Hammett were in office --I would not

lift a finger --no, not a little finger. But I

know something about you. I have been

184

told, by a man who is really great, one of

the greatest scientists and brains of the

day, that you are — a sound man. I will do

what I can.35

He bowed and left the room.

Sir George burst out:

"Well, of all the damned cheek — "

But Edward Ferrier still smiling said:

"It was a compliment."

II

On his way downstairs, Hercule Poirot

was intercepted by a tall, fair-haired

woman. She said:

"Please come into my sitting-room, M.

Poirot."

He bowed and followed her.

She shut the door, motioned him to a

chair, and offered him a cigarette. She sat

down opposite him. She said quietly:

"You have just seen my husband — and

he has told you — about my father."

Poirot looked at her with attention. He

saw a tall woman, still handsome, with

character and intelligence in her face. Mrs.

Ferrier was a popular figure. As the wife

of the Prime Minister she naturally came

in for a good share of the limelight. As the

185

daughter of her father, her popularity was

even greater. Dagmar Perrier represented

the popular ideal of English womanhood.

She was a devoted wife, a fond mother, she shared her husband's love of country life. She interested herself in just those

aspects of public life which were generally

felt to be proper spheres of womanly

activity. She dressed well, but never in an

ostentatiously fashionable manner. She

devoted much of her time and activity to

large-scale charities, she had inaugurated

special schemes for the relief of the wives of

unemployed men. She was looked up to by

the whole nation and was a most valuable

asset to the Party.

Hercule Poirot said:

"You must be terribly worried, Madame."

"Oh

I am --you don't know how much.

For years I have been dreading --something.3'

Poirot said:

"You had no idea of what was going on

actually ?"

She shook her head.

"No --not in the least. I only knew that

my father was not --was not what every186

one thought him. I realised, from the time

that I was a child, that he was a --a humbug."

Her voice was deep and bitter. She

said:

"It is through marrying me that Edward

--that Edward will lose everything."

Poirot said in a quiet voice:

"Have you any enemies, Madame ?"

She looked up at him, surprised.

"Enemies ? I don't think so."

Poirot said thoughtfully:

"I think you have. ..."

He went on:

"Have you courage, Madame ? There is

a great campaign afoot--against your

husband --and against yourself. You must

prepare to defend yourself."

She cried:

"But it doesn't matter about me. Only

about Edward!"

Poirot said: "The one includes the other.

Remember, Madame, you are Caesar's

wife."

He saw her colour ebb. She leaned

forward. She said:

"What is it you are trying to tell