe lodges.

Acting as by your instructions, I was

already in the house. I observed her go into

Miss Moncrieffe's bedroom and hide this

in the back of the bureau drawer. I had a

good view through the crack of the door.

She then left the house believing herself unobserved.

I may say that no one locks their

front doors down here and it was dusk."

Poirot said to Nurse Harrison, and his

voice was hard and venomous:

"Can you explain these facts. Nurse

Harrison? I think not. There was no

arsenic in that box when it left Messrs

I 95

Woolworth, but there was when it left

Miss Bristow's house." He added softly,

"It was unwise of you to keep a supply of

arsenic in your possession."

Nurse Harrison buried her face in her