Sir George Carrington was fidgeting with his watch, opening and shutting it. He was a maniac for punctuality.

‘They’re cutting it fine,’ he murmured. ‘Very fine. Unless they’re careful, they’ll miss the train—’

His wife said irritably:

‘Oh, don’t fuss, George. After all, it’s their train, not ours!’

He looked at her reproachfully.

The Rolls drove off.

Reggie drew up at the front door in the Carringtons’ Morris.

‘All ready, Father,’ he said.

The servants began bringing out the Carringtons’ luggage. Reggie supervised its disposal in the dickey.

Poirot moved out of the front door, watching the proceedings.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his arm. Lady Julia’s voice spoke in an agitated whisper.

‘M. Poirot. I must speak to you—at once.’

He yielded to her insistent hand. She drew him into a small morning-room and closed the door. She came close to him.

‘Is it true what you said—that the discovery of the papers is what matters most to Lord Mayfield?’

Poirot looked at her curiously.

‘It is quite true, madame.’

‘If—if those papers were returned to you, would you undertake that they should be given back to Mayfield, and no questions asked?’

‘I am not sure that I understand you.’

‘You must! I am sure that you do! I am suggesting that the—the thief should remain anonymous if the papers are returned.’

Poirot asked:

‘How soon would that be, madame?’

‘Definitely within twelve hours.’

‘You can promise that?’

‘I can promise it.’

As he did not answer, she repeated urgently:

‘Will you guarantee that there will be no publicity?’

He answered then—very gravely:

‘Yes, madame, I will guarantee that.’

‘Then everything can be arranged.’

She passed abruptly from the room. A moment later Poirot heard the car drive away.

He crossed the hall and went along the passage to the study. Lord Mayfield was there. He looked up as Poirot entered.

‘Well?’ he said.

Poirot spread out his hands.

‘The case is ended, Lord Mayfield.’

‘What?’

Poirot repeated word for word the scene between himself and Lady Julia.

Lord Mayfield looked at him with a stupefied expression.

‘But what does it mean? I don’t understand.’

‘It is very clear, is it not? Lady Julia knows who stole the plans.’

‘You don’t mean she took them herself?’