it happened again—three nights later.

After that — well, you can see for yourself.

The boy had got to leave the service. If he

was here, under Charles' eye, Charles

could watch over him. Couldn't afford to

260

have a scandal in the Navy. Yes, it was the

only thing to be done." Poirot asked: "And since then?" Frobisher said fiercely, "I'm not answering any more questions. Don't you think

Hugh knows his own business best ?"

Hercule Poirot did not answer. He was

always loath to admit that anyone could

know better than Hercule Poirot.

Ill

As they came into the hall, they met

Admiral Chandler coming in. He stood

for a moment, a dark figure silhouetted

against the bright light outside.

He said in a low, gruff voice:

"Oh there you both are. M. Poirot, I

would like a word with you. Come into my

study."

Frobisher went out through the open

door, and Poirot followed the Admiral. He

had rather the feeling of having been summoned

to the quarter-deck to give an

account of himself.

The Admiral motioned Poirot to take

one of the big easy chairs and himself sat

down in the other. Poirot, whilst with

Frobisher, had been impressed by the

261

other's restlessness, nervousness and irritability

--all the signs of intense mental

strain. With Admiral Chandler he felt a

sense of hopelessness, of quiet, deep

despair. . . .

With a deep sigh. Chandler said: "I

can't help being sorry Diana has brought

you into this. . . . Poor child, I know how

hard it is for her. But --well --it is our

own private tragedy, and I think you will

understand, M. Poirot, that we don't want

outsiders.35

"I can understand your feeling, certainly.35

"Diana, poor child, can't believe it. ...

/ couldn't at first. Probably wouldn't

believe it now if I didn't know --3?

He paused.

"Know what ?"

"That it's in the blood. The taint, I

mean."

"And yet you agreed to the engagement

?"

Admiral Chandler flushed.

"You mean, I should have put my foot

down then? But at the time I'd no idea.

Hugh takes after his mother--nothing

about him to remind you of the Chandlers.

262

I hoped he'd taken after her in every way.

From his childhood upwards, there's never

been a trace of abnormality about him

until now. I couldn't know that--dash

it all, there's a trace of insanity in nearly

every old family!39

Poirot said softly: "You have not consulted

a doctor ?"

Chandler roared: "No, and I'm not

going to! The boy's safe enough here with

me to look after him. They shan't shut him

up between four walls like a wild beast...."

"He is safe here, you say. But are others safe ?"

"What do you mean by that ?"

Poirot did not reply. He looked steadily

into Admiral Chandler's sad, dark eyes.

The Admiral said bitterly:

"Each man to his trade. You're looking

for a criminal! My boy's not a criminal, M. Poirot."