Part 48 (2/2)

and before taking it, confess to the crime! So he manages to get a sample of her

handwriting--forges three identical letters and arrives at the house hot-foot in the

morning with his story of the letter he has just received. His parlourmaid quite

correctly is instructed to ring up the police. All he needs is a start. And he gets it.

By the time the police surgeon arrives it is all over. Dr. Roberts is ready with his

story of artificial respiration that has failed. It is all perfectly plausibleperfectly/ straightforward.

/ ”In all this he has no idea of throwing suspicion on Anne Meredith. He d/ooes

not even know of her visit the night before. It is suicide and security only that he is

aiming at.

”It is in fact an awkward moment for him when I ask if he is acquainted with

Mrs. Lorrimer's handwriting. If the forgery has been detected he must save

himself by saying that he has never seen her handwriting. His mind works quickly,

but not quickly enough.

”From Wallingford I telephone to Mrs. Oliver. She plays her part by lulling

his suspicions and bringing him here. And then when he is congratulating himself

that all is well, though not exactly in the way he has planned, the blow falls.

Hercule Poirot springs! And so--the gambler will gather in no more tricks. He has

thrown his cards upon the table. C'estfini.”

There was silence. Rhoda broke it with a sigh.

”What amazing luck that window-cleaner happened to be there,” she said.

”Luck? Luck? That was not luck, mademoiselle. That was the grey cells of Hercule Poirot. And that reminds me ”

He went to the door.

”Come in-come in, my dear fellow. You acted your part i merveille.”

He returned accompanied by the window cleaner, who now held his red hair in his hand and who looked somehow a very different person.

”My friend Mr. Gerald Hemmingway, a very promising young actor.”

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