Poirot said that he thought that was entirely understandable.

He had fancied that Rowley Cloade was annoyed by the announcement of his stay in Warmsley Vale. Aunt Kathie's manner, without any doubt, was far from welcoming. She was looking at him with something not far from dismay. She said, leaning forward and speaking in a hoarse conspiratorial whisper:

"You won't tell my husband, will you, that I came and consulted you about - well, about we know what?"

"My lips are sealed."

"I mean - of course I'd no idea at the time - that Robert Underhay, poor man, so tragic - was actually in Warmsley Vale. That seems to me still a most extraordinary coincidence!"

"It would have been simpler," agreed Poirot, "if the Ouija board had directed you straight to the Stag."

Aunt Kathie cheered up a little at the mention of the Ouija board.

"The way things come about in the spirit world seem quite incalculable," she said. "But I do feel, M. Poirot, that there is a purpose in it all? Don't you feel that in life? That there is always a purpose?"

"Yes, indeed, Madame. Even that I should sit here, now, in your drawing-room, there is a purpose in that."

"Oh, is there?" Mrs Cloade looked rather taken aback. "Is there, really? Yes, I suppose so... You're on your way back to London, of course?"

"Not at present. I stay for a few days at the Stag."

"At the Stag. Oh - at the Stag! But that's where - oh, M. Poirot, do you think you are wise?"

"I have been guided to the Stag," said Poirot solemnly.

"Guided? What do you mean?"

"Guided by you."

"Oh, but I never meant - I mean, I had no idea. It's all so dreadful, don't you think so?"

Poirot shook his head sadly, and said:

"I have been talking to Mr Rowley Cloade and Miss Marchmont. They are getting married, I hear, quite soon?"

Aunt Kathie was immediately diverted.

"Dear Lynn, she is such a sweet girl - and so very good at figures. Now, I have no head for figures - no head at all. Having Lynn home is an absolute blessing. If I get in a terrible muddle she always straightens things out for me. Dear girl, I do hope she will be happy. Rowley, of course, is a splendid person, but possibly - well, a little dull. I mean dull to a girl who has seen as much of the world as Lynn has. Rowley, you see, has been here on his farm all through the war - oh, quite rightly, of course - I mean the Government wanted him to - that side of it is quite all right - not white feathers or things like that as they did in the Boer War - but what I mean is, it's made him rather limited in his ideas."

"Six years' engagement is a good test of affection."