"at was ."

"She gave no hint twhich of the ople concerned it was '

"I should hary fa to let you ow if she had told me th," said Mr. Entwhistle aciy.

"I alogise, mon ami. Of cour you wod have told me."

Mr. Entwhistle said: "We sh just have to wait until she rovers consciousns before we know."

Poirot said avely: "That may not be for a we long time. Perhaps never."

"Is it. bad that ?" Mr. Entwstle's voice shook a little.

"Yes, it h as bad as that."

"b.u.t.that's teble, Poirot."

"Yes, it h terrible. And it h why we cnot afford to wait. For it shows that we have to deM th someone who is either completely ruthle or so frightened that it com to the same thing."

"But lk here, Poirot, what about Helen ? I feel woed.

she would not be safe. So she is not at Enderby.

Already the ambulce has come and is takg her to a nursing home where she have speci nurs and where one, gfiy or othese, 11 be owed to see her."

. Entwhistle sighed.

"You relieve my mind I She might have been in danger."

"She a.s.suredly would have been in danger I ,M.. Entwhistle's voice sounded deeply moved.

have a great regard for Helen Abernethie. I alway have had. A woman of very exceptionaJ character, She may

have had certain--what shall I say ?--reticences in her life."

"Ah, there were reticences ?"

"I have always had an idea that such was the case."

"Hence the villa in Cyprus. Yes, that explains a good deal " "I doa't want you to begin thinking"

"You cannot stop me thinking. But now, there is a little commission that I have for you. One moment."

There was a pause, then Poirot's voice spoke again.

"I had to make sure that n.o.body was listening. All is well. Now here is what I want you to do for me. You must pr,e, pare to make a journey."

,, A journey ?" Mr. Entwhistle sounded faintly dismayed Oh, I see--you want me to come down to Enderby ?

"Not at all. I am in charge here. No, you will not have

to travel so far. Your journey will not take you very far

from London. You will travel to Bury St. Edmunds--(Ma

.fo/! what names your English towns have l) and there you

will hire a car and drive to Forsd.y.k.e House. It is a Mental

Home. Ask for Dr. Penrith and inquire of him particulars

ab,o,u.t a patient who was recently discharged.'

What patient ? Anyway, surely"

Poirot broke in:

*' The name of the patient is Gregory Ban,k,,,. Find out for

what form of insanity he was being treated.

"Do you mean that Gregory Banks is insane ?"

"Sh I Be careful what you say. And now--I have not yet

breakfasted and you, too, I suspect have not breakfasted ?"

"Not yet. I was too anxious----"

"Quite so. Then, I pray you, eat your breakfast, repose

yourself. There is a good train to Bury St. Edmunds at twelve

o'clock. If I have any more news I will telephone you before

you start."

"Be careful of yoursdJPoirot," said Mr. Entwhistle with some concern.

"Ah that, yes Me, I do not want to be hit on the head

with a marble doorstop. You may be a.s.sured that I will take

every precaution. And now--for the moment--good-bye."

Poirot heard the sound of the receiver being replaced at

the other end, then he heard a very faint second click--and

58

smiled to himself. Somebody had replaced the receiver on the telephone in the hall.

He went out there. There was no one about. He tiptoed to the cupboard at the back of the stairs and looked inside.

At that moment Lans...o...b.. came through the service door carrying a tray with toast and a silver coffee pot. He looked

slightly surprised to see Poirot emerge from the cupboard.

"Breakfast is ready in the dining-room, sir," he said.

Poirot surveyed him thoughtfully.

The old butler looked white and shaken.

"Courage," said Poirot, clapping him on the shoulder.

"All will yet be well. Would it be too much trouble to serve me a cup of coffee in my bedroom ?"

"Certainly, sir. I will send Janet up with it, sir.' '

Lans...o...b.. looked disapprovingly at Hercule Poirot's back as the latter climbed the stairs. Poirot was attired in an exotic silk dressing-gown with a pattern of triangles and squares.